Young Jack

All I know is Veba sucks.

fedupbusdriver

I think that was Aretha Franklin.....

Gunter

I can't believe you would even come up with something like that.

That is incredibly insulting!

Busboy

"Gone Kongs" if you're not a new hire. And, "Long-Gones" for new hires.

Busboy

Hey! What about calling them a "Want on"?

As in wonton.

That's my last and final offer.

FR8Hauler

Good point Redeye and "want on" is awesome Busboy, I think that is a winner!

DLax85

...but doesn't the "Cherry Boy" term go away after your first "true night" downtown?

DLax85

Thanks for the response Albie....but isn't this something we "should" know?

As you may recall, STV was one of the biggest gripes when the first LOA came out ----many even listed it as the #1 reason to vote against the LOA?

Since it is still not "crystal clear" how STV can be used, shouldn't we at least know "when" they can use it? (i.e. the date the clock officially starts/started ticking in the A300 HKG FDA)

This question is relevant now ---- will be relevant when CDG eventually opens --- and relevant again when the HKG MD-11 domicile opens.

The precedent we are setting/accepting with the A300 HKG FDA is very important.

It is clearly something that speaks directly to any leverage we may have during future FDA negogiations.

With our amendable date approximate 27 months away --- isn't this something we should know?

I would love to hear this question addressed at an upcoming hub turn mtg or a union e-mail.

...and thanks again for working so hard to increase the information flow.

Laughing_Jakal

General Fred's Chicken....

served with Chi Mein Tea Surprise

(pronounced "Kay men tee")

Albief15

Look...I've been trying to get answers on some questions that require legal for some time. Those MESSAGE LINES that discussed the give and take with the company on furlough mitigation should clue you in that there are a lot of irons in the fire right now. When I tried to pin down the legal guys on some issues I sort of got my hand slapped and told "let them do what they need to do right now and don't send them out on separate taskings..." It probably was in fact an appropriate rebuke at the moment. The issues on the front burner are the issues beaten to death on BLG and manning issues and the 777 negotiations. Both are in progress.. My questions can wait a little longer.

Remember I was not part of the MEC when the LOA was voted in. I didn't hear every argument or explanation on the whole STV thing. My outspoken blasting of the whole concept has probably not invited many "okay, dude, let me explain what I was thinking..." type sessions. In fact, I was probably a bit too prickly on the subject when I first rolled in to invite many such conversations. In discussions since I have joined I have been told repeatedly that STVs will not be used to fill vacancies and that has been agreed to by both parties. Whether this is a legal issue, a handshake, or something else I'm not sure. Quite simply, they said "that's the case" and I said "okay..." and we've been working on other issues. Also...when we are talking about 10-15 vacancies (and not 35-40) I suspect there will be plenty of volunteers, especially if there is the chance for extra flying (vice sitting in the hotel on perdiem only...)

Your point on we need to know this stuff because we might be adding MD-11s to the mix is valid...but c'mon...do you REALLY think they can possible many more FOs over there without improving the LOA? I'm not going to try to sell anyone into going or doing anything but making their own evaluation. I would make it work for WB captain pay. If I was a new hire, single, and/or wanted some adventure I might consider trying it as an FO, but not at my stage or position in life. The company went after a particular demographic, and so far have been short after several bids. So the company will either have to add more benefits or accept the bid after bid after bid to try to fill it. As tough as it is now, I suspect it will be even harder when the economy picks up (eventually). Maybe at that point they can hire into the FDA and recruit folks who know what they are getting into. I doubt there are more than handful of folks on the property who would go, however, based on the results of the many previous bids. Some say it will be a battle to add more stuff to the FDAs in the next contract, but I suspect that isn't completely accurate. The crew force gave very little political leverage by voting in the LOA by a wide margin, but turned around and demonstrated economic leverage by (generally) refusing to bid the domicile. Economics say you'll have to either add incentives to go or reduce incentives to stay to get more folks over there. Right now, excess bids make it a desirable option for some, but excess bids won't go on forever. At some point, we'll have the right manning, and the company will be growing, and we'll need more pilots in Asia. As folks can bid off FDAs, there will have to be an incentive for others to go and replace them. Again...our current manning masks the issue, but this overmanning won't last forever and even if you sign up to go to an FDA your 2 or 3 year hitch eventually will run out.

