Station Identifiers and The RLA

[MrFedEx]

The vast majority of FedEx stations use a 3-letter airport identifier (e.g. LAX), which has the very intentional purpose of "proving" FedEx is an airline. In the case of LAX, FedEx aircraft do actually use this airport, but for most locations, your "Airport ID" is probably associated with either a). an airport that has absolutely zero to do with FedEx aircraft, or b). a location that is many miles from the airport that has little to nothing to do with FedEx aircraft, or c). an airport that has an indirect, but far-removed connection with FedEx aircraft. This makes no sense, except as it pertains to the perpetuation of the RLA.

Back to LAX. Lets say you work at one of the many satellite stations surrounding Los Angeles. Your freight might come-in to LAX, but your station ID is still for the local airport, even if the biggest thing that lands there is a Piper Cub, or was paved-over 30 years ago for a business park. This usually holds true for stations that are many, many miles away from where their freight arrives. While there are certainly exceptions, most stations have a deliberate airport association, even if there isn't one.

Once again, is FedEx an airline with trucks, or a trucking company that operates aircraft? I vote for the latter. And check to see if your town once had an airport that no longer exists. If it does, I can almost guarantee you that FedEx is using that defunct airport identifier for your station.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I have noticed the station identifier on the Express package cars here is the same as the FAA identifier for our local airport.

 

[FedExRookie]

We'll I'll give it you this time around, you said something informative, left out all the hyperboles, and managed to fit your opinion into it.

Just checked five stations, all of them are some sort of airport, some of them are some tiny airports that mainly do private flights.


I always knew the fourth letter signified it was a station, I never knew how they came up with the first three.


Edit: Wow, they use two military base identifiers over here

 

[bbsam]

Well, the waters have become even further muddied over the years. FDX can argue that Express is indeed an airline with trucks and thus claim the RLA and then point to it's other opcos as being trucking companies under that corporate umbrella that are covered by the NLRA.

 

[MrFedEx]

I have noticed the station identifier on the Express package cars here is the same as the FAA identifier for our local airport.

Sometimes they match, but often they don't. My station uses the identifier for a general aviation airport that closed over 25 years ago and never saw even a Caravan. It is now a business park. Our ramp is about 50 miles away, yet all the surrounding stations still use airport identifiers that are either defunct or for very small general aviation fields. Bottom line: A ploy to make it seem we are an "airline", when the vast majority of FedEx locations get their freight in a truck.

 

[MrFedEx]

We'll I'll give it you this time around, you said something informative, left out all the hyperboles, and managed to fit your opinion into it.

Just checked five stations, all of them are some sort of airport, some of them are some tiny airports that mainly do private flights.


I always knew the fourth letter signified it was a station, I never knew how they came up with the first three.


Edit: Wow, they use two military base identifiers over here

Good point on the military base identifiers, which are also a huge stretch.

 

[MrFedEx]

Well, the waters have become even further muddied over the years. FDX can argue that Express is indeed an airline with trucks and thus claim the RLA and then point to it's other opcos as being trucking companies under that corporate umbrella that are covered by the NLRA.

They can have their "airline", as long as those of us in the trucking business get our NLRA status. Pilots and directly associated employees can be Fred's airline folks, but the rest of us need to be NLRA.

 

[bbsam]

They can have their "airline", as long as those of us in the trucking business get our NLRA status. Pilots and directly associated employees can be Fred's airline folks, but the rest of us need to be NLRA.

But you have pointed out the separation of opcos. As long as Ground doesn't make Express pickups etc. Fred can legally claim couriers as airline employees.

 

[MrFedEx]

But you have pointed out the separation of opcos. As long as Ground doesn't make Express pickups etc. Fred can legally claim couriers as airline employees.

So far, but most Express couriers have little to do with an "airline". If you look at a real airline, like Southwest, everyone who works there is directly-tied to it...not so at Express. The vast majority of FedEx employees are truck drivers who never see a FedEx aircraft, hence the "trucking company that operates aircraft" thinking. My station gets most of it's P2 from an airport 800 miles away that is trucked, and the only people at my station who ever enter an airport are shuttle drivers.

