New FedEx Training Rumor

[mtu2000]

Has anyone heard a rumor today that FedEx is starting up their training soon. I heard this through a third party today and wondered how accurate it was or if anyone had more info.

 

[F18-FDX]

I suppose that depends on your definition of soon. I haven't heard anything on the line, and unfortunately I think it's just another rumor. A seat bid just came out that had 30 vacancies for 727 S/Os, but the following verbiage was also included:

"New Hires
No hiring is anticipated until Spring '04 at the earliest. The primary B727 S/O vacancies listed on this bid are a hedge should we need to hire prior to the next posting."

This leaves some wiggle room, but doesn't look promising. The MD-11 training continues at full throttle, but the problem is the fleet plan continues to eliminate the 3-crew cockpits in favor of 2-crew, reducing the vacancies on the bottom. Everything above combined with an expected very busy peak this year, I can't see any new hire training happening until after the first of the year, more likely "Spring '04". I'm NOT an authority on the subject, just passing on what I hear. As we all know things can change very rapidly, and we all hope they do...for the better!

 

[PanelApe]

Another recent bit of info from inside big purple was the updated retirement charts. I am just adding this as a bit of good news to go along with all the "other" news we seem to be getting.

The numbers look good for growth within FedEx. 70 next year, 120 the following and basically 150/year after that.

This should help offset the crew reduction numbers a little. We can't transition to 2 crew aircraft in one quick motion. So they will need to hire to keep up with those guys that retire (and don't decide to the back of DC-10).

Hang in there...I am certainly hoping for hiring to start soon.

VERY junior on the ladder -

Ape

 

[Murdawg5]

Hello everyone,
Just flew a trip to NRT, and the captain told of a very interesting rumor with regards to retirements... The FedEx retirement office has been receiveng numerous (up to 100) inquiries regarding early retirement starting in December... While this may be interesting, I'll still wait and see what happens...
Take Care,
Murdawg5

 

[Pecan]

keep'em coming

Any thread that contains the words "hiring", and "update" shines a ray of hope down on us poolies. Despite the fact that rumors run amock on this board, it's always nice to read some news with an optimistic possibility.

My last correspondence from Kim D. (about 3 weeks ago) suggested that Spring would probably be the soonest hiring, and that the rumor mill was rather silent.

Thanks for the update!!

 

[active_herk]

Actually, the reason for the early retirement inquiries may due the fact that our contract is up for negotiation next year. Many guys may decide to leave early rather than go through a protracted contract scenario. This may become even more evident if we go to a self-help situation. I can't say I would blame them...go out on strike and make no pay, or retire early and still get paid. There are quite a few guys who are 55 or over and could start collecting retirement. Only time will tell.

 

[Huck]

If we're released into self-help before about 2007, I'll buy everybody here... something. It takes three years minimum.

25% of FDX guys don't stay until 60 - I've always wondered if that is factored into those retirement projection charts.

And I ask everybody I see for rumors. I guess the best lately was more Airbusses - like, alot more.

 

[TonyC]

I'll take that bet...

If we're released into self-help before about 2007, I'll buy everybody here... something.

Put me down for a Diet Dr. Pepper.

 

[Alaskaairlines]

Any of you guys know a poolie thats a DHC-8 Capt for Era in ANC? Really awesome guy!

Hey TonyC, your avatar is my picture I shot in ANC, on airliners.net! PM me if you'd like a print of one of my shots. And anybody else who wants one.

 

[TonyC]

Hey TonyC, your avatar is my picture I shot in ANC, on airliners.net! PM me if you'd like a print of one of my shots. And anybody else who wants one.

I like your work - - I've downloaded most of your Airliners.net shots, and use one as my "wallpaper" at home. I had to crop this one a bit to fit the 150x150 pixel limit, but I think it looks nice. I would prefer one that shows "FedEx" clearly, shows winglets clearly, and shows the mountains east of Anchorage clearly, but this one comes closest to filling all those squares. If you ever get a chance to take a shot of a FedEx MD-11 taking off on 24L or R, I'd like to see it. I think if you shot from the same place you've taken photos of airplanes taxing on to runway 14 for takeoff (or perhaps a bit farther south), and aimed towards airplanes just after liftoff from 24, you'd get a great angle with a superb mountain backdrop. (I also prefer photos of aircraft flying left to right, but I guess that's just a personal quirk.)

Should I have asked your permission to borrow your photo as an Avatar? May I? Please?

 

[h.simpson]

a bud of mine heard the same thing about the 727 training...he thought it was for FO's, not so much SO's this december.

let's hope all the movement forces some new hire classes--i am really getting prune hands in the pool.

h.

