Originally Posted by
3pointlanding
I want to start by saying that I no longer work for Atlas but having so feel I have the right to respond to notthesame. There is so much wrong with the post I am not sure where to begin but here goes. There are many reasons a pilot may go ex-patriot. In my case it was either get furloughed at TWA or take a chance for a position with SAUDIA with whom they had a contact. The post usually went senior but with the situation at TWA most stayed to protect their positions with the company, I was really lucky to secure time in the Kingdom, With the end of the contract I decided to stay in the Kingdom for personal reasons. Then along came Japan that was looking to expand their TOA Domestic Airline Operation, which later became Japan Air System. To say the least we were not welcomed and the union made it plain by failing 70% of us. We were to be on the contract for 5 years, I stayed 14 because I really loved Japan and the domestic flying, the wife loved Japan, the union finally came around, and the pay was great. As with anything good it had to end and there I was at Polar. Finally got too old and moved on.
Here is the bottom line, don't discourage the Aussies for wanting to come to Atlas on an E3 visa. They may have many reasons, as I had, but one of them is not to take your jobs. Posts like the ones I am seeing can only create a bad atmosphere in the cockpit. Personally I really like the Aussies and their brand of humor and I am sure they are working hard to make a good impression with the "Yanks". They are good people and I am sure good pilots so just get on with it and the international flavor. Who knows, you just might learn something. Just don't get into a game of rugby with them unless you enjoy hurt.
There is only one word I need to address in your entire post: contract. You took a contract. Nobody is offering contracts here. There is no contact renewal. You did what was best for you and
as i've said repeatedly I have no animosity towards the pilots themselves. The issue I have is this is just another tactic the company is using to artificially keep pay down, and they are abusing a temporary visa program to do it.
I'll ask again: Do you support US airline seniority lists being opened up to ALL pilots, regardless of nationality? And if so, what do you think it will do to our pay?
FedEx isn't sponsoring visas. Delta isn't sponsoring visas. Skywest, Spirit and Atlas are. What does that tell you?