Ups Vs Swa

[Big Beer Belly]

Thanks Mega... I'm challenged, but I try.

PS When you gunna grow a pair and fly with me?

BBB

 

[LittleLearBoy]

I like when people say to me, “I’m a people person, that’s why I fly people”. I like to reply, “How do you talk to people with that STEAL door between you and the people? Do you do the cup and string thing?” Or, “When did TSA start letting the hot blonde sit on your lap for landings????

 

[capt. megadeth]

I like when people say to me, “I’m a people person, that’s why I fly people”. I like to reply, “How do you talk to people with that STEAL door between you and the people?

I just think they are an idiot. Have fun with all those annoying people.

I am a people person too.....when I am off of work. People have crazy expectations, they are annoying and, worst of all, every time I am in an airline terminal or on an airplane, I see at least one a$$wipe throw their garbage on the floor which PISSES ME OFF SO MUCH I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT! Yes, I am anal retentive about littering but seeing that go on makes me hate people with a passion.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Thanks Mega... I'm challenged, but I try.

PS When you gunna grow a pair and fly with me?

BBB

I would love to! I want you to "reveal" yourself to me when I am drooling on paperwork.

 

[AV80R]

...That multiple day stuff is not for me, they can have it. Give me one leg to the bar in some foreign land...

Yeah baby, one leg to the bar in some foreign land all the way! ...Wait a minute, does ANC, Alaska, or MIA, Florida count? :beer:

Say hi to the RedRoof Maffia if you're ever there! ...(the link is a little slow to download).

See what 2 weeks with NO flyin' at Red Roof will do to you!?

 

[AV80R]

...Work enviornment-If your "friend" is a people-person and enjoys frequent contact with the public, he'd probably be happier at SW. If he's more of a loner-type and enjoys relative solitude, air frieght will be more to his liking...

I agree with some of your points but I think you’re definitely stereotyping people here. C’mon are you seriously implying that cargo pilots overall are more of a “loner-type and enjoy relative solitude…?” Man, I’m yet to fly with that “loner type” here at UPS; everyone I’ve been around seems to be very outgoing and definitely fits the “people’s person” mantra. I think you’re trying so hard to come up with differences between the two carriers that you revert to creating your own differences in areas where they frankly do not exist. You’ll find the introverts and the extroverts at both carriers.


And I must say BBB’s summary of passenger interaction at SWA and other pax airlines is right on the money! (I flew passengers myself until fairly recently)

If by "people-person" you mean the quality daily interaction a SWA pilot has with the local TSA rent-a-cop sniffing his morning breath in hopes of catching another Smirnoff chugger... well then I agree.

With the possible exception of his contact with the Big Mac order taker or the thrilling conversation with Bubba the Cessna know-it-all on his walk through the terminal, the SWA guy and the loner freight psycho have about the same human interaction on the job. Hint: there's a big metal door they now close during flight.
BBB

Well, since we are talking about pro and cons of pax and cargo flying here, yet another reason (albeit a very tiny reason) to chose cargo is the “lower” risk of contracting a disease from a passenger. This didn’t happen at SWA but it could’ve. Of course, it could’ve happened at any carrier but I think the risks are higher at passenger versus cargo carriers when it comes to this.

 

[AV80R]

...I see at least one a$$wipe throw their garbage on the floor which PISSES ME OFF SO MUCH I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT! Yes, I am anal retentive about littering but seeing that go on makes me hate people with a passion.

Sorry Mega, I did look for the trash can but couldn't find one. Now, would you PLEASE stop dumping trash into my V-file?

 

[Big Beer Belly]

Well, since we are talking about pro and cons of pax and cargo flying here,

AV8OR... let's not forget the thrilling and always well-received quality "people interaction" the prostate-enlarging button pushers up front get when they repeatedly call the #1 to block the door so they can take a leak each hour on their transcon. It's surely a minor nuisance in the grand scheme of life... but one I'm happy I don't confront after a night of hydrating followed by a morning pot of coffee.

