My thoughts exactly!

Wow, furloughed and unemployed seem not to mind based on recent reports of who is in the interview class this week...all of a sudden the Swiss cheese CBA is okay with them...

Could it be that the successful business plan is creating a company that may survive and thrive?...vs what their ACMI company that couldn't survive, or are shrinking.

I am absolutely not defending the Swiss cheese CBA, but please remember there is more to it than that...a simplistic view of the world...and certainly the realities of negotiating power, solidarity, and the will of the pilot group to defend the current CBA, and work towards a better one for next time are key factors here.

Make no mistake, we are negotiating the next CBA every day by our actions...defending the CBA is daily fight. Make sure you (all of us) are taking a stand to get what you are entitled to on a daily basis.

So...back on other hiring news. I heard from a friend that interviewed on Tuesday that the process has changed some. They said no essay and only 2 panel interviews instead of the normal 3. I haven't been able to talk to them to get more info yet.

Anyone who has interviewed recently have any more to add?

i heard the same. no essay question and no resume review. 4-person panel interview and 2-person tech interview.

The head of our union pushed the company for preferential hiring of World / North American pilots. There has not been an official announcement on it that I have seen but apparently the results speak for themselves.

On another note, my perception is that the company has really taken a turn for the worse over the past year. The CBA violations are out of control (worse than it was at my crappy regional airline). I called schedulling three times last trip, each time led to a heated argument (which is not my style). In the last ten years as an airline pilot, these are the only times I have ever had a conversation like this with a scheduler. I feel like the schedulers have developed a similar superiority complex like the schedulers had at my regional airline.

Attrition is picking up here as the majors are hiring. Having international heavy experience makes all current Atlas pilots very marketable to the majors and the way things are going lately, Atlas will quickly become a revolving door to a good career elsewhere.

Totally agree, knoxville...

Atlas has a great business plan that works, and has allowed flexibility to branch out in different directions.

But the relations with our pilot group and the way they are looking for ways to save money at the expense of the pilot group and the CBA are the worst it has ever been...The only way to stop this mistreatment is to stand up and fight.

Atlas is a good job, with a lot of promise because the business is managed well. But it is far from a tier 1 airline or what one might call a destination career...

It is starting to appear for future prospects looking at Atlas that you have 3 options:

Come here, get a type, and leave.

Wait until a major calls you and don't bother coming here.

Wait until Atlas management starts treating us better and/or we get our next contract, then apply.

Still a fun and easy job because of the great group of pilots here, but just keeping you guys informed on the current vibe around here.

The fourth option might be to come to Atlas, endure the current contract and working conditions, and have some seniority when you help us hammer out a new strong, fair, and enforceable contract.

Then you can enjoy some seniority, a great company, AND a decent contract.

8

To be fair, there are much worse places to work in this industry. While I do my part to uphold contract compliance, I've found that issues generally get resolved in my favor without a grievance filing. There are certainly improvements that must be made before Atlas could be considered on-par with any Legacy carrier, however. In my short year and a half here, I consider Atlas a second-tier airline with a third-tier contract.

But really, not being a cheerleader here... We have it pretty okay here. Could be better, but there are companies out there that are much, much worse. As I've said on the private forum, the glaring issue to us on the lower end of the seniority list is that seniority means nothing until the 3-year equipment lock is up. Our seniority list is really broken for those of us <3 years on property.

Not sure if that's gonna happen, this would send the wrong message to those candidates sitting in the pool. The fair thing to do is empty the pool first, then call the World & North American pilots.