Tuck

Look this discussion right now at this level is somewhat silly. I have to agree with some of the other posters that the great majority of guys at Fedex currently see no problem with picking up Open Time. I suspect there are a few hundred guys at FDX on APC that might heartily agree with the idea of no pick up and a few hundred more not on APC. Regardless there's an overwhelming majority of guys that see no problem with it - well over 75%. Just ask the guys you fly with or look at the different names that pick up Open Time every month a few minutes after a trip, even a lousy trip is displayed.

So if you're part of the 25% (I'm being generous here) that may believe that Open Time flying is wrong then currently you are doing nothing but hurting yourself. We need some sort of word from our leadership - some sort of indication that make up flying should not be flown. That's it. I know that sounds heartless but think about it. If you're the only guy angry enough to protest something in a group of 10 people then you do nothing to affect your purpose - especially when your protests aren't even heard by the other 90% - you do nothing.

Besides that open time flying and reserve utilization has a lot more to do with the CBA changes to viewing trips up until 30 some odd hours prior (trips aren't hidden anymore like they were under the last contract). As soon as that passed and took effect, I believe it was mid-07 when that software change happened - reserve utilization went down. I always stand reserve and watch it quite closely.

FDXLAG

There is no doubt that the last contract allows the company to get away with using fewer pilots.

If you want to fly extra go for it. But don't pretend you aren't helping Fred.

FR8Hauler

Of course it will. Once the union comes out and says don't do it because there is one guy on the street it will be over. However, if extra trips pop up in open time now I think you are an idiot not to burn your make up bank and fly them. Especially if you are looking at being excess-ed or furloughed. Unless you can get 4700 guys not to fly makeup you are wasting your breath. Besides that, I really don't understand the argument on why not to fly it. They are extra trips that are in open time are they not? They are not trips that were held back to take food out or the mouths of other crew member's children. If you are quick on the draw and snag one out of open time and want to fly 120 hours for the month then go for it. The gravy train is rapidly pulling away from the station. I suggest make as much as you can and save it for the economic uncertainty that lies ahead.

FDXLAG

Yeah sure it will.

How is this for an explanation. If no one flew extra, the trips would be flown off of reserve. The company would need more reserve pilots. The amount of overmanning would go down by the number of increase reserve pilots required.

PS I think you are an idiot for not flying a DP if it fits your schedule. If you don't do it someone else will.

Gunter

If your one of the 75% who don't know the union taking a stand on open time would constitute an illegal job action, I say too bad for you.

You don't even realize you can make a difference...Good luck with your rationalizing.

FR8Hauler

So in your world no one can drop a trip and make it up in the future? I don't think we are talking about "extra" we are talking about burning your makeup for stuff you dropped and forfeited pay for. Your silly rant about flying DP's makes absolutely no sense as it is apples and oranges. DP's are not flown because of their onerous schedule. It has nothing to do with any of this. And the union has said do not fly them, which is guidance not to do so. You my friend are welcome to do make up and I would suggest you do so if you are looking at an excess or being furloughed. That is unless you don't need the extra cash, then by all means let the other guys who do go for it without calling them names.

USMCFDX

Fr8 you just do not get it either. Where do you think many of those makeup hours came from "carryover".

It is not apples and oranges. Contract says you can fly makeup, and last time I checked DP's were legal by the contract and nothing says you can not fly those either.

nosoup4u

^^ Agree 100%

That being said when the first guy gets a "f" notice the union should leadership should be very clear in communicating our contractual obligation to the company to only fly 48/60 until everyone is back on property.

It would be irresponsible/unprofessional to not prepare your bank account NOW for that possibility.

And I am sure someone is going to say it won't be done ...... "if you aren't doing it now, you won't do it then.....blah, blah, blah"

Just leave it to the MD F/Os, just like during the last negotiations we will legally do what needs to be done.

FDXLAG

I haven't called anyone any names (lately). I have said many times if you want to fly extra go for it just don't pretend you aren't helping the company demonstrate we are over manned.

So flying extra doesn't help the company so there is no reason to ban it. However if we furlough you will support the union when they ban it because? Why would the union ban it if it doesn't help the company.

There have been plenty of DPs that would have made my schedule better (usually involving a DH). I haven't flown them. All of your logic in the previous post "They are extra trips that are in open time are they not? They are not trips that were held back to take food out or the mouths of other crew member's children. If you are quick on the draw and snag one out of open time and want to fly 120 hours for the month then go for it. The gravy train is rapidly pulling away from the station." can be made in support of flying DPs.

nosoup4u

If we creatively alter our contractual work agreement based on input from these forums it is also an illegal job action.

United Sues ALPA, Four Pilots | AVIATION WEEK

:-)