FDX aviator

Slightly off of the thread, but how can I see the first practice bid?

HerkDriver

Also, slightly off thread, but somewhat related: Do most of these junior crewmembers tinkering with HKG WB Capt understand that if they are awarded it, they can't return to MEM as a WB Capt until they can hold it there? Obviously, they could back bid to something in the CONUS if they were ready to leave, but our bids come around so infrequently (and with Age 60 looming) that a crewmember who has been on property less than 3 years might be locking themselves into HKG for a LONGGGGG time.

Seems to me that this would be important information that our union leadership and Block Reps (for the junior blocks) would be WIDELY diseminating. (I know that it is in the Q & A's that are on the website, but this seems to be too important to just bury in a list of 50 questions...) JMHO.

USMCFDX

What are you asking for?

Do you really think that ALPA is going to provide us any info on these FDAs.

The fact that the best info has come from two of our pilots that took time out of their own lives to share info with us is a joke. It was great of them to do so, but for the MEC to forward it and pretend they supplied the info is sad.

Must have been a nice first class ride to HKG to tour the city and eat and drink on our dime and provide absolutely no good information. Thanks again BC for your hard work. It must have been a grueling trip.

Albief15

Somebody with more fleet savvy than me might run the numbers on the bodies we'll add due to 777 and additional 'bus purchases, along with the 757, then subtract the numbers as we go from DC-10s to MD-10s and the 727 fades away. Then factor in the over-60 crowd that will hang around to retrain. Once you have the number of pilots required, then factor in the timeline--when we will be needing to hire these new pilots.

Now a couple wrinkles... In theory, the company could direct hire guys into MEM after the FDAs are manned. There would be NO more vacancies in MEM for some time...and the FDA crowd could be there indefinately. On the other hand, the company could hold a vacancy bid, then allow some FDA folks back to the states. Vacancies aboad would again be filled with new hires.

Ramifcations of that I see are two-fold. First--guys who accept the FDA could be signing a warrant for their "FDA arrest" for over 5 years or more. Second...if they company allows them to bid back early it means any poolie passing on a Hong Kong date for 2008 thinking he might be a MEM 2010 date instead might be just getting offered a Hong Kong 2010 date... So its a real gut check.

Psssst.....wanna know what I think will make it easier on the union, the new hires, and the guys who WANT to try this but are afraid to?.... If we did a SIDE LETTER saying that any pilot sent to an FDA could be guaranteed to bid back to MEM (even to the lowest paying seat) after a 3 (or 4) year stint I think you'd have folks lining up to give it a shot--and you'd have poolies that would take the job in heartbeat. Put a time limit on the sentence and the FDAs will be percieved by some as a "can't lose" situation--worst case is 3 years of experience and wide body pay before sent back to the 727 panel. The idea that you'll be stuck there indefinately, however, it going to make a lot of wives and families just say "no" and take their chances where they are.

FDXLAG

If you want to fix this thing do it right. What the negotiating committee apparently didn't realize is the Subic dudes aren't going to go to Hong Kong for a 30% + pay cut. Every body in an FDA saves 2 to 3 SIBA bodies. That is how they should be compensated. You want my quick fix:

Cancel involuntary STV. In exchange lift the 2 year cap on STV. Give the STV volunteer 20 hours a month extra pay (15 hours CDG) for every month over 1 he volunteers for. This would allow them to seasonaly adjust FDA manning.

Now pay the FDA volunteer something worthwhile so you don't need STV.

md11phlyer

Many have no desire to return to MEM, left it with the 27FE job. I'll go back to ANC as a right-seater (and wear the 3 stripes) before I go to MEM. Furthermore, other junior guys (SFS) would probably do the same.

How 'bout a side letter saying that I'd NEVER have to go back to MEM. That might have people lining up!

Albie, just curious, why join the management parade now? You want to continue to modify the 'agreed upon' LOA to get more people to bid it? Why don't you propose a SIDE LETTER negating tax equalization for HKG based crewmembers, or institute a Euro/Dollar pegged benchmark for the CDG guys? I understand your intent to make this a better situation, but what you're suggesting is that we alllow the company to freely negotiate, at will, outside of our collective bargaining representatives.

iarapilot

I have a better idea. Dump STV and tax equal.,use SIBA, and maybe give some travel bennies.

av8rmike

I've got an even better idea. We all put big hoop style nose-rings in so it will be easier for the MEC and management to lead us around. Nose-rings are my final and best offer. No more additions or changes. Unless noone will wear them. Then I'll offer a little something extra...

MEMFO4Ever

I thought we had these already. They have 'Agency Shop' painted on.

2% is a tax. Think of it that way and you will be a happier camper. I am sure glad that I can no longer quit. Kind of like the mob.

DLax85

MD11phylyer is spot on!! (...sorry Albie...)

Stop the ideas of endless side letters --- if they need help enticing folks to the FDAs, then lets offer to sit down and negogiate the LOA again.

The MEC would have a chance to ask folks what their "FDA cornerstone" issues are (i.e. eliminating STV, increasing/splitting the housing allowance, adding a COLA mechanism, partial educational benefits, etc, etc) and head back to the table much more informed and prepared to represent their pilots.

It doesn't appear the FDAs are going to "fill up" as some expected --- thus we may just actually have "some leverage".

No bandaide fixes!

Let's sit down calmly, remove the whole dressing, take a good look at the wound and then sew it up correctly!