Ok, but by doing this I would think there would be some eyebrows raised regarding Express and RLA as well as the ISP service model since both opcos will be handling each others freight?
All already discussed before.... (I know my stating this gets old, but there is A LOT which has already been discussed).
The RLA covers the EMPLOYEES of Express. NOT the freight Express moves.
The FAA regulations apply to the freight of Express, from the time it is tendered for shipment, till it reaches its destination airport. Once the freight leaves the destination airport, the FAA is no longer concerned with the freight - from that point it merely falls under regular DOT regulations (which Ground is covered under, as well as Express).
If anything, this will STRENGTHEN the whole argument Express has for keeping the DGO employees under RLA (should there be another attempt to get them removed). With DGO only
delivering overnight volume in the future (deferred volume will still be picked up - again, covered in prior threads), the argument that Express is an "Express Carrier" (as defined by the RLA), is only strengthened - and therefore the "need" to keep the Couriers under RLA will only gain traction with those in Congress who don't know what the hell is going on.
Fred and company have completely planned this out and analyzed all angles. The only question that remains to be answered is: "Can they (Express) pull it off without the wage employees realizing what is happening before it is too late for them?".
My bet is yes, they can pull it off. I'd hope that the wage employees realize before it is too late and do something, but I was proven wrong back in 2010 when it came to this and have no reason to believe otherwise now. Maybe, maybe the wage employees will come out of their collective stupor and start doing something about it - I'd be delighted if that were the case. However, I don't honestly think that will occur. Fred and company have proven themselves master strategist when it comes to playing the wage employees, they know their workforce quite well (benefits of decades of SFA surveys I'd imagine).
There are just too many KoolAid drinkers, topped out Couriers and part-timers who are passing though, to give Express any real worry at this point. With the "victory" in the change in voting rules for RLA elections, I'm sure Memphis is rather confident that they have this all in the bag.