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How about some rampant speculation?
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<blockquote data-quote="Ricochet1a" data-source="post: 950240" data-attributes="member: 22880"><p>While the title of this thread is "How about some rampant speculation", what I've posted is either directly taken from documents I've viewed (I clearly state this when I post), taken from conversations with people who have seen documents or been a party to a conversation which I have not personally or been consensus among the group I communicate with. I do my best to identify which category the information I post is derived from.</p><p></p><p>The <em>consensus</em> regarding RTDs is that Express wouldn't use Ground drivers to move Express air cargo containers. I know there have been posts regarding the existance of Ground trailers with roller beds. </p><p></p><p>The primary reason why it is believed that Express RTDs would do the movement has to do with airport security clearances. Express RTDs are already cleared for access to airport property. Ground drivers are not in most instances. </p><p></p><p>The movement of Express cans would require them to be tracked in Express' system, as to exact location and utilize Express RT routing numbers. Even the movement of empty cans requires can numbers be entered into the system which shows exact location or vehicle upon which they are loaded into at all time. Most RTDs are familiar with the system which allows history of ULD movement to be precisely tracked within the Express system, even down to the condition of the can and load when "built" (filled with packages/freight). When contract carriers are used for movement of Express containers, Express personnel perform all the necessary data entry as to which cans are on which route (VSL CONS, etc). </p><p></p><p>While it isn't beyond the capability to have Ground semi drivers move the cans from the airport to the Ground terminals, then move the emptied cans to Express stations for reload, it is believed that FedEx will avoid doing this, just to avoid any issues with SIDA/FAA regulations or even RLA status for Express. If Ground semi drivers start moving around Express volume before it arrives at Ground terminals (constructive cartage agent), there is an opening for Express to lose the RLA argument for the movement of ULDs - and thus the RTDs. Express wants to ensure that no existing employee can possibly be moved out from under RLA classification for any reason whatsoever. RTDs are one of the PRIMARY groups which Express wants to ensure stay under the RLA - they have the ability to cripple the Express operation should they gain the ability to organize on a local level. </p><p></p><p>To be clear, the exact process/method of moving volume from ramps to Ground terminals wasn't a topic in the documents I have seen or others have reported to me. This would be worked out in implementation of plan, not within the scope of business planning documents. I'm sure that if a decision has been made to shift the delivery of non-overnight over to Ground, that detailed operational planning has been performed, but I haven't been presented any documents which illustrate this, nor have those I communicate with stated that they've seen such operational plans. In order for a business plan to be put into effect, operational planning MUST be performed, and these are the documents which are currently being sought by those I communciate with - to date, none transmitted to me or even stated to exist by my sources. </p><p></p><p>This is why this supposed significant increase in volume in Ground come date certain in July is puzzling. There is no word of UPS losing any major customers. There is no word of Ground picking up volume from USPS (to the tune of 900,000 pieces a day). We are looking into whether or not SmartPost is going to be expanded somehow, to generate an additional 900,000 pieces a day (anticipated). If this bit of information regarding the significant anticipated increase in volume moved by Ground is accurate, there is no confirming information from other sources which would make sense of it. So far, the only rational explanation is that FedEx has indeed pulled the trigger on shifing volume over to Ground for delivery. However, absent ANY other confirming data - this supposed increase of volume for Ground is puzzling - if not outright suspicious in its origins.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ricochet1a, post: 950240, member: 22880"] While the title of this thread is "How about some rampant speculation", what I've posted is either directly taken from documents I've viewed (I clearly state this when I post), taken from conversations with people who have seen documents or been a party to a conversation which I have not personally or been consensus among the group I communicate with. I do my best to identify which category the information I post is derived from. The [I]consensus[/I] regarding RTDs is that Express wouldn't use Ground drivers to move Express air cargo containers. I know there have been posts regarding the existance of Ground trailers with roller beds. The primary reason why it is believed that Express RTDs would do the movement has to do with airport security clearances. Express RTDs are already cleared for access to airport property. Ground drivers are not in most instances. The movement of Express cans would require them to be tracked in Express' system, as to exact location and utilize Express RT routing numbers. Even the movement of empty cans requires can numbers be entered into the system which shows exact location or vehicle upon which they are loaded into at all time. Most RTDs are familiar with the system which allows history of ULD movement to be precisely tracked within the Express system, even down to the condition of the can and load when "built" (filled with packages/freight). When contract carriers are used for movement of Express containers, Express personnel perform all the necessary data entry as to which cans are on which route (VSL CONS, etc). While it isn't beyond the capability to have Ground semi drivers move the cans from the airport to the Ground terminals, then move the emptied cans to Express stations for reload, it is believed that FedEx will avoid doing this, just to avoid any issues with SIDA/FAA regulations or even RLA status for Express. If Ground semi drivers start moving around Express volume before it arrives at Ground terminals (constructive cartage agent), there is an opening for Express to lose the RLA argument for the movement of ULDs - and thus the RTDs. Express wants to ensure that no existing employee can possibly be moved out from under RLA classification for any reason whatsoever. RTDs are one of the PRIMARY groups which Express wants to ensure stay under the RLA - they have the ability to cripple the Express operation should they gain the ability to organize on a local level. To be clear, the exact process/method of moving volume from ramps to Ground terminals wasn't a topic in the documents I have seen or others have reported to me. This would be worked out in implementation of plan, not within the scope of business planning documents. I'm sure that if a decision has been made to shift the delivery of non-overnight over to Ground, that detailed operational planning has been performed, but I haven't been presented any documents which illustrate this, nor have those I communicate with stated that they've seen such operational plans. In order for a business plan to be put into effect, operational planning MUST be performed, and these are the documents which are currently being sought by those I communciate with - to date, none transmitted to me or even stated to exist by my sources. This is why this supposed significant increase in volume in Ground come date certain in July is puzzling. There is no word of UPS losing any major customers. There is no word of Ground picking up volume from USPS (to the tune of 900,000 pieces a day). We are looking into whether or not SmartPost is going to be expanded somehow, to generate an additional 900,000 pieces a day (anticipated). If this bit of information regarding the significant anticipated increase in volume moved by Ground is accurate, there is no confirming information from other sources which would make sense of it. So far, the only rational explanation is that FedEx has indeed pulled the trigger on shifing volume over to Ground for delivery. However, absent ANY other confirming data - this supposed increase of volume for Ground is puzzling - if not outright suspicious in its origins. [/QUOTE]
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