So you guys are willing to kow tow to what the company wants, give up long term pay and benefits IF the company threatens furlough? If the majors followed that philosophy then we all would be paid a lot less if they gave stuff up everytime they furloughed, which happens quite frequently. So you are willing to take a 30 percent payout just for the sake of keeping body count hi?

All I am saying is I don't want us to run away in fear with tail between our legs if they play the furlough card. I don't think it is even a reality to furlough given the flexibility the company already has. If they threaten it, it is probably a bluff and I don't mind calling them on it.

If you don't think FedEx is going through some serious changes get your head out of the sand. It's not bad and is probably good for the long term viability of the company and our retirement plan.

I got to go and catch that herpes.

"If they threaten it, it is probably a bluff and I don't mind calling them on it." MEMA300

I'm sure you don't mind, as a furlough will most likely not affect "your" ability to provide for "your" family. Your a real gem buddy! Make sure it is HSV Type 2 or 8 please.

I've had friends furloughed from just about every outfit that has ever furloughed and never did they complain about how rank and file should take hits to keep them on property. You know why, because they wanted a good job to return to.

We have the most beneficial contract in the industry for those that might risk being furloughed. Remember 4a2b.

Fleet Plan is probably more accurate than a newsy

Three threads started since the fall.....all doom and gloom.....man you are a pessimist!

I agree that we shouldn't make like ostriches and feel all nice and comfy because of FedEx's past success. On the other hand, the lesson to learn from Pan Am (and Eastern, TWA, Braniff, etc.) is that a company has to continually adjust to the market and remain competitive. Deregulation was the game changer that lead to the demise of those great airlines. I view the changes that we are making as sound, strategic moves to keep us healthy, profitable and competitive.

The impact for the pilot group in the short term is likely more seat shifting, but I don't see 4A2B raising its head again. We may not hire as many as before (see other poster comment on "organic growth"), but we've still got significant numbers of retirements on the horizon which should mean job security for those on the property already. Granted, seat progression may be at a snail's pace, but for me it beats the alternative.

Call me naive, but I don't see black helicopters in this announcement.

Which is why we need to negotiate a bigger paycheck more than anything else, as half the crew force will be stuck in the right seat for a very long time.

“In response, beginning April 1, FedEx Express will decrease capacity to and from Asia and will aggressively manage traffic flows to place low yielding traffic in lower-cost networks,” Smith declared. “We are currently assessing how these actions may allow FedEx Express to retire more of its older, less-efficient aircraft. We remain focused on our strategic cost reduction programmes, which are ramping up and on track.”

The Fleet Plan is yesterday's plan.

When is April 1st? About 29 days ago? So, the hammer already fell?

Besides...It was April Fool's Day.

At least we now know what the over 65 crowd will be training for:

Commercial / Merchant Mariner Courses