FLOPS ceo is skeered

[FR8DOG777]

I had heard that FLOPS' CEO has been getting escorted out to his car every night by security. Now I find that extremely amusing. The only thing that would make me happier would be if he made his personal sidekick Sanjay taste his food before he eats it. It must suck to be the CEO at FLOPS. I hope he can't sleep at night either.

 

[jetwash]

I don't think he's worried about the pilots but rather all those under paid over worked and stressed out office staff in Cleveland.

They all took the 159% increase in benefit costs as well. It is a lot harder hit when you make $22k rather then $50K.

From what I hear from my friends in CGF moral is in the gutter and everyone is looking for other jobs and they just don't care anymore.

 

[XShipRider]

I don't think he's worried about the pilots but rather all those under paid over worked and stressed out office staff in Cleveland.

They all took the 159% increase in benefit costs as well. It is a lot harder hit when you make $22k rather then $50K.

From what I hear from my friends in CGF moral is in the gutter and everyone is looking for other jobs and they just don't care anymore.

I left behind quite a few friends too. Many have already moved on
or been let go. My heart goes out to those who have toughed it
out. Better days may be ahead... there's always hope.

 

[cjdriver]

If you're an FO at FLOPS, you should be looking. If you're a CAPT, it probably isn't too bad of a gig for the money, especially considering you get to fly from home. That's a big, big deal. If you're making decent money, you've probably got a pretty good deal compared to what's out there, especially if you have to move to get something else. Hopefully it will get better, there are a lot of good folks there that deserve better. Most are very conscientious and all are hard working.

 

[Dep676]

I don't think he's worried about the pilots but rather all those under paid over worked and stressed out office staff in Cleveland.

They all took the 159% increase in benefit costs as well. It is a lot harder hit when you make $22k rather then $50K.

From what I hear from my friends in CGF moral is in the gutter and everyone is looking for other jobs and they just don't care anymore.

Yeah it would probably help if you made 50K. The problem is I am in my fifth year and do make that yet. Although I do feel bad for the people in CGF, I feel worse for the pilot group. Not to many people in CGF have much of a background and training that the pilots have endured over the years. Most of the people were asking do you want to biggie size that before they came to Options to work in the OCC.

 

[gutshotdraw]

Just wondering if NJA, Flex, CS and the rest have their marketing pitch ready for all those FLOPS owners when Raytheon finally pulls the plug on their money pit.

 

[AceCrackshot]

This is funny...joining the ranks of Icahn and Lorenzo. I bet Sonjay got a bonus for starting Mike's car for him.

If it was me, I'd be afraid, too. I talked with some of our mechs on the road this week. To steal a phrase from Tony the Tiger, THHHHHHHEEEERRYYYY'RRRREEEEE PISS#$#ED

 

[gunfyter]

Just wondering if NJA, Flex, CS and the rest have their marketing pitch ready for all those FLOPS owners when Raytheon finally pulls the plug on their money pit.

Of course they do.

 

[gutshotdraw]

How long do you give it gunfyter? 18 months? 24? I feel bad for the FLOPS guys, a few of whom are friends. But the handwriting is on the wall.

 

[jetwash]

I might have agreed with you about 4 or 5 years ago when the bills were not being paid but I think those days are behind us.

They dropped lots of bad contracts over the last year that were bleeding them and are working to turn a profit. It will take a while. With a little fancy accounting we can look like we are losing money for the next year or two or until the contract is done. Then they can rework the number to make us look profitable.

Its all a game now to :crying: poverty during the contract talks .

 

[gunfyter]

Don't know ... I got to the point when I did not know what would happen with us.

 

[netjetwife]

If the company truly needs relief their attitude should reflect that at the bargaining table. Low morale is notorious for hurting productivity. Common sense says that the sooner they settle with the pilots the sooner they can all work together on making Flt Options attractive to owners. It's well known that labor strife scares away investors and the wealthy are inclined to believe that you get what you pay for. I think that it's in the company's best interest to treat the pilots like professionals. The sooner, the better.

So the CEO slashed health care benefits and is now worried about his own well-being... Talk about karma! What goes around, comes around. To avoid confusion--I'm not advocating violence by any stretch. I'm referring to peace of mind, or rather, the lack thereof. Hang in there! NJW

 

[Coool Hand Luke]

I had heard that FLOPS' CEO has been getting escorted out to his car every night by security. quote]

Come on now. It is Cleveland afterall. I think I'd want some security too if I lived there.

