Omni Air Pilot Negotiations update
08-14-2017, 11:55 PM
#251
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 90
Originally Posted by heavylift
do not fall for managements threats.
I worked for the same guy at ryan international, we were flying a us postal contract and they threatened to shut it down, all lies!
Give in to them and they will be the ones celebrating when you sign your next contract as they laugh all the way to the bank.
This is the best job market most of us have seen for a new contract in our careers, don't blow it.
I worked for the same guy at ryan international, we were flying a us postal contract and they threatened to shut it down, all lies!
Give in to them and they will be the ones celebrating when you sign your next contract as they laugh all the way to the bank.
This is the best job market most of us have seen for a new contract in our careers, don't blow it.
08-15-2017, 03:07 AM
#252
Banned
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: Window Seat
Posts: 1,430
Originally Posted by silver fleet
Ignorant I know, but said out of frustration for your pilot group; but out of spite, regardless of the first mgmt proposal knowing full well the climate of the current market and the arrogance of mgmt not negotiating in good faith, the first TA should be nyet. Make mgmt work just a little harder and sweat a little so they can squirm and experience a portion of what it feels like to experience the setbacks and frustrations we/you as pilots have endured in your/our careers.
08-17-2017, 11:21 AM
#253
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Part 121, 135 & Military background
Posts: 379
I know you all have waited with bated breath for me to chime in.... (relax.... just kidding)
I just got home from 10 days out and during that time I had an opportunity to sit at the table with seven of our Pilots.
There was a general agreement that the overall contract as it has been suggested is "good enough" but that there were major, MAJOR concerns about hammering out the language to ensure that our future, match what management tried to sell us in their website.
In full disclosure, this was all Sentinel Pilots with their 80 hour guarantee and I realize that does play into some of the decision-making.
None of this group thought that another year of negotiations to try to squeeze more out of them was a good idea on the cost benefit analysis.
But, every single one of them said that we should hold out until the negotiating committee felt confident on the language that would ensure management would not try to weasel out of the spirit of what they have offered.
As always, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but this is an honest assessment of the group that I spoke with.
I just got home from 10 days out and during that time I had an opportunity to sit at the table with seven of our Pilots.
There was a general agreement that the overall contract as it has been suggested is "good enough" but that there were major, MAJOR concerns about hammering out the language to ensure that our future, match what management tried to sell us in their website.
In full disclosure, this was all Sentinel Pilots with their 80 hour guarantee and I realize that does play into some of the decision-making.
None of this group thought that another year of negotiations to try to squeeze more out of them was a good idea on the cost benefit analysis.
But, every single one of them said that we should hold out until the negotiating committee felt confident on the language that would ensure management would not try to weasel out of the spirit of what they have offered.
As always, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but this is an honest assessment of the group that I spoke with.
08-17-2017, 04:18 PM
#255
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Position: CRJ700
Posts: 48
What does sentinel pilots have to do with Omni pilots? Can you explain stick?
08-17-2017, 05:13 PM
#256
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: Thrill Seat
Posts: 467
The 1% says they are satisfied so it must be good for all
08-17-2017, 06:35 PM
#257
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,075
"Sentinel" is a contract Omni flies. Kinda like Vacations Hawaii. Specific pilots, specific domiciles, specific routes; unlike the standard LCAL/SCAL, where are we going tomorrow schedules most Omni guys fly. It is bid and awarded per CBA.
One of the perks is a 80 hr guarantee, vice 60 for everyone else. Another is a lot less male bovine feces dealing with the TUL puzzle palace in general and the travel department in particular.
I believe this was mentioned by stickwiggler because the outlook of this "tiny little division" of OAI might not be representative of the rest of the group.
One of the perks is a 80 hr guarantee, vice 60 for everyone else. Another is a lot less male bovine feces dealing with the TUL puzzle palace in general and the travel department in particular.
I believe this was mentioned by stickwiggler because the outlook of this "tiny little division" of OAI might not be representative of the rest of the group.
Last edited by Hetman; 08-17-2017 at 07:01 PM.
08-19-2017, 02:25 PM
#258
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Part 121, 135 & Military background
Posts: 379
Anybody else hear there is going to be a mass exodus on the 28th fir the Kalitta class?
Rumor going around that if you put in your two week notice they will pull money out of your account after you leave, so a lot of guys are going to wait until the last minute to turn in their resignation.
Don't know if it is true or not...
Rumor going around that if you put in your two week notice they will pull money out of your account after you leave, so a lot of guys are going to wait until the last minute to turn in their resignation.
Don't know if it is true or not...
08-19-2017, 03:09 PM
#259
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Position: Captain
Posts: 16
The mass exodus has started. Omni needs to wake up and give us an industry standard contract. All of you guys on here stating we should vote for anything less are an embarrassment to our pilot group and our industry. We are not wh*res gentlemen so let's get on board and support our negotiatiors and get the fair contract we deserve.
08-19-2017, 05:34 PM
#260
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Another one leaving
A letter from one on the way out.
I am writing to officially tender my resignation from Omni Air International. I appreciate you allowing me to rescind my previous resignation. I used the time since to do some thinking about my future at Omni and what that might look like.
