Positive Rate Weekly - 2/21/12
Positive Rate Weekly - 2/21/12
In This Issue
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February
21, 2012
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MEM Hub
Turn Meeting
this Thursday,
February 23 |
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MEC Chairman
Captain Scott
Stratton will
hold a hub turn
meeting in
Memphis this
Thursday,
February 23
beginning at
12:15 p.m.
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Legislative
Affairs Update |
The Cargo Cut
Out fix will be
a fairly lengthy
process. Michael
Robbins (ALPA
National
Director of
Government
Affairs) and I
briefed the MEC
last week as to
the road ahead
to have Cargo
Carriers
required to
participate in
the FAR 117. The
plan includes
getting language
for a
standalone bill
that would
require
everyone’s
participation in
FAR 117 rules.
That process is
already in the
works. The next
step is to get
bipartisan
support for that
bill. To date, we
have already had
close to 200
meetings to
engender support
and educate
members of
Congress as to
the importance
of one level of
safety and how
it actually
affects the
flying public.
The support has
been very strong
and everyone
gets it. There
will be other
opportunities to
“Educate
Congress and the
Flying public”
as we move
forward.
Unfortunately,
in today’s “Do
Nothing
Congress” it
will be a
challenge to see
anything really
passed in the
near term.
Couple that with
the fact that it
is an election
year, where no
one steps out to
take a risk,
explains the
concept of
lengthy process.
The strategy is
to add this
cargo language
to a bill that
is actually
moving and one
that needs to be
passed. To make
that happen, we
will need the
support from
leadership in
both houses. Due
to the pending
IPA litigation,
congressional
leaders have
indicated that
they will not
address anything
that is in the
courts. There in
lies the
conundrum of DC.
That is the
long-range plan
for the cargo
cut out.
The biggest and
most egregious
challenge in
Washington DC is
the President’s
Budget that came
out over a week
ago. Even though
this budget is
DOA (dead on
arrival), we are
extremely
furious that the
FFDO (Federal
Flight Deck)
program was cut
in half in the
Fiscal 2013
budget. This is
evidence that
Washington again
is willing to
put aircraft,
their crews and
passengers at
risk because of
economic
considerations.
The Federal
Flight Deck
Officer (FFDO)
program is the
most
cost-effective
means of
aviation
security and is
in fact the last
line of defense
in the aircraft,
with officers
often paying
more
out-of-pocket to
participate in
the program than
the government
pays to fund the
position. It
costs the
federal
government a
meager $15 per
FFDO flight.
Even though the
President’s
budget will not
become a
reality, it is
disturbing that
the Homeland
Security
Administration
is playing their
cards face up in
an effort to
eradicate the
FFDO program. We
will continue
the education
campaign on the
Hill for the
FFDO program. We
will be meeting
with the FAMS
and TSA next
week. We are
working in
conjunction with
other pilot
unions and
organizations to
make sure that
this program is
protected. In
actuality the
FFDO budget
should be
doubled. For the
FFDO’s in our
FedEx pilot
group, take a
look at
www.FFDOA.org.
It is a great
organization
that supports
the FFDOs and
the program.
9/11 occurred
because 8 pilots
were killed
without the
means to defend
themselves. The
world was forever
changed and
trillions of
dollars were
spent because
of this horrific
event. FFDOs
serve as the
last line of
defense on an
aircraft. This
program needs to
be protected and
enhanced. It is
the most cost
effective
program our
government has.
We will keep you
posted as to
progress and
event outcomes.
You are key to
the legislative
process in
helping control
our future.
Thank you in
advance for your
help and
support.
Fraternally,
Captain Fred
Eissler
FDX Legislative
Affairs
Committee
Chairman
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Scheduling
Survey Results -
View them NOW! |
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We on the
Scheduling
Survey Team
would like to
thank those
individuals who
took the time to
complete the
2011 Scheduling
Survey. Of the
4,299 pilots
eligible to take
the survey, we
received
responses from
1,762
crewmembers or
just under 41%
of the crewforce.
This is a
statistically
significant
representation
of the
membership, and
we are confident
we can implement
the necessary
changes in the
bidpacks based
on your input.
Of those who
chose to
participate,
64.5% identified
themselves as
commuters. When
breaking down
the results by
bidpack, the
best response
rate came from
the ANC MD-11
crewmembers. We
received a
response rate of
62% from the ANC
Captains and a
67% response
rate from the
ANC First
Officers.
