Jason605

I'm under the impression that ABX has an extremely high reliability. Is that incorrect? Does the DHL flying suffer more than is lead on? Just FYI, I'm not even in class yet, just learning everything.

qiutong

ABX does have very good reliability. We attribute a lot of our reliability to the fact that we, as crew members, are what's left of Airborne Express, an overnight express company that competed for years against UPS and Fedex. As such, we have a certain professional drive to move the freight and to move it NOW. With overnight express freight, it has to move as fast as possible. We do it without thinking, but many of the other companies used by DHL (and now, it seems, Amazon) have never had to operate as an overnight company and don't seem to have this urgent desire to move the freight ASAP and therefore, their on-time reliability isn't as good.

Now, throw into this, the effect of whipsawing companies against each other (whether intentional or not) and it's effect on morale and all of the airlines reliabilities will suffer, including ABX's. In addition, reliability suffers when the crews feel no sense of commitment to their well being or job security, as this kind of multiple airline operation tends to breed. It's not a good mix if reliability is what you're after, and from what I understand, that's one of Amazon's reasons for this whole operation.

Jason605

I got cha now and I agree. I would feel more secure if this deal didn't include others but not too worried. All you can do is be the best and instill that pride and work ethic in us new hires.

motorclutch

It's to our advantage to have brother teamsters in the mix. Oh did I mention from the same union local. Both groups now have increased bargaining power collectively. Once again, that whipsaw thing just got a little more difficult.

Jason605

At the very least, that is a good thing. If it were different unions, or ALPA, I could see a disaster.

motorclutch

You get it! Oh yeah, there is still that other union in the mix as well.......very outnumbered btw.

qiutong

I agree, being united as Teamsters doesn't hurt, but it hasn't stopped the steady transfer of airframes and flying from us to Atlas, et al, and it's depressing...

qiutong

Jason605, I'm looking forward to flying with you. Many of us are looking forward to passing on our "work ethic" before we fade away into the realm of retired and forgotten pilots.

Jason605

Thank you sir, but the honor would be all mine. For someone like me it would be amazing to be at the beginning of something great here again and learn from those who went thru so much. I absolutely believe something good is happening here at ABX. Even with the addition of others to the party.

I have 20 more years to give and this is kinda my second chance to do it right. I'm ready to learn!

hackerbyday

The other issue with all the Amazon news is they haven't signed a lease as of yet for ILN to be the home of all this. There current short term lease expires in Oct.. Port Authority says no one wants to pay.