Flex Jet read file

[J3guy]

If flops wants to push for an integration that's fine. But they'll have to live with the ensuing decertification vote. Honestly folks, there seems to be a lot of hate spewing from the pro union folks on these boards lately, and it's not encouraging guys like me to want to join you. Chill out a bit.

 

[GooseHZ]

J3
Please don't make a judgment based on the emotional post made on FI. The pilot group at FLOPS have endured massive amounts of stress over the last few months. Lie after Lie from Kenns himself and his hand picked management about the CA deal. We have lived under Kenns mangers for years and know exactly what they are capable of. Please keep an open mind when you are discussing the coming merger with FLOPS crews. We all need to come together and work out the differences between our pilot groups and form a strong Union. Speaking from 14 years of experience at FLOPS the thought of working under This management group without the protection of CBA is terrifying.

 

[DirtyBeech]

These type of threads with FO pilots bickering with one another, ill informed posters blathering about Flex getting the optimizer, hint: we've been working under the sodomizer for years, and ******************************'s ranting about how Flex pilots should lick their shoes for our QOL improvements is not furthering your cause.

I'm pro union, but anti-stupid. Right now all I see is stupid. If Ken sticks it in with no lube then you'll get a unionized Flex pilot group. Nothing will happen if it's pretty much the status quo. Time will tell.

 

[CL300Pilot]

Below is the scope from the FLOPS contract and I am looking for clarity. First, the contract is between FLOPS, the 1108 and FLOPS parent company. From the definitions at the bottom, it shows that FLOPS parent company is "Flight Options Holdings II, Inc.

So, since the contract does not mention Directional Aviation Capital in the scope, how can there even be an argument that Flex would have to unionize, especially since we were purchased by DAC and not Flight Options Holdings II, Inc.? Thank you.


1.1 Introduction
1.1(a) Pursuant to the certification by the National Mediation Board in Case No. R-7072 dated March 3, 2006, this Agreement is entered into by and between Flight Options, LLC (hereinafter “Flight Options” or “Company”) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division (hereinafter “Union”) as representative of Captains and First Officers of the Company, (hereinafter “Pilot(s)”) pursuant to the terms of the Railway Labor Act, as amended (hereinafter the “Act”) in the mutual interests of the Pilots and the Company to promote the safety and continuity of air transportation, to further the efficiency and economy of operations, and to provide for orderly collective bargaining pertaining to rates of pay, rules or working conditions, between the Company and its Pilots. TA 03/24/09
1.1(b) This Agreement shall supersede all previous Agreements by and between the Company and the Union or any other labor organization or individual with respect to the Pilots described above and shall constitute the sole Agreement between the Company and the Union. Any and all agreements made by the parties shall be reduced to writing and signed by the authorized representatives. An “authorized representative” of the Union shall be any authorized agent of the Teamsters Airline Division, including the President of the Executive Board of Local 1108, or his designee. TA 03/24/09
1.2 Scope of the Agreement
1.2(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all present and future revenue flying performed in and for the service of the Company, its Affiliates, or the Company’s Parent, including present and future flying performed on behalf of the Company, its Affiliates, or Parent pursuant to any agreement or arrangement towhich the Company, any of its Affiliates, or Parent holds a majority interest, shall be performed by Pilots named on the Flight Options Pilots Seniority List in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any other applicable agreement between the Company and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division. TA 10/30/09
1.2(b) The Company will actively employ a minimum number of Line Pilots on the Flight Options Seniority List that is commensurate with the Company’s fractional hours under Management and JetPASS card holder hours. The number of Line Pilots required will be measured quarterly by dividing the fractional Hours under Management and JetPASS card holder hours at the end of each quarter by 800 hours, then multiplying by 4.0. TA 10/27/09

1.10(i) “Parent” means an Entity that controls another Entity. The Flight Options LLC parent company is Flight Options Holdings II, Inc, and “Parent” does not include any entity that controls Flight Options Holdings II, Inc.
TA 10/31/09

 

[outerfix]

