ABX says NO THANK YOU to ASTAR

[ABXbooger]

This is from AirCargo World, not really new news, but the last line is interesting...

Astar offer thrown out as ABX chooses to go it alone

27-Jul-2007 : ABX has rejected Astar’s US$450 million takeover bid saying it was not in the shareholders’ best interests.

“It does not represent adequate value for stockholders,” said James Carey, chairman of the board of directors of ABX Air. The carrier believes its business plan will deliver more value over time to its stockholders than the Astar offer, and has made it very clear that what is currently on the table will not be considered further.

“While the board recognises that a combination of Astar and ABX Air would likely produce meaningful synergies, Astar’s indication of interest delivers none of the value of these synergies to ABX Air stockholders,” Carey said.

Joe Hete, chief executive of ABX Air, has made no indication that a counter bid will be offered. DHL however, will undoubtedly continue to push for the merger in its bid to gain more control over its US network.

 

[penguin22]

Sorry..the link was no good....was in reference to a recent promotion in the DHL flt ops hierarchy...and the fellow's name turned up on the list...EAL'89...must have been a "crawl-back"....enjoy

Do you remember the name? We might as well know who we're dealing with.

This is from AirCargo World, not really new news, but the last line is interesting...

DHL however, will undoubtedly continue to push for the merger in its bid to gain more control over its US network.

Yeah, I think we can all agree this thing is far from over.

Personally, I'd rather have a merger w/ Astar. But not if it means this ANA flying gets split off. There's alot of potential with ANA, and the flying is fun! Having flown for both DHL and ANA, it's quite apparent to me that ANA is the class act that DHL only thinks it is.

 

[Cargoav8or]

Do you remember the name? We might as well know who we're dealing with.


He has been our D/O now for I don't know how many years and nobody can figure out why the announcement. Everything listed in there he already did.

 

[shooter]

shooter quote post # 26: well, how did you figure a merger would fix the ANA problems if they can't be fixed now? Did you think the ANA flying would go away? Did you figure the ASTAR guys would bid it? Just asking, not flaming.

A fair question, no flames sighted: extinguisher not reached for.

I have assumed that DHL through an Astar /ABX merger would have DHL concentrating upon flying their freight to reach their customer by 10.30 am ( core business) as the top priority without being sidetracked into a hybrid ACMI/ flight crew leasing abortion in secondary Asian markets.

It would seem that Joe has his head fully inserted where the sun doesn't shine and believes himself to have both a game plan and a future. I'm afraid that on both counts he is wrong.

So shooter; without a merger, what's your vision of the future? I do agree that the DHL Nazis have once again criminally goosed stepped and screwed it up - but do you honestly see salvation with ABX operating as a flight crew leasing/ ACMI hybrid with the flight crew in revolt to the point where they'll kill the company before accepting a domicile in the land of the rising sun?

Sometimes an undesirable option is the only option. At least it's a workable option.

fair question, but there is really no way for me know that. Maybe Joe can give me one of the golden parachute thingies and I can be told the whole big picture. Until then, I can only hope for what will put the least amount of ABX workers on the street.

I am sure I hope for what everyone hopes for; increased DHL work for both ABX and ASTAR without it being a rob Peter to pay Paul switch in carriers to a particular city pairing. But as long as we serve DHL, we cannot accept other flying that would compete with DHL without their direct permission as directed in the ACMI contract.

As far as the ANA, I had no idea that ABX pilots would rather shut the company down before accepting a deal to serve that customer. A real shame that you do not see any way for the company and pilot group to agree to something that both sides agree to. Because I see not only the ANA flying increasing, but other Asia ACMI contracts in the future for ABX. But it is what it is until it's over I guess.

 

[penguin22]

As far as the ANA, I had no idea that ABX pilots would rather shut the company down before accepting a deal to serve that customer.

shooter, while HeavyjetDC8 likes to talk as if he speaks for the whole pilot group, he doesn't.

 

[HeavyjetDC8]

True penguin, but I can speak for myself. You have to agree though that even a 23 day/ 3 month bid cycle for ANA flying has hit the skids, and the domicile concept is probably dead on arrival.