While looking at
the results, our
initial task was
to determine the
best methodology
in analyzing
your responses
to ensure their
maximum utility
to the bidpack
builders. The
best course of
action was to
take the
complete set of
data and break
it down by
bidpack and seat
position. In
doing so, we
felt we were
able to give the
builders the
specific desires
of their
“customers.” A
side benefit of
this tactic was
the elimination
of data that may
have been
construed as
skewing the
statistics. For
instance, an LAX
builder only
sees the
responses of the
LAX crewmembers,
but if he so
chooses he is
able to get the
responses of the
entire crewforce.
This was done to
alleviate the
justifiable
concern many of
you expressed
about being
forced to answer
questions that
were not
applicable to
your bidpack.
Once the data
was finally
tabulated, we
issued bidpack
builders their
respective
results set.
This was done as
soon as possible
so they could
begin to
incorporate your
desires into
their product.
We were able to
get them this
information in
time for the
build of the
February bidpack.
At this point,
we want to
emphasize that
the purpose of
this exercise
was not to
drastically
change build
practices
(unless
necessary based
on your inputs),
but to ensure
what we are
presently doing
is in line with
your desires.
You may notice
some slight
changes,
however, in line
construction
from what you
have seen in the
past.
We also intended
to get a report
out to the MEC
leadership as
soon as possible
based on the
survey results,
and were finally
able to make a
presentation at
the February MEC
meeting.
Going forward,
we are planning
on creating some
smaller, more
targeted surveys
to fine-tune the
information we
have received.
From the
questions with
write-in
results, we
realized there
is still more
information we
would like to
collect. We
understand the
crewforce is
probably a
little weary of
surveys, so we
will not be
sending out
anything in the
very near
future.
These surveys
will most likely
be simple 5-10
question
assessments
requested of a
segment of the
crewforce.
We also noted
from the
write-in answers
that there are
some
misconceptions
as well as
information we
feel would be
beneficial to
disseminate. To
that end, we are
planning on
submitting
future articles
from time to
time to respond
to some of your
individual
interests.
Finally, we
would like to
reiterate our
appreciation to
those of you who
submitted a
survey to us. As
always, if you
have any
questions or
concerns, or
would like
additional
information,
don’t hesitate
to get in
contact with us.
You can reach
your respective
bidpack builder
at the address
listed in the
bidpack. Please
click here
to view the
survey results.
In Unity,
Chip Fox
Gregg Hall
Robin Sebasco
Scheduling
Survey Team
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Carryover During
ITU Training |
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To bid or not to
bid - That is
the question.
When confronted
with this
question, it has
been a practice
for many pilots
to just simply
bid “highest
paying line
without
carryover”
considering that
carryover is not
paid while in
ITU training per
Section 4.I.5.c.
of the CBA.
However,
it is important
to consider that
although you
will not be paid
immediately for
the carryover,
those credit
hours go into
your general
make-up bank.
This will
enable you to
eventually pick
up trips out of
open time at
your convenience
and be paid for
those hours –
possibly at a
higher rate of
pay if you
upgraded.
If you have any
questions or
concerns, feel
fr*ee to contact
Contract
Enforcement at
901-842-2210 or
901-842-2211 or
send an email to
fedex-enforcement@alpa.org.
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Kids Playing For
Kids Foundation
Golf Tournament |
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Fellow FedEx
brothers &
sisters,
As many of you
know, we started
a Foundation a
few years back
to support kids
with
life-threatening
medical
conditions
pursuing their
dream of playing
sports and other
activities. Many
of you have
already made a
big impact of
spreading the
word, writing
articles, etc.
in support of
the Foundation.
I wanted to let
you know of our
1st Annual Golf
Tournament in
Phoenix on April
9th to raise
funds for these
great kids and
families. Below
is ALL the
information and
how to register.
This course is a
private,
BEAUTIFUL
course! It will
be in PRISTINE
shape as later
that week will
be their annual
"Member/Guest"
tourney. For
$85, it's a
GREAT value!
Just for that
price it would
be a steal to
play it, but you
will also be
receiving a golf
shirt, balls,
dinner, and
other goodies.
Click here
for more
information on
how to register.
