BA still using US pilots in preference to EU
Last year I posted news of how BA were using Atlas to fly it's freight in preference to GSS, thus denying pilot opportunites to Uk pilots and commands on 747-400 to GSS and BA f/o's. Despite BALPA and the IPF's protestations the CAA granted Atlas permission for 6 months which was of course extended to 1 year as everyone predicted. That year is now over and it would seem that BA are hoping to allow Atlas further extensions to deny british pilots some career progression at the expense of US pilots.
However this is not Atlas' fault and due to events at Polar a 400 was available which GSS tried to obtain to replace the Atlas classic currently doing BA work, thus expanding the GSS fleet to 4 on the BA contract, and giving promotional opportunities to both GSS and BA pilots.
It would seem it is BA who are procrastinating about whether to continue with atlas or allow GSS to obtain the a/c for it's work.
These 747-400 freighters tend not to become available very often. BA have already missed one opportunity and now risk losing another.
The Atlas contract was supposed to be temporary! Would this be allowed to happen in the US. It's time yet again for our unions to protest at EU work going to US companies, and for EU pilots to kick up a fuss.