UPS finally did it!!!

[WhiteCloud]

when our contract gets done it will be screaming at your stupid post.

Uh...when will that be?

 

[L'il J.Seinfeld]

That's the million dollar question. My guess is it will be 10 minutes after the NMB releases us from mediation. We requested release in Dec and were denied. But it served notice to the NMB and they can't allow UPS to dodge the issue for much longer.

 

[sbn340mech]

Thats why I'm here, tryin to learn the logistics of things. I guess you are right. I just wouldn't want to see a massive contract hurt UPS and FedEx like it has the passenger carriers. BUT, that does seem unlikely given their revenue and that revenue seems pretty secure.

Yep, seems like a pretty rosey picture for the high time pilots at UPS and FedEx. An earlier post mentioned 2nd year pat at FedEx is $117k... about 90k more than I make now for a job that is as equally important as a pilot's, maybe more important since the aircraft I work on haul human cargo. But I guess that's irrevelant.

Anyway while I was typing this, I got a great idea for a business venture. I think I might start up a low cost cargo carrier, staffed with young lowtime new/furloughed pilots desparate to fly and will do so for 20-30K/yr, and undercut the legacy cargo carriers. Hmm, this seems very simailar to something else currently going on in the industry, I just don't remember what.

 

[bohnzai]

Yep, seems like a pretty rosey picture for the high time pilots at UPS and FedEx. An earlier post mentioned 2nd year pat at FedEx is $117k... about 90k more than I make now for a job that is as equally important as a pilot's, maybe more important since the aircraft I work on haul human cargo. But I guess that's irrevelant.

Anyway while I was typing this, I got a great idea for a business venture. I think I might start up a low cost cargo carrier, staffed with young lowtime new/furloughed pilots desparate to fly and will do so for 20-30K/yr, and undercut the legacy cargo carriers. Hmm, this seems very simailar to something else currently going on in the industry, I just don't remember what.

Before you start your own "low cost" cargo carrier, you might first learn how to spell.

Second, you should make sure you can hire over 320,000 employees, 90,000 trucks and hundreds of aircraft just to compete. Once you figure out the logistics of that, then you may compete with UPS, FEDEX and DHL. I'm afraid you just don't "start up" a low cost cargo carrier. It takes more than a few cheap Airbuses and a website to deliver a package around the world overnight.

 

[V-STALL]

Before you start your own "low cost" cargo carrier, you might first learn how to spell.

Second, you should make sure you can hire over 320,000 employees, 90,000 trucks and hundreds of aircraft just to compete. Once you figure out the logistics of that, then you may compete with UPS, FEDEX and DHL. I'm afraid you just don't "start up" a low cost cargo carrier. It takes more than a few cheap Airbuses and a website to deliver a package around the world overnight.

Sbn's a smart guy- he'll figure all that out-some day! :laugh:

 

[WhiteCloud]

It's called "outsourcing".

Before you start your own "low cost" cargo carrier, you might first learn how to spell.

Second, you should make sure you can hire over 320,000 employees, 90,000 trucks and hundreds of aircraft just to compete. Once you figure out the logistics of that, then you may compete with UPS, FEDEX and DHL. I'm afraid you just don't "start up" a low cost cargo carrier. It takes more than a few cheap Airbuses and a website to deliver a package around the world overnight.

Not exactly. What you'll do is start with a couple beat up old cheap trucks and start to compete in a small market segment. Then UPS/FedEX/DHL will contract that segment out that is too small to warrant their well paid drivers and pilots to work in. Then you'll get a few more trucks and maybe a Caravan or C-206 and pick up some more contract work. Then you'll pick up some more unprofitable routes since your costs will be less than the regular employees and grow some more. Then, 20 years later.............

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Before you start your own "low cost" cargo carrier, you might first learn how to spell.

Second, you should make sure you can hire over 320,000 employees, 90,000 trucks and hundreds of aircraft just to compete. Once you figure out the logistics of that, then you may compete with UPS, FEDEX and DHL. I'm afraid you just don't "start up" a low cost cargo carrier. It takes more than a few cheap Airbuses and a website to deliver a package around the world overnight.

You sound like a DAL or UAL pilot in the late 90s...or a Ford or GM exec...

newsflash:

the day some Chinese company starts just that (you're above rant about 320K people blah blah etc..), and does it .05 cheaper than you, you MAY be the next DAL or UAL.

Yes, your customers will flock away at .05 difference!

Do you not think a www.travelocity.com for packages is too far away?

Im all for well paid pilots but to think Fedex/UPS will go unchallenged for many more years??? c'mon.....

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

I've always hoped UPS would get a better contract. I know you are close and will get one but the stupidity involved in getting it looks incredibly embarrassing.

My previous ramblings were about the terrible relationship you have with management. I hear you are treated like truckers and not pilots. I was just calling some of you out about claiming how nice it is over there. I know its not. FedEx, on the other hand, does have much of what you lack in good relations and facilities. Hasn't hurt them too much....yet. (And yes I know what you have at UPS and FedEX)


To those of you who think UPS and FedEx will be seriously challenged in the future...Don't hold your breath. DHL has been trying to do that and keeps postponing necessary infrastructure spending. The freight world, unlike pax, revolves around the hub and spoke and is very slow to change. The dynamics are worlds apart. Until UPS and FedEx decide to post losses and threaten BK, you can bet they will pay their pilots better and better.

IMHO, SWA pay has topped out and UPS and FedEx will continue upwards.

Congratulations in advance.

 

[sbn340mech]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I didn't say I would go at it alone. I would most certainly need help in all aspects of operating a business, and getting help with my spelling. Next time I'm at work I'll go through the pilot write-ups in the log can to see how many misspellings I come up with.

I hope I didn't offend anyone too much on that previous post. Just wanted to stir the pot a lil bit. But if you don't think that scenario can happen, just think Southwest, JetBlue, Airtran ect...and how they affected the legacy carriers. Yes there are many more factors that contributed to their demise, but the LCC's were a big factor.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Capt. Magedeath,

If you want to impress the pax crowd, show us UPS is willing to pay for the wonderful revenue they get from their pilots. Otherwise, put your opinions elsewhere.

I am not here to impress anyone. Maybe we all don't like your opinion either, but unfortunately we have to read it too.

 

[capt. megadeth]

An earlier post mentioned 2nd year pat at FedEx is $117k... about 90k more than I make now for a job that is as equally important as a pilot's, maybe more important since the aircraft I work on haul human cargo.

Noone here ever said an A&P shouldn't make very good money. I believe you all should.

I wouldn't say that human trash....err, I mean human cargo is more important.

 

[bohnzai]

Not exactly. What you'll do is start with a couple beat up old cheap trucks and start to compete in a small market segment. Then UPS/FedEX/DHL will contract that segment out that is too small to warrant their well paid drivers and pilots to work in. Then you'll get a few more trucks and maybe a Caravan or C-206 and pick up some more contract work. Then you'll pick up some more unprofitable routes since your costs will be less than the regular employees and grow some more. Then, 20 years later.............

Then 20 years later............You will be sitting on the beach with a beer in hand all fat, dumb and happy, because one of the three bought you out. These companies are sitting on loads of cash, and wouldn't hesitate to buy you out before you became a threat (ie Menlo, ABEX, etc). Only time will tell.