Thanks for
your support,
F/O Jan
Tavrytzky
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LEC News
Council
79 Meeting
Notice (ANC)
ANC Special
Olympics |
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Council 79
Meeting Notice
(ANC) |
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Date: Tuesday,
February 28,
2012
Time: 1130-1430
Place: Snow
Goose Restaurant
(717 3rd Avenue,
Anchorage, AK
99501)
Agenda:
1. Council
Officers'
Reports
2. Committee
Reports
3. Council
Business
- Approval of Minutes
- Old Business
- New Business
Please make
plans to attend.
Spouses welcome.
We look forward
to seeing you
there!
Captain Susie
Latvala
Chairman
Susie.Latvala@alpa.org
First Officer
Ted Duell
Vice Chairman
Ted.Duell@alpa.org
First Officer
Bill Hubbell
Secretary-Treasurer
Bill.Hubbell@alpa.org
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ANC Special
Olympics |
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16th
Annual
FedEx Pilots Ski
Event for
Special Olympics
Alaska
Our goal is to
raise $2,500 for
this event.
Ski Buddies and
non-ski
volunteers are
needed at the
Special Olympics
Alaska Winter
Games March 10 th
and 11th,
2012. Pilots,
families, and
friends are
encouraged to
volunteer.
The competition
occurs at
Hilltop Ski Area
in Anchorage.
Donations of
$100.00 or more
will receive a
Special Olympics
Alaska/FedEx
t-shirt
(indicate the
size you would
like with your
donation).
Please put your
donation checks
in the events
locker in the
front of the
pilot locker
room or you can
mail them to my
address at:
7350 Kidron
Street
Anchorage, AK
99502
Make checks out
to Special
Olympics Alaska
or SO-AK.
Donation "Thank
You" letters
that include the
Special Olympics
Alaska Tax ID
number will be
sent to you.
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR DONATION!
For more
information,
please contact:
Doug Franz ANCFO
#446729
907-317-5136
douglas.franz@fedex.com
or
dtp717@hotmail.com
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Committee News
Upcoming
Accident
Investigation
Course
Message from the
Safety Committee
Upcoming R&I
Seminars
Bulletin for
Weather
Deviations in
the North
Atlantic
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Upcoming
Accident
Investigation
Course |
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The
4-day ALPA Accident
Investigation
Course will be
held in Herndon,
VA from April
10-13, 2012. Any
current
FedEx ALPA safety
committee
volunteer who
has
completed ALPA's Basic
Safety School
is eligible to
attend.
The prerequisites for
attendance are
the completion
on ALPA's Basic
Safety school
and the approval
of
the MEC Central
Air Safety
Chairman and the
approval of
the MEC Chief
Accident
Investigator.
Flight pay loss
and
transportation
costs can not be
provided. Hotel
room and per
diem will be
covered.
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Message from the
Safety Committee |
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To all of our
fellow FedEx
ALPA
crewmembers:
As many of you
may have heard,
there are lots
of things going
on at the MEC
level right now
that may cause
some talk among
us all, and
maybe even some
hard feelings
between various
factions/folks.
Please remember
that no matter
what is
happening around
us of a
political
nature, we still
have to do our
job safely and
professionally.
Come to work
prepared for
your day of
flying. Be
rested, be
familiar with
your departure
and destination
airports and
alternates, and
keep your mind
on the job at
hand.
Conversations
about
Association or
even National
politics most
certainly have a
place in all our
lives, but are nothing
but distractions
when flying
airplanes,
especially
during critical
phases of
flight. What may
start out
harmless
enough can
quickly escalate
to disagreements
that are
distractions you
don't need in
the cockpit. If
you don’t know what
I am talking
about here, give
your block reps
a call and get
informed. It is
important stuff
for times away
from flying.
Stay focused. We
have gone a fair
amount of time
without parking
any planes where
they don’t
belong, and I
think I can
say without a
doubt we all
would like to
keep it that
way. Gents and
ladies, leave
the politics for
the layovers.
Fly safe!
An ALPA Safety
Volunteer
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Upcoming R&I
Seminars |
The next
Retirement
Counseling
Session will be
held on
March 14, 2012
from 2:00-5:00
Central time
at the Embassy
Suites Hotel,
1022 South Shady
Grove Road
(North of
Poplar), Embassy
Hall-Regency
Room, Memphis,
TN.
For pilots who
are unable to
attend in
person, we will
provide access
to the session
via
teleconference.
In order to
streamline the
sessions and to
ensure the
highest level of
counseling, we
are limiting
each session to
20 pilots.
Spouses are
welcome to
attend these
sessions.
