Originally Posted by UPSierra

Alfaro120, there is not an airline in the world that pays what UPS pays, provides the long-term job stability that we provide (along with FDX), guarantees 975 hours per year, has a defined benefit and a defined contribution retirement plan AND provides the amount of time off that our line pilots have.

Originally Posted by UPSierra

Alfaro120, there is not an airline in the world that pays what UPS pays, provides the long-term job stability that we provide (along with FDX), guarantees 975 hours per year, has a defined benefit and a defined contribution retirement plan AND provides the amount of time off that our line pilots have. Sure, we have our share of complainers, but as you know, blogs are typically hyper-negative. The vast majority of our pilots are highly professional, proud of their job, proud that UPS is successful, proud of the service UPS provides to our customers, works well with the management team and would encourage you to apply.
All of this in the above paragrapgh was obtained by the IPA and the union pilots, none was provided by the Management pilots, they do enjoy a pay scale that is driven by our contracts.
Its amazing to see how we have folks that are so blessed, and such Debbie-downers at the same time. My theory is they have no life so they are crying for attention and controversy. My experience as a +22 year UPS management pilot is that those who complain the most are guys/gals that have only experienced one civilian flying job in their careers to draw their conclusions from or are so unhappy in their personal lives that they couldn't possibly be happy even if they won the lottery. "Those damn taxes!"
This para graph is just plain funny
My advice is to network with as many UPS pilots as you can so perhaps more than just one pilot can turn in a recommendation when we start hiring again. Hope to see you wearing the brown uniform someday. It is one of the best jobs in aviation working with some of the best people I have ever met, either on the line side or in management. Either way, you will have a great career if given the opportunity. Best wishes to you, and please stay positive.

And for the record, a management pilot job at UPS, for those who want more out of their professional piloting career than simply watching the aluminum tube fly itself, is a viable and highly rewarding option. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The IPA and the company agreed to this structure of management from the very beginning, put it into the collective bargaining agreement, and has supported it for over two decades. In fact, when we had a management pilot in the mid 90s (Captain Rob Dorsey) try to join the IPA, the President of the union wrote the NMB in support of the company's position. This is a dirty little secret that you will not find the IPA talking about, but it is in the record and it is part of the union's history on this topic that they cannot deny. You can query my previous posts to find the original IPA document, signed by the IPA president, that supports the management structure at UPS.
This again is funny and by and large bull.
The ultimate point out of all of this is to not write off the management option. It has been very good to me, has provided me great job satisfaction over the years and has secured my financial future. When given the recent opportunity to join the IPA and simply go fly the line, that option was not attractive to me. This is partially because I like my current job, but also because I had knew I could not trust the IPA's leadership at their word. As it turned out, the majority of us were correct. The President was not a man of his word. Thank god the majority of us saw him for what he is and did not sign over our careers to him.

Besides, if I went back to flying the line, I really didn't feel like taking a pay cut.

Originally Posted by Lineslug

Alfaro: What manager SIERRA fails to mention is that the benefits he cites above are due SOLELY to the IPA and the efforts of the line pilot group. He attempts to paint a picture that there are only a few whiners and complainers in the line pilot group, and that everyone else is just peachy happy.
Nothing could be further from the truth. We ARE professional, but the reason we have made the gains we have is because we have fought tooth and nail for every single one of the perks he mentions. Many, many folks here have put their jobs on the line more than once, and you will not find a more acrimonious relationship between the line pilots and management anywhere in the industry.
I'm sure you noticed how after telling you how great his life is as a manager, and how benevolent the company is, that our union president is "not a man of his word" - i.e., a liar.

I too would love to see you here, we have an outstanding pilot group and the best union in the industry. Just realize that there is a reason why all the line pilots here have a saying -

"Best job I ever had, Worst company I've ever worked for."

Originally Posted by Airbum

in 20 years has a single captain gone into the non union flying position? I'll hazard a guess of no.

Originally Posted by Lineslug

That would be a very good guess.

I have never heard of one in my 22 years, even though we all get letters every year asking us to apply. We even have line pilots who were Chief Pilots and management pilots at other 121 and 135 airlines, and will not go into a non-union flying position here.

Originally Posted by Airbum

in 20 years has a single captain gone into the non union flying position? I'll hazard a guess of no.