As for comm...take this at face value. We have a lot of sources of comm...message lines, fast read stuff, and best of all the web site. We try to put out LEC comm vice just block comm so that Tony, Vic, and I can each help each other out by adding a bit more to the product. What I would ask every to do, however, is go the ALPA.ORG FedEx page twice a week and see what is new. Susie (Alaska LEC vice) did a great job on her last letter--probably encapsulated better than I could ever have done some of the issues covered in the MEC meetings. Jack Anzur (block 1 and LEC 7) is a tireless writer and tries to send out stuff regularly. Don't sit around and wait for me to post on APC--I can't and won't post sensitive stuff here but you can see some of the issues on the secure site. Also--sometimes I read one of Jack's letters and go "dang...no point is reinventing the wheel here...Jack and company just said everyone I would have said..." My point is if you get in the habit of PULLING info and not just waiting to be sent something you'll probably gain a wider and deeper understanding of some of the issues we are working. There is a LOT of info there, but sometimes you still have questions...so...

...if that doesn't work...here's two options:

First--email me. God Bless Sooz Corej....she regularly says (in nicer terms, BTW) "Hey Albie....*** is this?" And I usually get to respond or find an answer within a day or so and try to answer her questions. She's well informed, active, and aggressive with her questions when she doesn't understand what's going on. Besides her, I've had maybe 10 guys or gals write me to ask about something or request info. I've had one write to say thanks. But honestly...for all the angst on these boards and bitterness, I don't always see anything in my inbox or hear anything but crickets on my phone.

Second--go to the webboards at ALPA and ask your question. Sleepy and I have both tried to answer the stuff there...boards are a lot less lively than these but a more reliable source for accurate information. I'll come here to cheerlead, socialize, and sometimes point out some stuff but I'm a lot more comfortable with nuts and bolts info going on other channels. Remember--if we can work together and not scare the bejesus out of the legal team, it gets easier and easier for us to share more info. Witness the recordings of the last LEC meeting...a huge step in the right direction. I wanted real time webhosting and interaction with folks around the world...we aren't there yet. But for those who couldn't make the last meeting you got to see your NC, R&I, SIG, and Grievance chairs with your own eyes and ears and get smarter. I'll call that a win, and step in the right direction. If I can indulge your patience and have you understand that is why we aren't trying to just build Rome in a Day, I think you'll like where we are going. If you tell me to burn down the house, it just gets harder and harder to be able to make a difference.

By the way...so you know...the "revolutionists" in your union spent a lot more money trying to get the union meetings closer to the hub so that it would be easier for non-locals to participate. Well...it didn't work so well, and those of us who pushed for the change looked a bit silly when the turnout was even lower than the Germantown meetings. Now, I know this was middle of the summer, and perhaps we can do a better job putting sheepdogs in the AOC to nip heels and chase pilots towards the hotel. We would like to try this again...perhaps as early as next month. I'm ASKING for you to skip your mid-day workout or hot lunch date with your Memphis babe, and come out and listen and participate. Some on the MEC will say that most of the membership would rather just complain than show up and participate, and the ones who want to be there will come no matter where we hold the meeting...so why not do it at a nicer and cheaper place albeit farther from the AOC... I'd like to right on this one, but if I am I need your help and participation next round. Otherwise...I'll see you again in Germantown. I can deal with that, but whenever someone says "well hey...I'd go BUT its too far to G-town" I will understand when the old MEC members just roll their eyes. If you want us close to the AOC, please participate. If you don't care--that's fine--but don't skip the meeting then wail on folks on APC for not trying.

And, as always...email or call. I don't always have answers (especially on the legal/contractual stuff) but I can usually give you to someone who does. What we can do is stay involved, follow up, and make sure the issue is addressed and made aware to the rest of the MEC. No way 12 sets of eyes can see every problem, and 12 folks certainly don't have all the good ideas, so your participation helps on many different levels.

Dive in, water's fine...