CRJammin

In Memphis the other day I saw over a dozen FedEx pilots in uniform, but none was wearing a hat. UPS pilots seem to don theirs in the terminal, however. A culture thing, or a contract thing?

dckozak

Hat is optional. The guys with big watches were hats.

TonyC

If they were hats, what are they now?



I wear a hat because I'm not satisfied with the pace of contract negotiations. I wear it to remind myself to give 100.0% every day, every leg.

The sort is 30 minutes late. Hmmm. The Flight Plan says M0.80. The route of flight has a lot of twists and turns. Nice scenery. The ramp agent says the airplane will be ready 20 minutes early. That's nice. The scheduled deadhead has just been cancelled. Oh, well.


The day we ratify a contract that recognizes our contribution to this company's tremendous success and profitablity, I'll leave my hat at home and bring my goodwill to work. Until then, the goodwill is on the shelf in the closet, and the hat covers my head.





(Oh, and my watch is a $17 Armitron from KMart. I'm on the second battery, now. )



- The truth only hurts if it should -

aircum

I just want to add to Tony. I was at the ALPA meeting in AOC last night during our 2 hour late sort. First off it is amazing to me how many of our pilots can not take 15 minutes to stop surfing ebay to listen to our leaders. The main discussion point last night was the scope payment. Guys were extremely unhappy that they have not received there $500.00. Our Leadership explained that this money may be used towards other parts of contract negotiations. We had about 25 pilots outraged and wanted their money. Really, it is only about $325.00 after taxes. Who cares!!! Trust what our Leadership is doing and support them in their endeavors.

Tony makes some great points. But also stop the draft, vlt, makeup, vacation sell back. We will not get a contract till we hurt the bottom line. But then again trying to get our pilot group to see the big picture will be a miracle in itself.

FDXFLYR

I happen to like the idea of using the scope money as one part of three, put together to reduce the medical insurance premiums for our retired pilots. However, I don't want to let the company off the hook for fixing the problem. While I always want more money, this seems to me to be a much better use of our scope money.

BTW, this is just the first of two scope payments. The scope payment under discussion covered two months, the next one will cover three months. The next payment is not being considered for an insurance offset so the MEM whiners will get some cash.

I really don't want to flame the MEM guys (I'm in ANC) but I'm SO TIRED of hearing about how MEM has no clue about how to handle themselves during a contract negotiation. The previous comment about guys staying on the computers rather than attend a union meeting seems so typical. Thank you guys who went to the union meeting for showing the slow leaks what's really important right now.

I'm wearing my hat, no draft, no volunteer, and I'm taking your vacation. There's no reason why 100% isn't good enough. They want more? Then resolve our contract.

FDXFLYR

...I meant I'm taking MY vacation...

Better proof reading need I...

dckozak

Oops. on the were, should have been wear that's what happens when you get cute and count on spellcheck to fix your boo boo's.

Regarding hats. I've got mine and have worn it several times in recent weeks, only to be the only hat guy in AOC. It didn't make much of a statement and few people, possibly none , understood why I was wearing it, just thought I was one of the few (and strange?? ) hat guys. Hard to make a point when so few are doing so with you.

Deuce130

Yep, I'd have to say the majority of FDX pilots (not us, of course) don't lurk on these boards or know anything about the hats. I know when I see one in the AOC, my first thought is "eccentric" followed by "I wonder if he used to fly pax." The last thought is about negotiations. Maybe someone could come up with a less nerdy way to outwardly show support, short of wearing giant signs on our backs, of course. One quick way is for everyone to wear the ALPA lanyards. See lots and lots of new-hires wearing the cute little orange and purple "management pilot" lanyards you buy at the corporate store. Not sure what's up with that. Maybe cause all they see in the first few weeks is mgt types who are wearing the same thing.

RedeyeAV8r

Deuce I've been here 13 years and spent 8 years at 2 other PAX carriers........Picketed at one. During normal ops.....(meaning working under a current contract).....No hat required. Your negotiating committee needs any and all support you can give......................

It has been said before until we get a deal.....do your job at 100%....no more.
Wear your ALPA lanyard, Wear your ALPA Pin on your Tie and join the informational Picket lines when asked...............Yes wear your "NERDY" HAT
too. Take it off when we get a deal. I picketed during last contract negotiations on Wall Street. It was a little chilly so we all had our trench coats on. None of us had hats. As people walked by us while we held our signs................They had no idea who or what we were. When the Northwest guys walked about 7 years ago..........they were all decked out in full uniforms, yes with their nerdy hats..........but there was no doubt that they were ailrines pilots.............They settled into a pretty decent contract about 10 days later.

Deuce130

Sorry, Redeye, didn't mean to insult anyone. I will agree, that if the nuclear option hits and we actually picket, then yes, let's wear our hats. Guys on the street won't know what it is we do unless we complete the image by wearing the hats. With that said, the hat idea isn't picking up any steam that I can see in the AOC. Sure, a few guys wear them but the lack of guys wearing them can almost have a negative effect. When guys say show support by wearing your hat, then noone does, what message does that send? And why won't guys wear the hats? B/c most guys can't stand them. So, why don't we shoot for a visible show of support that everyone can get behind?