Polarfr8dog

As I said, I wasn't going to hijack the hiring thread as those that are looking for a job need to clearly stay focused.

Quote from Whaledriver: Hey Polarfr8,
The main thrust of the email was to let the Altas guys know what was coming, so they could bid accordingly. Like the LAX base closing. A need to know for the LAX based guys to reconsider their bids. I don't know that Polar guys needed to know any of this, for the time being. I don't think the company was being evil. It came from the Atlas VP of Crew Resources, as a heads up.

Whale,

Excellent post. This, I can agree with as I would want to know if my base was planning a shutdown as well. No problems with that one, that's for sure, as I've seen more than one furlough and airlines going out of business by no fault of my own.

As per the employee exchange and when asked directly, the company said we're still merging. We all know they can't throw ten, or how many other aircraft they're thinking of, on the line at one time. That's my reason for concern.

Beagle Lover: When Atlas furloughed we (AAWW) weren't A.) looking at expansion; B.) not close by any means to a SCBA; C.) we had furloughs and losses in previous years to include hiring and firing then recalling and didn't complain once about it.

As far as your comments -- well, I remember your position on a few other issues that have been hashed out on this web board and quite frankly, your opinion is not taken very strongly as you have always shot from the hip without facts or reasoning and seem to always stay on that what I get for me mentality. This is clearly represented with you going back to old - for the sake of keeping this professional - shall we say, debates about water under the bridge.

These recently announced upgrades are clearly for the future and as already stated won't happen with ten, or however many airframes are coming, overnight.

I'm not here to turn this into a pi$$ing match just trying to understand the bids and why they need to get fifty on the books right away. Hell, we all know how training events are set up. Here's one solution -- in fact I'm going to see what 1224 thinks about it. Steal my idea if you like. There should be rebids everytime they phase in a new airframe. There should be delivery dates and/or dates for these additional contracts of flying. It worked at the majors when I was there with THOUSANDS of training events so why can it not work here with the little seniority list that we have? Again, I'm looking at solutions to a problem, not trying to create one.

For the record I'm not looking at an upgrade so it's not about me getting into the left seat.

Whaledriver

I think they're just catching up. We've had 47 recalls and over 90 newhires, with a grand total of 10 Captain upgrades. As far as why now, not sure. They keep new aircraft and contracts pretty close. If your thinking the deck is getting stacked against the Polar side, your numbers indicate that you're already top heavy. 200ish pilots and around 90 are captains. Are 90% of your flights two man crews?

Polarfr8dog

As to most manning requirements I've heard different numbers. But one thing is for sure there's a lot coming as to newhires and upgrades.

The word travels fast as the MEC chairman has already answered an email regarding the bids and says it can't happen.

I was only curious and not upset at the whole deal. As we all know growth is good on any scale.

Cheers!

Whale Driver

Says what can't happen?

Whaledriver

This should be interesting. The only way your TEC, Bob K. can stop it would be to file a grievance, and to file a grievance it would have to be under a section of your contract. What section of the Polar contract has anything to do with Atlas bidding?

Polarfr8dog

Regarding my statement of "What can't happen . ." I was referring to the Captain bids being allowed for all folks. It can not happen.

Again, not starting a Pi$$ing contest as there will be no grievance filed, nobody is upset, and life goes on. It was only a question that I wanted and answer to and it was answered . . . end of story.

According to the MEC these are upgrades to only keep up with what's going on now. Yes, I said now . . . not for what about's to come down the road with more airframe rumor. Don't take my word for it, it was the MEC'S.

Scope arbitration starts tomorrow so let's hope for the best.

Whale Driver

"Scope arbitration starts tomorrow so let's hope for the best."

Absolutely!

I have been stupid wrong before, but it would seem that any sane person would bind the holding company with scope when we are talking about a JCBA that is going to apply to the operation of separate, albeit identical operating certificates.