Atlas Air's future uncertain !!!!!!

[Po Boy]

Friday March 22, 8:42 am Eastern Time. .Press Release. .SOURCE: Atlas Air, Inc.. .Atlas Air Announces Flight Crew Furlough. .PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2002--In response to continuing softness in demand for heavy lift air services, Atlas Air, Inc. today announced the furlough of a portion of its crewmember workforce. . .. .The furlough, effective May 1, will initially consist of 25 employees. This action is a follow-up to last year's crewmember furlough. . .. ."We are currently in the low point of the annual freight cycle, which has been further impacted by the global manufacturing recession. As a result, our crewmember workforce is presently overstaffed,'' said Richard Shuyler, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air, Inc. "While we continue to see signs of an economic recovery, it is only prudent to more closely match our crew staffing levels to the current level of activity in the market.'' . .. .The furlough could ultimately include up to 170 crewmembers, depending on market conditions. In order to provide sufficient time to retrain crewmembers who will be reassigned to a different equipment type, the furlough will be phased in over a period of thirteen months. Atlas Air operates Boeing 747-400F's and 747-200F's; each aircraft type has certain unique training requirements. . .. ."It is never an easy decision to furlough valued employees,'' Shuyler added. "However, it is necessary to take this difficult step to meet our current business needs. We hope that the economic conditions that prompted it will improve sooner rather than later, to a point that will obviate the need for the greater part of this furlough.'' . .. .Atlas Air currently employs a total of 1,109 employees, of which 757 are pilots and flight engineers. . .. .Atlas Air, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CGO - news) and is a United States certificated air carrier. Atlas Air offers its customers a complete line of freighter services, specializing in ACMI contracts. These contracts include the provision by Atlas Air of the Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance for some of the world's leading international carriers. . .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" />

[non sched]

It's hard to say if furloughs at Atlas are a result of market conditions or the company's plan to shift flying to Polar and its UK subsidiary. I saw a comment on another discussion board that indicated some Atlas aircraft tails were being painted white, presumably to allow them to be shifted around. In any case they announced recently that 4 74-400's were being shifted to UK. I expect the Atlas pilots will take this as a threat and as they are able to strike soon we could see Atlas shut down by strike. It's a shame really that Michael Chowdry's gone. He might have handled this differently <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" />

[Roadtrip]

The Atlas pilots just voted down the contract TA. With the junk labor contract negotiated with Polar when that company was facing shutdown, and the start up of the outsourcing to AACS/GCS (or whatever front company de jour), it's not hard to see what's going on here . . . . . . transfer of flying to Polar and UK outsourcers. I wonder how the Polar and Atlas MECs are going to handle it. Any guesses what AACS crews are going to do?

[Blue & White]

I know exactly what AACS will do. The same thing they would have done when they were at main line Atlas............cross the picket line. A scab is a scab, no matter what side of the pond he's on.. .Best of luck to the main line guys. Hopefully, Polar will support you.

[TowerDog]

Blue and White:. .. .Slow down tiger, nobody has crossed no picket line yet.. .Call 'em scabs after they cross the line, not before.. .. .Some of them AACS guys are decent people and would probably call in sick with a doctors note before they fly struck freight, and before they screw their US based fellow Atlas pilots.. .. .I don't work for Atlas, AACS or Polar, but know quite a few folks from all 3 camps.. .If push comes to show, then the men will be separated from the boys, not before.

[fr8box]

Rumors are that Atlas is already transferring aircraft over to Polar. I understand that at least three of the Atlas 747-300s and up to six of the 200s are slated to go. I haven't been able to verify these numbers yet. I would definitely find it hard to believe that Polar would fly these aircraft and carry Atlas freight if there were to be a strike. That being said, the lines have definitely been blurred by Atlas management so who knows what will happen?

[Willit Run]

Being both ALPA carriers, I would hope that they would support each other to make a beter world for everyone involved

[F900B]

Does not suprise me when i see a couple of there 747's siting on the north side of the Ramp for weeks at Miami Int .

[V1Pup]

Rumour round the KLM campfire is that Atlas will sell a number of 400s to KLM, deal depending on how feasible the cockpit change to "KLM standard configuration" will be.

