How Long til ABX Furloughs again?

[Joe Pilot]

Go back to school for some remedial reading. Nowhere did I claim having any "five year plan". I merely said lets see who does more hiring over the next 5 years.
Let me spell it out for you, since we're talking about furloughees. I'd rather be on the bottom of our seniority list than yours.

Now I could see someone with your reading skills might conclude from that statement that I'm at the bottom of our seniority list. Just to be clear, I'm not.

I guess I should worship the ground you walk on oh mighty one.

 

[UPSer]

Astar's MEC has authorized contract CONCESSION negotiations with Astar management. They said the concessions are needed so Astar can take DHL flying away from ABX.

 

[flx757]

UPSer is TheGuat, Rhoid, IHaveAPension, FreightNazi, ABXpert, OUT, 410Dude, GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, E170GuppyKiller, RJDC, TheMissingLink, LucyFurr and countless other previously banned users.

 

[erichartmann]

DHL obviously does not care about this, or fully understand the potential implication. Which is even more frightening.

Abx has 28 aircraft parked idle and Astar has none. Abx will be parking 3 more 9's by the end of June and an 8. OK, Abx will add 4 boeings by years end. The math still looks bad.

We are overstaffed, and with rumors of the 8 going away completely and retirement going to 65. It will get even more stagnent and uglier than ever. Can you say deep furlough, for a long time.

I am not chuckling!

Personally I doubt there will be furloughs. I do think 8's will be parked as more 767's come on line. The real question is how many go to DHL and how many go to non-DHL charter. Those that go to DHL will more than likely replace non-door 8's.

I think DHL is parking non-door aircraft in favor of cargo door aircraft to satisfy a precieved need to haul heavy freight which does not readily fit on ABX's non- door aircraft. I suspect they view the CAT II/III issue as secondary to hauling the customer's freight every day. This may change if we have a few Cat II/III days at ILN and Astar can't get in. BTW, Hete is trying to convince DHL that ABX can haul the limited amount of heavy freight in the system in the belly pits.

 

[erichartmann]

According to Vollmer, since your new uniform vendor is up and operating with the proper color of grey, he expects each and every one of you to wear the full and correct uniform. That includes the hat. Most of you guys could stand to take a lesson in professional appearance from one of the handful of you guys that acutally dresses properly, Capt. H. Moran. Now he looks like an "airline pilot" not a freight dog.

Once upon a time the Chief Pilot was chosen from among the airline's senior pilots and was generally well respected among the crew force because he had "been there, done that, and had the grey hair to prove it. Now a chief pilot is a jumped up clerk with a BA or MBA in "Aviation Business Management", has spent most of his career behind a desk pushing paper while avoiding flying the line, and has comparatively little real practical experience. As a result he doesn't really know what goes on in the day to day operations of flying the line, and has little or no respect from the captains and first officers he nominally supervises.

 

[erichartmann]

I will say the dude seems to know a lot of what's going on at both companies.

I just get my info on R1 nights and that's only when a few key informants are there. One that comes to mind begins with B, ends with A and hubba in the middle.

Ah, the management mouthpiece!

 

[UPSer]

Once upon a time the Chief Pilot was chosen from among the airline's senior pilots and was generally well respected among the crew force because he had "been there, done that, and had the grey hair to prove it. Now a chief pilot is a jumped up clerk with a BA or MBA in "Aviation Business Management", has spent most of his career behind a desk pushing paper while avoiding flying the line, and has comparatively little real practical experience. As a result he doesn't really know what goes on in the day to day operations of flying the line, and has little or no respect from the captains and first officers he nominally supervises.

You mean like Boja, Ezell, Zwiedinger? Schmidt was the only good one of the bunch.

 

[flx757]

UPSer is TheGuat, Rhoid, IHaveAPension, FreightNazi, ABXpert, OUT, 410Dude, GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, E170GuppyKiller, RJDC, TheMissingLink, LucyFurr and countless other previously banned users.

Dropping a few names (like you tried as "ABXpert") doesn't give you any more credibility. It just makes you look even more ridiculous and desperate.

 

[Joe Pilot]

Astar's MEC has authorized contract CONCESSION negotiations with Astar management. They said the concessions are needed so Astar can take DHL flying away from ABX.

I am going to call B.S. on that one. DHL just wants to save as much as it can and is looking everywhere to take some back. There is no way that concessions are going to happen just to take flying away for ABX.
DHL also wants $80-100 million in savings from ABX. Now I am sure you will say that is so they can take flying from Astar.
Quit flamming and hold the bar.

 

[ABXbooger]

Listen again to the hotline, it doesn't say anything about taking flying from us, rather it says they need to bargain to save their jobs. Interesting.

