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-   -   Amazon reaches agreement with Atlas (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/atlas-polar/94903-amazon-reaches-agreement-atlas.html)

Jason605 05-05-2016 10:12 AM


Originally Posted by qiutong (Post 2123085)
IMHO, if Amazon wants reliable service, they're making a huge mistake by following DHL's flawed model of using multiple airlines. They'll just end up with a lot of disgruntled pilots, who's morale is in the crapper because of the continual attempts by management to whipsaw them in a race to the bottom, providing considerably less than reliable service. Amazon would be better off sticking with UPS and Fedex, because their reliability, as poor as it may be, will be better than what it looks like they're headed for. At least our current agreement with them will take me hopefully to retirement. It'll be an interesting few years...

I'm under the impression that ABX has an extremely high reliability. Is that incorrect? Does the DHL flying suffer more than is lead on? Just FYI, I'm not even in class yet, just learning everything.

qiutong 05-05-2016 10:47 AM


Originally Posted by Jason605 (Post 2123117)
I'm under the impression that ABX has an extremely high reliability. Is that incorrect? Does the DHL flying suffer more than is lead on? Just FYI, I'm not even in class yet, just learning everything.

ABX does have very good reliability. We attribute a lot of our reliability to the fact that we, as crew members, are what's left of Airborne Express, an overnight express company that competed for years against UPS and Fedex. As such, we have a certain professional drive to move the freight and to move it NOW. With overnight express freight, it has to move as fast as possible. We do it without thinking, but many of the other companies used by DHL (and now, it seems, Amazon) have never had to operate as an overnight company and don't seem to have this urgent desire to move the freight ASAP and therefore, their on-time reliability isn't as good.

Now, throw into this, the effect of whipsawing companies against each other (whether intentional or not) and it's effect on morale and all of the airlines reliabilities will suffer, including ABX's. In addition, reliability suffers when the crews feel no sense of commitment to their well being or job security, as this kind of multiple airline operation tends to breed. It's not a good mix if reliability is what you're after, and from what I understand, that's one of Amazon's reasons for this whole operation.

Jason605 05-05-2016 11:18 AM


Originally Posted by qiutong (Post 2123140)
ABX does have very good reliability. We attribute a lot of our reliability to the fact that we, as crew members, are what's left of Airborne Express, an overnight express company that competed for years against UPS and Fedex. As such, we have a certain professional drive to move the freight and to move it NOW. With overnight express freight, it has to move as fast as possible. We do it without thinking, but many of the other companies used by DHL (and now, it seems, Amazon) have never had to operate as an overnight company and don't seem to have this urgent desire to move the freight ASAP and therefore, their on-time reliability isn't as good.

Now, throw into this, the effect of whipsawing companies against each other (whether intentional or not) and it's effect on morale and all of the airlines reliabilities will suffer, including ABX's. In addition, reliability suffers when the crews feel no sense of commitment to their well being or job security, as this kind of multiple airline operation tends to breed. It's not a good mix if reliability is what you're after, and from what I understand, that's one of Amazon's reasons for this whole operation.


I got cha now and I agree. I would feel more secure if this deal didn't include others but not too worried. All you can do is be the best and instill that pride and work ethic in us new hires.

motorclutch 05-05-2016 11:22 AM

It's to our advantage to have brother teamsters in the mix. Oh did I mention from the same union local. Both groups now have increased bargaining power collectively. Once again, that whipsaw thing just got a little more difficult.

Jason605 05-05-2016 11:35 AM


Originally Posted by motorclutch (Post 2123159)
It's to our advantage to have brother teamsters in the mix. Oh did I mention from the same union local. Both groups now have increased bargaining power collectively. Once again, that whipsaw thing just got a little more difficult.

At the very least, that is a good thing. If it were different unions, or ALPA, I could see a disaster.

motorclutch 05-05-2016 11:42 AM


Originally Posted by Jason605 (Post 2123172)
At the very least, that is a good thing. If it were different unions, or ALPA, I could see a disaster.

You get it! Oh yeah, there is still that other union in the mix as well.......very outnumbered btw.

qiutong 05-05-2016 11:47 AM


Originally Posted by motorclutch (Post 2123159)
It's to our advantage to have brother teamsters in the mix. Oh did I mention from the same union local. Both groups now have increased bargaining power collectively. Once again, that whipsaw thing just got a little more difficult.

I agree, being united as Teamsters doesn't hurt, but it hasn't stopped the steady transfer of airframes and flying from us to Atlas, et al, and it's depressing...

qiutong 05-05-2016 11:51 AM


Originally Posted by Jason605 (Post 2123157)
I got cha now and I agree. I would feel more secure if this deal didn't include others but not too worried. All you can do is be the best and instill that pride and work ethic in us new hires.

Jason605, I'm looking forward to flying with you. Many of us are looking forward to passing on our "work ethic" before we fade away into the realm of retired and forgotten pilots.

Jason605 05-05-2016 12:17 PM


Originally Posted by qiutong (Post 2123187)
Jason605, I'm looking forward to flying with you. Many of us are looking forward to passing on our "work ethic" before we fade away into the realm of retired and forgotten pilots.

Thank you sir, but the honor would be all mine. For someone like me it would be amazing to be at the beginning of something great here again and learn from those who went thru so much. I absolutely believe something good is happening here at ABX. Even with the addition of others to the party.

I have 20 more years to give and this is kinda my second chance to do it right. I'm ready to learn!

hackerbyday 05-05-2016 12:45 PM

The other issue with all the Amazon news is they haven't signed a lease as of yet for ILN to be the home of all this. There current short term lease expires in Oct.. Port Authority says no one wants to pay.


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