When will the MEM pilots 'get it'???

[stonewall]

This is why we have a sick bank and a doctor in the family!!

But...but...I wasn't sick. I don't get it what you're trying to say.:laugh:

 

[USNFDX]

I'll agree it sucks.........BUT who answered the phone when they DIDN'T have to. My family is directed not to answer the phone when Fedex shows up the caller ID. I particulary emphasize this when I'm B reserve, and they are short on the A side or have a long A trip and I have a lot days left.

While I'll agree there are few schedulers who try and break the rules, most are real decent people just trying to do their job.

Bottom line, you play the game the best you can, and if it's legal by the CBA and FARs, you don't have a leg to stand on.

I got a call on the 3rd. They switched my RB on the 5th to RA. They met the 18 hr deadline, but it seriously irritated me. Instead of j/s online on the morning of the 5th (thereby enjoying my July 4 BBQ), I had to off line on the evening of the 4th.

I politely informed the scheduler that I bid RB for a reason (as a non-junior guy), and that reason was to have the July 4 weekend off. I told her that it would be incredibly difficult to travel on the holiday on such short notice, but that I would do what I could. Her reply to me? A very curt "well, we have an operation to run here." I almost went postal. However, since all conversations are recorded, I bit my lip and said "goodbye."

I know it was legal, but I manage my schedule properly and so should they. But, I guess they don't really have to here in Memphis. We have guys that will fly whenever scheduling gets in a bind, no matter what. Nice.

 

[stonewall]

I'll agree it sucks.........BUT who answered the phone when they DIDN'T have to. My family is directed not to answer the phone when Fedex shows up the caller ID. I particulary emphasize this when I'm B reserve, and they are short on the A side or have a long A trip and I have a lot days left.

While I'll agree there are few schedulers who try and break the rules, most are real decent people just trying to do their job.

Bottom line, you play the game the best you can, and if it's legal by the CBA and FARs, you don't have a leg to stand on.

That's a good point. And I knew there was nothing I could do, but I was just irritated. Next time I just won't answer.

 

[PurpleTail]

Get switched to RA+ up in ANC all the time. Now you cover both launch periods in ANC.

Also was involuntarily converted from reserve to a line last month, what a raw deal that is. Absolutely no control of anything just an e-mail one day prior to VTO lines being published.

The real bad thing about RA+ is that you are only leveled against yourself (if you are the only one) which means you are ALWAYS on the hook.

It is real easy NOT getting involuntarily converted to a line. Just be sure to check the right circles when bidding. The very first question asks... "If awarded a reserve line, do you wish to be coverted to a secondary VTO line?" Check NO if you don't (unless you are the bottow of the list)

 

[PurpleTail]

That's a good point. And I knew there was nothing I could do, but I was just irritated. Next time I just won't answer.

If scheduling calls you during your reserve period you HAVE to answer the phone...or at least call them back within 15 minutes.

How else can you get around it?

 

[USMCFDX]

It is real easy NOT getting involuntarily converted to a line. Just be sure to check the right circles when bidding. The very first question asks... "If awarded a reserve line, do you wish to be coverted to a secondary VTO line?" Check NO if you don't (unless you are the bottow of the list)

Thanks for being 'Master Of The Obvious'. With only 21 reserve lines and you get one of the last two, not much you can do MOTO. Reserve goes senior up here also, so don't start talking about seniority.

 

[USMCFDX]

If scheduling calls you during your reserve period you HAVE to answer the phone...or at least call them back within 15 minutes.

How else can you get around it?

The point was they called him on his days off prior to his reserve period, you do not HAVE to answer the phone.

 

[vschip]

The real bad thing about RA+ is that you are only leveled against yourself (if you are the only one) which means you are ALWAYS on the hook.

It is real easy NOT getting involuntarily converted to a line. Just be sure to check the right circles when bidding. The very first question asks... "If awarded a reserve line, do you wish to be coverted to a secondary VTO line?" Check NO if you don't (unless you are the bottow of the list)

Purpletail, I always check that line, yet in March, I got involuntarily converted from reserve to vto in March, no inputs at all from me, just a crew notification about it Wed morning. Talked to S.W. about it(I'm lax based too), and she said it happens frequently, even in Dec, some guys got involuntarily converted, and were gone over Christmas, after bidding Christmas off with a reserve line. Unless I'm screwed up, thats why they call it "involuntarily converted", there's nothing you can do about it.