 

[UPSer]

UPSer is TheGuat, Rhoid, IHaveAPension, FreightNazi, ABXpert, OUT, 410Dude, GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, E170GuppyKiller, RJDC, TheMissingLink, LucyFurr and countless other previously banned users.

Dropping a few names (like you tried as "ABXpert") doesn't give you any more credibility. It just makes you look even more ridiculous and desperate.

I have total credibility. I don't just "drop" names. I know what's going on.
I get alot of my intel from "Bubba" Page. He's a great source of info!

 

[UPSer]

If Astar ends up being lower cost that ABX dues to their concessions, then DHL will give flying to them and take it away from ABX. Same thing as the commuters are going through.

 

[freightdogfred]

If Astar ends up being lower cost that ABX dues to their concessions, then DHL will give flying to them and take it away from ABX. Same thing as the commuters are going through.

UPSer is TheGuat, Rhoid, IHaveAPension, FreightNazi, ABXpert, OUT, 410Dude, GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, E170GuppyKiller, RJDC, TheMissingLink, LucyFurr and countless other previously banned users.

Time for a new moniker Rhoid, you've been outed again.

 

[UPSer]

UPSer is TheGuat, Rhoid, IHaveAPension, FreightNazi, ABXpert, OUT, 410Dude, GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, E170GuppyKiller, RJDC, TheMissingLink, LucyFurr and countless other previously banned users.

Time for a new moniker Rhoid, you've been outed again.

Not like you were outed out of Emery!

 

[flx757]

I have total credibility. I don't just "drop" names. I know what's going on.

No. You are simply a flamebaiter that has nothing better to do. All anyone has to do is look at your long list of banned usernames to determine your "credibility". Those names include:

TheGuat, Rhoid, ABXpert, RJDC, FreightNazi, IHaveAPension, LucyFurr, 410Dude, OUT, GuppyKiller, E170GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, TheMissingLink....

Go peddle your "accurate information" elsewhere. The owners and moderators of this forum have given you CLEAR and REPEATED indications of their desire to have you NOT participate here.

 

[UPSer]

Anyone that works for ABX, Astar or UPS knows that my facts are correct. Go fly your soon to be bankrupt pencil jet somewhere else.

 

[flx757]

Who cares about your "facts"? And what makes you believe Alaska is "soon to be bankrupt"? That is a "fact" you really need to work on.

Besides, you are just a lame flamebaiter whose days as "UPSer" are numbered. Of course, you will just return as yet another user after "UPSer" joins your list of banned usernames:

TheGuat, Rhoid, RJDC, IHaveAPension, FreightNazi, ABXepert, OUT, 410Dude, GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, E170GuppyKiller, TheMissingLink, LucyFurr, etc...etc...

 

[UPSer]

My airline makes more money than yours does.

 

[flx757]

Who cares? You have ZERO credibility. You are simply a lame flamebaiter who will be banned yet again. Count on that "fact".

See ya....:laugh:

 

[penguin22]

Rhoid loves the weekends. Gets fresh intel from the hotlines.
Got em all on speed-dial don't ya, Rhoid?

 

[rotor&wing]

fluuuuuuuuuuuussssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................

rhoid swirls down the bowl again............

 

[penguin22]

gone again, huh?

I might even miss him while he's gone. Kinda like my dog misses his chewtoy after it gets tossed.

Hey Rhoid! How about ChewToy for your next username!!

 

[ABXbooger]

It really is amazing how easy it is to sniff him out...

Moderators, how does he keep getting on here?

 

[B737Dvr]

ABX Aquisition????

Hello everyone, I am new to this board, and was wondering if any current ABX AIR pilots know anything about the rumors regarding ABX's buying of Pace Airlines? I know there are B767's on the way (former Delta), so I have heard rumors that ABX may want to do something with them until they are converted to cargo. Furthermore, can someone explain to me what is the deal with why the current 767's do not have a large cargo door as part of the conversion? How does it haul anything meaningful without this door?

Thanks guys.

 

[Sporto]

Hello everyone, I am new to this board, and was wondering if any current ABX AIR pilots know anything about the rumors regarding ABX's buying of Pace Airlines?
It's a done deal! ABX will be flying pax hooters style part duex.

I know there are B767's on the way (former Delta), so I have heard rumors that ABX may want to do something with them until they are converted to cargo.
You can see 5 of them at various airshows this year until conversion! I hear they will be performing all kinds of aerobatics. Should be cool.

Furthermore, can someone explain to me what is the deal with why the current 767's do not have a large cargo door as part of the conversion? How does it haul anything meaningful without this door?
That's what Astar is for. C'mon, you know that.

Thanks guys.

Glad to be of help.