[Zoner]

A lot of us have noticed Atlas hasn't been flying AMC lately and Polar seems to flying more AMC. Then I heard a Polar flight over NOPAC and when we talked air to air, discovered it was an Atlas airplane and crew subbing for Polar. Seems to be a lot of shuffling going on. I'd bet only a chosen few at the top have a clear picture. I hope it works out for you guys.

[Roadtrip]

It's pretty obvious AAMT is transfering acft and flying to Polar and AACS in preparation for shutting down Atlas ALPA and that part of Atlas Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

[fr8box]

So...what does Polar do to support the Atlas crews in their efforts? It would seem to me if Polar takes on the Atlas aircraft and accepts the Atlas flying, it would be tantamount to scabbing. . .. .I think it's obvious, the only reason Polar is still operating is to be used as a tool against Atlas and ALPA. Should Polar take an anti-Atlas position to ensure their own survival or support Atlas by refusing to fly their cargo? If Atlas survives it's probably the end of Polar. Atlas purchased Polar for two reasons, access to the Japanese market and the 400s Polar has on order.. .. .It's a tough call for both parties and a position I wouldn't want to be in if I were either MEC.. . . . <small>[ 24 March 2002, 14:01: Message edited by: fr8box ]</small>

[s.lindburgh]

Sorry to but in here guys but there is mention of some a/c coming to the uk. If this is the case who will operate them and where will they be registered?. .. .cheers. .lindburgh

[411A]

Is not Atlas now managed by former Lorenzo associates....all going according to plan, it would appear.

[Roadtrip]

Perhaps someone with a labor law background can answer this:. .. .What are the ramifications if Atlas management intentionally shuts down one subsiderary of a company (Atlas) and transfers flying and aircraft to another (Polar and/or AACS/GCS). . .. .If they are successful and Polar/AACS/GCS/front company dejour accepts increases in flying, does that qualify as scabbing?. .. .Sounds like AAMT is playing a very dangerous game. They bet on the come when they cut off profit sharing in punishment for voting in the union, and management lost in court. I think these guys b*lls are bigger than their brains.

[flying headbutt]

Interesting that on Climbto350.com Polar are recruiting onto the 747-200

[Huck]

I would suggest that the adverts on ClimbTo350 may be similar to the UAL ads in the Wall Street Journal years ago - i.e. more of a message to its pilot group than a genuine search for pilots - Polar could fill up a 747 class with an Atlas furlough list, a cell phone and about 20 minutes of free time.....

[fr8box]

Polar is hiring 747 first officers. I spoke with them by telephone the other day. I presume the reason they are hiring is because of the airplanes being transferred to Polar from Atlas. Sounds like shades of the Eastern/Continental fiasco of years ago. Pit the two companies against each other and transfer equipment from one to the other. I'm not sure Polar is eager to pick up furloughed employees from Atlas and transfer the Atlas mentality to themselves....I'm not insinuating any negativity by the statement, just that Polar has a good thing going right now and they don't want to rock the boat. They're laughing all the way to the bank!

[fr8box]

PS: The actions of Atlas management is also sending a message to their baby company...Polar. The message is loud and clear "this can happen to you during your next contract negotiation."

[Avius]

I do not work for Atlas/AACS or Polar, but didn't the US Government give some substantial amount of US taxpayers' dollars to Atlas Air after 9/11 ?? . .. .Bush Administration's message was clear, that the reason for this swift action was to help save US jobs in the Airline industry ??. .. .Now the AAMT is trying to "export" US jobs to Europe ?? . .. .It is quite an irony, that the Atlas guys paid (in form of US taxes) to have their jobs taken away, as Atlas is shifting some of their 747's to Europe. . .. .Any comments ??. . . . <small>[ 24 March 2002, 19:57: Message edited by: Avius ]</small>

[Lybid]

How about the idea that Atlas is clearing out the older aircraft to Polar to do the charter stuff leaving the latest and most attractive aircraft in Atlas for the original ACMI wet lease business to blue-chip customers?. .. .Rgds. .Lybid

[fr8box]

The problem with that theory is it's also clearing out jobs. Polar is hiring F/Os but still has a number of flight engineers out on furlough. They can't hire off the street until the furloughees are called back. I don't expect you'll see any Atlas employees working at Polar...for obvious reasons.