 

[Falconjet]

Hiring?

I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I was in the school house the last couple of days for a Proficiency Check. I took a look at the board outside the 727 training office and to no surprise the only classes on the board through the end of this year were for a couple of FO and Capt upgrades. I wasn't expecting much, but hoping that maybe there might be some news. The board was remarkably empty.

As for the 25% of the guys that don't stay until 60, that just might offset the other 25% of the guys who hit 60 and go into the back of the 10 or the 72. I just don't see the retirements being as big an issue as a lot of the folks do.

I was called several times last week for draft trips (even after I had just come back from a 3 leg, 6.2 hour pm out and back! - must have been a mistake) and have yet to take a draft trip. We are short in the back of the 72 and I just hope that the bean counters will loosen the purse strings soon so we can get some new blood on the property soon.

FJ

 

[Juan Tugo]

Hey Falconjet -

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or does your profile say "SWA pool rat"? Aren't you at FedEx?

 

[Falconjet]

No tricks

No tricks, I've been in the pool a long time, and while waiting got called to the dark side. Its pretty good at night. It would be a lot better with some hiring around here though!

 

[Juan Tugo]

Cool.

 

[Alaskaairlines]

Falconjet,
am I understanding you right? Your a fdx pilot and want to leave for SWA?

Can that kind of evil thought ever come to mind? Or am I missing this point?

TonyC,
No problem about the photo usage for your avatar! Anytime bro! I've never really shot to many RWY 24 L/R shots because takeoff's/landings rarely take place on those RWY's, but I do understand what you'd like. The problem is there isn't really a location I can postition myself for that type of shot. I would need to take a truck over to a taxiway near K at RWY 32, and thats an area I can't really access, my badge doesn't get me that far unfortuantely, might be able to do it with one of the airport guys one of these days. School has been keeping me to busy to shot lately, but I have tons of material to process at home. You aren't an ANC based guy by any chance?

 

[Goose17]

heard an interesting thought tonight...

I was flying with a union rep captain tonight that said something interesting...

He said, this was just his opinion, nothing to do with the union's position.

There was a discussion that there has been a LOT of draft and volunteer flying going on lately in the 727. This means we are getting short on pilots. I mentioned that we need to resume hiring again and he said his take on the "running lean" was:

We are being thinned out on purpose. When negotiations come around next spring, the company will push heavily for PBS (preferential bidding system). If the company gets PBS, they can seriously increase pilot productivity and wha-la, we are no longer short of pilots.

I thought it was rather insightful.

Goose17

 

[TonyC]

You aren't an ANC based guy by any chance?

Used to be.

 

[flycrjs]

Just to add to the firestorm of rumors...a pilot source at Fedex was on the jumpseat with the system Chief Pilot and Bruce Cheever(management guy as well). Cheever told the jumpseater that they asked the bean counters for 365 pilots next year, the beanies came back with 225. Not the first time I've heard these numbers thrown around.

In response to the Preferential Bidding System...the next contract wrapup is so far off Fedex couldn't possibly wait that long to hire. With all of the drafting they are doing in the backseat of the 727 its just a matter of time. Spring '04 seems to continue to be the popular time frame for hiring...just my $.02.

 

[Huck]

365 pilots next year, the beanies came back with 225.

From your mouth to God's ears.

"Before takeoff check complete. I have the panel...."

 

[Pecan]

PBS?

Could someone in the know please offer a brief explanation on what a "preferential bidding system" is. I'm only in the pool, and still need some translation every now and then.

Thanks.

 

[SF3CA]

PBS is this. Instedad of picking the schedule that you like out of a printed "bid package", a computer will build you a line of flying that as close to your preference as possible, based on your seniority. I think that it is really just a fear of the unknown that scares people. I have heard people say if the union had 100 % control over the system, it might not be a bad thing. But most people doubt the company would allow that.

I'm sure it would save the company a ton of money, just in printing and "fedexing" a 200 page bid pack to 4000 pilots every month alone. I have heard the Northwest guys like it. Does America West have it? Any comments?

SF3CA

 

[AlbieF15]

It is NOT fear of the unknown, it is fear of the known!

Try bidding secondary lines sometime. Once in a while, you get a great trip. Often, you get something that in no way resembles what you asked for. I'd give details of some stories but I'd be wasting other readers time--go to our MEC page and ask the same question.

NW pilots like it because the difference between a "good" trip and a "backbreaker" are not that great. They also have some control via their union. Conversely, at FDX, we do have some "doozies" of trips that will wear you out. The way to avoid such trips is to hang out until senior enough to avoid those trips. PBS mitigates that seniority, and leaves your life for the month up the the whims of a computer and a scheduler.

