757's coming to ATI is not growth. This will be a one for one replacement for the DC8 combi. So not really a net increase in flying seats. Might see an occasional use of an IRO, so I could concede perhaps a few more bodies needed. But a real stretch to call this projected growth.
IMHO a merger with Capital is likely. This will be ugly for the Abx folks at ATI.
Then a merger of that combined entity is likely after with Abx.
All this will mean is years of uncertainly and furloughs.
ATSG has probably the worst relationship with its employees in the industry and has a habit of using furlough as a means to bully its pilot groups into acceding to its demands.
They have and would furlough when short of pilots to create a false sence of doom/instability within the labor groups.
Either way, why would someone voluntarily jump from a position of seniority at another job to being junior in this fracas?
As an FYI to any prospective Abx wanna be, the bottom 20-30 guys on the list have all been furloughed at least 2-3 times. Some are on there 4th.
Abx has also furloughed New Hires in class. Not sure they even made it to systems before this happened.
Think long and hard before making this decision.
Abx is not a great career choice at this point in time.