 

[ABXbooger]

The Delta 76's are getting cargo doors, as have all of the frames for a while. They are also getting the flat panel mod. Rumor has 2 more coming from Delta and also hearing some info about 767-300's coming from Asia.

On a seperate note the Pace deal has been flying around, no idea why. As far as the story about the ETOPS stuff, I was recently told we will have ETOPS in the very near future, all on our own. I asked why we would need it all of a sudden, all I got was a shrug...

 

[xspud]

Maybe someone else on the board has some info on Pace, I've heard the purchase rumor but that's it. I know ABX is interested in accquisitions, so it's possible they are looking at Pace. I don't think any of the Delta 767s will be flown as pax aircraft. As far as I know they're all scheduled to be converted before we take delivery. Those are all coming with standard cargo doors, by the way.

ABX aircraft w/o a cargo door use a "C" container and special loader. Airborne Express was in the overnight express delivery business and the C container has some advantages for that type of business. It's actually more efficient for some of the sorting operations. Any freight that is too large for the C container goes into the belly compartments. I've heard that virtually all of the freight that ILN handles will fit into a C or into the belly.

I'm amazed at the legs this thread has. I'm not that senior at ABX, but I do not expect to be furloughed and I think that confidence is shared by most of the pilot group here. That having been said, I try to keep my network up. I have a resume and I even have a couple of applications out. I began my first airline job over 30 years ago (as a ramper) and I have been continuously employed as a pilot for 26 years now. If I have learned anything in that time, it is that there is no sure thing in this business. FedEx and UPS are the cream of this business today and, if I were flying there, I would feel pretty confident about the future. At least as far as having a job until retirement. But it's incredible how fast the flying business can turn upside down. What's going to happen to the U.S. & global economy if oil prices stay at current levels or increase? NO company that operates airplanes is immune from hard times.

If a pilot is successful in this business it's because they worked hard and then were in the right place at the right time. I've always worked for good companies with good equipment. I've never been laid off, always had a paycheck, my wife didn't have to work (her choice) and I've lived where I wanted to. That's not because I'm a genius or super-pilot, far from it. I worked hard and then was at the right place at the right time. I have plenty of friends who worked just as hard, were just as good a pilot and now they are on the street. My point is that I don't think that pilots at successful companies somehow "deserve" or "earned" their position more than the pilots who are furloughed or working at less desirable companies. I don't appreciate the sniping or "flamebaiting" that comes from a self-righteous attitude. I'm glad I work at ABX, I think it's a great airline and I think we have a future. Whether you're flying at UPS, AS, Astar or Kalitta I accept you as a peer and hope that we ALL prosper. I feel the same about this business as I did about sports: play to win, play within the rules, respect your opponent and share a couple of beers after the game.

I hope this post isn't too "touchy-feely", it can be a pretty rough crowd on this forum!

 

[B737Dvr]

good info.....

Hey ABX booger and xspud, thanks for the info, it's amazing how better informed line people can be as compared to the office types that don't have a clue or are kept out of the loop.
Pace got 180 min ETOPS certification without ever being a previous ETOPS carrier from the start. That is due to their superb MX (most of which is furloughed USAIRWAYS). They have their own 145 Mx certficate, so I don't know how useful that will be for ABX. Rumors have it that ABX wants to join the available pool of CRAF carriers. (civil reserve air fleet). Take from that what you will, and that is the only logical reason for why they would be interested in Pace, since Pace has an operating certificate with vast worldwide route authority on the PAX side. I wonder how long a process and how much money would be required for ABX to seek PAX route authority to get to the point of where Pace is. Seems to me, that an acquisition would get them that immediately with the least amount of time and money spent.
FYI for those that care. or wonder......the whole sorry episode of Hooters Air is done. Their last flight was on April17th and they are no longer flying. Pace is continuing on just their own core charter business, while the acquisition/merger/buyout is taking it's due course! From what I have heard short of an official press announcement this deal is done.
Well anyways if anyone has any more concrete info or any better informed facts on the above please share them!

 

[ABXbooger]

B737,
Yeah, we are hearing the rumors also. The most plausible ones I have heard are we are interested in the MX hangers you guys have. We do a decent amount of third party mx and are doing the flat panel mods on all our 767's as well as any outside work. Could be we are looking for room to roam.

The CRAF deal would be interesting. It worries me a little bit about getting into pax ops...As far as the ETOPS, I would speculate that there is European flying in the near future.

spud, I am optimistic also, lots of furloughs, more aircraft on the way, increased charter flying for many different people, and I am certain DHL will eventually be a major player. Love the new ads...

 

[abxaviator]

ABX is already a CRAF carrier. We don't fly too much of it, just the occassional flight, but we do have a CRAF program and crewmembers who have volunteered to participate.