Lookin' "dashing" in that Cherokee 180, bruh

 

What the ....

I am damned glad your turning down Atlas.

 

I hope that you have a long, safe and productive career.

But you are in for one brutal education. Real life is not like college, and it certainly is not like Econ 101.

You are going to be a work unit. Nothing more. Your average used car salesman is more interested in you as a human being than your average CEO is.

 

Anyone that is hired from this point forward, do not be impressed with yourself. Atlas is desperate to show the pilot group that there is no pilot shortage. Good luck, you can do better.
On a brighter note, if you do get hired,then the company sees you as someone who cannot be hired by a major. It's a Win/Win, just not for you.

BayBum

 

Union negotiations have nothing to do with "market rate for labor." In fact the fundamental reason for unions is to protect labor against it. Any schmuck can be a longshoreman but those guys have such a strong union they can charge a massive premium for their services despite the fact the company could find an army of people willing to do it for less.

Atlas will not have trouble finding warm bodies to fill classes. They could hire pilots that even the regionals would think twice at if they wanted. They may see their pass rate suffer and get an even closer look at by the FAA (who's already quite interested in the way things are being done around there). They might even have an accident or two (much like the 2 hard landings in the 747 lately). However they won't ever not be able to fill classes.

The union on the other hand doesn't have to play that game. Informational picketing at job fairs will help by keeping Atlas from hiring the pilots they want and resort to lower qualified guys willing to take the risk. However to bring the company to the negotiating table it will take slowing the operation down by following the CBA exactly, liberally writing up airplanes for mechanical issues, and most of all not pushing to get an airplane out on time.

Saying there are plenty of pilots out there to accept the current contract (or even a worse one after amalgamation) is a strawman argument to a contract negotiation. Union pilots should have no concern of who a company could hire but solely on how to make life better for those who are currently on property.

 

Okay guys, I've read pretty much all of the thread and have a couple of questions regarding the current company issues. I'm an all military-time heavy driver who's currently in the application process. I took and passed the online test recently and am hoping for an interview call.

My question is primarily around the management vs pilots issues right now and come from the perspective of someone who has never been in a union or dealt with a CBA, so please bear with me. From looking at BayBum's post above it appears that there is potential for a hostile attitude towards people who are hired in the near term. Is this going to be an issue? I want to fly at Atlas, I don't have to. I like the equipment and I love the international flying, it's been my favorite part of my Air Force career. I fully stand with the position of the pilot force and will fight for the better contract everyone deserves. I just don't want to potentially come into a new job with a target on my back. Am I being too paranoid, not paranoid enough? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

There is no hostile attitude towards new hires. Most people are professional and courteous out on the line. It's a good job that could be a great job. The truth exists somewhere in the middle of the negative Union propaganda and the sunshine and rainbows from the company.

 

"Rainbows from the company"??

Hardly.

But that misses the point and question that the previous guy is asking...absolutely no hostility towards the newbies. All of our pilots are here to help get you through the program as a new hire in training, and then on the line.

However, the environment that the company has created and actively pursues a strategy of union-busting and their unwillingness to accept the realities of the current marketplace for pilots AND their own need for growth, is stunningly obvious and shockingly shortsighted.

Good luck to you if you are trying to get a job here, or are somewhere in the process...it's gonna get ugly if the company keeps its current trajectory. If you don't have the stomach for it, I'd think twice -- especially for a USAF, USN, etc guy with obvious love for the business, and a good background that the majors would love to invest in -- Atlas sure won't invest in you!!

 

Good luck to those interviewing this week. If anyone is interviewing on tuesday, don't forget to post a trip report.

 

No hostility from me until you ask what is opt, max and recommended mean in the fms......after you have been through initial and oe! I'm guessing you don't fall in that category. Welcome, we need people who aren't impressed by big shiny airplanes. I would go back to my old DC-9 if I could have a fair contract and good quality of life.