ABX Domicile in Asia

[abxaviator]

So, let's do the math. Right now we are using 20 crews with 2 airplanes, there will be 3 in Oct and 5 by years end, but the proffer is for just 16 crews to be training complete about the time the 3rd aircraft goes over? Sounds about right for this outfit.

 

[Bitter]

Spare me the sunshine being blown up my Arse

interoffice memorandum
to: All Flight Crewmembers
from: Bob Morgenfeld
subject: Osaka Domicile
date: 7/16/2007
cc:
First of all I would like to thank all of you that have made the ANA flying such a success! We are receiving very positive feedback from our customer. We anticipate them wanting additional aircraft assignments in the future. This could not have occurred without the cooperation that we have received from so many ABX employees, including the flight crews.
I know the issue of opening a domicile in Osaka, Japan is a topic that has generated a great deal of discussion among the flight crews so I would like to take a few minutes to discuss briefly where we have been and where we are headed. Hopefully I will be able to answer a few of your questions and provide some perspective on the opportunity the flying for ANA will provide for you.
We had hoped to agree by now on the implementation of the ANA work rules, which were previously negotiated. However, since there is not an implementation agreement, we must instead, at this time, open the Osaka domicile. It is important for you to know that ABX recognizes its obligation to its employees that are awarded an Osaka base. We will be negotiating with the Union on how best to provide you with numerous things involved in opening a foreign domicile. While Article XIV of the Collective Bargaining Agreement defines the items which must be negotiated in association with the opening of a foreign domicile, we also recognize our obligation to our employees to address other issues, such as the following:

1. Differentials
2. Tax equalization
3. Employee benefits
4. Emergency leave provision
5. Cultural orientation

As background, we first started discussing this issue with the Union back in September of 2006. The initial discussions were very broad in nature as they were quite preliminary. By January of 2007, we were seeing potential schedules and discussions with the Union were held to let them know we were either going to start up a new domicile in Osaka or find an alternative acceptable to both sides. Once the schedules were in hand, both sides started pouring a lot more energy into the process and had several very good, interesting and productive talks regarding the ANA operations and how they might be accomplished short of opening the domicile. Doug Turner and Jim Miller put a great deal of thought and effort into producing potential schedules. As everyone involved in the process would agree, this was not an easy task. After many hours, covering many sessions of hard work by both sides, an agreement was reached on how to run the operation out of Wilmington, with the Company accepting the Union’s last proposal.
It was our hope and intention that the ANA work rules agreed to would be implemented at the beginning of the ANA operation. Unfortunately, the Company and the Union have not been able to come to an agreement regarding the implementation of these bullet points. We now find ourselves in a position where we are forced to schedule you under some very onerous rules, attempting to maintain as closely as possible our current scheduling parameters, and applying them to the ANA operations. This has created a tremendous burden on our resources as well as being outrageously expensive. The burden created by not agreeing to the implementation of the agreed to ANA scheduling rules puts the Company in a position where we can not continue the operations without relief. Our only alternative at this point is to open a new domicile in Osaka so we may continue to grow the business and provide more growth opportunities for others in the Company, primarily the flight crews. With an eight crews per aircraft ratio, we have neither seen any other operation that will generate this level of flying nor had other opportunities to do ACMI work with a carrier that has ANA’s reputation for its first rate and quality operations.
All that said, many of you have some very real and important concerns about what the opening of a domicile may mean to yourselves and your families. Just as ABX Air has taken care of you and your families in the past, providing excellent benefits, we have every intention of continuing to take good care of our valued ABX crews. We commit to continuing to work with your Union in an effort to make the new domicile in Osaka a great work and life experience as we continue to look for expanded growth opportunities for our Company and our employees.

 

[two(2)%]

Thanks Bitter. I'm surprised to see letters from this guy. I was under the impression that Captain Morgan didn't work as of the last five years (just collected his bonus). Anyone attend last nights 1224 meeting?

 

[ABXbooger]

I am disgusted by this letter...especially the part about ABX taking care of it's people. Two furloughs and the bottom of the seniority list after 7 years.

Bite me sideways.

 

[scarface]

I'm a little offended by the letter. To mention the flight crews as a by the way at the bottom of the reasons for the success paragraph is a little insulting. I just spent a month over in Japan and was very impressed with the effort Matt,Adrion, Mike,Chainsaw,Chris,Steve and a certain checkairman who takes way too much delight in LSUs slaughtering of Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl contributed and contribute to the success of this program. They deserve top billing.(This is by no means an inclusive list. I don't include myself because my main accomplishments were enjoying the Cafe Bon, and enjoying the ambiance of the Jet Lag Club.)
It also seems to me this letter implies there's no expectation of a near settlement of the contract.
I am not denying an Osaka base is logical based on projected aircraft levels but I think there are some plankholders of this operation who deserve recognition.

 

[inplaneview]

I'm a little offended by the letter. To mention the flight crews as a by the way at the bottom of the reasons for the success paragraph is a little insulting. I just spent a month over in Japan and was very impressed with the effort Matt,Adrion, Mike,Chainsaw,Chris,Steve and a certain checkairman who takes way too much delight in LSUs slaughtering of Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl contributed and contribute to the success of this program. They deserve top billing.(This is by no means an inclusive list. I don't include myself because my main accomplishments were enjoying the Cafe Bon, and enjoying the ambiance of the Jet Lag Club.)
It also seems to me this letter implies there's no expectation of a near settlement of the contract.
I am not denying an Osaka base is logical based on projected aircraft levels but I think there are some plankholders of this operation who deserve recognition.

Scarface...now that you have spent some time flying the ANA trips, I'd be interested in your take on where this "project" could be heading. How many airplanes and crews? Also, as much as we'd like to avoid it, how would an Osaka domicile work out?