1. DIRECTIONAL CAPITAL, LLC
LETTER OF AGREEMENT Between DIRECTIONAL CAPITAL, LLC and INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS and the PILOTS in the service of FLIGHT OPTIONS, LLC as represented by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, AIRLINE DIVISION
This Letter of Agreement is made and entered into by and between Directional Capital, LLC (hereafter referred to as ?Directional?), and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the Pilots in the service of Flight Options, as represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division (hereafter referred to as ?IBT?).
WHEREAS, Directional owns a controlling interest in Flight Options Holdings I, Inc. (hereafter referred to as ?Holdings I?).
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed that: 1. Directional shall not establish a new air carrier to do fractional or JetPASS card holder
flying of the type covered by the Flight Options/IBT CBA, unless such flying operations
1
are flown by Pilots on the Flight Options Pilot Seniority List in accordance with the Flight Options/IBT CBA (as it presently exists or as subsequently amended).
2. If Directional maintains or acquires a controlling interest in an air carrier that performs fractional or JetPASS card holder flying of the type covered by the Flight Options/IBT CBA, the acquired air carrier shall be consolidated utilizing the procedures for Successor Transactions set forth in Section 1.5 of the Flight Options/IBT CBA. A ?controlling interest? for purposes of this LOA means the ownership of an equity interest representing more than 50 percent of the outstanding capital stock of the Entity, or voting securities representing more than 50 percent of the total voting power of outstanding securities then entitled to vote generally in the election of such Entity?s board of directors or other governing body.
3. This Letter of Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until Directional ceases to own a controlling interest in Holdings I.
4. This Letter of Agreement shall become effective on the date of signing and shall remain effective concurrent with the duration of the Flight Options/IBT CBA unless earlier terminated in accordance with paragraph 3 above.

 

[jetwash]

Below is the scope from the FLOPS contract and I am looking for clarity. First, the contract is between FLOPS, the 1108 and FLOPS parent company. From the definitions at the bottom, it shows that FLOPS parent company is "Flight Options Holdings II, Inc.

So, since the contract does not mention Directional Aviation Capital in the scope, how can there even be an argument that Flex would have to unionize, especially since we were purchased by DAC and not Flight Options Holdings II, Inc.? Thank you.

TA 10/31/09

Yes you are correct, the contract is between 1108 and Flight Options.
But,

The LOA section 1-001 (page 209) is between IBT 1108 and Directional Capital which deal with Directional buying another fractional. That is probably where the confusion is coming from. There are 17 LOA's after the 30 sections in the contract, they are on pages 209 to 290.
You might not have the full agreement that include the LOA's.
I hope that helps.

 

[gret]

The lawyers will figure it out, but Flex wouldn't appear to be covered from reading the above. Attribution (linking of entities) stops at Flight Options Holdings II, Inc. and Directional would not be deemed an affiliate in anyway.

This would make sense as any conglomerate, or private equity firm, would have safeguards built in that would prohibit one of their subsidiaries with a union from impacting an acquisition that isn't unionized.

There would be some loss of synergies by not combining the operations and management will have to evaluate the pros and cons.

The subsequent post regarding the LOA adds more color and it would appear that you are back to the question as to whether Flex is considered an "air carrier".

Silly question, but has anybody been told directly by the company what is going to happen...or is everything that has been posted pure conjecture at this point?

 

[Photoflight]

Yes.

We've been told by KR and many others that Flight Options and Flexjet will be two completely independent companies targeted at different market segments.

 

[993_Pilot]

No reason not to believe anything Kenn says. After all, Kenn also said that Flops will always be the highest paid pilots in the industry, and we all know that is true. LOL!

 

[gret]

Yes.

We've been told by KR and many others that Flight Options and Flexjet will be two completely independent companies targeted at different market segments.

Thanks Photo...but has anyone in a position of authority addressed the issue of the union and Flex?

It would seem that they (mgmt and the union leaders) would want to clear the air ASAP to avoid the confusion. They had to considered this issue before finalizing the acquisition and it seems strange that this issue is even a question.

