Piloto Noche

The first two contracts ratified by FedEx pilots happened during pretty good economic times. The first FPA contract, negotiated by our current VP of flight OPS (you have GOT to be whackin' me!), was ratified after the infamous "parking lot meeting" ( Again, you have GOT to be whackin' me!). The second, an ALPA contract, was ratified by a nice majority of pilots who thought they could live with the language as the economy was strong and their lifestyles mirrored their paychecks.

Now, here we are approaching 2010. With the current economic climate, I'll bet a large majority of FedEx pilots have adjusted their lifestyles...probably a forced adjustment with lowered BLGs. I'll bet many have pared back the spending, looked to the future through a more conservative lens and prepared for possible darker times. With recent management actions, it is no mystery where our company's loyalties really lie. If labor costs can be legally minimized (in their interpretation), then why not go for it? (P-S-P, My A$$!)

So, how is this all a good thing? Here's the way I see it. We are all becoming accustomed to living with less. Preparing for the worst. Learning what our company will do to our group to maximize the bottom line. After a couple years of this; will you really be intimidated by the "Red Letter"? Will you shake in your shoes when the threat of turning us into a trucking company comes out again? When push comes to shove, who will have more to lose? The scared-to-fly cubicle rats who are counting on their MBOs or the hard charging freight dawg who earns the share-holders revenue night after night?

I, personally, have adjusted and am enjoying my extra time off. So I say this, "Go ahead, management, keep pi$$ing us off. I'm sure it'll work out for you. "

skypine27

A'men man! My thoughts exactly.

FlyByNite

Your history is a little off. The first FPA TA was negotiated by our VP of FLT OPS PC. It is a stretch to say it was negotiated, I think PC just took dictation. Also there's the story of him flying an overtime trip to Asia at the same time he was being paid as the NC of the FPA. Anyway, the TA was voted down and PC resigned/fired as NC. He continued as Sec/Tres of FPA until his term ended, and has been in management ever since. It was the second TA, with FF as FPA president, that was a product of the "parking lot deal" a week after the infamous red letter.

Jetjok

FlyByNite,

Don't take so much offense at that portion of PN's post. It's not the significant part, in my opinion. Pay more attention to his last two paragraphs. That was the crux of his post.

JJ