FDX Hey Jack, Whose part of the problem now?
12-01-2008, 01:00 AM
#12
Proponent of Hysteria
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: "Part of the problem." : JL
Posts: 1,057
Well, if you're saying a management pilot put out an email like this, that's pretty sad. We had management put out something sort of like this a while back and the union jumped all over it. And that one didn't have anything nearly as silly as saying "senior F/O's are part of the problem".
Your union should be all over getting a statement that this guy didn't really mean what he said....
Your union should be all over getting a statement that this guy didn't really mean what he said....
Of course, this email comes from the same guy who said pilots don't have any special skills, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Not only did our union say nothing when this email was released, the guy who wrote it never even apologized.
Last edited by skypine27; 12-01-2008 at 02:07 AM.
12-01-2008, 02:16 AM
#13
"blue collar thug"!
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: A proponent of...
Posts: 1,614
Well, if you're saying a management pilot put out an email like this, that's pretty sad. We had management put out something sort of like this a while back and the union jumped all over it. And that one didn't have anything nearly as silly as saying "senior F/O's are part of the problem".
Your union should be all over getting a statement that this guy didn't really mean what he said....
Your union should be all over getting a statement that this guy didn't really mean what he said....
12-01-2008, 05:48 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Posts: 221
Could we give the spelling and punctuation corrections a rest? Who cares?
As for JL's rant a couple years ago, I agree we with him on some principals. I've run across some senior FO's who won't upgrade because "It's too easy not being responsible for anything". That's a direct quote from one of them. I sure wouldn't want him as my FO.
As for JL's rant a couple years ago, I agree we with him on some principals. I've run across some senior FO's who won't upgrade because "It's too easy not being responsible for anything". That's a direct quote from one of them. I sure wouldn't want him as my FO.
Last edited by de727ups; 12-01-2008 at 09:54 AM. Reason: edited out inappropriate language
12-01-2008, 05:54 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 980
I recall the Jack Lewis rant well, though it was in email form, not FCIF. In fact, I'll gladly post it below for all to read and remember:
I sent out a diatribe last week to all Captains talking about authority, responsibility and accountability. It was pretty much me railing on our lousy accident record and how it's a direct reflection on our lack of leadership abilities. "Our" includes Line Pilots, Flex, LCA, SCA and Flight Management. Nobody is exempt. First and Second Officers are a big part of this.
>
> Let's talk about RFOs first. RFOs are a vital part of our operation. If you can only hold RFO, so be it. Look the part, do it right, be prepared. However, if you're senior and you make your living being an RFO, then you're a problem. RFOs should be our most junior F/Os because real pilots want to fly; thus, they should be the F/O on the trip. We do provide opportunity for F/Os to do both jobs, yet some always struggle to maintain currency. I know all about commuting, quality of life, RFO deadheads, two-earner households, pilots married to each other, etc. This job is a balance between personal and professional lives. Flying is what you signed up to do and flying is what you were hired to do. It doesn't matter if you are flying in the Reserves/Guard, commuting from another continent, or finishing up your Masters in Basket Weaving. Flying at FedEx is your primary occupation. Also, paying RFOs the same as F/Os doesn't work for me. The only way an RFO is worth his F/O pay is by being ready to be a good F/O. We have F/Os who don't get 15 landings a year. What are they ready for? If you like
cooking for a living, go to Johnson and Wales and change your profession. This is a flying outfit.
Then there's the real First Officers. Every Captain wants a good First Officer and we have plenty of them. Unfortunately, if you look at our 6 major mishaps caused by pilot-error, one F/O gave unbelievably bad advice to the Captain and four others had the F/O at the controls. That's 66% of the flying and 83% causal. Where were the good ones when they were needed?
>
> Certainly every one of these accidents was preventable by the Captain exercising good judgment and there is no attempt here to try to shift responsibility or accountability off of the Captain position. However, 5 of the 6 accidents were also preventable by the First Officer. We have many great First Officers, just like we have great Captains; yet we have 5 of 6 major mishaps that occurred because both of the crewmembers were out to lunch. We hire pilots with experience; however, more and more Captains are coming forward saying they are giving flying lessons to their First Officers. You are supposed to know how to fly when you "make it" to FedEx. What's up there? Attitude, preparation, ability? It's a major concern.
>
> Our jobs are literally on the line. How embarrassing to work for the best Company in the industry, riding a great earnings wave, getting an industry leading contract (I think), and having the worst accident record of all major carriers in the world. This isn't a Flight Management or ALPA issue. This is an us issue. It's time to step up to the plate.
>
> So where's that leave us? I've asked the Captains to put the heat on both this group and each other, to raise the bar, and to accept nothing less than perfect. Being a Captain at FedEx is a tremendous achievement but comes with huge responsibility and accountability. Flying people from point A to point B is a piece of cake. Flying freight is much more demanding.
>
> However, the real answer is individual. It takes everyone of us doing the best we can every time we come to work. All of you First Officers are Captains-in-waiting…..you need to look the part, be prepared, and emulate the guy in the left seat. He is the key to your long successful career at FedEx….and he needs good help.
