Journal-News.com

By retired driver

November 9, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Tomorrow 11/10/08 you will hear the worst news from dhl. I have a private sorce and was told bad news from dhl. Wish i could share it with you but told to let them put it out

By Just Sad

October 16, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately, their attitude was, “We will build, they will send freight” Works better if you get the freight first The excess mgmt,people following on break - were DHL employees, Insisting that all procedures had to be changed - IMMEDIATELY. Totally unfamiliar with the overnight business - US Corporate expectations. They totally blew it. They were greedy men in suits-thousands of miles away-making bad decisions-sending bad management to enforce it. They lost & they are taking us with them.

By Just Sad

October 16, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately, their attitude was, “We will build, they will send freight” Works better if you get the freight first The excess mgmt,people following on break - were DHL employees, Insisting that all procedures had to be changed - IMMEDIATELY. Totally unfamiliar with the overnight business - US Corporate expectations. They totally blew it. They were greedy men in suits-thousands of miles away-making bad decisions-sending bad management to enforce it. They lost & they are taking us with them.

By Just Sad

October 16, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Sigh. Stop giving vicious tt attention. It makes him/her think they know what they are talking about. ABX had just grown to 11 hubs when DHL came into the picture. Besides painting EVERYTHING yellow and red, parking yellow and red trucks where signs weren’t allowed, building an autosort building with belts too small and weak, among other poor/cheap designs, they built new outbase hubs, (8 taking total to 19) within the space of a couple of years. Then they expected ABX to staff, train, etc.

By Previous Employee

October 13, 2008 3:39 AM | Link to this

I am a previous employee of DHL, and I’m sorry to see DHL dicking it’s employees again. I was one of many who worked their tails off to open their new air hub in CVG, only to be fired two years later. DHL was a great stepping stone for me in my management career because it taught me how to NOT run an operation and how to NOT treat people. The lessons that I have learned made me a more successful supervisor, and even helped get me a promotion at my present company!

By ripper

October 1, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

It’s sad to see such misery in the aviation communities that are so affected by UPS deal.

By Onkar

September 5, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

The yellow police have struck again!

By deboneace

July 2, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this

hang on wilmington people!! dhl will not sign wth ups, just wait, you will see.. keep the faith!! go wilmington!!

By Rob

June 30, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

http://avherald.com/h?article=408ec81b&opt=0

strange timing.

By deboneace

June 28, 2008 5:25 AM | Link to this

wilmington ohio is a fine community. wilmington schools and college are up there with the best of them. people here are country people, white ,black, indian,e.t.c. and country people survive own thier own, and when times are tough we continue to eat, and profit. we work hard. all employees here at abx represent hard workers and hard workers we are.. we can make it with out DHL! DHL ARE COMPANY BLOOD SUCKERS AND THEY CAN’T SURVIVE ON THIER OWN BUT COUNTRY FOLK CAN.!!

By deboneace

June 28, 2008 4:57 AM | Link to this

corection for my fist entry this is deboneace. thank god for freedom of opinion!! more to come!!

By beboneace

June 28, 2008 4:47 AM | Link to this

abx air was doing fine until they merged with with the germans that can’t run a buisiness on thier own let alone run a business in the states.BEWARE UPS YOUR TIME IS COMMING SOON DHL= DESTRUCTION OF HOMES & LIFES, AND THEY WILL SUCK THE BLOOD OUT OF YOUR COMPany too!! thank god for freedom of opion… from the ” debo bill” wilmington hub,

By Rob

June 15, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Hey, PAY ATTENTION! Two reasons that this is happening, and it’s not because of ABX air and their employees.

1. Teamster costs in the field. The Teamsters in New York, San Francisco have put the company in the red for so long that no amount of productivity gains could solve it. The pilots (teamsters) at least do an honest days work. Watch the drivers in New York some day (and New Jersey) and you’ll see why the company is bled dry.

2. FUEL PRICES. UPS has no magic oil well, they will FxCK you

By to in the know

June 13, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

First of all, how do you call someone greedy for wanting a job until 2010 when the contract was SUPPOSED to expire then? At least we aren’t a bunch of lazy bums and want to provide for our families. Would you call your child or spouse greedy for wanting their job? I don’t think so. UPS will be monopolizing the market and DHL will haul butt out of here eventually. ABX workers should have voted in the union. WE will see how the pilots make out better than others because they have one!

By IN THE KNOW..

