Omni Air
11-21-2021 | 06:34 AM
#3281
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,576
Likes: 47
From: Semi-Retired...
For those that are getting the interviews or class dates, congratulations, I know the feeling.
Just want to throw some information your way on what’s currently going on behind closed doors. It is an awesome [understatement] place to work, because of the culture and the people that make the family here.
On the other hand, there’s some sh.t brewing. Currently, the company is forcing the vaccine mandate. They are requiring that all employees are fully jabbed by December 8th. The union came out with an MOU and within it, those that are not vaxxed will be place on leave without pay (LWOP). The company is being very hostile to all of their employees that are against the mandate. Religious and medical exemptions have been an option, but, even with having that accepted, the company is STILL placing us on LWOP. Those that have submitted medical exemptions are being messed around with in every direction from HR.
Currently, there is close to 20% of the pilot group about to go on leave beginning December 9th. This as well as FAs and MX.
The hostility and ignorance coming from within the company is growing by the day and the tension is increasing.
A lot of the tension coming from within seems to be coming down from ATSG as they became the owner in late 2018 and it has only slowly grown since then and continuously exerting negative influence all around this place. The things that ATSG is doing directly to Omni are the same things that they have done in the past, to other companies that have failed. We see this as a push against contract negations which are going on, which was clearly denoted by them switching to a “union buster” law firm. And now, their treatment of unvaxxed employees, which happens to be during the slow time of year, just to save money until it picks back up, it goes to show how little, if any at all, they care about their employees. Omni also just recently lost the Vacations Hawaii contract, which, in holding that was the only scheduled contract we had and it was needed to keep government contracts.
And to throw it out there, as it is public, both the CEO and COO of Omni just within the last few days sold over 25% of their share in the company. There are things happening right now where it may not be the same place in 6 months. There are a lot of us here who’s careers at at jealousy and in the uncertain because of what’s really going on.
Once again, for those interested and have a potential to start here, take the knowledge into consideration. It’s a great place to work but the grass is always greener other places. If you want to be here and come into the ugly battle that’s growing, you can. But there are lots of better options out there, which is why people are and have been leaving here by the day. I hope this helps.
Just want to throw some information your way on what’s currently going on behind closed doors. It is an awesome [understatement] place to work, because of the culture and the people that make the family here.
On the other hand, there’s some sh.t brewing. Currently, the company is forcing the vaccine mandate. They are requiring that all employees are fully jabbed by December 8th. The union came out with an MOU and within it, those that are not vaxxed will be place on leave without pay (LWOP). The company is being very hostile to all of their employees that are against the mandate. Religious and medical exemptions have been an option, but, even with having that accepted, the company is STILL placing us on LWOP. Those that have submitted medical exemptions are being messed around with in every direction from HR.
Currently, there is close to 20% of the pilot group about to go on leave beginning December 9th. This as well as FAs and MX.
The hostility and ignorance coming from within the company is growing by the day and the tension is increasing.
A lot of the tension coming from within seems to be coming down from ATSG as they became the owner in late 2018 and it has only slowly grown since then and continuously exerting negative influence all around this place. The things that ATSG is doing directly to Omni are the same things that they have done in the past, to other companies that have failed. We see this as a push against contract negations which are going on, which was clearly denoted by them switching to a “union buster” law firm. And now, their treatment of unvaxxed employees, which happens to be during the slow time of year, just to save money until it picks back up, it goes to show how little, if any at all, they care about their employees. Omni also just recently lost the Vacations Hawaii contract, which, in holding that was the only scheduled contract we had and it was needed to keep government contracts.
And to throw it out there, as it is public, both the CEO and COO of Omni just within the last few days sold over 25% of their share in the company. There are things happening right now where it may not be the same place in 6 months. There are a lot of us here who’s careers at at jealousy and in the uncertain because of what’s really going on.
