Status at Atlas Air
#1
Line Holder
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Joined APC: Jul 2016
Posts: 34
Status at Atlas Air
As everyone knows, the company, who broke off negotiations over 9 months ago, sued the union to force a joint CBA process with Southern Air. In doing so they hope to circumvent section six negotiations that began at both carriers prior to the acquisition. Under the company proposed plan, SLI is submitted triggering 9 months of "negotiations" with any unsettled items going to BINDING arbitration. At no point would either pilot group get to vote on the new CBA.
After a few days of silence, Atlas EXCO Chair addressed the pilots. The biggest take away is that now that we're entangled in a legal dispute, we can expect this conflict to drag out for 2+ years. On a separate company thread, Dan Wells, president of union, stated the expectation is a 2 to 3 year fight. The union isn't going to roll over but there is no relief in sight.
What does this mean for present pilots and new comers? The toxic environment the company has created will continue for years to come. Our senior pilots who have contributed to the growth of this airline will retire before reeping the benefits of an industry std CBA. Existing pilots will continue to work for 60% lower wages and benefits than their peers at other carriers. Cockpit atmosphere has never been worse, and will continue to deteriorate. Pessimism, frustration and outright anger permeate in our flight decks. For new comers, the tension will be palpable. Their excitement over their new employment will be met by derision. Their honeymoon period will quickly give way to angst and frustration that will inevitably be taken home. Lastly and certainly not least, if you are coming to Atlas, please have your financial house in order. Expecting to fly overtime to make up for training pay or any previous financial shortcoming will be met by hostility from your peers. There is zero tolerance toward pilot HOP-ers (pilots who Help Out Purchase, I.e. headquarter).
Please understand there is no agenda in my post. I recommended a friend a year ago before the Southern purchase and negotiations ceased. He has had a terribly taxing year, financially, professionally and inevitably as we know, work problems have a way of spilling over at home. Needless to say I regret having taken a part in his problems.
After a few days of silence, Atlas EXCO Chair addressed the pilots. The biggest take away is that now that we're entangled in a legal dispute, we can expect this conflict to drag out for 2+ years. On a separate company thread, Dan Wells, president of union, stated the expectation is a 2 to 3 year fight. The union isn't going to roll over but there is no relief in sight.
What does this mean for present pilots and new comers? The toxic environment the company has created will continue for years to come. Our senior pilots who have contributed to the growth of this airline will retire before reeping the benefits of an industry std CBA. Existing pilots will continue to work for 60% lower wages and benefits than their peers at other carriers. Cockpit atmosphere has never been worse, and will continue to deteriorate. Pessimism, frustration and outright anger permeate in our flight decks. For new comers, the tension will be palpable. Their excitement over their new employment will be met by derision. Their honeymoon period will quickly give way to angst and frustration that will inevitably be taken home. Lastly and certainly not least, if you are coming to Atlas, please have your financial house in order. Expecting to fly overtime to make up for training pay or any previous financial shortcoming will be met by hostility from your peers. There is zero tolerance toward pilot HOP-ers (pilots who Help Out Purchase, I.e. headquarter).
Please understand there is no agenda in my post. I recommended a friend a year ago before the Southern purchase and negotiations ceased. He has had a terribly taxing year, financially, professionally and inevitably as we know, work problems have a way of spilling over at home. Needless to say I regret having taken a part in his problems.
#7
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Posts: 30
Wow,
It certainly looks to me that DW and the 1224 should have been paying a little more attention to their own store rather than blocking the K4 pilots from voting on their new contract back in July over duty day limits that were important to them and not the K4 pilots! Now you guys are right were we did NOT want to be, going through the NMB. Trump has already taken away the NMB travel budget, and soon will be replacing one of the two democrats with a republican. For once I agree with Mr. Wells, 3-4 years for sure.
It certainly looks to me that DW and the 1224 should have been paying a little more attention to their own store rather than blocking the K4 pilots from voting on their new contract back in July over duty day limits that were important to them and not the K4 pilots! Now you guys are right were we did NOT want to be, going through the NMB. Trump has already taken away the NMB travel budget, and soon will be replacing one of the two democrats with a republican. For once I agree with Mr. Wells, 3-4 years for sure.
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 95
I've never seen any Discrimination Practices from my POV.
I'm African American and I've been flying professionally since 1995
With Carnival Airlines as A Flight Engineer.....I'm now flying with one of the Top 3 Worldwide Cargo Carriers.
Never had a problem getting the jobs or the people I've flown with.
It's a very close brotherhood and most everyone welcomes you with open arms.......unless you demonstrate tendencies that may be UNSAFE....Then the outlook is different and would be different NO MATTER Waht Your Ethnic Persuasion.
I'm African American and I've been flying professionally since 1995
With Carnival Airlines as A Flight Engineer.....I'm now flying with one of the Top 3 Worldwide Cargo Carriers.
Never had a problem getting the jobs or the people I've flown with.
It's a very close brotherhood and most everyone welcomes you with open arms.......unless you demonstrate tendencies that may be UNSAFE....Then the outlook is different and would be different NO MATTER Waht Your Ethnic Persuasion.
I sincerely hope this was a case of a crew-room computer left logged in somewhere, so whoever posted this: You should be ashamed of yourself, and are a disgrace to this profession.
In any case, it looks like Atlas made the right decision.
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