The result was 3 744's and all the job growth going from Atlas to AACS in STN just to cater to one customer. The A/C were put on the UK register preventing any US pilot from operating them. Upwards of 100 "commands" were shifted from the US to the UK, and they are still there in the guise of GSS, with the first three dash-8's that Atlas ordered going to GSS.
So this "unfairness" can go both ways.
I don't think you'll find the aircraft were put on the UK register to "prevent any US pilot from operating them".
BAWC and Atlas got away with it for a while because there was no comparible equipment to use on the UK register. Then came AFX. Ok, a 747 Classic but close enough to the CAA (and BALPA!) Therefore, BAWC had a choice. Go with AFX or do something about it. Hence the birth of the "virtual airline" that is GSS. We all know it's a flag of convenience for BAWC and Atlas, However GSS is a UK AOC holder and therefore should be operated by GSS pilots, along with the BA secondees (that's another bone of contention)
Seems like you want to have your cake and eat it
