Screwed

It will be years until a new CBA. Every year the company floats the rumor that a new CBA is right around the corner. They do it just to keep the new hire suckers coming. But in fact , they are doing everything possible to force it to Amalgamation.

They know they will get off the cheapest by the letting an arbiter decide the new contract. It worked best for management last time,it will work best this time and it will work best next time.

Also, the longer the process takes....the more money they will save.

Elevation

Something worth considering is that our new CBA is now likely to take effect sometime around 2020. That’s when another series of contracts at major players come back up. While things will surely get better here, things will also be better elsewhere. So we’re lagging and we’re going to keep lagging unless we get something really, really good. That’s just not going to happen.

It’s kind of a bummer. I like my job. I like my crews. I detest applying, interviewing, etc. Sometimes it feels like we’re being forced out the door.

atpcliff

If we don't get a "really really good" contract, then Atlas will shrink, and they will have to park a lot of planes, or they will have to sell them. The Pilot Shortage isn't even close to peak...the situation for aviation HRs around the world continues to deteriorate substantially.

Elevation

I like the optimism! The problem I see is ego and career investment. Organizations don’t act rationally. Key players have invested time and emotion into these negotiations. Others who may be aspiring to higher stations are convinced their promotions or bonuses are contingent on the results of negotiations. While the realities are obvious, only present crises get an organization to change direction. This is one of those situations where I think I’m right, but I hope I am wrong. I really do hope I’m wrong.

As an aside there are interesting parallels in history and warfare which are good for a nerdy discussion over scotch and steaks sometime.

KYTBRD

I had this exact feeling back in 2016. I really enjoyed the crews I flew with and the job. I was flying a 747 around the world to some really cool places. There had been quite a bit of hiring so I had some decent seniority to get the days off I wanted. It was my first airline job after retiring from the military. I hated the thought of prepping for another interview or beingjunior again. I wanted it to workout. Even though other Atlas FOs/Capts had told me I’d be better off somewhere else I refused and hoped for the best. But after the very first “meeting” in 2016 to discuss openers was handled in such a blatantly hostile manner by the company I knew it was time to leave. It was a slap in the face. I realized I was trying to hold on to a bad relationship and make it work. Force it to be better. But in a single moment I realized no matter how much I wanted our relationship to improve the other party’s heart wasn’t there to make it better. No amount of counseling was going to improve the status quo. And I wasn’t going to wait around for the company to realize my worth to our relationship. So we split up and I’m much much happier with my new ”girlfriend”. She’s not perfect and may not be as glamorous, but I’m in a much better relationship now. I can now look back and remember Atlas for some very fun times and I met some fabulous folks there who I really enjoyed flying with. But I wish I had listened to my friend’s advice a year earlier. Don’t do what I did and hang around just because it’s easier.

Some of you know who I am from my tag and I’ve tried to help as many folks as possible who have called asking, “what’s it like in your new job?” I check this thread occasionally hoping Atlas will come to the table to improve it’s relationship. I want the pilots of Atlas to succeed and hope you all get what you’ve patiently tried to negotiate, but in the 2 years I’ve been gone it seems nothing has changed and I’m still very satisfied current “girlfriend” is the right choice. Not because the old one is still toxic, but because the new one truly is best for me and my family.

Good luck.

NoJoy

2020 seems reasonable for a new contract. I don’t see any reason for sooner (unfortunately). No matter what New hires are told by management or the union. It could be as late as 2022 as well.
Atlas has no real problem filling classes or pilots upgrading when it’s their time.
The longer this process drags out, the longer the Next CBA will be. Try 2032-2035.

Talon1011

After August 31st, 2019 it just won't make any difference to me any more. I plan on enjoying my last year of flying and not let the unfortunate actions of management cast a pall on that. If I let them ruin those days then I let them win. I can quite happily follow the contract to the letter and still enjoy my time!. ;-)

Elevation

Congratulations! Being resolute isn’t synonymous with being angry. I hope you have an enjoyable final year! I’d be wearing the local trains and roads out if I was on my last year.

hahnmgh63

Was suppose to get a call from HR today but heard nothing, is this unusual for them not to be timely? Just uploaded a Resume two weeks ago.
Any updates on the Contract negotiations? Rumor has it no training classes until the end of the year which works for me, not sure I wan't to start if negotiations are heated since I've got a decent paying job right now.

BayBum4Ever

The company is stone walling any contract progress with lawsuits and no future negotiation dates. If you have a recent paying job there is no reason to come to Atlas. A new contract is several years away.

BayBum