June 13, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

People.. please understand that this is business. Global Business with farther reaching consequences than your local economy. Businesses exist to make money… not to provide jobs. Providing jobs is only a by-product.. a cost of business. I feel sorry for people that may be put out, but if it was your business how would your compassion fare against your greed?

By stick a sock in it

June 12, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Sally! Several of us were making plans for 2010 NOT before and if you would have read thru these pastings you would already know that! You would have also seen that DHL put a cap on our charter work at 10%! So take your ignorant comments somewhere else.

By Sally

June 12, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Its unfortunate, but its big business. You can’t be all your eggs in one basket and regardless of what federal, state, and local agencies review the deal, we live in America and its always a risk when you are employee of a multi-national company in this economy. Stop whining and start looking for a job. This should show folks you can’t get too comfortable working for someone else; you need to always have a Plan B and a Plan C.

By Ernst Brokbals

June 10, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

ABX Revenue 2004-2007 (in millions) YEAR DHL-RELATED NON-DHL-RELATED 2004 … … . .$1,176 … …$27 2005 … … . .$1,430 … …$34 2006 … … . .$1,212 … …$48 2007 … … . .$1,082 … …$90

By ati/chi

June 10, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

you will probably be fine because hete said that he can liquidate everything and pay off the bills, to pay for the aquisition of your companies i assume. you guys are his new pride and joy and we are the bast* child he wants nothing to do with right now. beware though,if i were you i would not trust hete at all! he may good to you now, but if he smells trouble, he will bail on you and take care of himself, again!

By The Healer

June 10, 2008 4:21 AM | Link to this

OK, I understand all what you guys are saying, and really feel sorry for all of you, but now my question is what about us? A.T.I (Air Transport International) and C.H.I (Cargo Holdings International) where do we stand? are we gonna be in business or not since ABX owns ATI & CHI. do you guys have any info on that?????????????? I NEED TO KNOW WHAT’S GONNA HAPPEN T US NOW BECAUSE OF YOUR ABX PROBLEM, TELL ME NOW ASAP, NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By The Healer

June 10, 2008 4:18 AM | Link to this

OK, I understand all what you guys are saying, and really feel sorry for all of you, but now my question is what about us? A.T.I (Air Transport International) and C.H.I (Cargo Holdings International) where do we stand? are we gonna be in business or not since ABX owns ATI & CHI. do you guys have any info on that??????????????

By i wish

June 9, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

hete and the rest of the board who sold us out and left with their golden parachutes complete misery for the rest of their lives. what goes around comes around and i wish i could see what each one of those worthless good for nothings get for putting 7,000 ohioans out of work.

By Ernst Brokbals

June 9, 2008 5:46 AM | Link to this

You have to understand the mentality of the beast , DPWN a few years ago saw ABX as a great opportunity to buy into the US domestic market.

To try and grow this market organically with their DHL unit would have been near impossible because the DHL network at the time was not really geared to compete with the likes of FDX and UPS on the ground , Personally I believe that what DPWN took over was a bunch of rubbish , from what I understand ABX were flying a lot of stuff around the country that was sold to the customer as a ground product and at ground rates. , also after the merger there were ongoing service problems , and loss of business , the original DHL unit made money because it was almost all International business at much higher rates , They had a much smaller A/c fleet which was flying to capacity, they also made use of commercial lift. I am not surprised that this has happened , DHL will not put at risk the rest of their world-wide operation because of 6000 or 10000 jobs in a small American town ( I am sorry to say). As for who would buy the condos , all those speculators who are making a bunch of money in the oil market.

By that's the dumbest thing

June 8, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

i’ve heard yet. If there are no jobs in Wilmington who would build condos? DUH!

By to frankfurt manager

June 8, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

What we don’t understand is how DHL managed to lose so much of the market when ABX had a 20% share of it prior to DHL.
AND we were to have a contract until 2010 unless you forgot that as well. I hope DHL and UPS crash and burn. I will use FedEx as will many people who have seen the ugly german monster.

By Ernst Brokbals

June 8, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

It would not surprise me if DPWN would like to offload the whole DHL brand to UPS at some stage in the future , DHL make a lot of money outside the US, neither Fedex or UPS can get close to the volumes that DHL have in Europe, Africa or the Middle East. But the US operation is a big problem for them ,with big losses , so getting rid of the hub and Aircraft is a good first move, UPS will then have control of DHL traffic , as for ABX/Astar , thats over, not enough business to keep flying , I think Wilmington airport will be sold to build condos. Can not understand how ABX management never saw this coming..

