Its probably true to say that most (not all) of the great bunch of pilots that work for Emerald are dreaming of a break into a decent Airline,having given their best helping out with constant roster changes,long positioning trips in hire cars and poor working conditions in poorly lit, cold aeroplanes. They are all looking for that big break - either moving on to something better elsewhere or getting a well deserved command after a long wait. In order to do this they work hard and keep their faces clean with the company, often bending over backwards to help the company out when needed. The company takes this for granted - its the Emerald way and always has been. It will never change and sadly they do not care about the people who give their best to make the company as profitable as it is.
Thats the reason why nobody really wants to sign up for the ATP - They will be bonded, probably on unfair terms ( as thats the Emerald way and they know they can get away with it). Most people have built up a good level of experience and wish to move on to better things when the chance presents itself so why on earth should they sell their soles to an ungrateful employer for another 2 to 3 years when by rights they should be allowed to transfer to the ATP with little or no financial restraints.
The pilots at Emerald do deserve better treatment and most feel that the threat of redundancies is just a clever way of getting people bonded.
At the end of the day Airlines are commercial businesses and must make profit to stay alive for everybodies benefit. However these guys deserve better treatment - if they have to be bonded the bond should be clear and explicit with a detailed enough breakdown of the costs so that everyone can make their minds up to see if they are being shafted!
Experience on an ATP can only look better on a CV than a 748 so thats one good factor if you are forced to sign up and keep your job!
However Mr Janes it really is shamefull to treat the guys that make your company what it is in this manner
Loyalty and hard work at Emerald counts for nothing - a real shame. Just think what the company could achieve on what it already has if people were valued!!!!
