PAX2Cargo

The more I read the MOU and I see that UPS allowed an extension plus the updated RDG A an B plan. Now I read/hear about ANOTHER plan is coming out for the RDG A & B plan that UPS agreed on. It makes me think and believe EVEN MORE that UPS DOES NOT want to furlough, they are just looking for a lot of $$$$ back from us. Why do they need 5 days to look over what the IPA is willing to give up. IF the IPA shows them we did not meet the number, "All or Nothing" is what UPS said. You don't need five days to make that call. Even my 4 year-old can do that in a few hours. And he takes after his mother. (Thank god she doesn't read this board)

I think its a scare plan from UPS to get some cash out of us.

Now, someone prove me wrong. Its fun here right???

6010C

Good job Scooby Doo! Now let's get back to the Mystery Machine.

...Or we could just do what our elected EB asked us to do.

SaltyDog

More than a 'scare' plan. It is business. 200+ DC-8 crewmembers NOT working and UPS writing off the expense for the following quarter as reported in the earnings report is proof that UPS isn't bluffing about the money. I think it is more routine business. Just like the 80 mechanics getting furloughed after the 8 parking announcement. Hard to see why pilots wouldn't get furloughed. The IPA had an alternative option that is unique. Interestingly, UPS does have a stake in its success, personally think ATL figured that out. Additionally, IPA asking for lots of rope to succeed. I see it as UPS actually giving the IPA the rope we ask for to make this work. Rope can be used two ways though.
Appreciate your contributions to our effort.

Freightpuppy

I'm sorry but that made me laugh. Scooby Doo.....too funny!

FliFast

I have to agree with Salty. The genesis of this cost-savings excercise was not to scare us into giving up money. When bean-counter Dilbert was presenting this to whichever big-wig the title of the presentation was not scare tactics to get money, it was called running a company.

I do not believe that the company is in dire straits whereas they have to furlough especially in the face of huge exec bonuses. The union and rightly so, has made it clear that they aren't opening the contract.

The union has worked to present a unique opportunity to appease bean counter, Dilbert and save jobs. With only two days to go and only 25% of the goal achieved, it is unlikely to me that furloughes will be avoided.

It may be haphazared to guess that the bulk of the voluntary contributions have come from the bottom 300, this is just a guess. The effects of this furlough will directly impact the bottom 300, and then the new bottom 300, many Capts that are on the cusp, and line holders in all categories on the cusp of lineholding.

We saw the effects as a whole of the change in age 60 to 65. Some pilots moved back into front seats, most of us moved backwards. When the furlough message gets released, most if not all will move back even more.

Scare tactics ? No, I don't believe this to be the case. It's hard to argue UPS' track record in running a profitable corporation. However, an ancillary reward the company will get if they do furlough is a further fractured pilot group.

FF

CactusCrew

And a new class of '88 to guide them into 2030 and beyond !

Slice

Do I have to work till 65 now out of spite?

FXDX

Out of necessity (now) more than likely. Thanks again Prater, SWAPA and APAAD.

jumbodriver

You are going to have to work until 70 by the time we retire, if not you will take a 25% hit to your A plan. Never mind we will not have one of those, I am sure that will be traded for something else in future years.....

highsky

UPS WILL get their savings, one way or another.

I think ATL would prefer not to furlough, but they will, if push comes to shove:

1. They have been positioning for a furlough for the last year. Just look at the last couple of displacement bids; they intentionally shifted all of the most junior to the DC-8 panel--an airframe they KNEW they would be parking now.

2. They know that a furlough is going to infuriate a LOT of people (WAY more than just the 300), with a consequential fallout of years and years of bitterness, lost productivity, vengeful paybacks, bad attitudes, etc. ATL would really like to avoid that fallout.

3. ATL would prefer to be fat on pilots right now (at reduced cost). If the pilot staffing exactly matches the volume right now, they will be in bad shape when the economy rebounds. Then they will need 2+ years to retrain the 300, and all of the training events above them needed to handle all of the reshifted crewmembers. During that time, they will lose a lot of business they can't handle. That business would go to FedEx...permanently. ATL knows this, and doesn't want that.

4. They are extending the MOU deadline, because they want it to work.

BUT, they WILL furlough if the IPA doesn't meet the financial benchmarks. This is no bluff!

Whether or not the company runs a furlough is now squarely in the hands of the IPA membership. UPS is trying to run a fiscally sound business right now; you can't blame them for that. They are doing us a huge favor by allowing us to control our own destinies.