DPWN Manager Frankfurt

By quit giving tt what they want

June 6, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

TT has obviously shown their ignorance several times. I say to all of us hardworking people who have empathy and compassion for anyone who loses their job (ASTAR, ABX and why not throw GM into the mix) to STOP giving TT what they want, a response! He/She does not deserve the time or effort you waste on them. Let’s put our efforts into taking care of our families because they love us and appreciate what we do

By tt

June 6, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

I’m sure he wont,Walmart greeters are a dime a dozen. P.S. that is 12.

By DHL's a joke

June 6, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

Oh my God your so stupid.Like I said…you can’t even spell or make a complete sentence and your talking about farmers????Just so you know…and read this slowly since you probably don’t read much…..FARMERS CULTIVATE CROPS SO YOU CAN EAT….understand??? Interestingly enough if farmers didn’t raise crops and/or cows YOU WOULDN’T BE EATING. I can’t even begin to imagine how many farmers you’ve offended on here.And my husband won’t have a problem getting another job but thanks for your concern.

By tt

June 6, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

An by the way, why would I want to farm. That is for the redneck inbreeds to do. Now get out in the field and get me some corn.

By tt

June 6, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

24.30 a hour want to bet! Your sort mechanics only start at 11.75 hour. What a joke. Hell DHL paid mechanic helpers 15.00. Go the pay studs still to prove it……A college educated farmer? Hum must be from Wilmington College or they suck in there filed. Oh yeah, DHL did not buy ABX, they bought Airwhore, I mean Airborne. Ha Ha, have fun in the welfare line while I sit back and make my MONEY!!!!! GO Germans. Sh it on Joe Hete and all his little bitche$

By DHL's a joke

June 5, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Oh and by the way since I’m assuming you’ve never farmed before I’m going assume you have no idea what it takes to run a farm. There are alot of farmers around here with a college degree. I’m going to also assume since you can’t freakin’ make a complete sentence you probably didn’t get past the 9th grade. And by the way..DHL made the decision to buy ABX and move to Wilmington.Airborne had nothing to do with that. YOU NEED TO GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT! By the way that’s public record too.

By DHL's a joke

June 5, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

HEY TT!!!Your an absolute dumbass.First of all you were not making double what ABX employees were making.Second DHL screwed you over so why you are supporting them makes you even dumber.ABX had 18% percent of the market where DHL only had 2%.That would be public record.You really should have got your facts straight before coming on here talking about $hit you know NOTHING about.Thirdly b***h…you can’t even spell or make a correct sentence so how you got a job paying more than that baffles me.

By tt

June 5, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Hey I’m not bitter, I just think it is funny and how you sit and believe ABX management. I left there for a better job making even more than the $24.30 I was making a hour. All I can say is, WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND. You did not make your star because of the poor workers and because you keep stealing DHL blind. Tearing up boxes and letter. ABX sort maintenace is a joke. They couldn’t keep a tricycle working.

By hey tt

June 4, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

All I have to say is even though my husband will lose his job, I will do everything in my power to not be as bitter as you are. AND you should know facts before you share your ignorance with the world. The only reason the employees rarely got their STAR bonuses was because DHL did NOT meet the standards. That’s a matter of public record that has been documented as well. Yes, mistakes were made on both sides, there’s no doubt about that. What is wrong about this situation is the timing!

By tt

June 4, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

Oh and by the way, farming is not a talent and a 9th grade education doesn’t count…….Quit crying, there are plenty of fast food joints to work at up there.

By tt

June 4, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

Hey DHL”S a Joke, just so you know, I was one of the many DHL workers that had to go up to Wilmington and switch to ABX. The worst company to work for. Everyday was a joke. I had to listen to the ABX cry babies cry because DHL workers were making double the pay. Well just so you understand, educated people get paid more. DUH! AS for stealing, you carriers were throwing people mail and packages in the garbage, and thats documented. ABX, was hiding packages in trucks.

By Creep

June 4, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

wwwwwaaaaaaaaaaahhhh wwwwaaaaaaaahhhhh wah!!!!!!

By DHL's a joke

June 4, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Teresa Truesdell…you sound like a whiney a$$ kid…how old are you??? ABX is full of talented, educated, and hardworking people. And let me just tell you that while we were made to go through metal detectors the people that were bused in from Dayton were not which in turn is where alot of the stolen things were going. So don’t you dare assume you know anything about the people of ABX and the company. The employees are the ones paying for DHL’s MISMANEGEMENT OF MONEY!!!!!!!!!!

