ABX says NO THANK YOU to ASTAR

[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.

 

[abxaviator]

You find what odd?

 

[Narco-leftseat]

Ask an Ex-DHL driver what they think about DHL's Rah-Rah shpeel...all the way up until the abrupt end.....

better yet, read for yourself.....http://exdhl.com/

 

[flyinboxes]

You find what odd?

That you participate in management sponsored meetings as a pilot group. If, in fact you do, or is it your union leaders that meet with them?

 

[FreightBumper]

That you participate in management sponsored meetings as a pilot group. If, in fact you do, or is it your union leaders that meet with them?

Please don't misinterpret that just because we go to meetings that we buy into the company line. Usually it ends up that management gets all huffy when they can't answer our questions without shuffling their feet and shrugging their shoulders. It would be entertaining if it wasn't so pathetic.

 

[hvydriver]

Please don't misinterpret that just because we go to meetings that we buy into the company line. Usually it ends up that management gets all huffy when they can't answer our questions without shuffling their feet and shrugging their shoulders. It would be entertaining if it wasn't so pathetic.

Ah. That's ok, I suppose. We just don't go to management meetings period. They used to try to have meetings with us, but I suppose they got tired of being the only people in the room.

 

[ABXbooger]

It is interesting to hear what management has to say versus what our union says. And I guess I still hope things can change...

The meeting I was referring to was a "coming out" party for the newly minted COO of ABX. Yeah I know, he's management and should not be trusted, but he said and did some things in that meeting that left a very good impression (embarrassed some of the current junior mgmt.) Funny the looks on the current mgmt as he spoke, almost like "oh my god, this guy knows what he's doing, and what we've been doing wrong!" I do hope he turns out like his first impression, only time and actions will tell.

 

[hvydriver]

It is interesting to hear what management has to say versus what our union says. And I guess I still hope things can change...

The meeting I was referring to was a "coming out" party for the newly minted COO of ABX. Yeah I know, he's management and should not be trusted, but he said and did some things in that meeting that left a very good impression (embarrassed some of the current junior mgmt.) Funny the looks on the current mgmt as he spoke, almost like "oh my god, this guy knows what he's doing, and what we've been doing wrong!" I do hope he turns out like his first impression, only time and actions will tell.

Yeah. We've been through that a few times too. Some new guy comes in and says "It's a brand new day" here at old AAC. Then he runs into the middle/lower management wall, and eventually realizes that he isn't going to change a thing, because he isn't allowed to clean house and bring fresh blood in to get rid of the old team that's only interested in protecting their bonuses. Maybe Graber will work out differently for you guys.

 

[erwaz]

SPECIAL EMPLOYEE HOTLINE – August 1, 2007​

Contact:​

[email protected]​

ASTAR AIR CARGO ACQUIRES AIRCRAFT​

TWO DC-8’s PURCHASED OFF LEASE​

ASTAR Air Cargo today announced it has finalized terms to purchase two DC-8-73
aircraft with long-range capabilities and a spare engine currently leased from Bank of
America's leasing division. Acquisition financing to ASTAR has been arranged and is
being provided by HSH Nordbank AG, New York Branch. The aircraft are part of
ASTAR’s current dedicated fleet assigned to DHL Express under a long-term ACMI
agreement expiring in 2019.
“ASTAR made the strategic decision to purchase these airplanes to enhance our position
as a provider of airlift services for our primary customer, DHL Express,” said Steven A.
Rossum, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ASTAR. “Less than a
year ago, HSH arranged and provided the financing to enable ASTAR to complete
the acquisition of 20 Boeing 727-200A Freighters. This newest acquisition of aircraft is
consistent with our business growth strategy to lower our costs and enhance our
competitiveness. I would like to thank HSH Nordbank and Bank of America, for their​

roles in enabling ASTAR to carry out this important transaction.”

Hang on everyone here comes ASTAR to capture the market for DHL!!!!

 

[Cargoav8or]

SPECIAL EMPLOYEE HOTLINE – August 1, 2007​

Contact:​

[email protected]​

ASTAR AIR CARGO ACQUIRES AIRCRAFT​

TWO DC-8’s PURCHASED OFF LEASE​

ASTAR Air Cargo today announced it has finalized terms to purchase two DC-8-73
aircraft with long-range capabilities and a spare engine currently leased from Bank of
America's leasing division. Acquisition financing to ASTAR has been arranged and is
being provided by HSH Nordbank AG, New York Branch. The aircraft are part of
ASTAR’s current dedicated fleet assigned to DHL Express under a long-term ACMI
agreement expiring in 2019.
“ASTAR made the strategic decision to purchase these airplanes to enhance our position
as a provider of airlift services for our primary customer, DHL Express,” said Steven A.
Rossum, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ASTAR. “Less than a
year ago, HSH arranged and provided the financing to enable ASTAR to complete
the acquisition of 20 Boeing 727-200A Freighters. This newest acquisition of aircraft is
consistent with our business growth strategy to lower our costs and enhance our
competitiveness. I would like to thank HSH Nordbank and Bank of America, for their​

roles in enabling ASTAR to carry out this important transaction.”

Hang on everyone here comes ASTAR to capture the market for DHL!!!!

Oh boy, what a commitment!! Bla, bla,bla.

 

[TWA]

And once again, no net gain of aircraft. Maybe attempting to buy another company is the only way they know how to acquire more aircraft.