 

[CL300Pilot]

Gret,

First thanks for your response as well as outerfix. According to our current sitting president, VP of Ops and others within management, we are going to be operated completely separate. We have been told by the above that FLOPS will maintain their hq and us ours. So, again, we are told that we are going to maintain totally separate companies and operations.

Now for the conspiracy question, and please bear in mind, I am not trying to start anything but am more curious as to the what ifs.

What happens if KR shuts down FLOPS and moves all of its business to Flex? lets say he files Ch. 7 on FLOPS or any other way you end a business? Does that not kill the 1108? All I hear is that Flex will be pulled into the 1108, but no one talks about the reverse. Again, who knows what is going to happen, but is this not a possibility as well? Then KR can go after CS again as well correct?

Tanks guys/gals.

 

[Ludicrous Speed]

It would seem that they (mgmt and the union leaders) would want to clear the air ASAP to avoid the confusion - gret

The Union, yes. Mgmt, well not so much. FUD stands for Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt & remains the the universal means for mgmt's attempts at controlling the natives.

 

[gret]

It would seem that they (mgmt and the union leaders) would want to clear the air ASAP to avoid the confusion - gret

The Union, yes. Mgmt, well not so much. FUD stands for Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt & remains the the universal means for mgmt's attempts at controlling the natives.

I get it...but it is hard to see how mgmt would benefit by having hundreds of pilots speculating...usually we speculate on the dark side...

 

[gret]

Gret,

First thanks for your response as well as outerfix. According to our current sitting president, VP of Ops and others within management, we are going to be operated completely separate. We have been told by the above that FLOPS will maintain their hq and us ours. So, again, we are told that we are going to maintain totally separate companies and operations.

Now for the conspiracy question, and please bear in mind, I am not trying to start anything but am more curious as to the what ifs.

What happens if KR shuts down FLOPS and moves all of its business to Flex? lets say he files Ch. 7 on FLOPS or any other way you end a business? Does that not kill the 1108? All I hear is that Flex will be pulled into the 1108, but no one talks about the reverse. Again, who knows what is going to happen, but is this not a possibility as well? Then KR can go after CS again as well correct?

Tanks guys/gals.

Chapter 7 would also kill the business and the existing shareholders get wiped out...hard to believe sometimes, but this type of stuff rarely works as it doesn't pass the smell test and judges don't like looking like idiots.

...if the companies are not going merge any of the operations...I would bet that Flex will not be considered an air carrier and that there wouldn't be any requirements for the union stepping in...wouldn't bet much...

...bolder thoughts would include that FLOP pilots will see some additional benefits, Flex pilots would see a bit of decline and the two groups would end up with similar compensation packages after 18 to 24 months.

 

[993_Pilot]

Gret,
...What happens if KR shuts down FLOPS and moves all of its business to Flex? ... All I hear is that Flex will be pulled into the 1108, but no one talks about the reverse...

KR could try that. There are NO limits to what he will try in his attempt to break the union, including exploiting any and all grey areas, and possibly some downright illegal ones if he thinks a settlement won't cost him too much. We are in the dark as much as you Flex pilots about his intentions, but we have the benefit of hindsight from the Flops / RTA merger. Union representation was up for a vote at RTA, then the buyout was announced and KR came in and painted this wonderful picture of the future for the RTA group, including how as Flops pilots, they would always be the highest paid pilots in the fractional industry. So the union was not voted in. Eventually, reality set in, and we all realized it was time for representation. To be fair, KR was off property by then, but the need was recognized and the drive started while he was still around. Most of the pilots today would tell you that they recognize the benefits of union representation, even though it is not the perfect cure-all. I sincerely hope you get to keep all of your pay and benefits, and I am not trying to scare you guys, but rather wake you up to the reality that you are about to face.

They have already told us that they are going to meter sales through the forth quarter, so understand, that our biggest fear is that he would try to do something similar to what you suggested. They could push all the sales to Flex, and keep downsizing Flops, before any merger takes place as a way to get the union off property, and that prospect has us very worried, because we know what this management team is capable of, without a union to keep them in check. We really are all on the same side guys, i hope you can see that.