ABX/Astar should strike

[countbat]

My understanding is DHL/UPS deal is not signed yet. That should put, in a way, the ball in your backyard guys. If unity exists, and the most senior guys would understand they will be affected too, taking in consideration management was stupid enough to give you some time to reflect on, you should react immediately and strike. That way a lot of concerns and questions will be raisen and maybe someone will say enough with only business is business and just money talks. I believe human factor should be taking in consideration also. After all pilots shouldn't be just a liability on a stupid puppet master's game.
What do you guys have to lose? Your jobs? One year of agony goind to work knowing that could be the last one? Waiting for management to wake up and start playing you against each other and giving fake hopes some of you might keep their jobs?
Good luck brothers and sisters and may the fortune smile upon you.

 

[Big Beer Belly]

countbat,

I fully sympathize with what's occurring and the devastating effect it will have on many families that depended on DHL for their livelihood.

My gut reaction would be similar... stick it to 'em! However, after some calm reflection, I would caution against anything rash that might have long-standing negative career ramifications... a lot to lose potentially for a few minutes/hours of satisfaction. If you can stomach your immediate dismissal and no chance for a future job with UPS, then "fight's on."

The brutal truth is these corporations are advised by ruthless lawyers with vast experience in consolidation, acquisition, takeovers, mergers and all-out rape of former employee groups. I'm sure contingency plans are already in place to move the freight should the former subs withhold their labor. A strike would NOT cripple DHL. A strike would result in the very rapid takeover of your former flying by subcontractors hungry for the work. This is a brutal business.

With UPS now involved, your problems have increased exponentially. They have not become the 900 lb gorilla in the express package market by being nice guys.

The unfortunate reality is that if you are depending on DHL is some way, shape or form for income, then you are/will be screwed. The truth is DHL is losing their butt in the US market and cannot sustain the $1 BILLION + annual losses without a shareholder revolt.

DHL has signaled their withdrawal from the US market (except for intl origin/delivery) so that they can continue to be the dominant intl player serving ALL the world... for the next few years.

My best advice is to QUICKLY get your resumes out and find a new home (top picks: UPS, FedEx, SWA, Net Jets)

Best Wishes,

BBB

 

[mxer]

Two of your picks (FedEx and UPS) are not accepting resumes. Thats the big problem. Not many good choices.

 

[Big Beer Belly]

Two of your picks (FedEx and UPS) are not accepting resumes. Thats the big problem. Not many good choices.

UPS may not be currently accepting resumes but did indicate to the union additional hiring will be required. My advice stands... those are the companies I would be seeking employment from.

Best Wishes...

BBB

 

[Midnight Flyer]

BTW, haven't heard too awfully much from the UPS plots on here about this whole DHL thing.

 

[DC8CRIVER]

-Countbat,

Bad advice. While there may be a time for a strike, now is not that time. Better to refrain from advocating radical moves until you have an insiders view of the situation. Right now, much is in flux and all the cards are not on the table. Furthermore, as much as we'd like to shove it up DHL's tailpipe, we should be and are concentrating on doing what's best for our families and our careers.

Just because DHL has decided that in order to feed itself, it will eat its own offspring that doesn't mean that we can also make stupid decisions.

There will be a time to burn down the house. Right now, we're saving ourselves.

DC8

 

[HeavyjetDC8]

I have to admit that I didn't foresee this particular solution to DHL's problem, but then neither did the poor souls stuffing their portfolios full of ATSG stock at $3 a pop in anticipation of wondrous proclamations from our overseas friends of the Fourth Reich. But from deep within the bunker the Fuhrer has spoken: the cleansing of the DHL business model is immediately to begin on schedule. Gas ovens on standby, canisters of Zyklon B to be made ready.

The institutional investors (suckers) who've held ATSG on Joe's good word must also feel a little disappointed if not taken completely unwillingly from the rear. A buyout of $7.8 spurned for a current price of $1.6 and change: a faux pas along the lines of Gen G.A.Custer stating 'Never mind those Indians, we'll set up camp here.'

The mismatch between ABX's fuel efficient CAT 2/3 aircraft carrying the 'C' vs Astar's gas guzzlers with cargo doors for the 'A' always seemed irreconcilable - and I suppose it was.

Once the proposed ABX buyout didn't follow through the cleansing option was exercised, although this has the silver lining of precluding an ABX/Astar knife-fight for seniority/representation/fencing which would most probably have ended up somewhere south of uncouth and unbecoming of gentlemen.

Burning the place down may yet be an option, but not before the order of battle is fully understood with consequences weighed.

 

[Big Beer Belly]

IPA Press Release

BTW, haven't heard too awfully much from the UPS plots on here about this whole DHL thing.

UPS PILOT UNION EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH ABX/ASTAR PILOT GROUPS

LOUISVILLE, May 30, 2008 -- The Independent Pilots Association (IPA) today expressed its support for the pilots at two carriers currently flying the bulk of package volume for DHL within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Those carriers are ABX Air and Astar.

On Wednesday, UPS and DHL Express U.S. announced a tentative 10 year deal for UPS to provide transportation in its air network for all of DHL’s express, deferred and international package volume within the United States. Under terms of the agreement, not yet finalized, UPS would also provide air lift for DHL packages between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

If the agreement is finalized, it could mean a loss of pilot jobs at Astar and ABX Air and an increase at rival carrier UPS. “Our first reaction on hearing of the proposed deal was to ask UPS to give every consideration to any Astar or ABX Air pilot who might seek a job at UPS,” said UPS pilot union President Bob Miller. “We have worked with both pilot groups for many years, and their members are among the most skilled and professional in the industry,” he added.

Miller said that many UPS pilots have friends at the carriers and would like to see their company provide every consideration to any pilot from ABX Air or Astar who might seek a job with the carrier. “The pilots at ABX Air and Astar have a proven record of safely and efficiently providing service. Any problems at these companies have come from their management, not from the pilots,” said Miller.

“While we don’t have a sense yet of how many new pilot positions could potentially be created at UPS, we do know that there are no better qualified pilots in the industry than those who fly for ABX Air and Astar.”

The Independent Pilots Association represents over 3,000 airline pilots who fly domestically and internationally for United Parcel Service. The Union was certified in 1990 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

[Box-Hauler]

Big Beer,

Your assumption that there is a contingency plan is false. There is no way to replace close to 100 aircraft of ABX and Astar. Hete has bought 2 of the ACMI carriers that could have been used. If a shut down is going to be done, it would have to be done with the consent of Joe, and the Daz. Cripple DHL in a 2 day shutdown and there will be no freight left for UPS to contract to haul, they will get it by default.