By TT

June 4, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

An by the way, if ABX is so great then why did their workers switch to DHL and why is ABX stock less than $2.Go eat at Damons and support the wealth of Joe Hete. An Astar pilots are so much better than ABX’s pilots.They use to be DHL before Fedex cried. I think it is funny. You are now learning how DHL people felt when they lost their jobs to a bunch of uneducated rednecks.

By Teresa Truesdell

June 4, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

CRY CRY CRY! DHL was doing just fine at CVG. They were always making money and had employees who cared about their jobs and about the packages. The biggest mistake was moving to a failing company, Airborne. ABX was the worst employees anywhere. They are uneducated farmers that only need the health insurance. They have been stealing DHL blind, that is why they had to put in so much security. ABX management is nothing but the good old boy network and are as stupid as stupid can be.

By BCS

June 3, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

The Best Case Scenario: The gov does not allow DHL & UPS to merge due to anti-trust. DHL is forced to stay w/ ABX & ASTAR. In an effort to help make a profit & keep contract, ABX merges with ASTAR. Duplicate positions are cut. DHL strives to improve image on ground delivery. End result: Fewer layouts in the short term. But all will be lost in the long term anyway if profit can’t be made.

By ATT/FTY Hub

June 3, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Hearing this new and reading all the posts really tears at my heart. I have been employed with ABX for 3 years now at the ATT Hub. We were told of the news last week. We knew that ABX would be highly impacted but not to the extent that I now know. I would like to know how big of in impact would this be on all the other Hubs. Yes, we too thought that DHL management sucks….especially when we couldn’t keep supplies in the buliding!!!!!

By to ex abx employee

June 3, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Never mind. I misunderstood what you wrote. I thought you meant it that today was their last day. I found the initial info on this site last Tuesday before anywhere else on the web.

By Ex Airborne Employee

June 3, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

Type in yahoo search engine Air Cargo World Online ” DHL Closing Wilmington Hub”. Click on result from yahoo search. Here is what Air Cargo World Online article states ” DHL plans to close its air sort hub in Wilmington, Ohio, as part of its far-reaching restructuring of its financially troubled U.S. express business. The air sort hub will be CLOSED once DHL phases out its outsourced flying with ABX AIR and ASTAR Air Cargo AND turns that business over to its competitor UPS.”

By where's the headline?

June 3, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

I don’t see that headline anywhere on that website!

By Ex Airborne Employee

June 3, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this

The headline at AirCargo World Online website states ” DHL Closing Wilmington Hub “. June 3, 2008.

By DHL's a joke

June 2, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

The sad reality is they don’t even care what this is doing to a community. My husband has worked for Airborn/ABX for 18 years. It was a well prospering company until the upper management got greedy and decided to sell it’s employees down the river by selling out to DHL. I have no idea how Carl Donaway and Joe Hete sleep at night. And pi$$ on Graber…he’s a piece of $hit too. They don’t care what happens to the employees…THEY NEVER HAVE! I’m sorry to all the fellow ABX employees…

By DHL's a joke

June 2, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

I love it so many people who have no idea what’s going on posting comments.They are paying $1 billion to UPS to do absolutely NOTHING.There facility is set up to handle the 3 million pounds without hiring many people.Even though I think Joe Hete is a piece of sh*t he did offer at the beginning of the year to save them $400 million.They pay ABX and Astar $1.2 billion which in turn if they would have taken the deal about saving them $400 million would have been cheaper than selling out to UPS.

By gmac

June 2, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

To Logical Thinker…. well I see you have drunk the DHL Kool Aid. DHL has been a revolving door for “experienced” managers who repeatedly mismanaged many, many aspects of DHL AND ABX. Building their “showplace” in Wilmington was just the tip of the iceberg. Why did they need to move at all? “Smart” business decisions that included $1M in desk chairs (at $900.@), a multi-million $ autosort building that hardly works. Their planning was poor and execution even worse. And all along they blamed ABX

By gmac

June 2, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

To all my ABX friends. My heart goes out to you, especially all those long timers who have so much of their hearts in their jobs. The stress you have all been working under since DHL entered the picture has been extrordinary, has been your response….. put your heads down and try to work harder. The egos of management for both companies have destroyed something many people valued. My prayers are with you. I highly suggest you contact ex-ABXers to see if they can help you find life after DHL.

By gmac

June 2, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

As a former employee of ABX Air I understand how DHL is bleeding money. I was not a part of Airborne, I came in after DHL, I never saw the Airborne described in these posts, but I was a part of management for ABX under DHL. DHL is bleeding money because they have duplicated so many ABX jobs, trying to do it their way. How can any company possibly be profitable when they have, in effect, double management for most mmanagement positions. UPS beware the TROJAN!

