MCJdrvr

Compensation is thoroughly covered in the forums and there are many valuable perspectives on the more subjective aspects of flying for UPS. It seems that the deteriorating schedules are the biggest drag on QOL (aside from maybe COVID).

I've read many references to the Jepessen crew optimizer and how it has done away with the days of better schedules with higher seniority. More notably I've read many posts on how terrible it is in regards to circadian rhythm flips and other negative results on crew rest, chronic fatigue, QOL, and trip commutability. Is this an accurate perception? Or is it a bit overblown?

If it is as big of a problem as it sounds, is there any movement by IPA to address the issue? From my very cursory look at the landing page for the software it seems that many factors can be adjusted to produce a desired schedule. If the IPA wanted a specific change to scheduling practices then CBA language that dictated optimizer inputs or results should be easy (doable?).

tnkrdrvr

How bad it is depends on who you ask, if they commute, and what fleet they are on. Big picture, the IPA used to have input into line construction, but lost it well before I was hired. It so happens, that the IPA has managed to convince management that maybe we can help them out with line construction. One of our guys will be spending a significant chunk of time trying to find a way to help the company build smarter (more profitable) lines while also fixing some of the circadian swaps and other silliness that the optimizer has blindly spit out. Hopefully, he can find some win/wins and the IPA can get a more consistent influence on line construction.

mrvmo

Didn’t know this was a thing…….when did this start? One guy for the whole airline? Or one for each fleet? Please elaborate! This sounds like progress.

tnkrdrvr

As far as I know it’s literally just one guy for now. As I’m sure you are shocked to hear, our pilot group has members with more experience with Jeppessen’s scheduling software than whoever is doing it for UPS. At least one such member will be spending some time seeing what they can do to improve the lines. My understanding is that the IPA was able to point to some line constructions that were clear examples of wasting company money for no value added. I’m not privy to all the details and I don’t think I should say to much more on this forum, but it sounds like the company will take “free” help from the IPA if we convince them it will improve the bottom line.

BoilerUP

Many crewmembers don’t know the IPA has employed a staff crew planner for over two decades. They work with the Company to massage trips and lines prior to publication based upon contractual history, grievance settlement agreements & ITDs, and Scheduling Committee input.

Having more people involved in the process who have that experience and skillset will only benefit the interests of the pilot group.

UPSFO4LIFE

As long as the boxes move,UPS will continue to provide crappy, fatiguing schedules.

C2078

This is the key. Many complain, but our fatigue rates are alarmingly low, until folks honestly assess themselves and the boxes keep moving, nothing is changing, unfortunately.

Section Eight

Unfortunately we are becoming more and more of a social club on a daily basis.

don’t like what they’re doing? 2 hour premium….

can’t get you there in time ..reduce your rest and get a 2 hour premium. No day room? 2 hour premium…

I could go on and on…until WE step up and exercise all of the contractual protections we have, this will get worse before it gets better. Some of these trips are very fatiguing, yet the boxes keep moving. People gripe all day long about this and that, but when the rubber meets the road they run to the bank for the menial pennies they throw our way.

1/3 of the group has never seen how this place really works when the chips are down and they go into real cost savings mode, but I fear that’s coming. Anyone remember 2008? Markets crashed age 65 went into effect (right around there anyway) and then what happened?

Fast forward..the markets are once again propped up, inflation at an all time high, and rumors of age 67…anyone seen this movie before?

The optimizer is testing the crew force, and we’re failing miserably (IMHO), they keep making it more and more miserable until it “breaks” and what we’re accepting has gone way beyond what life “used” to be like. None of us are getting any younger, yet the flying continues to get worse, simply because we accept what’s given to us.

Carry on……

UPSFO4LIFE

I was in the last movie and wasn’t very fun. I would also not be surprised at all that if the wheels come completely off the economy, bye bye MD 11 and the fun and games will be in full swing!

C2078

Doom and gloom, what UPS loves!!! And BTW, around half the MD (Pratts) are already scheduled to be retired within the next 18-24 months. When everyone cheered about the 19 plane order, it was obvious we were going to be in a net negative scenario unless a true MD replacement was announced, which has not and may not even happen. IMO this last large upgrade system bid will be the last for a while, trickle going forward due to displacements. We will still need the upgrades for the increased attrition, but not as much. I predict things will start to slow down drastically towards end of year and beyond. I hope I am wrong.