 

[Mr Zog]

Purpletail, I always check that line, yet in March, I got involuntarily converted from reserve to vto in March, no inputs at all from me, just a crew notification about it Wed morning. Talked to S.W. about it(I'm lax based too), and she said it happens frequently, even in Dec, some guys got involuntarily converted, and were gone over Christmas, after bidding Christmas off with a reserve line. Unless I'm screwed up, thats why they call it "involuntarily converted", there's nothing you can do about it.

Here is how you insure never getting converted. Check yes to indicate you wish to be voluntarily converted. Then protect every one of the days off you had on your reserve line. If they cannot protect the days off when they convert you, according to the CBA they must retain your reserve line. You may get a mixed line some trips and some reserve, but it guarantees you Christmas or any day you wanted off.

 

[USMCFDX]

Zog,

Sorry not true. That just means they will look at the next pilot who also checked yes before they involuntarily convert someone. If they still need to convert a reserve line they will start with the the junior reserve line holder, reguardless if you chose to convert or not.

 

[stonewall]

deleted

 

[big_al]

just look at the poolie topics and there are countless people who cant wait to work for fdx, and then you look at topics like this, and so many ppl are unhappy

 

[New FDX Guy]

I wouldn't say unhappy. More like frustrated and eager to get the loose language and loopholes closed. It's surprising how many there are and how much wiggle room there is for the scheduling folks to work with.

 

[Brian a300]

Not unhappy, but disappointed/frustrated that a company that makes so much isn't willing to share with the employees(pilots) its record profits.

There are alot of holes in our current contract that need to be fixed. We are trying to fix some of the misgivings of 1998.

When I was hired here, FEDEX was nothing and United, Delta, Northwest were the places to be and FEDEX couldn't fill their classes, many of the FEDEX guys left here to go elsewhere.

We should not be asked to take a concessionary contract during record profits. We have never been airline pilots, according to the red letter of '98, let's stick together.

just look at the poolie topics and there are countless people who cant wait to work for fdx, and then you look at topics like this, and so many ppl are unhappy

 

[big_al]

of course a company isnt going to share with their employees, capitalism 101 says honor thy shareholders and management, everyone else is lucky to have a job.

 

[PurpleTail]

just look at the poolie topics and there are countless people who cant wait to work for fdx, and then you look at topics like this, and so many ppl are unhappy

Again, majority are not unhappy. And all those poolies will be bottom feeders soon and know exactly what we (bottom half of senority for seat/base) are talking about.

All we want is a little control of our schedule. Every month it is a chess match with bidding and then scheduling comes along and, well...check mate. At least there is movement and progression, I'll be a lot happier 6 months from now when I'm about 20% more senior.:beer:

 

[AlbieF15]

Look....FedEx is a great place to work....good job security, a great crew force, and some interesting flying.

However--our job would be TERRIBLE if all we did was comply with FAA rules. The REASON everyone wants a good 121 job is the Q of life is so good--and that's because generations of guys before us stood together and fought for decent work rules, good retirement plans, etc etc. The status quo ain't bad, but we all agree there are a lot of areas for improvement.

If THOSE guys had said "okay--good enough...just work and quit bitchin'..." where would we be?

FYI--there are a LOT of Q of Life initiatives in our MEC's proposal that don't cost the company anything...like making open time and reserve manning more transparent. The ability to drop/trade trips within 24 hours could be a huge perk...but to make that happen we have to fight for it and bundle it with our next contract.

So--I'm supporting my union...so that 10 years from now this is still a great career.

 

[BALDBEAVER]

I agree 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

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Look....FedEx is a great place to work....good job security, a great crew force, and some interesting flying.

However--our job would be TERRIBLE if all we did was comply with FAA rules. The REASON everyone wants a good 121 job is the Q of life is so good--and that's because generations of guys before us stood together and fought for decent work rules, good retirement plans, etc etc. The status quo ain't bad, but we all agree there are a lot of areas for improvement.

If THOSE guys had said "okay--good enough...just work and quit bitchin'..." where would we be?

FYI--there are a LOT of Q of Life initiatives in our MEC's proposal that don't cost the company anything...like making open time and reserve manning more transparent. The ability to drop/trade trips within 24 hours could be a huge perk...but to make that happen we have to fight for it and bundle it with our next contract.

So--I'm supporting my union...so that 10 years from now this is still a great career.

Very well put!






100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

 

[AlbieF15]

Get an avatar!

Bald beaver...you need an avatar! May I suggest....a bald beaver?

 

[fox3]

Bald beaver...you need an avatar! May I suggest....a bald beaver?

:blush: