767-300ER
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2003
- Posts
- 156
To our friends; the UPS Pilots and the IPA,
I am writing this letter to let you know how much the FedEx Pilots, FedEx MEC, and I appreciate the efforts of your Jumpseat Coordinator, First Officer Brigitte Lakah. Of course most line pilots don't realize the volumes of communication that union chairman or coordinators exchange on a daily basis, but as the FedEx ALPA MEC Jumpseat Chairman, I can speak for our entire pilot group in regard to First Officer Lakah's undying enthusiasm and support of our world wide jumpseat system. She is almost unilaterally keeping all US Certificated airlines jumpseat coordinators in constant contact with each other through the Yahoo Message Board, she created post 9/11.
As you all know, the post 9/11 airline security system is in mayhem. We have all been working toward a common goal of protecting our privileged jumpseat procedures. Not only do we all rely on and enjoy this privilege as pilots, but our respective companies are able to reap a real benefit by having pilots "staged" all over the world that can use their own jumpseats. Having reciprocal jumpseat agreements allows us a flexibility in our lifestyles to live any where we wish. This is one of the greatest benefits of our job. Without the ability for many of us to commute we would not enjoy our life style and profession as we do. The fact that pilots commute can also benefit our companies. Because pilots live all over the place, sometimes we can help our companies on occasion by being available to cover a trip from home or within driving distance when an operational irregularity occurs.
Through a venue such as Lakah's news group, where she volunteers her time daily, all interested airlines' jumpseat coordinators are able to communicate the daily and sometimes unrealistic changes in our all too familiar jumpseat system. First Officer Lakah disseminates non confidential information to all airlines' jumpseat coordinators as soon as it hits the press. This enables us all to maintain some congruence and keep our jumpseat systems flowing as normally as possible.
I was recently appointed to the FedEx MEC Jumpseat Chairman position. (JUL 03) As a four time union member, three time ALPA member, and two time MEC volunteer, I can honestly say I have never seen someone so committed to keeping this fraternity of airline pilots in such close contact. First Officer Lakah is solely responsible for maintaining the message board and keeping all airlines' jumpseat coordinators professional contact information and collective data base up to date and accessible. She assisted me in gathering much needed information on current events and security directives, regarding CASS and new international jumpseat procedures. June of 2004 is our contract amenable date. Some of this information, in collective, will be used in negotiating realistic procedures not only in our and other airlines' labor agreements, but also with the TSA, Department of Homeland Security and the FAA.
In conclusion, what seems like nothing more than a message board, is ultimately going to become an integral part of the puzzle, which when solved will again unify us across the board with respect to jumpseating. We all need volunteers as dedicated as First Officer Lakah in our respective pilot groups. This type of motivation, benefits every pilot at every airline. I just want to be sure credit is given where credit is due.
So on behalf of the FedEx Pilots,
To First Officer Lakah; Thank You! We at every airline, owe you more than a ride! And to the UPS Pilots and the IPA; Thank You for sharing your resources and we look forward to a long and professional relationship of reciprocal jumpseat agreements.
In Unity,
Rich Odbert Jumpseat Chairman
FedEx Master Executive Council
Air Line Pilots Association International
I am writing this letter to let you know how much the FedEx Pilots, FedEx MEC, and I appreciate the efforts of your Jumpseat Coordinator, First Officer Brigitte Lakah. Of course most line pilots don't realize the volumes of communication that union chairman or coordinators exchange on a daily basis, but as the FedEx ALPA MEC Jumpseat Chairman, I can speak for our entire pilot group in regard to First Officer Lakah's undying enthusiasm and support of our world wide jumpseat system. She is almost unilaterally keeping all US Certificated airlines jumpseat coordinators in constant contact with each other through the Yahoo Message Board, she created post 9/11.
As you all know, the post 9/11 airline security system is in mayhem. We have all been working toward a common goal of protecting our privileged jumpseat procedures. Not only do we all rely on and enjoy this privilege as pilots, but our respective companies are able to reap a real benefit by having pilots "staged" all over the world that can use their own jumpseats. Having reciprocal jumpseat agreements allows us a flexibility in our lifestyles to live any where we wish. This is one of the greatest benefits of our job. Without the ability for many of us to commute we would not enjoy our life style and profession as we do. The fact that pilots commute can also benefit our companies. Because pilots live all over the place, sometimes we can help our companies on occasion by being available to cover a trip from home or within driving distance when an operational irregularity occurs.
Through a venue such as Lakah's news group, where she volunteers her time daily, all interested airlines' jumpseat coordinators are able to communicate the daily and sometimes unrealistic changes in our all too familiar jumpseat system. First Officer Lakah disseminates non confidential information to all airlines' jumpseat coordinators as soon as it hits the press. This enables us all to maintain some congruence and keep our jumpseat systems flowing as normally as possible.
I was recently appointed to the FedEx MEC Jumpseat Chairman position. (JUL 03) As a four time union member, three time ALPA member, and two time MEC volunteer, I can honestly say I have never seen someone so committed to keeping this fraternity of airline pilots in such close contact. First Officer Lakah is solely responsible for maintaining the message board and keeping all airlines' jumpseat coordinators professional contact information and collective data base up to date and accessible. She assisted me in gathering much needed information on current events and security directives, regarding CASS and new international jumpseat procedures. June of 2004 is our contract amenable date. Some of this information, in collective, will be used in negotiating realistic procedures not only in our and other airlines' labor agreements, but also with the TSA, Department of Homeland Security and the FAA.
In conclusion, what seems like nothing more than a message board, is ultimately going to become an integral part of the puzzle, which when solved will again unify us across the board with respect to jumpseating. We all need volunteers as dedicated as First Officer Lakah in our respective pilot groups. This type of motivation, benefits every pilot at every airline. I just want to be sure credit is given where credit is due.
So on behalf of the FedEx Pilots,
To First Officer Lakah; Thank You! We at every airline, owe you more than a ride! And to the UPS Pilots and the IPA; Thank You for sharing your resources and we look forward to a long and professional relationship of reciprocal jumpseat agreements.
In Unity,
Rich Odbert Jumpseat Chairman
FedEx Master Executive Council
Air Line Pilots Association International
