robi523

https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-threatens-to-move-business-after-cargo-pilot-protests-2019-5?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_cont ent=topbar&utm_term=mobile&referrer=facebook

CardboardCutout

I would jump for joy if Atlas got a contract out of this, but I'm afraid that the company already hitched their wagon to playing hardball, and will take the hit in business in order to keep their margins on the business they keep. Would love to be proven wrong.

kolt66

You think that Atlas is going to risk losing Amazon's business and miss out on other business opportunities just to spite the pilots? Yep, I think you're exactly right.

6Badger9

Would be very interesting if true....




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CardboardCutout

Of course not. I fear that they've made a calculation that losing *some* of amazon's business and losing other business to competitors will be a winning long term strategy, as they will maintain their margins on the work they do fly, and when the next downturn hits, they will be at a considerable advantage. It doesn't make sense to me that they've dragged it out this long if they didn't have some such nefarious plan...this can hardly be a surprise.

Again, this is obviously speculation, and I would be delighted if I'm 100% wrong and they sign an industry leading contract tomorrow.

kolt66

Yes, I'm sure it's also possible that the Atlas execs who live in their New York bubble probably all thought that the world economy would enter a downturn after the election of Trump.

And boy were they wrong.

They're probably still betting on that.

And boy are they wrong.

Their possible "winning long term strategy" sounds like the dumbest strategy that I've heard of in a long time. Or they just don't care and just want to spite the pilots. I continue to be amazed that the board and shareholders still allow these bozos to keep their jobs.

boeingdvr

Amazon is in control - they don’t have direct access to the pilots, so let’s send out a press release saying we will take their 20 old ass 767’s away for wanting money to fly them.

The ol’ whip saw two step.

A contract is still years away, Amazon and atlas have many plays in their play book, and not one of them include more money for the Atlas Pilots.

LunkerHunter

It’s more simple than that- dragging out negotiations indefinitely is profitable for mgmt right now regardless of predicting the next downturn and RLA structure supports this; then, when the economic downturn happens, you can always furlough to cut labor costs new contract or not.

Elevation

I wish there was a nefarious, master plan. I fear the truth is much more silly.

I fear the problem is individual motivations and egos rather than some larger machination. Once someone hangs their professional, personal or social identity on a given course of action any reevaluation involves a certain loss of face. That loss of face affects career progression, etc. So the incentives at the very top are to dig in one's heels regardless of the outcomes for shareholders, flight safety, etc.

This is why we are proclaiming that we're doing a great job and lauding ourselves when we still haven't announced any corrective action since we crashed an airplane and killed three people. The same things that have broken our safety systems here have also broken executive decision-making process.

I like Amazon citing this labor issues and Atlas specifically. It suddenly re-prioritizes things in terms of career risk and sets an incentive for various parties to be the first to compromise rather than the last to hold-out in front of customers and shareholders.

ESQ702

^^^ This...Amazon will crush Atlas if they don't play by Amazon's rules.