Ladies and Gentlemen of Block 6,

As my term comes to an end this month, I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect a little on my time as your Block 6 Rep.

I had the tremendous privilege of representing your interests at MEC meetings. I know, that sounds weird, but it kind of grows on you. Getting 12 (now 13) people to agree on anything can be challenging.  But, when the outcome changes FedEx pilots’ lives for the better, it is worth the headache. My goal was to try and do what was best for the pilots of Block 6.

I didn’t win every argument or even every vote. This is a democratic organization and we are all grown men and women. If you lose a vote or an argument, you live to fight another day. The majority rules and that’s that. Continuing to beat a dead horse does no one any good and that’s a fact. Recent events should highlight this.

I communicated with a lot of you via email, phone, and text and had lots of 2AM conversations in the hub. These exchanges, for the most part, were cordial. I learned more about our CBA than I ever wanted to know– benefits, ACP calls, accepted fares, Health Care issues, Reserve assignments; the list is way too long. The most satisfying aspect of those interactions was that I got to help some of you that needed it.

We definitely have some challenges that Barry will have to deal with as he begins his term as the Block 6 Rep. Our CBA will need to be addressed at the beginning of 2013. It’s never too early to start getting prepared for the worst. The economy is still not really recovering and that complicates everything that we do. FAR 117 (new flight time/duty time rules) is a total mess. We were excluded because it wasn’t “fiscally viable” in the FAA’s estimation. I have a higher opinion of your worth, and I’m sure your families would agree with me. The U.S. Post Office continues to reassess their business model and how that will affect us as FedEx pilots is anyone’s guess. 

There are a lot of unknowns as we continue to look forward. I am confident that your MEC will find a way to put aside their differences and work together to tackle these challenges in the manner that will best benefit all of us. 

My challenge to you as I leave is this - get more involved. Be a part of the solution. Volunteer to help with something. Be a Committee member, P2P rep, whatever best fits you… there are jobs that don’t take that much of your time. GET INVOLVED. If you don’t and you leave that to someone else – you get what you get. 

It’s been a pleasure. Now back to studying to be a 727 Captain.

Corey Franklin

Corey.Franklin@alpa.org

662-420-0436