I personally found it heart warming to learn of the joy and fun you experienced in your ANA charter work and am sure that many, many others are equally happy for you

Of course, with seniority, a penguin can mix and match until it becomes no longer fun, to then walk away leaving other less exalted penguins on the greasy pole of seniority to carry on with it - indefinitely.

I do indeed only speak for myself yet my view point is far from unique. We, as a group, sleepwalked into this because a survey wasn't taken to determine the prevalent attitude to the ANA charter logistics which not surprisingly turn out as popular as a turd in a punch bowl. To the majority that is, with the exception of a few odd birds.

So penguin, going to snap up one of those cornucopia-of-fun live in Japan domicile slots are you? Bon voyage you warped eater of Antarctic fish, we'll all miss you.

 

[Golden Falcon]

http://www.fltops.com/article.asp?ID=6337&Gateway=Industry

 

[penguin22]

True penguin, but I can speak for myself. You have to agree though that even a 23 day/ 3 month bid cycle for ANA flying has hit the skids, and the domicile concept is probably dead on arrival.

I personally found it heart warming to learn of the joy and fun you experienced in your ANA charter work and am sure that many, many others are equally happy for you

Of course, with seniority, a penguin can mix and match until it becomes no longer fun, to then walk away leaving other less exalted penguins on the greasy pole of seniority to carry on with it - indefinitely.

I do indeed only speak for myself yet my view point is far from unique. We, as a group, sleepwalked into this because a survey wasn't taken to determine the prevalent attitude to the ANA charter logistics which not surprisingly turn out as popular as a turd in a punch bowl. To the majority that is, with the exception of a few odd birds.

So penguin, going to snap up one of those cornucopia-of-fun live in Japan domicile slots are you? Bon voyage you warped eater of Antarctic fish, we'll all miss you.

Did you really take the domicile bid seriously?? It was just another negotiating tactic. It's already been withdrawn.

 

[HeavyjetDC8]

No, the domicile bid was unworkable for several reasons and wasn't a particularly smart card to play even as a negotiating ploy. It's the 23 day/3 month bid cycle that worries me.

As a compromise, flying the ANA charter on a N/S line basis works but I seriously doubt that management want to keep it that way. Although most view 12 days away as acceptable a 23 day possibly extended to 25 + sequence really has run into some serious opposition.

 

[FreightBumper]

No, the domicile bid was unworkable for several reasons and wasn't a particularly smart card to play even as a negotiating ploy. It's the 23 day/3 month bid cycle that worries me.

As a compromise, flying the ANA charter on a N/S line basis works but I seriously doubt that management want to keep it that way. Although most view 12 days away as acceptable a 23 day possibly extended to 25 + sequence really has run into some serious opposition.

being away for 23 days and still being paid is better than dying on the vine with DHL. They have spoken as to who the favorite is.

 

[penguin22]

We, as a group, sleepwalked into this because a survey wasn't taken to determine the prevalent attitude to the ANA charter logistics

Wrong. We had a zoomerang survey on that. I'm sure your negative vote on the whole idea was counted.

 

[penguin22]

He has been our D/O now for I don't know how many years and nobody can figure out why the announcement. Everything listed in there he already did.

Oh, that guy. I didn't realize he scabbed at EAL. But I checked my list, and there he is.

 

[LarryinTN]

Looks like the company has blinked again...

Citing current progress in negotiations, and commitment by both sides toward working for a tentative agreement, [ABX Air] has announced that it has withdrawn the proffer for an Osaka domicile.

 

[FreightBumper]

The company didn't blink cause it was a hollow attempt to stir the membership to put pressure on negotiations. They probably had a firm date to withdraw the domiciole bid to begin with. They continue to play games no matter how silly they look. It amazes me that they hold us in such low esteem and they continue to pull this crap on the pilot group.

 

[ABXbooger]

Couldn't agree more, bump. Question: serious rumor has a proffer for 21 more -9 captains on the way and more 767 FO's too. Is this the work of our new COO? He left a good impression with the group the other night and said some good things, maybe he will follow through...

Anyone know anything about the Air China 767's and the ANA rumors?

 

[LarryinTN]

7 of the 8 DC9 Capt awards went to 767 FO's (6 ILN, 1 MIA) so I'll bet that the company is now wondering how it's going get by without them on the 767 (starting tomorrow) and is worried that the next DC9 Capt proffer will also go to a lot of current 767 FOs.

 

[jdflyer51]

767 FOs are in for lots of jr manning...Cindy has already started. Quick thoughts.....yes Astar has been the favored carrier. DHL has admitted that. However, our summer vacations in Germany have paid off and they claim we are all in their future plans. They also claim that this will be bigger than we can imagine at this point. There is room for all of us eventually. We are better off working together once we integrate and get a UPS type contract for the new group. Lets soar instead of racing to the bottom. Also, ANA with no work rules is ridiculous. Lets enjoy it while it is operating under the current rules. Dasburg will most likely replace it with CRAF anyhow.

 

[learjockey1]

Astar Pilots put strike on the table

Release #07.039
July 31, 2007
ASTAR Air Cargo Pilots Send Message to Management: Stop Stalling Contract Talks
WILMINGTON, OH—Angry and frustrated over their managements’ deliberately slow pace in contract negotiations, ASTAR Air Cargo’s pilot workforce sent a strong message to management that their patience has run out. The pilots, members of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, (ALPA) unanimously voted to authorize their union leaders to take any measure necessary to secure a fair and equitable contract.


With contract negotiations nearing the four-year mark, union leaders have been directed to look at any and all measures available to them, including sending out a member strike-authorization ballot and seeking a proffer from the National Mediation Board that could lead to a possible strike.


“ASTAR pilots have recently read several news media reports speculating about business deals involving purchases or mergers being orchestrated by our management,” said Capt. Earl Smith, Master Executive Council Chairman. “But there is no speculation about our reality: we still do not have a contract three-and-a-half years after the amendable date of our last agreement, and opportunities for career advancement are growing more limited every month.”


Despite constant recognition for outstanding on-time performance in the express shipping industry, ASTAR pilots have not received a raise in nearly five years other than previously negotiated longevity increases. ASTAR pilots are among the most effective pilots in their industry, yet they are paid the least among pilots for the top three cargo carriers (FedEx, UPS, and DHL).


“Our situation with management is simply unacceptable, and we intend to remedy this at the bargaining table with the full support of every ASTAR pilot and our brothers and sisters at ALPA-represented airlines,” Smith said.


ASTAR pilots carry roughly 50% of the weight out of Wilmington, Ohio, each night for DHL, the world’s largest and most experienced international air express network. Prior to 2003, ASTAR Air Cargo was known as DHL Airways where a majority of today’s 525 ASTAR pilots were hired. Before August 2003 ASTAR/DHL Airways pilots carried nearly 100% of DHL cargo in the United States and more than 50% of DHL’s international cargo to and from the United States.


Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing 60,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

# # #​

ALPA CONTACT: Ron Lovas, 703-481-4468

 

[Cargoav8or]

767 FOs are in for lots of jr manning...Cindy has already started. Quick thoughts.....yes Astar has been the favored carrier. DHL has admitted that. However, our summer vacations in Germany have paid off and they claim we are all in their future plans. They also claim that this will be bigger than we can imagine at this point. There is room for all of us eventually. We are better off working together once we integrate and get a UPS type contract for the new group. Lets soar instead of racing to the bottom. Also, ANA with no work rules is ridiculous. Lets enjoy it while it is operating under the current rules. Dasburg will most likely replace it with CRAF anyhow.

Makes sense. I can't possibly see how DHL would have replaced all those 76's or 9's without taking it in the shorts. Lets hope that what you have learned in Germany is correct.

The bigger we are the better off we all are, regardless of what the nay-sayers think.
:beer:

 

[flyinboxes]

"Couldn't agree more, bump. Question: serious rumor has a proffer for 21 more -9 captains on the way and more 767 FO's too. Is this the work of our new COO? He left a good impression with the group the other night and said some good things, maybe he will follow through...

Anyone know anything about the Air China 767's and the ANA rumors?"

This is not a flame or directed towards you booger, just trying to understand why or if you guys actually go to management meetings and listen to them and believe them, or is it your union reps meeting with them? I just find it odd after all the crap as of late.