73 hired and placed in class for the 3 classes in January. It's rumored that we will see 24 every 2 weeks through roughly August so that everyone is through training for peak.

 

That would be approx. 409 for the year if we include 48 in AUG....That would be more than announced and completely kewl!

 

Also to add to Boilers list:

Vacation policy is a big consideration. 2 weeks converted into 4 weeks off (I got this basically at the bottom of my fleet). I can easily bid to get at least, at least!, a scheduled week off before and after that vacation time = 6 weeks (even up to 7-8 with trading) off for 2 weeks of vacay. 10+ year guys can do this twice a year. That's 3-4 months off a year. Paid. 15+ year guys get another week of vacay ontop of that and they have the joy of conflict bidding = even more paid time off.

Health bennies compared to the pax guys. Ours are far superior. That is way overlooked.

International flying. If that is your thing FedEx / UPS offers that type of flying right off the bat and you can do some stuff you'll never or barely ever get to do at the pax carriers.

Commutability: a huge percentage of our skeds are built for commuters. We have guys living all over the world. Guys can (and do) take a year in Europe, Asia etc from day 1 vs waiting years for seniority to do so. That ties into PBS vs hard lines...

Pay: we have a guarantee of 81.2 hrs/cal month. Delta is 65 for line holders, Ual 70 or something in that ball park. No matter what, at ups you will bring in good coin. There were times, and not too long ago at DAL where guys were at guarantee, not a green slip in sights, and PS checks worth pocket change in comparison. Yeah we furloughed, so did everyone else.

The union: small, 1.5% dues, no real BS or dirty politics, very unified.

The downsides:

The air district management and administration at UPS is plagued by mediocrity and apathy which has its largest effect on the quality of our employment. Yes, it's getting better...at a snails pace.

Hours of operation: back side of the clock sux no matter how you dice it up while intl takes its toll with flip flops and 24hr l/o's. There is some day flying but most of the schedules are challenging.

Domiciles: limited, none convenient to commuters, and none in especially desireable areas.

 

Back then, it was a no brainer. This is a new decade. That's what I'm saying. You bring up the pension. Can you without a doubt say it will be there. There is a long list of companies starting with Bethlehem Steel to show what happens in globalization and with business model changes. If anyone has a chance of getting one its UPS and FedEx but in no way guaranteed. Thus, if that the one reason guys are coming here its as a long shot as is profit sharing continuing at 15% for the next 15 years.

 

UPS has been around 109 (ha!) years, and has evolved its business model for more than a century.

While it would be foolish to proclaim "never!", I believe it is unlikely that UPS would enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings leading to termination of employee pension plans the same way many other companies (including legacy airlines) have.

One can only take so many variables into account with their long-term prognostications...

 

Stop being silly. Everyone knows our brown uniforms are the sexiest of them all. Especially the pants!

 

Hopefully today's earnings report and also amazon's new hub announcement won't slow the hiring pace here at ups?


I find this statement somewhat hopeful?

"...UPS saw a "significant shift in mix to lower revenue products," CEO David Abney said on the conference call, with residential deliveries accounting for 63% of total package volume. Abney said Q4's results indicate that UPS should "quicken the pace" of investments and network shifts to handle increasing e-commerce..."

UPS Dives On Q4 Miss, Outlook: Is Amazon A Blessing Or Curse? | Stock News & Stock Market Analysis - IBD

 

The quarterly net income would have been north of $1.4B without the non-cash pension mark-to-market charge.

 

The new word around SDF training center:
-350 for the year
-HR found many in the pool were already at another job and not willing to leave
- They were surprised with above statement
- Two stacks of apps, ones with rec and one without, rec being called first for most part. Rec can be walked in.
- Rec stack at about 300
- As more qualified guys come in with recs they get moved to top
- Decided to assign class dates quickly to prevent past pool issues for high scorers
- Working hotel and trng contracts for 74 hiring surge, Miami, japan two I remember
- UPS is getting concerned about Amazon creating gnd system
- Business model shifting
- Can not find FQS, 3 failed last year to include King Air pilot to be 74 guy
- New CEO knows he needs to spend to update, modernize and morph company as a result of stuff talked about in Qt Report to include Amazon not discussed
- They feel pensions are weighing company down
- Another small bid in Apr-June (40-60) followed by big bid in Jan 18.
- A few old, 1 74 and 2 Md to be parked late 2017 to 18
- All 75/76 off row and flying either assigned or Hot and flying every night for extra vol.
- Over 100 Cans trapped in HKG last week alone
- System under stress
- MX peeps in class for -800, they are working hard to be ready
- Some guys have been offered CJO and Class the day of interview recently as last week
- Fastest time heard: applied,rec submitted, called for phone interview= 10 days
- 4 -800 this year vs 3
- Options will most likely happen
- Boeing fearing order cancelations due to Trumps issues, 777 weak sales, -800 weaker
- Much concern about major influx of commuters, many now looking at bidding back to lower 48
- General belief next year ANC will go very junior.
- Reserve lines getting extended alot

 

According to Boeing there's no such thing as -800.

Flight Training
Differences Course 747-400 to 747-8

http://www.boeing.com/assets/pdf/com...sCourse747.pdf

...The "747-8" designation is intended to call attention to the connection between similar technologies employed in Boeing's 787 and its new 747...

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/16/travel...ercontinental/

..ok, I'm officially bored.. lol