It sounds likely that ATI will start this new work out of Jakarta operating two or three 767s. Operating out of a distant station will probably require 12 or 14 crew members per plane. So, two or three planes will require 24 to 42 crew members. With this new work coming, it would seem that ATI would be recalling instead of furloughing more.
If we were not in the middle of this merging process, how much lead time would ATI need to get ready for the Jakarta work? The ATI CBA says:
“E. Recall Notice
Furloughed Crewmembers shall be notified of their recall in Category in writing. The notification shall specify a date of return to Active Service. A recalled Crewmember may, but shall not be required to, return to active duty less than 21 calendar days after the date of receipt of such notice. The time of receipt by recipient's post office will apply for the time limit specified. When justifiable circumstances exist, additional time to report for duty may be permitted by the Company.
F. Recall Notice Answer
Each Crewmember shall answer the recall notice in writing. Such answer must be received by the Chief Pilot within seven calendar days from the time when receipt of the recall notice has been made at the Crewmember's last filed address, and shall state the Crewmember's intent to accept or reject recall as provided in paragraph 8.G., below.”
That means it would take at least a month before a crew member could even start back at work. Then there would probably be some additional training or other preparation since the furloughed crewmembers have been out for such a long time now. That means ATI should be recalling furloughed pilots now or earlier to get ready for the new flying in mid-January. Instead, they are sending Capital guys through indoc and making plans to phase out the 727s. What's next? Differences training?
The company is manipulating this process because Capital guys cost less. Please understand that I am not blaming the Capital guys. They're are just doing what they're told to do. I blame management and I blame ALPA for refusing to address this problem. Some people would say that you can't blame management for trying to get the lowest coast labor they can get in a union environment. There are two side to that argument and I'm not going to get involved in that debate. However, I think ALPA has a clear duty to represent all member and they are failing to do so.