Astar Pilots vs. The Dazz

[Whistlin' Dan]

For now, my reading of the tea leaves is that Dasburg is getting ready to pull the plug on Astar with DHL's blessing. The 20 727's Dasburng bought will go to either ABX or Polar/AAWW. To a large degree I think which will depend on the terms of Polar's ACMI with DHL.

"Pulling the plug" on Astar right now would virtually guarantee the exact thing that DHL is trying so hard to avoid...a sole-source provider of domestic lift at what would almost certainly be market (read;$225/hr) rates.

If anything, DHL will keep Astar alive, in order to leverage their contract negotiations with the much-larger ABX group. Because the ABX pilot group is half-again as large as Astar's, every dollar they can squeeze out of this contract equals $2.50 in the combined Astar/ABX contracts.

DHL may be trying to force a job-action at Astar, which would leave them free to seek other, and undoubtedly cheaper, carriers. Leaving the carcass of Astar to rot in view of the ABX pilot group would no doubt have an effect on their forthcoming negotiations.

My "reading of the tea leaves" as you put it, is that DHL will employ Astar at their current strength (minus however many they can fire or encourage to leave) for at least the next 5 years, because they're contractually obligated to do so. That contract, as I understand it, specifies a "cost plus" arrangement with DHL. What is at question is what those "costs" will be...ACMI, bottom of the barrel labor rates, or UPS/FedEx rates. You can bet your sweet donkey that some portion of whatever Dasburg manages to save DHL in labor costs will be returned to him in the form of a performance bonus.

By asking for "industry standard" wages, the pilots of Astar are taking money directly out of Dasburgs pocket...money he could be using to buy bigger houses, or other companies to compete with Astar when this contract runs out. It's as simple as that...

Pay attention, ABX! You're on deck...

 

[LarryinTN]

a sole-source provider of domestic lift at what would almost certainly be market (read;$225/hr) rates.

You mean our 767 Captains would have to take a pay cut down to $225/hr from their current $239/hr and the DC8 Captain's from their current $228/hr?

 

[abxaviator]

It's actually quite funny how many opinions here are stated as if they were written in stone fact, especially from those who seem to be rather disgruntled. The only facts are that NONE of us (myself included) has any idea whatsoever of what will be in 1 year, 5 years or 15 years and that DHL/DPWN as a company most assuredly DOES have a business plan that we may or may not benefit from or like. Good luck to us all.

Oh, and Merry Christmas, I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday with their families.

 

[goastar]

The only factual paragraph in 3 pages, we will all certainly be the last to know. Back at you on the Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

quote=abxaviator;1205655]It's actually quite funny how many opinions here are stated as if they were written in stone fact, especially from those who seem to be rather disgruntled. The only facts are that NONE of us (myself included) has any idea whatsoever of what will be in 1 year, 5 years or 15 years and that DHL/DPWN as a company most assuredly DOES have a business plan that we may or may not benefit from or like. Good luck to us all.

Oh, and Merry Christmas, I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday with their families.[/quote]

 

[goastar]

Thanks for the clarification, the whole world is impressed.

You mean our 767 Captains would have to take a pay cut down to $225/hr from their current $239/hr and the DC8 Captain's from their current $228/hr?

 

[abxaviator]

How can this be?

John Dasberg negotiates a ten year ACMI with DHL Where he gets paid
ten M/yr. buys a ten million dollar house in Florida in addition to his ten million dollar lake home in Minneapolis and then unilaterally forces Astar pilots to pay for all of this via ten percent in pay concessions. He probably wipes his azz with ten dollar bills. This guy really is laughing all the way to the bank. I hope when that fateful day in March (release from mediation) arrives Astar pilots won't balk and allow their dignity to be further trampled by The Dazz.

Which day is that? not too many days left in March.

 

[flyinboxes]

5 days ago I think.....LOL.

 

[hvydriver]

True that. The dreaded "Ides of March" came and went without a whimper.

 

[Cargoav8or]

I'm sure there was a wimper, it just wasn't made public.

True that. The dreaded "Ides of March" came and went without a whimper.

 

[Cargoav8or]

"The company is focusing on raising volume and sales and doesn't foresee a need to expand market share in the U.S. beyond the current 9 percent, he said. "

Very telling hvydriver, definitely time for me to move on.