Sure, FedEx operates aircraft, but they are in support of a delivery/trucking function that dwarfs the airline segment.

 

[MrFedEx]

I have noticed the station identifier on the Express package cars here is the same as the FAA identifier for our local airport.

UPS also operates a large aircraft fleet and has dedicated air drivers as well as combination drivers. Why aren't they an "airline" too?

 

[ManInBrown]

Wow. Learn something new every day. 10 years I spent at FredistheDevil and never knew what my station identifier stood for. It's a small business airport 30 miles away.

 

[bbsam]

UPS also operates a large aircraft fleet and has dedicated air drivers as well as combination drivers. Why aren't they an "airline" too?

I think they tried to be. But then again, all their drivers can pick up air packages.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

UPS also operates a large aircraft fleet and has dedicated air drivers as well as combination drivers. Why aren't they an "airline" too?

On the weekends we are---they retrofit the planes and use them for charter flights.

 

[Mr. 7]

The latest "scare" tactic at our sta. is supposed TSA agents trying to get into or onto our sta. property un-announced, un-escorted to see if they can make it into the bldg. and supposedly try to put a pkg. in the system.

The story is, if any of us see someone we don't know, we're supposed to challenge them and if we don't, we get to pay an $11,000 fine. Supposed to have happened already, in TN, I think.

 

[Operational needs]

The latest "scare" tactic at our sta. is supposed TSA agents trying to get into or onto our sta. property un-announced, un-escorted to see if they can make it into the bldg. and supposedly try to put a pkg. in the system.

The story is, if any of us see someone we don't know, we're supposed to challenge them and if we don't, we get to pay an $11,000 fine. Supposed to have happened already, in TN, I think.

This happened at my station a few years ago. One came past the counter into the front office and one came in one of the bay doors. The STATION had to pay a $20,000 fine. HUGE deal. Our bay doors that are outside the fence now have automatic closers on them. Don't believe what they tell you about the consequences of not challenging a visitor. It's a lie.

 

[dezguy]

The latest "scare" tactic at our sta. is supposed TSA agents trying to get into or onto our sta. property un-announced, un-escorted to see if they can make it into the bldg. and supposedly try to put a pkg. in the system.

The story is, if any of us see someone we don't know, we're supposed to challenge them and if we don't, we get to pay an $11,000 fine. Supposed to have happened already, in TN, I think.

I love how we're supposed to challenge anyone we don't know wandering around on the property. What if that person has a gun or has a bomb strapped to them? According to FedEx we're supposed to put our lives on the line.

 

[Operational needs]

I love how we're supposed to challenge anyone we don't know wandering around on the property. What if that person has a gun or has a bomb strapped to them? According to FedEx we're supposed to put our lives on the line.

I agree. If they're that worried about it, hire a rent-a-cop. The title after my name says 'courier', not security.

 

[dezguy]

FedEx has never sent me for personal defense training. FedEx doesn't supply me with a gun, tazer or pepper spray. My sole goal when I leave for work in the morning is to come home safely to my family and I'll be dammed if I'm going to risk that playing security guard for FedEx. If someone else wwants to be Rambo, God bless but I'm sure as hell not going to.

 

[!Retired!]

I love how we're supposed to challenge anyone we don't know wandering around on the property. What if that person has a gun or has a bomb strapped to them? According to FedEx we're supposed to put our lives on the line.

Wouldn't you die if you didn't 'challenge' them?

 

[Route 66]

Wouldn't you die if you didn't 'challenge' them?

Not necessarily if I'm keeping my distance. I've long had an issue with this "challenge everyone...or else" policy. If they want to issue fines for an employee's failure to challenge, then how about conversely ponying up a cash reward for those who do? I feel I'm far more likely to take a silent knife through the ribcage for attempting to thwart a determined terrorist, than by getting blown up by whatever he/she may be trying to sneak aboard an aircraft - especially if I'm not even flying out on the damn thing....my message: want us to be heroes?, then pay us for it (and issue us all Glocks). Every time an employee successfully challenges the TSA, they can cut him a check for $20,000.

Fair enuff, TSA?