Originally Posted by
captainv
White Cap, I know you've been there and done that at previous carriers, certainly you've fought more fights than I ever will, and you have my respect.
But since I serve on several committees...
This web board is about educating future Atlas pilots (and maybe even some current ones). I have helped a number of friends get hired here and will continue to do so, but they'll hear about the good, the bad and the ugly, which is exactly what I try to do by posting here.
Sick of the negativity? Don't want to hear it? That's your choice. I do everything I can to enjoy my time here - with great crews and great layovers and even when a particular crew or layover isn't so great.
But I've got to be honest, things have taken a turn recently. A few months ago, I was pretty upbeat. With a united pilot group, I figured we had a good shot at greatly improving our lot here, despite having a CBA that pays 40% less than industry standard (Southern's bankruptcy CBA pays 60% less). Even after the Southern deal was announced, I was optimistic. Handled properly (like the Delta-NWA merger), it could be a boon for all parties involved, management, Atlas and Southern pilots.
But that's not the direction they've said they want to take. An amalgamated contract would be a death blow to the idea of this being my job until retirement. What frustrates me most is that this could be such a kick-a$$ job. But what's been holding us back so far? The pilots? Nope, it's the multiple, repeated failures from HQ, who make the same mistakes over and over, no matter how many times we tell them about it. And now they want to take this crappy contract and weaken it even further? I guess I just don't see how that doesn't get everyone fired up. What more would it take?
But, back to your point, I can get my crews up to speed on current events in just a few minutes. As long as my crew wants to talk about this stuff, we'll talk about it. There's a lot of confusion, misinformation and fear out there. But there's still plenty of time to enjoy the flight, get to know each other and have some fun. I just don't see ignoring the problem as a viable solution.
This is a well thought out post and I appreciate the concise summary of the situation. But I think most of us new hires understand the situation, have opinions, and are committed to doing our part in making it a better place. The problem is that some people are selfishly using this NEW HIRE THREAD as their vector to take a p1ss on... something, someone.
Atlas might not be going through its best moment, but it is still a big milestone for a lot of us. I feel very happy that I am taking this step in my life, just like I am sure all of you did. Yet this seems to bother some people, even though I am sure they went through the same when they were new-hires. Just because we are not already frustrated by management practices doesn't mean we are naive, and just because we are happy to be joining the team doesn't mean we are insolent.
By this point all of us have a history dealing with managements, some of it very toxic. We are not children, we are all professionals. So yes, it's getting old very quickly to come to this thread for *practical* information to make our lives easier at the start, only to be condescended to by some because they felt their shouting would get more attention here than in the other thread created for that specific discussion.