Furloughs coming to Atlas
#101
TiredSoul:
Management’s goal is to make us weary and pit us against our own union leadership. It’s a well-worn playbook that’s been around for decades, and they still use it because it works.
As a guy who does work “behind the scenes” within our union, I can say with 100% honesty and integrity that we do win more than we lose, particularly on the grievance front.
But, airline labor in this country is hamstrung by the RLA, and we’re fighting a war of attrition with one hand tied behind our backs. We are, however, represented by a group of individuals who tirelessly grind away at management’s tactics to try to make this a better place. Without them, you and I would have gotten steamrolled 3 years ago.
Don’t let management’s playbook wear you down; we’re in the best bargaining position we’ve had in years. Keep the faith, brother.
Management’s goal is to make us weary and pit us against our own union leadership. It’s a well-worn playbook that’s been around for decades, and they still use it because it works.
As a guy who does work “behind the scenes” within our union, I can say with 100% honesty and integrity that we do win more than we lose, particularly on the grievance front.
But, airline labor in this country is hamstrung by the RLA, and we’re fighting a war of attrition with one hand tied behind our backs. We are, however, represented by a group of individuals who tirelessly grind away at management’s tactics to try to make this a better place. Without them, you and I would have gotten steamrolled 3 years ago.
Don’t let management’s playbook wear you down; we’re in the best bargaining position we’ve had in years. Keep the faith, brother.
#102
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 71
Would not a strategic approach include a full frontal assault on management both as a group and individually ? After all , they undoubtedly read this , learn from it , use it against you , and ultimately cost each of you $$$. Shouldn’t it be time to play hardball ? Nothing illegal - but within the rules - just as they are doing. Just saying.
#103
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2009
Posts: 611
Would not a strategic approach include a full frontal assault on management both as a group and individually ? After all , they undoubtedly read this , learn from it , use it against you , and ultimately cost each of you $$$. Shouldn’t it be time to play hardball ? Nothing illegal - but within the rules - just as they are doing. Just saying.
#104
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,469
I appreciate the respectful response. We view our leverage in a vastly different light than what I gathered from your post but I understand how our position may not look that way from outside of the company.
We currently have three B-777s parked and two B737-800s parked all due to lack of crew. This is already on a systemwide reduced schedule due to staffing issues. Last month broke the all-time record for the most open time trips issued in a given month and this month looks to be significantly higher than June.
Our no-show rate for new-hire classes is greater than 50% and our failure rate for the new-hires that do show is 30% at Atlas Air and 60% at Southern Air. (No spin here, these are the hard facts)
We literally have nothing to lose here. Our only option by management is an extension of our current CBA (in terms of signing the same language into the next CBA). We find this completely unacceptable and would be hard-pressed to find any pilot that would disagree with us on this once we explained what is really at stake and what is really being offered.
I think it would be a challenge to find anyone, no matter how management friendly, that thinks it is reasonable to sign a CBA to extend our current CBA work rules and pay. A CBA where we make 50-60% less than industry standard with the rest of the industry starting their next negotiation cycle in a positive pattern bargaining environment.
If/when management decides to move with a reasonable mindset, we can get a CBA negotiated in three weeks or less.
We currently have three B-777s parked and two B737-800s parked all due to lack of crew. This is already on a systemwide reduced schedule due to staffing issues. Last month broke the all-time record for the most open time trips issued in a given month and this month looks to be significantly higher than June.
Our no-show rate for new-hire classes is greater than 50% and our failure rate for the new-hires that do show is 30% at Atlas Air and 60% at Southern Air. (No spin here, these are the hard facts)
We literally have nothing to lose here. Our only option by management is an extension of our current CBA (in terms of signing the same language into the next CBA). We find this completely unacceptable and would be hard-pressed to find any pilot that would disagree with us on this once we explained what is really at stake and what is really being offered.
I think it would be a challenge to find anyone, no matter how management friendly, that thinks it is reasonable to sign a CBA to extend our current CBA work rules and pay. A CBA where we make 50-60% less than industry standard with the rest of the industry starting their next negotiation cycle in a positive pattern bargaining environment.
If/when management decides to move with a reasonable mindset, we can get a CBA negotiated in three weeks or less.
If staffing is as tight as you say, why are they turning away candidates with 2500hrs and 1000hrs turbine?
Anyone with under 2500 hours gets sent the "no thanks for Atlas but how about 737 at Southern"-email, and 2500-3500 gets sent a "wish you had more TPIC, how about Southern"-email.
You all are saying Atlas will hire anyone with a pulse, but the fact is - 2500 hours with 1000 hours 121 won't even get you an interview.
#105
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2009
Posts: 611
No dog in this fight, but just out of curiosity;
If staffing is as tight as you say, why are they turning away candidates with 2500hrs and 1000hrs turbine?
Anyone with under 2500 hours gets sent the "no thanks for Atlas but how about 737 at Southern"-email, and 2500-3500 gets sent a "wish you had more TPIC, how about Southern"-email.
You all are saying Atlas will hire anyone with a pulse, but the fact is - 2500 hours with 1000 hours 121 won't even get you an interview.
If staffing is as tight as you say, why are they turning away candidates with 2500hrs and 1000hrs turbine?
Anyone with under 2500 hours gets sent the "no thanks for Atlas but how about 737 at Southern"-email, and 2500-3500 gets sent a "wish you had more TPIC, how about Southern"-email.
You all are saying Atlas will hire anyone with a pulse, but the fact is - 2500 hours with 1000 hours 121 won't even get you an interview.
I do not know why they would turn you away but be thankful they did.
#106
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 157
I have a close friend at Atlas (74 side) and I ask him this question all the time...has anyone been kept out past 17 days? The answer is always no. If the company isn’t using that option, they still have more slack in the system. You will know they are out of options and the pressure will be on for some kind of contract when they are all out of levers they can pull. I hope you guys get a new contract soon, I’m on your side but I think you guys are overestimating how bad things are for the company right now. Last quarter results didn’t show any signs of impact to earnings or revenue. All that to say I think this is going to be a longer process than we would hope for. The company doesn’t seem to be hurt at this point and has more options to keep the freight moving.
Last edited by Lumberg823; 07-15-2019 at 05:13 PM.
#107
I have a close friend at Atlas (74 side) and I ask him this question all the time...has anyone been kept out past 17 days? The answer is always no. If the company isn’t using that option, they still have more slack in the system. You will know they are out of options and the pressure will be on for some kind of contract when they are all out of levers they can pull. I hope you guys get a new contract soon, I’m on your side but I think you guys are overestimating how bad things are for the company right now. Last quarter results didn’t show any signs of impact to earnings or revenue. All that to say I think this is going to be a longer process than we would hope for. The company doesn’t seem to be hurt at this point and has more options to keep the freight moving.
#108
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,469
I have no idea. What I can tell you is we have countless cancellations right now due to lack of crew. We are running 85% of our normal summer schedule already because of staffing issues. Three B777s are parked and two B737-800 as well all due to staffing. Right now the entire operation is in bad shape.
I do not know why they would turn you away but be thankful they did.
I do not know why they would turn you away but be thankful they did.
But clearly staffing isn't that critical for the company as of now.
#109
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 46
I think everyone is assuming there's probably more to your story that maybe you're not even aware of since you're asking for a friend. So no, you cannot say, "clearly staffing isn't that critical" based on your story.
#110
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,469
CFI, CFII, MEI, 135 PIC->121 FO->121PIC.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post