>
> One last thought……if you could hold Memphis wide-body Captain for more than two years, haven't bid a Captain seat, and don't want to, you're part of the problem….. hang up your stripes. It's not a part-time job…we can't use part-time help.
>
> Jack Lewis
> System Chief Pilot
Hope not too many FOs actually listend to him. Much more practical advice can be found in this quote from an old aviation book, from an airline pilot who actually knew what he was talking about: "Stay senior on junior equipment."
I listen to that guy, not JL.
PS. Forward this rant to your buddys at Southwest and be amazed at their responses about how a FedEx management pilot addresses his supposedly valued employees.
I sent out a diatribe last week to all Captains talking about authority, responsibility and accountability. It was pretty much me railing on our lousy accident record and how it's a direct reflection on our lack of leadership abilities. "Our" includes Line Pilots, Flex, LCA, SCA and Flight Management. Nobody is exempt. First and Second Officers are a big part of this.
>
> Let's talk about RFOs first. RFOs are a vital part of our operation. If you can only hold RFO, so be it. Look the part, do it right, be prepared. However, if you're senior and you make your living being an RFO, then you're a problem. RFOs should be our most junior F/Os because real pilots want to fly; thus, they should be the F/O on the trip. We do provide opportunity for F/Os to do both jobs, yet some always struggle to maintain currency. I know all about commuting, quality of life, RFO deadheads, two-earner households, pilots married to each other, etc. This job is a balance between personal and professional lives. Flying is what you signed up to do and flying is what you were hired to do. It doesn't matter if you are flying in the Reserves/Guard, commuting from another continent, or finishing up your Masters in Basket Weaving. Flying at FedEx is your primary occupation. Also, paying RFOs the same as F/Os doesn't work for me. The only way an RFO is worth his F/O pay is by being ready to be a good F/O. We have F/Os who don't get 15 landings a year. What are they ready for? If you like
cooking for a living, go to Johnson and Wales and change your profession. This is a flying outfit.
Then there's the real First Officers. Every Captain wants a good First Officer and we have plenty of them. Unfortunately, if you look at our 6 major mishaps caused by pilot-error, one F/O gave unbelievably bad advice to the Captain and four others had the F/O at the controls. That's 66% of the flying and 83% causal. Where were the good ones when they were needed?
>
> Certainly every one of these accidents was preventable by the Captain exercising good judgment and there is no attempt here to try to shift responsibility or accountability off of the Captain position. However, 5 of the 6 accidents were also preventable by the First Officer. We have many great First Officers, just like we have great Captains; yet we have 5 of 6 major mishaps that occurred because both of the crewmembers were out to lunch. We hire pilots with experience; however, more and more Captains are coming forward saying they are giving flying lessons to their First Officers. You are supposed to know how to fly when you "make it" to FedEx. What's up there? Attitude, preparation, ability? It's a major concern.
>
> Our jobs are literally on the line. How embarrassing to work for the best Company in the industry, riding a great earnings wave, getting an industry leading contract (I think), and having the worst accident record of all major carriers in the world. This isn't a Flight Management or ALPA issue. This is an us issue. It's time to step up to the plate.
>
> So where's that leave us? I've asked the Captains to put the heat on both this group and each other, to raise the bar, and to accept nothing less than perfect. Being a Captain at FedEx is a tremendous achievement but comes with huge responsibility and accountability. Flying people from point A to point B is a piece of cake. Flying freight is much more demanding.
>
> However, the real answer is individual. It takes everyone of us doing the best we can every time we come to work. All of you First Officers are Captains-in-waiting…..you need to look the part, be prepared, and emulate the guy in the left seat. He is the key to your long successful career at FedEx….and he needs good help.
>
> One last thought……if you could hold Memphis wide-body Captain for more than two years, haven't bid a Captain seat, and don't want to, you're part of the problem….. hang up your stripes. It's not a part-time job…we can't use part-time help.
>
> Jack Lewis
> System Chief Pilot
Hope not too many FOs actually listend to him. Much more practical advice can be found in this quote from an old aviation book, from an airline pilot who actually knew what he was talking about: "Stay senior on junior equipment."
I listen to that guy, not JL.
PS. Forward this rant to your buddys at Southwest and be amazed at their responses about how a FedEx management pilot addresses his supposedly valued employees.
P.S It looks like management was only trying to address a small problem group.
12-01-2008, 06:20 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: 57 Capt
Posts: 141
hmmmmmmmmmmm.
shouldn't they target them now?
12-01-2008, 06:28 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 980
12-01-2008, 06:33 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: 57 Capt
Posts: 141
12-01-2008, 06:54 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: MD-11 Captain
Posts: 4,304
Now that's just plain hilarious! They have the most vacation, use the most sick leave, probably use the most disability insurance (you know, hurt shoulders and the like)
12-01-2008, 08:18 AM
#20
Slainge Var'
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Zeppelin Tail Gunner
Posts: 1,530
No doubt you have. You yelled it into a cave and heard the echo. Could be you are just confusing productivity with who flies the most carryover (not considering that they call in sick for lots of them as they are drawing down their sick bank).
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