AUS_ATC

Anyone know what was going on at MEM on the March 22, 2006 outbound sort? Someone from the FDX Ramp Tower called the Control Tower and informed us that they would be "metering" their aircraft out of the ramp.

As the FNG training in the Tower Cab on Ground Control, I'd like to say "ROCK ON!"

It appeared that the ramp slowly emptied all FDX and Feeder aircraft during the course of the departure push. I never had more than four airplanes on my frequency that needed to be watched for sequencing at the exit Spots. Most aircraft appeared to taxi non-stop to the runway, with only minimum time waiting to depart.

How does the metering work for you folks? Do you like it, or would you rather have the mad dash to the runway so that you can be number 18 in the departure line? Do you have any idea why they metered last night, but not on other nights?

MEM_ATC

Nightflyer

Metering, to me, meant sitting with my beacon on for over 40 minutes, waiting to push. I didn't like it, but at least I wasn't flying to the west coast.

Last night we were taking off to the north, and 36R was closed. North flow always slows things down.

If we are sitting in the blocks, or sitting on the taxiway, we are still late to the hotel room, but at least on the taxiway we are getting paid if we are flying a hard time trip. We still ended up in a congo line at the approach end of 36L, and when we took off, there was a long line of planes behind us.

Personally, I'd like to see our work rules revised so that, for pay purposes, a hard time leg starts at the proposed block out time. Why? Because we have to be there, whether the plane is ready to block out or not, and it is not our fault if the jet isn't loaded or there is a maintenance delay. Plus, if this was the rule, then the company would be properly motivated to figure out how to get the planes out on time. On time is good for the company, the customers, and my sleep schedule.

FDXdispatcher

The couriers in the stations have the same problem.. Sometimes they get to work hours before the plane arrives at their local ramp.. Which equals time at work off the clock.. Sure they sort the freight that was trucked or from a different hub, but then they take a long break until the Memphis p1 gets to the station.. Thats part of FedEx.. You have to take the good with the bad..

Nothing worse than late Memphis flights.. It totally kills the entire day for ground ops.. Not only do the delivery drivers leave the station late.. They get back late.. Which means the pick up routes are waiting on trucks so they can start their pick up route.. Its one big cluster.. And ground ops is still expected to get the outbound flight out on time even though they were behind the 8 ball from the start.. Yes, its a challenge for all FDX employees..

FR8Hauler

Yes, but if you had a union and had a contract you would have work rules that could be negotiated. Also you would get paid extra for extra work when it applied. Ask a UPS courier how often he deals with this without being compensated. Zero. Something for you to think about.

FDXdispatcher

I respect FDX pilots and admire you all for the job you do.. I wish I was one of you.. And the union you all have might be good for you.. I dont know enough about it.. The day we go union at FedEx (non-pilots) is the day I quit.. Im not giving my money to somebody for nothing.. I will not go union.. We are treated to good at FedEx and get paid good wages for the job we do.. We are better off without third party intervention..

I know many UPS drivers.. None of them feel like the union is doing them any good.. They tell me the only reason they join is because they feel like they dont have a choice.. During the brown out, UPS drivers told me all they got out of it was 9 days off without pay..

Why should I want a union at FedEx.. Lets say I make 20 dollars per hour.. If we went union, lets say I get a 4 dollar raise.. The union takes 3.50 of that.. So for 50 extra cents per hour Im going to make FedEx Corp. pay out millions of dollars to a lousy union which would make the company weaker in the long run.. No thanks..

Nightflyer

Yes, I am sure it is a problem for all concerned. Personally, I'd just like to see the company do "whatever it takes" to fix the problem and get the flights out on time.

It seems that Memphis keeps adding ramp space and flights, which will only exacerbate the problem. I'd like to see the "big picture" guys sit in my cockpit, stay awake when I am awake, and really feel the impact of being an hour or more late out of MEM night after night. Perhaps then, they would fix it.

dckozak

A lot of contradictory statements here; lets address a few.
...I'm not giving my money to somebody for nothing.... I agree, you shouldn't give your money for nothing, but what do you base these facts on??
If you "pay" a union (dues) and you get more money, better time off (pay for time you in the past were waiting to clock in) than where is the problem?? If someone works for you, to help you get a fairer, better deal with your employer, do you only think its "fair" if they do it for free??
Think about it.


You inter react with UPS drivers, what kind of money do they earn compared to you?? What do they get paid for that you don't. You know they pay dues, and you don't, so you assume your ahead in that regard. Ask the right questions and prove to your self that your non union work rules/pay is superior to UPS, do your homework, don't just assume anything.


You see this BS proves you know nothing about unions, the dues you'd pay or the cost/benefit of being unionized. Come on, the union gets $3.50 out of a $4 raise, do you really believe that??

Me thinks you buy into the company BS a little too much

Nitefrater

You REALLY need to go do some research...

First, Google "union dues rates" and see what typical union dues are. You'll find that they tend to average around 1.3% to 1.5%. Let's assume a bit high and use 2% for your example. At $20/hour you're paying union dues of $0.40/hour. When the union negotiates that $4/hour pay raise, your dues go up to $0.48/hour. Your union dues are tax-deductible, so you'll get a little discount on that. NOW do your cost/benefit assessment.

Second, go back and find out what your position at FedEx paid (same position and experience), oh, say 15 years ago. Take what your pay rate is today, and calculate the percentage increase. Now go to an inflation rate calculator (again, Google is your friend), and calculate what the inflation rate has been over the same 15 years. You'll likely find that it's a bit over 47% depending on which calculator you use. Do it again at 5, 20 and 25 years. Do you STILL think that Fred's looking out for you? If he isn't, who is? What do you guess the response will be when you go begging for the cost of living makeup?

And do you REALLY think that a $4/hour raise for you and your fellow Dispatchers is going to weaken THIS company ?----->

"FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the third quarter:

• Revenue of $8.00 billion, up 9% from $7.34 billion the previous year
• Operating income of $713 million, up 29% from $552 million a year ago
• Operating margin of 8.9%, up from last year's 7.5%
• Net income of $428 million, up 35% from $317 million the previous year"

"Things that make you go Hmmmmmmm"

-'Frater

Lippy

The day we go union at FedEx (non-pilots) is the day I quit.. Im not giving my money to somebody for nothing.. I will not go union..

I wish I had your job security. All pilots are 'one wrong decision' from the unemployment line. Evidently dispatchers are more protected.

ABXGO

This Is A Test