Once again, for those interested and have a potential to start here, take the knowledge into consideration. It’s a great place to work but the grass is always greener other places. If you want to be here and come into the ugly battle that’s growing, you can. But there are lots of better options out there, which is why people are and have been leaving here by the day. I hope this helps.
I do agree that them bringing Ford & Harrison labor consulting (union busters) in to do our negotiations is a clear signal that they intend to fight, not negotiate. Omni had continued using the same lawyer we always had; then boom... he's out and F&H is in. That's all ATSG, not Omni management.
They are actively out marketing themselves in ways they haven't really done before. It has resulted in several new contracts already. They spent a ton of time and money adding "TSA pre" capability to our ticketing, and installing a lay flat first class comparable to any legacy carriers. They are also aggressively marketing cargo services, which we really don't do other than the in-seat cargo, so there could be some growth opportunity planned there.
One thing is for sure; them trying to get us to waive pilot home basing as a concession for the creation of a new "domicile" to maybe fly A330's is a carrot they are shopping around at the other two ATSG carriers as well. I saw on the message boards that either ATI or ABX is currently being teased with A330's. Ford & Harrison are experts at the Whipsaw game.
They just had one of their most profitable quarters ever in spite of all the doom and gloomers predicting Omni was deep in the red. Truth was very much the opposite.
I hope they find a path forward for the 20% that are declining the mandated unapproved drugs. Some federal appeals courts are already finding the Biden mandate illegal, and OSHA has already suspended enforcement action for non-compliance.
It's still a very good company to work at.
11-21-2021 | 11:39 PM
#3282
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 268
Likes: 6
A lot to unpack there.
I do agree that them bringing Ford & Harrison labor consulting (union busters) in to do our negotiations is a clear signal that they intend to fight, not negotiate. Omni had continued using the same lawyer we always had; then boom... he's out and F&H is in. That's all ATSG, not Omni management.
They are actively out marketing themselves in ways they haven't really done before. It has resulted in several new contracts already. They spent a ton of time and money adding "TSA pre" capability to our ticketing, and installing a lay flat first class comparable to any legacy carriers. They are also aggressively marketing cargo services, which we really don't do other than the in-seat cargo, so there could be some growth opportunity planned there.
One thing is for sure; them trying to get us to waive pilot home basing as a concession for the creation of a new "domicile" to maybe fly A330's is a carrot they are shopping around at the other two ATSG carriers as well. I saw on the message boards that either ATI or ABX is currently being teased with A330's. Ford & Harrison are experts at the Whipsaw game.
They just had one of their most profitable quarters ever in spite of all the doom and gloomers predicting Omni was deep in the red. Truth was very much the opposite.
I hope they find a path forward for the 20% that are declining the mandated unapproved drugs. Some federal appeals courts are already finding the Biden mandate illegal, and OSHA has already suspended enforcement action for non-compliance.
It's still a very good company to work at.
I do agree that them bringing Ford & Harrison labor consulting (union busters) in to do our negotiations is a clear signal that they intend to fight, not negotiate. Omni had continued using the same lawyer we always had; then boom... he's out and F&H is in. That's all ATSG, not Omni management.
They are actively out marketing themselves in ways they haven't really done before. It has resulted in several new contracts already. They spent a ton of time and money adding "TSA pre" capability to our ticketing, and installing a lay flat first class comparable to any legacy carriers. They are also aggressively marketing cargo services, which we really don't do other than the in-seat cargo, so there could be some growth opportunity planned there.
One thing is for sure; them trying to get us to waive pilot home basing as a concession for the creation of a new "domicile" to maybe fly A330's is a carrot they are shopping around at the other two ATSG carriers as well. I saw on the message boards that either ATI or ABX is currently being teased with A330's. Ford & Harrison are experts at the Whipsaw game.
They just had one of their most profitable quarters ever in spite of all the doom and gloomers predicting Omni was deep in the red. Truth was very much the opposite.
