The issue they face on the ATR is the ability to attract and retain. The cap is a massive hinderance to the operation as a whole.
From day 1 the ATR Operation has been a shamozzle. It’s was run by Skywest then VARA now VA. They shut down the biggest pilot base being Brisbane. They expected everyone to pack up their bags and move to Canberra or Sydney. People voted with their feet and just left. So the company offered a commuting agreement for a return or service.
The last Eba included ‘integration’ with the VA GDOJ list. The cap came as a condition of integration. The cap essentially meant they had to release a minimum of 10% of crew a year to VA. VA’s definition of ‘release’ and ‘10%’ has been interesting to say the least.
Bear in mind the last eba was voted in by the entire Skywest group (f50,f100,a320 and atr). So even if they ATR guys weren’t happy with the terms they could have been over ruled by the greater population of pilots on other fleets.
In the years gone by, VA has hired at quite a dramatic pace. You have people off the street getting 737 domestic positions. This has ‘screwed over’ atr pilots who may be hundreds of positions higher on the GDOJ than the pilot off the street.
The new joiner gets to join on more money, on a secure fleet and a secure base. Meanwhile the ATR pilots get to continue their 8+ year reign of uncertainty and below par pay and conditions. They don’t know if their fleet will be around next year, if they will be forced to move bases or when they may get the ‘chance’ to fly a 737. Even though they’ve been working for VA for 8+ years!
Its time for the cap to go and for the exisiting atr pilots to be provided pay/conditions and positions based on their GDOJ. If conditions don’t improve, expect another exodus off the fleet and potentially the end of the ATR operation as a whole at VA.
To the new joiners, be very weary accepting an ATR position. Understand the eba before you accept it!