Gents:

I'm hearing persistent rumors out on the road that there will be a training letter upcoming after the bid closes (per the contract), but that it will start after the current training letter expires in January, therefore, a training letter, but nobody actually goes. Then, the bid for the 777 will come out and then only after that, guys will begin to train...after the mother of all shuffles. Also heard they want to put the HKG MD-10-30 base on the same bid as the 777.

Anyone else hearing similar?

P.S.--Before any of my jokers (the typical ones) chime in, I realize that I ALONE will be the only one who will be training on 08-03 and in reverse seniority to boot!

WM

I like the way you think, backfilling the secondaries (one's current seat) when the 777 bid comes out and not having to go to training. There will be some who'll get caught in the shuffle though. (Mainly Purple Nug's, direct hire 72 FO's, and those really junior in some seats.)

My only question, why not include the 777 bid with the current excess and get it over with in one fell swoop?? (Especially with the excess training later slated to extend into late 09)

FWIW- I heard on the j/s yesterday that mx is really not thrilled about having the MD-10s in Asia. Evidently there are no parts for the Thunder Pig in Asia and the supply chain would be a total mess. And yes, they at least have to publish a training letter within 10 days of bid closing, per the contract. I don't think that means they can't change it one meeeellllllleeeeooooonnn times between now and the winter bid.

We don't have a payrate for the 777.

In jest, all the more reason to have it on the bid. It will/would go senior.

How / where can you find that training letter? (The January one you are referring to)

They have all been erased from the website. I only remember that the last one that was current went to 31 Jan 09.

WM

The last one that was posted (08-02) went through 31JAN10 for the Flexes/LCA's and Oct 09 for the last training cycle.

IT was suggested by another poster to look at your ITU date. That way if you were awarded something on the 08-02 bid, you could have a "general" idea, subject to change, etc.

Don't forget to look in 2008 and 2009

Hey, if we all have to wait for training until deep in 2009, that's okay with me.


WM

Lindy, are you a "Wild"man?