I hope they find a path forward for the 20% that are declining the mandated unapproved drugs. Some federal appeals courts are already finding the Biden mandate illegal, and OSHA has already suspended enforcement action for non-compliance.
It's still a very good company to work at.
11-22-2021 | 04:44 AM
#3283
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,576
Likes: 47
From: Semi-Retired...
Well knowing they have brought in F&H may be enough for me to say "thanks, but no thanks" to the class date. Any airline management that brings in that POS firm is clearly interested in having a hostile relationship with its employees. Right now the market is very much in favor of pilots, and as nice as Omni might have been, there are a ton of other jobs out there where you don't have to deal with hostile management.
It's still a great job, things always get a bit more tense at contract time at any airline. This isn't totally unexpected and it happens everywhere.
What doesn't happen everywhere is selecting F&H solutions. However, since both ATI & ABX have been using F&H for some time already, this isn't entirely unexpected either.
It is however, disappointing. Not enough to not take the job though. You can pour through these message boards and every pilot group from Silver to FedEx has gripes around contract time.
That all said, we are hiring. If you stay out of the internal politics, it's a very good job.
11-22-2021 | 05:54 AM
#3284
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 268
Likes: 6
I do not necessarily disagree. Having dealt with F&H at a previous carrier, ATSG is not doing themselves any favors retaining them in the midst of a pilot shortage with so many other options available.
It's still a great job, things always get a bit more tense at contract time at any airline. This isn't totally unexpected and it happens everywhere.
What doesn't happen everywhere is selecting F&H solutions. However, since both ATI & ABX have been using F&H for some time already, this isn't entirely unexpected either.
It is however, disappointing. Not enough to not take the job though. You can pour through these message boards and every pilot group from Silver to FedEx has gripes around contract time.
That all said, we are hiring. If you stay out of the internal politics, it's a very good job.
It's still a great job, things always get a bit more tense at contract time at any airline. This isn't totally unexpected and it happens everywhere.
What doesn't happen everywhere is selecting F&H solutions. However, since both ATI & ABX have been using F&H for some time already, this isn't entirely unexpected either.
It is however, disappointing. Not enough to not take the job though. You can pour through these message boards and every pilot group from Silver to FedEx has gripes around contract time.
That all said, we are hiring. If you stay out of the internal politics, it's a very good job.
11-22-2021 | 06:52 AM
#3285
Disinterested Third Party
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 74
Dangling a carrot does not change a contract or a lifestyle, or anything else, if no one bites the carrot. If the current contract is home basing, and the company (or representatives thereof) propose eliminating home basing, the proposal does nothing. If it does nothing, how can this be "less attractive?"
It is what it is. Nothing more.
11-22-2021 | 07:49 AM
#3286
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,576
Likes: 47
From: Semi-Retired...
I don't doubt that it is a good job. I have a few friends over there, and they are quite happy with it. But joining a company right when they retain F&H to handle their union busting is certainly not a great time to start. When they throw out the carrot of eliminating home basing, one of the best perks, in exchange for a new aircraft type, then honestly, the appeal of the job is almost eliminated. Given how long U.S. pilot contracts take to hammer out, you are looking at your first 3 to 5 years of being full of angry rhetoric with a possible end game that eliminates one of the most attractive aspects of working there. Sadly, may have to lean towards passing.
for anybody that has or is expecting a class date, hit those CBT’s hard and often. There is very very little systems teaching in ground school, so the CBT is important to understand each system. You’ll find the instructors extremely willing to help if you’re stuck and not grasping something fully. Feel free to PM if something isn’t making sense. They’ll also include in the home study some limitations and profiles stuff to study before arriving too. The limitations will be in the type oral, the profiles in fixed base sim, and full flight sim. The better you can regurgitate the limitations and profiles the easier it will go. There will usually be some unofficial handouts and/or data files filtered out during class to help with oral prep, as well as access to company “how to” style videos on everything from FMC preflight loading to flying approaches. A great deal of info gets compressed into basically two weeks before fixed and full flight sims.
to those joining us these next few months, welcome aboard. You won’t regret it. Hope to meet many of you around the schoolhouse.