BBB

 

[AV80R]

AV8OR... let's not forget the thrilling and always well-received quality "people interaction" the prostate-enlarging button pushers up front get when they repeatedly call the #1 to block the door so they can take a leak each hour on their transcon. It's surely a minor nuisance in the grand scheme of life... but one I'm happy I don't confront after a night of hydrating followed by a morning pot of coffee.

BBB

Yeah, I almost forgot this wonderful passenger-side "perk."

Ding!
- Hello? This is La Tasha, what do you need?
- Hey, is anyone using the restroom?
- Yeah, but I'll let you know when it's not being used, ok?
- Hmm, ok...

Ding! Ding! Ding! :erm:
- Oh, sorry I forgot, yeah it's available now, are you ready...Oh, and a passenger wants to know the name of the lake we just flew over? (EWR-MYR )
- Well, it was the eh...Atlantic...Lake?

Oh, the memories! Gosh I miss the "people interaction" sooo much...:laugh:

 

[LittleLearBoy]

I do have to say the only people I ever flew were the U.S. Military. Mostly back and forth to Middle East. I enjoyed doing that, bringing these guys and girls’ home was great. Bringing them over for their second and sometimes third tour was not. Nothing more I enjoyed then going in the back to talk to them. Hear the stories and see the pictures and even some movies. Or to see the joy that them and their families enjoyed when they embraced each other after the deployment. As far as I’m concerned, those were the best and the only people I would want to fly. Otherwise load up the back of this baby with boxes.

Semper Fi Devil Dogs!!

 

[Airbum]

While the "loner" thing is a bit untrue I agree alot with WD. Current issues with UPS requiring reserves to check if they have be preassigned trips, writing up reserves because crew scheduling couldn't contact them on layovers. Jumpseat booking, etc, all lead to a somewhat unfriendly labor issues.

 

[Big Beer Belly]

While the "loner" thing is a bit untrue I agree alot with WD. Current issues with UPS requiring reserves to check if they have be preassigned trips, writing up reserves because crew scheduling couldn't contact them on layovers. Jumpseat booking, etc, all lead to a somewhat unfriendly labor issues.

Working 4.3 days/mo (on avg) for more than 10 years on reserve... I'll happily take an occasional unpleasant phone call and call it even.

Hint: "Gee... I wish you had called me just a little sooner... before I had that BEER with lunch... cause I would have loved to rush out to the airport (on min notice) in order to rescue whatever screw up you no doubt created".

PS... I feel sorry for the non-drinkers!

BBB

 

[Airbum]

BBB I to feel sorry for the non drinkers

Playing devils advocate perhaps with the interpretation of no set schedule, the beer perhaps would also be a contract violation as it would make one unavailable for reassignment. The checking for preassignments while on reserve would apply for all reserve days not just the 4.3 you have averaged.

My point being these positions are not labor friendly ones. perhaps our friend looking to decide on his/her future would also like to be aware of them along with all the good that seems to come with a job flying freight for ups.

 

[AV80R]

...As far as I’m concerned, those were the best and the only people I would want to fly...

Amen to that!

 

[767pilot]

not too many loners on the Cologne weekends!

 

[Big Beer Belly]

BBB I to feel sorry for the non drinkers

Playing devils advocate perhaps with the interpretation of no set schedule, the beer perhaps would also be a contract violation as it would make one unavailable for reassignment. The checking for preassignments while on reserve would apply for all reserve days not just the 4.3 you have averaged.

My point being these positions are not labor friendly ones. perhaps our friend looking to decide on his/her future would also like to be aware of them along with all the good that seems to come with a job flying freight for ups.

Though I defer to my esteemed colleague's opinion on this matter... I cannot imagine it prevailing in arbitration. As a reserve... once launched on a trip to fill in for a sick crewmember, I cannot imagine any court deciding you have to remain "contactable" during your entire crew rest. If they want that flexibility, then they can jolly well pay for it in the form of a "hotel hot"!

Then again... I can afford to be somewhat flippant as reserve is something I choose... not something I am forced to bid.

YMMV,

BBB

 

[capt. megadeth]

Say hi to the RedRoof Maffia if you're ever there! ...(the link is a little slow to download).

See what 2 weeks with NO flyin' at Red Roof will do to you!?

That's hilarious! Did you order any?