Now...if you are junior...you say "so what...PBS screws the senior guys, so maybe I'll get my trip after all..." The problem with that argument is FDX has a LOT of guys who are very senior on the seat so that they can sleep at home every night in their field cities (hub turns) or at Memphis (O&Bs). So...if these guys CAN'T get their hometown lines consistently then they will bid off and move up to other seats...and the days of 2-3 year guys going to the right seat of widebodys at FDX will likely be over for good.

One of the main reasons I separated from the AF was I got tired of no control over my schedule and a lack of knowing what was up the following weeks. The hard line schedule is cool...each month I can bid for a variety of lines knowing what I am getting into. PBS just sets us up for being zigged and zagged around timezones and clocks at the whims of the company. I don't think the company is evil, bad, or necessarily out to try to wear me out...its just there is no way ANY computer or person can better know what I want than I do. Stick with hard lines, and let us trip trade, trade with open time, and drop trips as required to manage our lives. As long as the goods get hauled safely and without incident, everyone wins.

 

[Goose17]

well said

Great points Albie.

Goose17

 

[Huck]

Albie's my hero.

If any mngmt guy tries to bend your ear about this, tell them this: you'll support PBS when VTO lines are going senior!

 

[USNFDX]

PBS

Let me first say that since the company wants it bad....Its probably not going to be good for us, at least in the form the company wants.

However, I don't think we are going to have choice. So we'd better get real smart on it. NWA has specific "rule sets" that have been negotiated and built into the software. NWA can't change these rule sets without the unions "ok".

I think, the real sticking point to all this, is that Fedex is going to be unwilling to reliquish any control to the SIG.

PBS could be a good thing, if we are to negotiate built in rule sets. For example. Lets say you live Detroit. Normaly you bid one of two DTW-IND lines. You either get the first and third week or the 2nd and fouth week. But next month you need the last 2 weeks of the month off because your dog is getting neutured and you need to be there for him. In theory, with PBS you can choose the pairings on the first and second weeks and still be there for rover!

Also, in order to make this thing work for us, we first need to beta test this for about a year, where we bid both traditionaly and with PBS. During that time we continue to use the traditional line system, but we are able to evaluate, and form our own rule sets. Eventualy we may be able to come up with somthing worth while.

But then again, what do I know?

 

[SF3CA]

I am concerned that PBS will destroy our vacation benifits. Being able to bid a know hard line or a known reserve line and the sliding and expanding, then conflicting our vacation is one of the best benifits in the entire airline industry. I'm sure the computer would figure out a way to put a stop to that.

If this becomes reality, (which I hope it does not), the SIG must have control over the process.

 

[fdxdisco]

PBS

Another thing to consider is that our vacation system goes away. If you have 7 days of vacation then you'll get 7 days off that month. You won't be able to slide enough to cover the trips they give you. The days of turning 7 days of vacation into 3 weeks off will be gone. You want 3 weeks off you'll have to bid 21 days off on your vacation bid. We have the best vacation in the system. PB will destroy our vacation system. disco

 

[active_herk]

Disco is absolutely correct. Under the current system, if I have eight days of vacation for next month, and bid VTO, then the company will deduct eight days of flying, build a line with the remainder, and that is my line. Those remaining days of work can be sitting right next to the days of vacation I have planned, and that is perfectly ok (under the current system). Under a PBS system, vacation could work the same way. I propose, however, that if you have a month of vacation under a PBS system, you would be able to bid whatever you want (assuming you have the seniority to hold it), and once your line is built, you could then slide and expand your vacation to knock out the trips you want just like under our present system. That way, the company could get its PBS system, and we could hold on to our vacation system. Of course, before I would bite off on a PBS, there would have to be a lot of other safety parameters in place, and I doubt the company would bite off on them, but to solve the vacation issue, this would be the least of my demands.

 

[FoxHunter]

fdxdisco,

I expect the PBS to work like the VTOs in regard to vacation. If you have a 7 day vacation you can slide it 5 days in either direction, plus add a 48 hour buffer on either, or both ends, your choice. 7 days vacation equals 42 hours pay credit. In a 4 week bid month they add trips worth 30 hours(5 days work), 5 week bid month they would add trips worth 50 hours(8.2 days work). Bid 12 days vacation in a 4 week bid month and you get the whole month off, 15 days vacation in a 5 week bid month you get the whole month off. 35 days vacation in a 5 week month BLG=210:0. 28 days vacation in a 4 week bid month BLG=168:00.

If you want 3 weeks off you DO NOT HAVE TO BID 21 DAYS VACATION. If you bid 21 days vacation with a VTO you will have all the month off 4 or 5 week bid month and your BLG will be 126:00.