[Zoner]

From Air Cargo World:. .. .<a href="http://www.aircargoworld.com/break_news/4.htm" target="_blank">http://www.aircargoworld.com/break_news/4.htm</a>

[747400CA]

My Atlas friends tell me that this is just the latest battle in what they describe as an unbelievably long and painful war that didn't have to happen.. .. .That Atlas management would pit the Polar pilots against the Atlas pilot was a forgone conclusion from the moment the acquisition of Polar was announced.. .. .The old Polar -100s were / are headed for scrap as soon as they run out of time. Pronouncements of ALPA solidarity notwithstanding, is it reasonable to expect Polar crews to refuse to fly the -200s / -300s being transferred by the parent corporation to their certificate and thus 'fall on their sword' and forfeit their jobs for their Atlas brethren?. .. .An unfortunate and sad place to work right now - all the more so as Atlas might have been a great place to be at one time.. .. .Ex-Lorenzo types indeed - has anyone heard from Linda Chowdry since she gave her heartfelt "...we'll make this a better place..." speech in Purchase on the occasion of the memorial service for Michael last year?. . . . <small>[ 26 March 2002, 01:50: Message edited by: 747400CA ]</small>

[fr8box]

Let's face the facts. Atlas management has so far outsmarted the Atlas MEC and possibly even ALPA. They have both carriers, Atlas and Polar, in a no win situation. Atlas crewmembers must give concessions to survive as a company. The downside to the concessions is those very concessions may be the end of Atlas mainland as we know it. (foreign bases) . .. .Polar on the other hand is surviving only because Atlas management needs them as pawns to be used against ALPA. The Polar MEC has some monumental decisions to make in the very near future. As the previous post mentioned, what are they to do, sacrifice their own jobs to make a statement? On the other hand, they are an ALPA represented company, not to mention sister company of Atlas. There is almost a requirement to show loyalty or be branded as a scab operator. Seems to be a quandary here.....one I'm glad I'm not a part of. . .. .Best of luck to both sides, but I fear if Atlas disappears as a company it will be Polar's turn next.

[411A]

...and good 'ole ALPO lead the parade to oblivion. Wonder when folks will wake up <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" /> to the fact that ALPO is only for the big boys.. . . . <small>[ 27 March 2002, 03:53: Message edited by: 411A ]</small>

[Roadtrip]

411A- You must have several anti-ALPA cut & paster comments ready at any time ALPA is mentioned.. .. .As a point of fact, ALPA recommended the Atlas membership sign the TA. By overwhelming majority, the membership rejected it. . .. .I personally think that if Atlas mainline remained non-union, Atlas would be furloughing Polar instead of the other way around. With Polar's lousy contract, I suppose they see that as better than the potential of a new Atlas one.

[non sched]

Roadtrip. .. .411 is right in this instance. The proposed contract was worse in almost every way than the working conditions already in existence at Atlas with no contract. ALPA certainly deserves no praise for the poor contract they negotiated at Atlas. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

[Roadtrip]

That's my point. I saw that contract. It was crap and deserved to be voted down with disdain. But, in the end it's not ALPA that does the contract, it's the MEC. In this case it look like the MEC got replaced wholesale by Atlas membership.. .. .My point with 411 is he bashes ALPA and unions in general at every opportunity.

[non sched]

Roadtrip. .. .Sorry. I misunderstood. However, you would think ALPA was giving the MEC advice? In any case, the situation at Atlas is a bad one. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

[411A]

...and WILL get worse, make no mistake.

[ironbutt57]

How many times does alpo have to bend you over and give you a good shagging there roadtrip before YOU see the light....took once for me...there must be a lesser evil out there....maybe an in-house option?

[Roadtrip]

Took about a year. I'm now a member of an independent union that was being courted heavily by ALPA to return. ALPA's efforts failed and we are still independent. My vote? No way would I vote to return to ALPA. . .. .That being said, it's easy to instantly assign blame for everything to ALPA when, in reality, the individual MECs are ultimately responsible for their unions. Sort of like a franchaise. The individual store owners make or break their stores. The franchaise company offers support and advice (good and bad perhaps), but in the end, success or failure is on the shoulders of the store owner.

[ironbutt57]

ALPO is less than excited about wasting time and legal resources on negotiating/formulating collective bargaining agreements with pilot groups who offer little(MONEY) in return...it would appear to be in the best interests of most medium/small carrier groups to form their own in-house union, the downside of that of course is missing out on ALPO's huge legal department resources when the feds, or some other folks are trying to ruin your career....what to do?