 

[AV80R]

That's hilarious! Did you order any?

No, we were thinking about it but it was kind of pricey, unless you ordered 10 shirts or so... Well, we had fun designing it though...

 

[airwillydrvr]

UPS, no brainer.

I jumpsat on SWA last month and the crew was on leg number 4 of 6 that day. It took them 6 legs to fly from BWI to the west coast!

That multiple day stuff is not for me, they can have it. Give me one leg to the bar in some foreign land.

One trip to the Pac Rim and your Mr Foreign Land man. When do you get back?

 

[JohnnyCash]

i guess ups is hiring the loner types from loner airlines.

you can call me a loner or whatever really 'cause i'm gett'n paid.

 

[FO 4 Life]

Hey AirWilly,

He called from Osaka today so probably not much longer. He goes to Hono a couple times next month but other than that is on the downhill slide. You still going to ANC?

 

[bohnzai]

Yeah baby, one leg to the bar in some foreign land all the way! ...Wait a minute, does ANC, Alaska, or MIA, Florida count? :beer:

Say hi to the RedRoof Maffia if you're ever there! ...(the link is a little slow to download).

See what 2 weeks with NO flyin' at Red Roof will do to you!?

Dude

I told you not to use my picture on the T-shirt! Thats me on the lower picture after a 10 day stint at the Roof. I miss those days so much I'll be there the first week of Sept. (RSCA stuff)

Take it easy

HB

 

[bohnzai]

One trip to the Pac Rim and your Mr Foreign Land man. When do you get back?

I see why us junior guys can't hold these lines. The bad news is that I'll weigh about 12 pounds more when I get back from all of the catering out here.

I'll be back on the 1st from ANC, I'll give you a call.

 

[AV80R]

Dude, I told you not to use my picture on the T-shirt! Thats me on the lower picture after a 10 day stint at the Roof.

I know - and that's your "good" picture - I can only imagine what you must look like now...

I miss those days so much I'll be there the first week of Sept. (RSCA stuff)

You must have bid it, huh? Hopefully I'll recognize you if I run into you at the Roof :laugh: Have fun at Michael J’s!

 

[FO 4 Life]

Michael J's????

He'll be walking around Jack in the Box at 3 am with C.N. talking to himself.

 

[AV80R]

Michael J's????

He'll be walking around Jack in the Box at 3 am with C.N. talking to himself.

Very true... :laugh:

 

[bohnzai]

Michael J's????

He'll be walking around Jack in the Box at 3 am with C.N. talking to himself.

Don't you mean Crack in the Box.

 

[BigShotXJTdrvr]

A few questions:

Are most new hires going to ANC?

How junior/undesirable is ONT reserve? Is it that bad even if you live there? Just bad trips or what?

Is the oceanic requirement going to remain when the window opens again?

Any word on the number of new hires over the next couple of years?

Thanks.

 

[AV80R]

A few questions:
Are most new hires going to ANC?

- Well, it depends on which class we’re talking about? They’ve had classes where almost all the pilots went there and they’ve had classes where almost everyone ended up in ONT or SDF - so who knows? I’d say a large portion of new-hires have been going to ANC but the vast majority of them had heavy, transoceanic experience from the past. So if you have that - your chances of ending up in ANC do increase; otherwise you might end up in any domicile and on any aircraft UPS flies.

How junior/undesirable is ONT reserve? Is it that bad even if you live there? Just bad trips or what?

That bad? Huh? If you live at your domicile it cannot get any better. One of my classmates lives around ONT and he bids reserve only and he loves it! Heck, I just flew with a captain who hadn’t flown for 2+ months, like I said if you live here it’s great. I noticed reserve seems to be going a little more senior now but if you want it, you can probably get it.

Is the oceanic requirement going to remain when the window opens again?

Who knows? The rumor is the requirement was just there temporarily because the feds were concerned about the company pairing new-hires without international experience with brand new captains. Personally, I hope they’ll waive that requirement soon.

Any word on the number of new hires over the next couple of years?

No one knows but it doesn’t really matter until you’re one of them, does it? So don’t delay, apply as soon as soon as the application window reopens. Good luck!