By to lightsleeper

June 2, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Hey light sleeper………..your a PIECE OF S##T !!!!!!! I hope to meet you one day. I think I could help you with your sleeping problem………jackass !!!!!

By moved on in "03"

June 1, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

I am a former 13 year employee of Airborne Express but I still have friends and some family working there under DHL. I chose to leave when DHL bought Airborne due to reasons there is not enough room to post here. I Do Not Regret my decision to leave when I did for it was Airborne that I loved working for not DHL.I would like to wish everyone affected by this terrible situation the very best of luck. All of you pull together buy the biggest lottery ticket hopefully win and stick DHL first.

By FUKDHL

June 1, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

May the German DHL crash and burn as a corporation just as the GERMANS did in World War 1 & 2 because of poor planning and stupid decisions. DHL your a failure because YOU are failures. Your the GERMAN joke and have no idea how to conduct yourselves and are spineless, classless pieces of s**t. EVERYONE SHOULD PLASTER THE USA TODAY with what DHL is doing and run them out of this country.

By to healer

June 1, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this

My husband was told 2 or 3 months ago that if DHL shut down the base and didn’t use us (ABX or whatever u want to call us now)they would NOT be relocated because they could pay someone else half the income to do the same jobs elsewhere. We were hoping since my husband works in a money making part of the company we’d have hopes of being relocated. Don’t think so…the reality is we are all screwed unless Hete comes up with a last minute brilliant plan and that is highly unlikely.

By The Healer

May 31, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

OK, I understand all what you guys are saying, and really feel sorry for all of you, but now my question is what about us? A.T.I (Air Transport International) and C.H.I (Cargo Holdings International) where do we stand? are we gonna be in business or not since ABX owns ATI & CHI. do you guys have any info on that??????????????

By KG

May 31, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

I am at a loss on what to do. ABX has been my only income from the past 12 years. I have raised 5 kids thru ABX on my own. Where am I going to get another job that pays as well as ABX?

By ABX pride

May 31, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

I have spent 22 long backbreaking years at Airborne Express/ABX Air and yes we have had hard times but nothing like what we are going through now. DHL destroyed a good company by coming in and doing what looks good on paper instead of what worked. They never wanted to put money where it needed to go…extra trucks to move freight…just spent money on all of that ugly yellow paint and a humongous building that wasn’t needed right away. I feel it was put there for show. Watch out UPS! U R next!

By UPSer

May 31, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Consider this.. many of you want to rush to ship Fedex. Fedex acquired another Ohio company, Caliber (which owned RPS). They operate a complete network of “independent contractor” drivers (they get no employee benefits} but they treat them as employees. Our government allows this by not cracking down on Fedex Ground and their illegal and immoral use of this structure. Meanwhile UPS employees thousands and gives them benefits employees have a right to earn. Fedex is a shell game just like DHL..

By UPSer

May 31, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

DHL invested in its Airborne acquisition by using funds gained from a government sanctioned monopoly on postage in Germany. Germany is smaller than Texas and they have the second highest postage in the world. They were allowed to then compete in free enterprise and bought AEI, Danzas, Airborne and Exel to name a few. Since the European commission now said they have to be profitable they have been flailing. They never have integrated their acquisitions. This is just the beginning for DHL….

By UPSer

May 31, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

I am sympathetic to those who might lose jobs. That is a very tough situation. I also though think that all need to consider the situation that was constructed by DHL, ABX and ASTAR. It was a shell game to allow a foreign owned company (DHL, owned by Deutsch Post - the German Government)to operate a US airline. So all the legal and financial structure was wrong from the beginning. Had Airborne not sold to DHL or been allowed to sell to DHL, this would not have ever happened….

By frustrated

May 31, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this

Alot of people were preparing for the our contract to not be renewed in 2010 and were making plans for that. We were to be told in 2009 if our contract would be renewed in 2010. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the probability was a low one so many of us started making preparations for this. None of us were ready to be told it would be a year or less! And what really sucks is as long as DHL is flying only 1 of our planes they are legally honoring our contract!

By not alot of notice

May 31, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

Hey logical thinker- we know of 2 people who have already been told that July 1st is their last day so many will have about a month’s notice, not a year. I believe 12 planes will be grounded in July and another 12 in August. That is almost half of the DC-9 fleet. They won’t need the 1,800 workers in maintenance if they are cutting the fleet by such a significant number. UPS outsources their maintenance and only has a line crew.

