MuseumDriver

If you just interviewed at ABX you better like Japan...

As far as the Astar ALPA MEC is concerned, a grievance has been filed with ALPA for scope violation. This is a formality (probably because ALPA dropped the ball big time with a few previous issues), The Kitty Hawk crews are welcomed and our MEC has offered them to come use the Astar facilities... Let me reinforce that, there is no ill will from the Astar pilots (from what I observe).

The 5 737's could also be covering the 4 727's Astar is turning back in to its lease company. The rumor is the leases were far too costly and they are the worst shape airframes in the fleet, there are some new aging aircraft FAR's that would also affect them.

From what we have been told, the KH 737's will go to cities that can only handle the (really rare and hardy used by the rest of the world) "A" containers (sarcasm).

New hire classes at Astar have been "postponed indefinitely"... Maybe some poor attempt at a management scare tactic but the reality is, the last new hire class was supposed to have 6 new hires. 4 showed up and two quit already... Who wants a job that guarantees you NOT fly an airplane for at least the next 8 to 9 years. We have flight engineers (that are also pilots) that will turn or have turned 60 before they ever got a pilot seat.

"does the language in the contract allow this under the scope clause?"... that is a current dispute. When we were "DHL Airways" and owned by DHL prior to the sale to Deutsche Post, our ALPA contract was signed with DHL. I can tell you my personal experience... I applied to DHL, filled out a DHL application, my paychecks, company ID and manuals all said DHL on them. Once the paper shuffle/game happened with the foreign ownership issues happened DHL claims they are not party to the ALPA contract. The contract provides for successorship, and DHL owns 49% of Astar. Every other section of the contract is honored except the scope. Funny how they can pick and choose what sections to blow off.

These are perceptions and I am merely repeating communications received...

erichartmann

I don't think there is any violation of ABX's scope in this. Even if ABX were the contracting party (which I doubt) so long as none of the current ABX pilots were to be reduced in status, pay, benefits etc. no violation. I read elsewhere that DHL itself was the contracting party. Again, no violation of 1224's CBA. Same thing if Astar was the contracting party. It's not our freight. It's DHL's.

If, as MD has posted, these aircraft are replacements for 72's being "parked" it makes some sense. I doubt there would be any other requirement for additional lift. Most of the flights (but not all) I've flown lately have not been full.

hvydriver

That's the truth. The Christmas push has been more of a Christmas douche so far.

ClearLeft

Thanks for the reply, but I have been told that DC 9 in ILN will be available and the Osaka domicile will only goto new hires who want it.

MuseumDriver

Clearleft... That would be a good gig then. I am an Astar guy and was only going off of what I hear on the ABX jumpseat. They had a bid for 767 Captains in Osaka and I heard the Captain bid made it down to #605 out of about 680 pilots. You wont find many other places out there paying what ABX pays.

ClearLeft

It would be an ideal gig for me considering I live in Cincy and my reserve unit is in Dayton. Now if I could only figure out what the heck is going on in ILN(ASTAR, KHA, CHI) and how this would effect a new hire. Anybody have any takes.

Has anybody heard anything new on the background checks?

Twin Wasp

KH put out a bid for one hub spare and LAS, ELP, GSO, ORD and MSP flights, all direct ILN. Looks like it starts on the outbound Tuesday Z and runs till Dec 23.

MuseumDriver

If you can figure out what the keck is going on in ILN, be sure to let Dassburg, Hete and DHL know... they havent a clue.

erichartmann

Although the KHA ACMI contract is billed as just for the X-mas rush I wonder if it will be longer or perhaps extended given 4 727s turned back to the lessor.

DC8DRIVER

Nobody knows much about the KHA deal. We don't know who has leased them or what this lease may be the start of. Rumors about Astar buying and merging with some part or all of what remains of KHA abound, but the details have been kept very quiet.

The four 727's may or may not actually go away. The Astar management pulled a similar stunt early last year as an antagonistic negotiating tactic and their lies were immediately transparent that the whole thing backfired on them. Very embarrassing for them.

The memos said that the first two 72's go away in Q1 of '08. The others go away in "2008" whenever that may be. Best guess around the thunderdome is that Dasburg has found cheaper 72's (KHA?) or maybe the KHA 73's will stay and join the party.

Lotsa speculation. No evidence.

8DRIVER