Outstanding!!! Thanks You.

Jetjok, Busdriver12,
In a perect world what would you like? Fred Smith asking you how can we improve FedEx? or patting you on the back for flying a great ILS? The best thing about our job is we have to do it reasonably well every time or we die. My satisfaction comes from flying safely and "mission sucess" ie no violations, bent metal etc. You guys come across as thin skinned and expecting to be coddled and given a trophy for a job well done. As far as taking your job home with you, dude, we fly boxes, we're not saving lives, dropping bombs or defending freedom, there is nothing about this job or what happens here, short of me screwing up bad, that I take home with me. Get a hobby or find other interests because you will go nuts letting this stuff get to you. If your looking for self-esteem and being valued from your employer your looking in the wrong place.

YES. That was exactly my point. Thank you!

It is my belief based on those very retirement numbers that 789 mandatory retirements will yield 1000 or more new hires in that 10 year span. Call me a glass half full guy, but that is my best educated guess. I actually believe we will have a much larger spike in retirements after the next contract is signed and in 2018 when the airline turns 30 and all the '88ers reach the max pension contribution amount. I hope the contract does away with early retirement penalties because there are actually pilots who will reach 30 years but not meet the age 60 requirement.

Perhaps we will see some growth aircraft, but until that time I am only going by pure retirement numbers, and for a new hire, it doesn't seem all that bad. YMMV.

Nope, I don't desire affirmation from anyone in management. It makes me feel good to do the best job possible, and move freight the best way I can. I go way above and beyond to make it happen, and I take pride in doing so. Must be all those years in the military that brainwashed me. I really love this company and I am grateful that I went from furlough and poverty to becoming wealthy, secure, and very fulfilled in my job.

You obviously will think I'm delusional, but I believe our job as pilots is very important. The freight we carry can be critical or even lifesaving to the customers, and I really want them to get their freight on time. I want my company to be healthy and successful. I really don't think the freight I carried in the military was a heck of a lot more important.

I'm rarely ****ed off, because we do get treated pretty well at FedEx, over the long run. Not looking for self esteem from anyone, probably have too much already. But I think we're used to getting treated with respect and when something pilots from other companies might think is minor happens (nasty letters to the crew force, pilot pushing, sick leave harassment), we go ballistic. I suppose it's all about expectations, and we expect not to be harassed. Maybe we are think skinned. And now that we've been negotiating for over three years, yeah, we're getting unhappy. Takes a lot:(

Busdriver12,
I get your point and commend you on your dedication, I think we're all cut from the same cloth, i just don't expect a Box thrower/truck Driving Mgr to understand or praise me for doing something that they have no idea about. Its sort of like in the Air Force on an AR local, Everyone is having a tough night getting the gas and you go up there and nail it like a rock star. You know they were impressed but nobody says anything because nothing needs to be said.
Don't let contract negociations get you wrapped up in a bunch. Its real easy to get upset and take things personally during negociations. Best strategy is to trust your Union and fellow pilots.

Yeah, I know what you mean, Vito. So far though, most of our managers have been pilots, so they ought to have a fair understanding of what we do. I think they forget when they haven't been on the line after awhile. Contract negotiations always suck, I think, and while I surely trust the union, unfortunately some of our fellow pilots are independent contractors. I wish we had a crew force more like UPS, you guys, I definitely admire!

Now I REALLY want to work there! Thank you for the great breakdown of the company and your views.

perfect
 

Everything in this threads first post rings true. No BS, not even a whiff.

I've been at UPS for 23+ years. I originally took this job waiting for my "real" airline job offer in 1990. I've pretty much seen it all, starting as an F/E, flown domestic and international as an F/O, and been churned as a junior captain collecting four type ratings along the way. I've done union work in Grievance, sat at the negotiating table, and walked the picket line in support of the Teamsters in 1997. Read the original post carefully, because I certainly couldn't add to it. It's all true.

If you want my opinion, I'd take this job in a heartbeat, and if you don't like it move on. It's just a job. There's no glamour in it, just good money, great flight crews, and an awesome union.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. I've got loads if time on my hands. :)

Spot on post.