 

[ArtVandalay]

I hate to say it but, it seems Flops is on the operating table, flatlined, de-fibs hooked up, and 2 intern doctors scratching their heads. It seems like you guys are dying a slow death. Flex gets about 4-6 of your customers a month. Hate to see it. I hope it works out for you in the end.

 

[cmhslave]

its a shame

I left 3 years ago for net jets.

you couldnt pay me 100k to go back.

its a shame, there are a lot of good people at options.

I don't think he's worried about the pilots but rather all those under paid over worked and stressed out office staff in Cleveland.

They all took the 159% increase in benefit costs as well. It is a lot harder hit when you make $22k rather then $50K.

From what I hear from my friends in CGF moral is in the gutter and everyone is looking for other jobs and they just don't care anymore.

 

[learflyer]

I left 3 years ago for net jets.

you couldnt pay me 100k to go back.

its a shame, there are a lot of good people at options.

It's true. Lots of good folks there. Sorry Southwest, you guys aren't the only ones who have "good folks" working for you.

 

[Random Flyer]

"you couldnt pay me 100k to go back."

this coming from a guy who's screen name is CMHSlave...

 

[ITFL]

Fud

"The Other segment, which is comprised of Flight Options LLC, Raytheon Airline Aviation Services LLC (RAAS) and Raytheon Professional Services LLC, had sales of $190 million in the third quarter of 2006 versus $185 million in the third quarter of 2005. The Other segment had an operating loss of $11 million in the third quarter of 2006 versus $25 million in the third quarter of 2005. Included in Flight Options in the third quarter of 2005 was a $7 million charge related to the settlement of a lawsuit against Flight Options and its minority shareholders."

The Other segment had sales of $582 million in the first nine months of 2006 versus $566 million in the first nine months of 2005. The Other segment had an operating loss of $34 million in the first nine months of 2006 versus $66 million in the first nine months of 2005. The decrease in operating loss in the first nine months of 2006 was primarily due to improved operating results at Flight Options. Included in Flight Options in the third quarter of 2005 was a $7 million charge related to the settlement of a lawsuit against Flight Options and its minority shareholders.

The customers of Flight Options have the contractual ability to require Flight Options to buy back their fractional share based on its current fair market value. The estimated value of this potential obligation was $537 million and $575 million at September 24, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively. "

This is from Raytheon's Q-10 filed for 06. Consider that the "other category" is Flight Options.

You know I've been hearing the FLOPS is going to be sold now for years. Ask yourselves, why now when Raytheon is saying things like, "The Other segment had an operating loss of $11 million in the third quarter of 2006 versus $25 million in the third quarter of 2005." would the company be for sale. Also consider statements like, "The estimated value of this potential obligation was $537 million and $575 million at September 24, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively. " What this means is that it would cost Raytheon $537 million to let Flight Options go under right now.

I think the reason we are hearing all this talk of FLOPS closing the doors is because management wants us to. Its FUD folks, don't buy it. Remember we heard a lot of the same talk at NJ during their contract negotiations, and right after the CBA was inked, NJ went out and bought 2 BILLION worth of Hawker 4000's. So our company is doing exactly the same thing NJ management did. They are crying poor to try and effect the outcome of the contract negotiations.

FLOPS is in the best financial shape we've seen. Don't fall for management's FUD.

 

[cjdriver]

You're confused on it costing RTA $537m if it went under. That's the market value of the fleet, which it could presumably get on the street after settling with the owners. Regardless, I doubt Options will go under. This is the typical poor mouthing/softening up pre-contract. I remember when it looked like it would be he!! to be at NJA, and look at how that turned out. It will be the same for Options. Hang tough, and fight hard. You're number two in a very good market. That is always a great place to be. You'll all be set post-contract.

 

[netjetwife]

You are absolutely correct that NJA cried poor during the contract battle. The pilots were told that if they didn't agree to 69K at year 5 for a PIC (failed TA figure) that it would be worse next time around. The next TA was 90K at year 5... FUD is a common union-busting tactic. They can't justify denying the professional wages the pilots deserve unless they claim to be broke.

Think of any big-ticket item you have ever bargained for. Didn't you look for flaws (no matter how minor) to complain about so that you could defend the lower price you were trying to pay? You didn't stand there saying what a sharp looking car it was and agree that it was running great while you offered 10K less than the seller wanted.... Remember those who get good deals don't offer their top (or bottom) price in the first round. Look at the contract negotiations in light of your own bargaining experience and apply the same logic and rules. It will help you to see the reality of the situation and spot the subterfuge that typically takes place when management's goal is to suppress wages. Hang in there! It's all par for the course.

Best Wishes!
Netjetwife