By Logical Thinker

May 31, 2008 4:54 AM | Link to this

The key to this will be how the ABX employees respond to this. The contract is said to run to Aug 2009. Lots more notice than many employees get about their job future. UPS won’t be bringing in thousands of new employees - they’ll be hiring the majority of existing ABXAIR employees. Sure, they’ll lose some seniority benefits and may have to shift from their current positions - ESPECIALLY management. But, those who are hired by UPS can look forward to the 10 year contract that will be signed.

By to logical thinker

May 31, 2008 2:35 AM | Link to this

I hope you are at the other end of the axe and take it with a grain of salt like you seem to expect us to do so when it based on “sound principle” and a logical change of direction. Did Hete always play well with others? NO! He let DHL keep a percentage of OUR raises to make them “happy”. The hard working employee was screwed again. Yes, to some extent everyone has a part in the fall of ABX/ASTAR, but DHL’s management sucked and had no clue how run this operation!

By Ex Airborne Employee

May 31, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this

I’ve wotked for 20 years for Airborne Express,and Abx Air. I worked here when Graham Dorland, Al Wiseman, Carl Donaway, Joe Hete, and now John Graber or Gruber in charge. The company WAS a great place to work when it was Airborne Express until it began to decline in the late 90’s ex. the ending of the profit sharing plan to name a few examples. Before this time frame it really was an employee centered company. Bob Cline and his cronies ( Joe Hete was one ) drove the company to ruin.

By Dan the Man

May 31, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this

Also,Mr. Logical Follower or Thinker or whatever the case may be, DHL sent up a poorly developed management team, comprised of leads and supervisors,who prior to DHL’s integration in 2005,never made decisons necessary for success in this giant sized sort center. The night operations management team from CVG’s plan was to contradict everything ABX did in order to eventually try and take over the whole sort.We see how smart that was.Greed and ignorance on the CVG groups part is the demise of ABX!

By Dan the Man

May 31, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

Hey Mr. DHL! You don’t know what you’re talking about. ABX said to wait until the following first or second quarter to integrate. DHL and its undereducated Management team moved up the date by 4-6 months. Even after they were told it was not ready. Guess who told them that……Yep. ABX AIR. I won’t knock Joe because he said it was a mistake in the summer of 2005.

By Logical Thinker

May 30, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this

I am in management, but not your management. I was involved in the integration which was given the green light by ABXAIR’s assurances that the integration was ready to go only to find it woefully undermanned. I understand that everyone is looking for someone to blame. Truth is, DHL & ABXAIR & ASTAR have all made mistakes. This latest decision, though, is based on sound principle and is a logical attempt to change the direction.

By i bet

May 30, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

logical thinker is in management. I suggest people know facts before they speak on these boards. DHL was not equipped the handle the increased volume and had not transtioned to the automated system when they had their advertising blitz. The missed connections were mostly ASTAR, not ABX. ASTAR almost always kept us from getting our monthly star bonus. NOT ABX. I guess it doesn’t really matter now, but most people don’t know enough to make educated comments on here.

By Logical Thinker

May 30, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

This is a smart business decision. The integration of the hubs, managed by ABXAIR, was a complete fiasco and resulted in the loss of millions of dollars of business and great damage to the reputation of DHL. Most of the delivery problems for DHL result from poor sorting at the hub and missed connections. DHL will continue to offer very good pricing without having to worry about the replacement of aging aircraft or costly maintenance. Every smart company in the world outsources all they can.

By poor Hete, NOT

May 30, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

Hete bailed ship just in time, don’t you think? I do not believe for one second it was a coincidence. Has Hete had the guts to see these employees face to face? No, that’s why he hired Graeber (sp?) to do the dirty work! When ABX workers (maintenance)asked about being transferred with the company 2 months ago (should DHL pull out), Shears (sp?) told them they would NOT transer them because they could hire someone else to do it for less than half the wages! That’s when Hete was still th

By Ignorance is Bliss

May 30, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

I can understand some frustration toward Hete, but what did you want him to do? Sell to Astar? No offense,but not near the quality as ABX. DHL would have run Astar the same way they ran themselves, into the ground in the US Market. There were no gaurantees for job security at that point neither. Everyone wants to point the finger to the man in charge, but it was the BoD who turned down the Astar deal. How does Hete have no balls? The no more than 10% revenue from outside DHL truly hadicapped ABX

By for confused

May 30, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

when abx air was airborne and under carl dunaway they could not pursue the charter business. we then became abx air and started getting charter work then dhl took us over and they put a 10% cap on it. so, we are screwed!if people were smart, dunaway and company would have let us actively puruse charter work and we could have stayed an american company running an american company and growing! but we got sold out twice. once by dunaway then by hete who has no balls!

