FedEx rumorville

[switchbiatch]

Hey guys I was just trying to put a little spice into the topic with that flamebait post earlier, and hey it worked. I love the company I work for and believe me I am very grateful I have this job. The only rumor I know is do not believe anything until it is on property (equipment or new hires) b/c as in the past ideas change not daily but hourly.

 

[USMCFDX]

The e-mail from the chief pilot seems to lend weight to the 737 issue, but his e-mails have been off before.

Another thing that I heard today about the MD-10 program: The Air Force was doing the same mod to the front end of the KC-10, minus the fuel system, and this was one reason for our slow down of the conversion. Any active tanker guys out there know the answer?

Also heard the 737 thing was a good rumor to float to see how fast the crew force got it. The company just testing the waters in this era of contract talks.

Mongo just a pawn in game of life

 

[Mr Zog]

Air Force KC-10 converting to MD-10 = TOTALLY FALSE. NEVER HAPPENED AND NEVER WILL. They are modifying the cockpit to all glass, but there will ALWAYS be an engineer. Don't know who was passing that false info.

 

[VaB]

Keep the thread alive

Also heard the 737 thing was a good rumour to float to see how fast the crew force got it. The company just testing the waters in this era of contract talks.

No good rumor thread would be complete without the hint of company conspiracy. "Just because all the old guys are angry and paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get us". Has anyone else seen those little cameras in the men's room in the AOC?

 

[USMCFDX]

Mr Zog
That is what I implied, KC-10 going glass up front with someone still turning the wrench in the back. Any Idea where this conversion is being done? Heard it could be the same outfit doing the FedEx conversion.

 

[h.simpson]

actually, the KC-10 to MD-10 is being looked into by boeing per USAF request. (i know the dude who is doing some info gathering for boeing on the fuel system to make up for the onload/offload/two x-tra fuel tanks issues) initially FedEx asked the USAF if they wanted to go in on the conversion with them to lower cost. USAF said no, we want to save money (yea, right) and just to an avionics mod to ensure future GATM compliance. Now that the program to do just that has been mired in Rockwell Collins failures, they are looking at other options. who knows???

h.

 

[klhoard]

737 Rumor

Good News: We're getting 737's. . . . .

Bad News: They are the fully automated model that FedEx has been secretly developing and testing out in Nevada in full cahoots with the FAA and Bush Administration.

VaB:

Yes, I've seen the secret cameras. . . they're the ones peeking up thru the holes in the bottom of the urinals!!

 

[Huck]

They can convert the KC-10's, then replace them with 767's, then park the KMD-10's next to all the re-engined 135's out in the desert....

 

[Lightninglou]

KC-10 to MD-10

Boeing initially offered the Air Force the MD-10 conversion on the KC-10 when we were first looking at FMS's several years ago. The reasoning was that doing the MD-10 conversion would save money instead of doing the FMS conversion, then the GATM conversion. It was a good idea, and we wouldn't have had to deal with theat piece of $h*t Collins FMS-800. Of course in their infinite wisdom, the AF said no, we WANT to pay more! Your tax dollars at work.

Actually the FE union probably had a lot to do with it, since they had a vested interest in NOT doing it. They tried to put an Engineer on our C-40B (737-700) before it was squashed at the last minute.

Lightning

 

[PurpleTail]

Before we start talking about more airplanes, more pilots. etc. etc. I would just like to see another bid come out.

We know that there is going to be a DC-10 S/O excess bid (too many 60+ and DC->MD) soon but will that be seperate from another seat bid?? I have only been on property for less than 3 yrs so I would like to know if FDX has had to do an excess bid anytime before? How did it work when FDX bought Tigers and got rid of the 74's?

I know the Kinko's deal did not have an immediate impact on business but I think over the next 3-4 yrs it will be a huge bonus along with the postal contract.

Just my .02 cents, thanks for any info...

 

[Murdawg5]

7000 by 2012???

Sorry guys, but where did this number come from??? It sounds really nice, but this, to me, sounds like the ULTIMATE rumor... I've heard no talk of this on the line... Has anyone else??
I'd like for it to be true, but wouldn't bet on it....
Take Care,
Murdawg5

 

[VaB]

Actually, I used to hear 7000 by 2007, but that is obviously not going to happen. But that number has been floating around for a while.

Besides, log in to the company website and see what's going on there.

 

[VaB]

Oh yeah, and tell the over 60 guys to go take a break already. How many are back there now? 100? Oh well, what are ya gonna do.

 

[fr8doggie]

Just out on the Company website: D/C 10 S/O excess bid. 30 seats.

 

[Huck]

Also, fleet plan shows 8 more Airbusses by 2005, losing 2 727's, and DC-10/MD-10/MD-11 fleet is overall net zero change.

 

[NightFlyer]

How many 727-100's do we have left? I'm assuming that's what the 737 will be replacing, if we get them.


NightFlyer

 

[satpak77]

Clarifications

Sorry for dumb question, I am from West Texas, we are a little slower than the rest...

With the recent "new hire" figures, plus the 727 and DC-10 retirements, resulting in SO's getting a new seat, maybe it is just me, but I am not just overwhelmed with joy by the resulting "huge" number of actual hires off the street.

Yes, there are retirements, medical retirements, etc, but unless I am mistaken, I dont get the impression that FDX is doing "big time hiring", just maybe turning the spigot on again and letting it run for a few years.

Of course, that is better than nothing!

Being ever so the optimist, if US Airways and UAL cease ops (no disrespect to those pilots, just stating possible reality), that will not help the hiring picture, especially for "up and comers" like myself with no Boeing/Airbus time.

 

[MD80JAD]

What exactly is an excess bid and how does it affect the people involved?

 

[fr8doggie]

An excess bid means that management has determined that (in this case) there are 30 too many DC-10 S/Os on line. They are going to reduce DC-10 S/O manning by 30. Two options- if you are a DC-10 S/O you can bid to relive the excess and transfer to any other seat company wide that your seniority will let you hold. If that is in a new domicile you get a company paid move. If not enough people bid out then people will be involuntarily excessed starting at the bottom of the list.

 

[PanelApe]

More fuel for Fire

Here are the latest RUMORS I heard walking around the property. I debated about putting them out there, but I know it helps when you are swimming.

I heard another confirmation of April Classes. I have heard this from several different sources so if anything it is a "consistent rumor" - hopefully that will come to fruition.

They are saying that they will drain the pool and hire a some beyond that (basic number anticipated is about 100).

Heard the application window should also be opening about the same time.

Those are the latest/greatest. Take them for what they are worth. I guess we'll see in April.

Excess Bid - They ask the people in the seat (DC-10 S/O) to all bid. They can chose to try to stay in the DC-10 or they can bid for another seat. They start at the top of the seniority list and go down. If that person has the seniority to hold a different seat (and he desires to switch) he is awarded that seat. (for instance if he has the seniority to hold a seat in the airbus and he wants it - he gets it). This continues until they find 30 guys. IF they get to the bottom of the list and they don't have 30 people who have been awarded new seats, then they start at the bottom and go up (reverse seniority order) until they get their number. Just as before, the people on the bottom of the list can only get the seat their seniority can hold.

Hope it all helps.