Astar/ABX -- Teamster or ALPA?

[LarryinTN]

Yeah, who would you rather have standing behind you when push comes to shove? Jimmy Hoffa or John Prator? Hoffa has personally stepped in on our behalf on a number of occasions, always with swift and favorable results.

A large number of us have been ALPA at previous carriers. We know what it means to be represented by ALPA and the majority of us prefer IBT. With the IBT we have much more control over the direction we take while still having the significant support of the Teamsters behind us when it's needed.

With regard to legislative affairs, IBT wins hands down. Our own guys have spent many hours on Captial hill and they report that having "...from the Teamsters" behind their name will open any representative's door. The IBT carriers much more clout on Capital Hill than does ALPA. Our own guys have been there and seen it themselves.

 

[shooter]

ABXbooger and LJ-ABX, it sounds like the IBT wants ABX to be bought out by ASTAR. Other than increased union membership (ie dues) tell me how it will help the people who do not want to operate under ASTAR or DHL management or the ones who no longer have a job? Or the guys who are lucky to still have a job do not get a chance to upgrade to 767 from the -9 due to ASTAR pilots getting the upgrade? What does the IBT say to them? Just curious as this will most likely be my last aviation job if this goes through.

p.s. thanks for the response in advance.

After DHL recently decided to purchase a greater stake in ASTAR, we encouraged the company to provide an investment in ABX Air. The pending merger of these two companies, along with the significant investment by DHL, opens a new chapter for DHL in North America. While details of the possible merger are still undetermined, we believe that it will ultimately benefit Teamsters and unrepresented workers in the DHL system.

 

[LarryinTN]

I don't really understand the basis for the question. Haven't we all thought from the day that the DHL buyout was announced that a merged airline would be better for all of us?

I have no idea how the details of the proposed buyout and presumed merge will work as that is yet to be decided. In the long run, a merged airline should provide better security, stability and opportunity for all of the pilots flying the yellow airplanes. Over the short-term, change is always unsettling and stressful but will we get past that.

As you may recall, DHL asked for more 767s in their system but Hete wasn't willing to give them to them at current ACMI rates. After this transaction, I'm thinking that we'll see a lot more 767s going into the DHL system and probably a lot more 767 acquisitions. It is the logical step for replacing all of the current DC8s and A300s. I also foresee the combined airline moving to a DC9/727 replacement as well.

The solution to many of the problems facing both pilot groups is more airplanes and this deal looks like a good step in that direction.

 

[shooter]

I don't really understand the basis for the question. Haven't we all thought from the day that the DHL buyout was announced that a merged airline would be better for all of us?

I have no idea how the details of the proposed buyout and presumed merge will work as that is yet to be decided. In the long run, a merged airline should provide better security, stability and opportunity for all of the pilots flying the yellow airplanes. Over the short-term, change is always unsettling and stressful but will we get past that.

As you may recall, DHL asked for more 767s in their system but Hete wasn't willing to give them to them at current ACMI rates. After this transaction, I'm thinking that we'll see a lot more 767s going into the DHL system and probably a lot more 767 acquisitions. It is the logical step for replacing all of the current DC8s and A300s. I also foresee the combined airline moving to a DC9/727 replacement as well.

The solution to many of the problems facing both pilot groups is more airplanes and this deal looks like a good step in that direction.

maybe yes, if it were ABX buying out ASTAR maybe I would look at it in a different light because you have a management team in ABX that has been growing the company for over 25 years. The management team at ASTAR could not even get the airline RVSM compliant in time, no purchase of a modern fleet, I just read all the woes posted by the ASTAR pilots on this and other forums. It just looks like the combined airline will be run into the ground and the laughing stock of the industry with their management team. I am sure the pilots and workers are 95% great (like anywhere else) it's the management team that scares me. And if you want to know how I feel about DHL management...whooooo....how much time do you have? That signature line below my posts was created for them. You guys do not even see 1/4 of the BS they come up with. If you only knew what they ask us to try to get you guys to do. whew!

 

[LarryinTN]

I don't think that either company has a monopoly on bad management. It will be interested to see how management is consolidated if this proposal comes to pass.

 

[shooter]

I don't think that either company has a monopoly on bad management. It will be interested to see how management is consolidated if this proposal comes to pass.

the lesser of the evils, I guess. But DHL management, they seem to be here to stay.

 

[hvydriver]

Shooter,

FWIW, I wouldn't get too wrapped up in this right now. I know that any kind of merger talk is unsettling, but this really is a long way off from any kind of "done deal" it would seem to me. Of course, now that I've said that, they'll announce a deal tomorrow.

 

[Cargoav8or]

maybe yes, if it were ABX buying out ASTAR maybe I would look at it in a different light because you have a management team in ABX that has been growing the company for over 25 years. The management team at ASTAR could not even get the airline RVSM compliant in time, no purchase of a modern fleet, I just read all the woes posted by the ASTAR pilots on this and other forums. It just looks like the combined airline will be run into the ground and the laughing stock of the industry with their management team. I am sure the pilots and workers are 95% great (like anywhere else) it's the management team that scares me. And if you want to know how I feel about DHL management...whooooo....how much time do you have? That signature line below my posts was created for them. You guys do not even see 1/4 of the BS they come up with. If you only knew what they ask us to try to get you guys to do. whew!

A Eastern scab for a D/O and Evergreen maint noid for the Senior VP. You have a right to worry.

 

[abxdx]

Just curoius,

Most of the articles that I read refer to this transaction as a buyout and not a merger. Do the pilots have a clause in there contract that intergrates them into ASTAR's pilot group based on seniorty, or will ABX's #1 guy be just below the lowest Astar guy? This may have been already addressed I was not sure...

 

[two(2)%]

Just curoius,

Most of the articles that I read refer to this transaction as a buyout and not a merger. Do the pilots have a clause in there contract that intergrates them into ASTAR's pilot group based on seniorty, or will ABX's #1 guy be just below the lowest Astar guy? This may have been already addressed I was not sure...

Uh-oh! This must be the elephant in the (chat)room,
or forum:bomb:

 

[TWA]

2%, I like your signature, Thinking outside the cornfield. That's what ABX needs, not a buyout.

 

[Box-Hauler]

TWA is your Avatar a Comp 8, and if so is it yours, and if so where can I get a ride........

 

[TWA]

TWA is your Avatar a Comp 8, and if so is it yours, and if so where can I get a ride........

I wish. It's a Quest Kodiak, a new turbine STOL aircraft that will soon be in production. I got a chance to see it at Oshkosh last year, and it is one fine plane. A little smaller than a Caravan with twice the performance.

 

[erichartmann]

Shooter,

FWIW, I wouldn't get too wrapped up in this right now. I know that any kind of merger talk is unsettling, but this really is a long way off from any kind of "done deal" it would seem to me. Of course, now that I've said that, they'll announce a deal tomorrow.

Hvy, I'm with you. FWIW, IMHO Hete has said no to Dasburg already. That's why the press release of the "informal offer". Soon to come in newspaper near you will be another press release saying no deal will be made. The goal will be to kick the support out from under ABXA's share price so that Daz's $7.75 looks to good to turn down. The key will be what DHL does. If they in turn announce they are considering not renewing ABX's ACMI...

 

[abxaviator]

With the continued talk of the company about a Japan domicile, I urge you to read this thread; I'm sure the Company is watching this very closely.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=100145