By for confused

May 30, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

when abx air was airborne and under carl dunaway they could not pursue the charter business. we started getting charter work then dhl took us over and theyput a 10% cap on it. so, we are screwed!if people were smart, dunaway and company would have let us actively puruse charter work and we could have stayed an american company running an american company and growing! but we got sold out twice. once by dunaway then by hete who has no balls!

By Ignorance is Bliss

May 30, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

Not as easy as it sounds. DHL owns the airpark, ABX leases space from them currently. So ABX would have no location to operate out of. Another problem is when DHL bought Airborne Express, that included ABX’s book of business. Finding air cargo contracts in today’s economy with fuel prices is diffucult at best. In the current ACMI with DHL, DHL covered the cost of fuel, an extreme benefit for ABX. ABX is/was a great company, but when you have DHL paying the bills, it had to be done their way!

By confused

May 30, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

If Airborne/ABX was a good company before DHL, then why can’t it continue to be a good company after DHL? If DHL contracted ABX to do the air lift, can’t ABX now contract with another company to go the ground transport? ABX could then provide air cargo service for Ohio businesses that would be hurt if they left.

By LifeDoomed

May 30, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

The reason they lost money all the rennovating they did to building that was unnessccessary. They cried bout security that place has been there forever. Even years after 9/11 happened. All they were doing was fixing something that need not be fixed so they could cry they are losing and team up with another company while leaving us out in the wind with families and houses that we are going to lose. Maybe not to you guys but that means the world to some ppl. Who cares bout 900mill dollars. Idont

By LifeDoomed

May 30, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

The reason they lost money all the rennovating they did to building that was unnessccessary. They cried bout security that place has been there forever. Even years after 9/11 happened. All they were doing was fixing something that need not be fixed so they could cry they are losing and team up with another company while leaving us out in the wind with families and houses that we are going to lose. Maybe not to you guys but that means the world to some ppl. Who cares bout 900mill dollars. Idont

By Ignorance is Bliss

May 30, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

They say ignorance is bliss, and the sad thing here is how ignorant so many of you people are. Many are taking a completely irrational approach! Joe Hete, nor any other executive, is protected by a Golden Parachute if ABX or ATSG goes out of business! Do you not realize that? They lose everything as well. The almighty Golden Parachute is only relevant in case of a hostile takeover or buyout. And mind you, the shareholders turned it down, deeming it irrelevant in this occurrence.

By real world thinker

May 30, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Great idea, but what about those who cannot afford to kick in! The new and those within retirement? What do we do with them? Can the community afford to give new tax tax breaks after DHL? This would be a great solution if funding came forward. Wait, Hey Joey Hete, that should be easy enough with your golden parachute! The community, most of them, are trying to figure out what to do. Mayor is even working on additional trade for the area and wants to fight for airpark. Why won’t Joey?

By Prayer for ABX employees

May 30, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

I would just like to say that I know several people that work out at ABX they are hard workers every day they go to work to put in a full day. I still can not believe others think this is a laughing matter, or those ignorant comments that are being made. People will lose their jobs, income, insurances. This is not a laughing matter and I wish people would respect that. I want ABX employees to know they are in my prayers and many others.

By ABX wife

May 30, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Hey light sleeper, say bye-bye to property values! Sleep well!

By Barking bulldog

May 30, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Hey, Lets do the math 6,000 jobs (1 job = 1 person)

6,000 people X $10,000/person = $60 million

If everyone gets off there collective butts and invests $10,000 a new company could be created - leasing planes, equipment, facilities, etc., and with a little bit of help (tax breaks, interest free loans) a new company run by the people for the people should be able to stick it to “brown” and “blue”. Instead of bitchng lets DO IT NOW!! Power to the people!!!!!!!

By Barking bulldog

May 30, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Hey, Lets do the math 6,000 jobs (1 job = 1 person)

6,000 people X $10,000/person = $60 million

If everyone gets off there collective butts and invests $10,000 a new company could be created - leasing planes, equipment, facilities, etc., and with a little bit of help (tax breaks, interest free loans) a new company run by the people for the people should be able to stick it to “brown” and “blue”. Instead of bitchng lets DO IT NOW!! Power to the people!!!!!!!