Last edited by Cujo665; 11-22-2021 at 08:03 AM.
11-22-2021 | 07:57 AM
#3287
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 268
Likes: 6
Why?
Dangling a carrot does not change a contract or a lifestyle, or anything else, if no one bites the carrot. If the current contract is home basing, and the company (or representatives thereof) propose eliminating home basing, the proposal does nothing. If it does nothing, how can this be "less attractive?"
It is what it is. Nothing more.
Dangling a carrot does not change a contract or a lifestyle, or anything else, if no one bites the carrot. If the current contract is home basing, and the company (or representatives thereof) propose eliminating home basing, the proposal does nothing. If it does nothing, how can this be "less attractive?"
It is what it is. Nothing more.
11-22-2021 | 08:05 AM
#3288
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,576
Likes: 47
From: Semi-Retired...
The problem is the unknown. For some of us, home basing is a very big deal. Now, losing that perk has been tossed on to the table. It may not go away, but it also could. Why gamble when there are other options with less risks? Also, avoiding a pool with those sharks at F&H is always a good thing (yes, I have dealt with them before). The point is that while the job may be a good job, and it may suit some people very well, we are in a market where we can afford to be a bit picky. From where I sit, ATSG bringing in F&H to handle their contract negotiations is a clear indication that ATSG wants to fight a war at a time when things are not in their favor. That does not instill a lot of confidence. I may still accept a class date. But this certainly is making me thing twice about it.
11-22-2021 | 09:30 AM
#3289
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 268
Likes: 6
Of course it has been tossed about in the past, and most likely will be tossed out in the future. I am not trying to claim or pretend it is not. But it is known that as of today, in a pilot friendly market, it is currently on the table at Omni. Again, why gamble when there are plenty of other options where it is not currently on the table, or when new contracts have just been signed? I am not being critical of anyone who feels the job is best for them. More power to you and I hope it is a good fit or you. My friends are quite happy there, and I may still accept the offer. But again, stuff like this, and the introduction of F&H (and having dealt with them before) does give me pause to think a bit more about it. This isn't 2002, or 2009, when you took any job you could find.
11-22-2021 | 10:27 AM
#3290
Disinterested Third Party
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 74
The problem is the unknown. For some of us, home basing is a very big deal. Now, losing that perk has been tossed on to the table. It may not go away, but it also could. Why gamble when there are other options with less risks? Also, avoiding a pool with those sharks at F&H is always a good thing (yes, I have dealt with them before). The point is that while the job may be a good job, and it may suit some people very well, we are in a market where we can afford to be a bit picky. From where I sit, ATSG bringing in F&H to handle their contract negotiations is a clear indication that ATSG wants to fight a war at a time when things are not in their favor. That does not instill a lot of confidence. I may still accept a class date. But this certainly is making me thing twice about it.
If one faces any opponent, whether in negotiations or on the battlefield, with the assumption that the opponent is formidable and cannot be defeated, then one has already lost; one has surrendered. Negotiating in any environment is back and forth. Ground already held isn't given up except by choice.
Your comments remind me of chicken little's falling sky. The sky is not actually falling. Any insinuation to the contrary is not fact, but suggestion. Offers and counteroffers.
I haven't a bone in this chicken, and from your comments, neither do you. You seem very concerned about someone else's dinner plate, so far as to be talking yourself and others out of the job. It's almost as if you want to do the negotiating. No doubt the Omni pilot group has a qualified team to negotiate on their behalf, and no doubt the negotiating committee keeps their members informed. As an outsider, I'd be out of my depth to argue here for or against, as are you. You're talking about steering people away based on your perceptions of a company where you don't work. Your previous comments since you interviewed last year indicate that you waited in a pool, and accepted employment elsewhere. Why the fixation?
The sky isn't falling. Best not to sell the idea that it is, to others.
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