FedEx puts order on hold!

**Streakn1** · 03-24-2009, 09:03 PM

According to Fox News today, FedEx has postponed an order for 30 new cargo jets at a price of $225,000,000 each to be built. The report did not say if they were for replacements of aging aircraft in their fleet or an expansion to their fleet count. This postponement is due to potential changes in the government's jurisdiction regarding labor laws, according to the Fox report. A bill currently in front of Congress would place FedEx under the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act rather than the Railway Labor Act. If certain changes are implimented this could make it much easier for FedEx employees to unionize.

One has to ask then, what if the FedEx employees nationwide where able to unionize? What changes to the Fed as we know it would come regarding benefits, etc?

Sadly, in these precarious economic times this is the last thing the aircraft builders need as more and more orders for aircraft are being postponed or all together cancelled. This order alone was expected to create thousands of jobs for Boeing employees, GE ( the engine builder) and hundreds of sub-contractor companies.

One other thought while on the subject of FedEx:
We were deeply saddened to hear of the loss of two FedEx pilots over the weekend in Tokyo. Our hearts are with their families. To watch the video footage of the crash is almost un-bearable. They never had a chance.

As I write this thread I'm at the US Customs lot at the end of the Miami Int. Airport's runways. The FedEx air terminal is situated directly across the runway from my position. As I sat out on my deck this evening watching the jets landing and taking off, there were several FedEx jets parked in the background. The thought of two souls lost brought a tear to my eyes and a prayer was said on their behalf and for all of those who choose to enjoy the thrill of flight.

If you wish to read the full story regarding the order, you can find it on Yahoo news as written by the Asssociated Press.