To register for
a Retirement
Counseling
Session, you
will need to
call the FDX MEC
office at
1-866/339-2572
(or 901-752-8749
in Memphis).
Please be
prepared to
provide your
ALPA member
number. The
deadline for
registration
will be the
Friday before
March 14, 2012.
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Bulletin for
Weather
Deviations in
the North
Atlantic |
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A study
presented at the
October meeting
of the ICAO
North Atlantic
Scrutiny Group
(SG/5) has
revealed that
a significant
number of
lateral
deviations on
the North
Atlantic were
due to a
misunderstanding
of
weather deviation
procedures by
pilots. Clearly
this presents a
potential for
loss of
separation
events;
especially
when a large
number of
aircraft divert
from track to
avoid build-ups
of severe
weather.
The
procedure for
weather
deviations is
described in
Chapter 13 of
the NAT Doc007
(formerly the
NAT MNPS Manual)
and is set out
in the bulletin
on the Flight
Safety Page of
the ALPA Web
Site here:
http://fdx.alpa.org/Portals/26/docs/Safety/natwxdev.pdf
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Miscellaneous
News:
3rd Annual
"Opening Eyes to
Autism 5K" in
Memphis
New! Seniority
Crystal Ball
Program on
Website
Thank You
Veterans Cruise
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3rd Annual
"Opening Eyes to
Autism 5K" in
Memphis |
The 3rd Annual
"Opening Eyes to
Autism 5K" will
take place on
Friday, April 13
beginning at 7
p.m. in downtown
Memphis. For
more information
on this great
cause, please
click here.
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New! Seniority
Crystal Ball
Program on
Website |
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We recently
added the
Seniority
Crystal Ball
Program to the
FDX MEC website.
This seniority
calculation
program will
show you what
your overall
system seniority
will be annually
until
retirement. This
is based on the
Age 65
retirement and
is drawn from
the data in the
ALPA database.
This information
while
interesting is
obviously a
worst case
scenario, as we
have no way of
projecting when
individuals will
leave the
seniority list.
To access this
program, look in
the Pilot
Services Tab,
or click
here.
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Thank You
Veterans Cruise |
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To our friends
and supporters
of veterans:
Please help us
provide a
memorable event
to thank the
Central Florida
veterans
returning from
their recent
tour of duty in
the Middle East.
So many of these
citizen soldier
veterans are
returning to
their community
only to discover
that their job
has disappeared
and their family
is in financial
distress. They
find that they
simply cannot
pick up where
they left off
over a year ago.
While there are
several
organizations to
help these
veterans, the
Corporal Larry
E. Smedley
National Vietnam
War Museum would
like give the
Central Florida
community the
opportunity to
thank them by
sponsoring a
very memorable
event - a three
day cruise to
the Bahamas. The
Museum’s goal is
offer 500 free
rooms to
returning
veterans and
their spouse or
special someone.
We then hope
that veterans
who have served
in previous
conflicts will
purchase tickets
to join them and
fill the
remaining rooms
on the ship.
This event would
be an enjoyable,
stress free
three days to
look forward to.
The cruise will
take place
aboard the Royal
Caribbean Cruise
Lines ship
Monarch of the
Seas, sailing
from Port
Canaveral on
Friday, December
7th, 2012 (Pearl
Harbor Day).
How can you help
us?
We invite you to
become a Program
Contributor.
Please refer to
the
accompanying
information
flyer.
For more
information,
please call Al
Schroeder,
Advisor to the
Museum Board and
Program Manager,
at 407 679 6674.
Please visit
www.thankyouveteranscruise.org
(website
currently under
construction).
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February & March
Disputed
Pairings
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In addition to publishing the disputed pairings flown each week, the Scheduling Committee has requested that we publish the current and following month's disputed pairings.
Disputed Pairings Flown:
February Disputed Pairings
MEM 727:
9/31Jan
9/01Feb
9/02Feb
9/07Feb
9/08Feb
9/09Feb
9/14Feb
9/15Feb
9/16Feb
9/21Feb
9/22Feb
9/23Feb
MD-11 ANC:
32/18Feb
76/08Feb
78/10Feb
82/15Feb
87/22Feb
March Disputed Pairings
MD-11 ANC:
73/29Feb
94/21Mar
MD-11 MEM:
101/05Mar
126/06Mar
136/20Mar
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This email is brought to
you by the FDX MEC. Any questions or comments
can be sent to
Courtney.Bland@alpa.org,
FDX MEC Communications Specialist.
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