While on the surface it appears the company has good intentions as far as the negotiation of a new pilot contract, it doesn't take much digging to see that isn't the case. Jeff Crippen's letter to the pilots was very appealing and the website he and the company created looks really nice with graphs, charts, and pictures of money, but these are simply flash to obscure what lies beneath - a weak offer.
Neither the letter nor the website address business class travel other than to condemn it, while it is one of the most important issues to the pilot group. I have been subject to the abuse of the Omni travel department for nearly seven years. That abuse will not continue for me. I have to ask a simple question, why is it that Atlas can provide it's pilots with business class travel but Omni can't? The answer is Omni can, it just refuses to.
When I first started at Omni, I was scheduled to work 18 days per month, often being held out longer than that. Today, almost seven years later, I am still scheduled to work 18 days per month and still get involuntarily held out longer than that. How can Omni expect to appeal to current or new pilots (to replace the current pilots who are leaving so rapidly) with a future like that, and with no scheduling incentive for longevity? Our competitors work their pilots fewer days per month and cannot hold out their pilots for four extra days like Omni does because of whatever unfortunate circumstances arise, whether it be a maintenance problem or Omni's inability to adequately staff its fleet with pilots due to attrition.
The previous two items are of great concern to the pilots. Let's look at something equally concerning but much more simple - the Known Crew Member Program. The pilot group has expressed interest in KCM since its inception, yet the company refuses to let us participate, making Omni one of the only remaining airlines not participating. At first the reason was due to cost, but the pilot group agreed to pay for the expenses. Why would Omni deny its pilots access to such a program when it costs the company nothing? Omni's behavior in this matter exposes how it truly feels about its pilot group.
Even more troubling than these issues is the recent exposure of the company's lack of trustworthiness. I am referencing the proposed Based Crewmembers LOA. Mr. Crippen's response to a question asked by a pilot on the new website about the LOA was clearly an attempt to deceive the pilot group into believing the LOA would only affect pilots flying "light category aircraft". Luckily our union was able to outline not only the very real possibility of based operations for our current aircraft, but also Mr. Crippen's blatant and intentional misdirection and flat out lie. In fact, the LOA does not mention "light category aircraft" at all. Do you think we have forgotten the Madrid TDY?
How long will Omni continue to resist the imminent improvements which are needed to bring the pilot's compensation and quality of life to industry standard? How many more pilot's will it lose while it drags out negotiations to try to save a few dollars? How many more trips will Omni turn down because it can't staff its aircraft with pilots? Only Omni leadership has these answers and I wish the best of luck in its future endeavors, whatever they may be.
Sincerely,
Another Captain
I am writing to officially tender my resignation from Omni Air International. I appreciate you allowing me to rescind my previous resignation. I used the time since to do some thinking about my future at Omni and what that might look like.
While on the surface it appears the company has good intentions as far as the negotiation of a new pilot contract, it doesn't take much digging to see that isn't the case. Jeff Crippen's letter to the pilots was very appealing and the website he and the company created looks really nice with graphs, charts, and pictures of money, but these are simply flash to obscure what lies beneath - a weak offer.
Neither the letter nor the website address business class travel other than to condemn it, while it is one of the most important issues to the pilot group. I have been subject to the abuse of the Omni travel department for nearly seven years. That abuse will not continue for me. I have to ask a simple question, why is it that Atlas can provide it's pilots with business class travel but Omni can't? The answer is Omni can, it just refuses to.
When I first started at Omni, I was scheduled to work 18 days per month, often being held out longer than that. Today, almost seven years later, I am still scheduled to work 18 days per month and still get involuntarily held out longer than that. How can Omni expect to appeal to current or new pilots (to replace the current pilots who are leaving so rapidly) with a future like that, and with no scheduling incentive for longevity? Our competitors work their pilots fewer days per month and cannot hold out their pilots for four extra days like Omni does because of whatever unfortunate circumstances arise, whether it be a maintenance problem or Omni's inability to adequately staff its fleet with pilots due to attrition.
The previous two items are of great concern to the pilots. Let's look at something equally concerning but much more simple - the Known Crew Member Program. The pilot group has expressed interest in KCM since its inception, yet the company refuses to let us participate, making Omni one of the only remaining airlines not participating. At first the reason was due to cost, but the pilot group agreed to pay for the expenses. Why would Omni deny its pilots access to such a program when it costs the company nothing? Omni's behavior in this matter exposes how it truly feels about its pilot group.
Even more troubling than these issues is the recent exposure of the company's lack of trustworthiness. I am referencing the proposed Based Crewmembers LOA. Mr. Crippen's response to a question asked by a pilot on the new website about the LOA was clearly an attempt to deceive the pilot group into believing the LOA would only affect pilots flying "light category aircraft". Luckily our union was able to outline not only the very real possibility of based operations for our current aircraft, but also Mr. Crippen's blatant and intentional misdirection and flat out lie. In fact, the LOA does not mention "light category aircraft" at all. Do you think we have forgotten the Madrid TDY?
How long will Omni continue to resist the imminent improvements which are needed to bring the pilot's compensation and quality of life to industry standard? How many more pilot's will it lose while it drags out negotiations to try to save a few dollars? How many more trips will Omni turn down because it can't staff its aircraft with pilots? Only Omni leadership has these answers and I wish the best of luck in its future endeavors, whatever they may be.
Sincerely,
Another Captain
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