By Barking bulldog

May 30, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Hey, Lets do the math 6,000 jobs (1 job = 1 person)

6,000 people X $10,000/person = $60 million

If everyone gets off there collective butts and invests $10,000 a new company could be created - leasing planes, equipment, facilities, etc., and with a little bit of help (tax breaks, interest free loans) a new company run by the people for the people should be able to stick it to “brown” and “blue”. Instead of bitchng lets DO IT NOW!! Power to the people!!!!!!!

By light sleeper

May 30, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Hey ABXwife, nighty nite

By ABX wife

May 30, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

JOE HETE, why don’t you grow a spine and come answer some questions for the employees? The prez has stepped up to try and help, yet you know more than you will share and you don’t even have enough respect for those who have made you look good. Recalling those dinners where you thanked all for their hard work and how you couldn’t do it without them, really is difficult. YOU OWE THEM RESPECT! Man-up and go face them.

By ASTAR Girl

May 30, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

We at ASTAR were also shocked and broken-hearted, and even angered by what is happening to our careers. It is a very sad and scary time for all of us at the Airpark. This decision is one that DHL had to make. Any one of us may have made the same decision. Would you want to employ 2 separate companies that cannot get along;pilots striking with blow-up rats, or one company with a damn good reputation? I see their reasons.Hete should be ashamed of himself. Poor Wilmington. Prayers for all!

By ABX wife

May 30, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

unless your house was built befor 50’s, airport was there before your house! you sleeping better? Go ahead! As your neighbors struggle to feed their families, you sleep well. ABX employees have stepped up to the plate everytime the community has struggled with need, disaster or loss. when the community struggled their hearts felt it and all you can do is slap them with an ignorant statement like you will be able to sleep better. ABX EMPLOYEES: STAND STRONG, YOU ROCK GUYS! THANKS FOR ALL!

By light sleeper

May 30, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

I’ll be able to sleep better now that the planes won’t be flying over my house so early.

By n/a

May 30, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

To byebye,

If you think this is a laughing matter, come laugh in my face. I dare you.

By ABX Employee

May 30, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

UPSer, you are putting a bad taste of UPS to everyone who is reading your comments right now and I would watch what it is that you are saying. I myself will NEVER ship UPS (it’s obvious never DHL either) and there are 10,000 families that are affected here worldwide that will also NEVER ship UPS, you will soon be in this same boat someday.To the ABX Air employees, there are so many husband and wife teams that work here and are losing everything, you are all in my prayers!

By to UPS Dude

May 30, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Hey UPS Dude, Truth is, those who couldn’t cut it at ABX work for UPS. Your quality minded supervisors come from the quickmart.Don’t be so quick to make rash statements about over-paid, ignorant, underskilled workers at ABX. Even UPS gets some things right and these poor ignorant displaced workers could become your boss! The quality and dedicated employees at ABX don’t have a union to back them when they get hurt. Funny thing is, they go to work and do a great job because THEY do it right.

By byebye

May 30, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Bye Bye Wilmington Economy hahahhhaaa

By danny45385

May 30, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

I worked for abx in 99/2000. I worked in PC repair and i quit because 1), they were using Windows 3x operating systems and no one in the department including the supervisor were technically educated. 2), they made record profits that year (99) and in my department the only ones that were given raises were the leads and supervisors.
I knew it was only a matter of time before a company ran in this manner would be bought replaced or bankrupt. I feel for the whole 7000 minus the sups and leads.

By hey dude

May 30, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

Oh my goodness! Here we go again with judging the entire work force by a few bad apples! My husband has been busting his butt! His supervisor and lead are always eyeing them like hawks. They even changed around leads just do they could have someone “spy” on the workers! And that info came from someone within management. My hubby couldn’t even go on break without management following them out and eavesdropping!

By Intheknow

May 30, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Painful Truth, your making comments about something you know nothing about. The only union in Wilmington is the pilots union. I haven’t heard anything out of them as of yet. The majority of the people working at ABX don’t have a union to look out for them. Fact is Airborne might not have had the best equipment but they knew how to make it work and they made money. DHL came in and invested money in a system that doesn’t work. Now ABX employees are paying for it.

By Dude

May 30, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

Folks this is business. To compete, DHL is moving their business to UPS who is likely doing the same work cheaper and quicker.

Everyone at ABX who took the extra long lunch once a week, or had a buddy punch them in on the time clock has a part in why DHL moved.

I have lived in cities where a major employer left. At first there is shock, but the city can recover and be stronger.

Nothing is ever black and white, look at the gray and try to understand.