So what's up at Polar? (Merged again & again)
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Unfortunately some are still around the system and were not allowed to leave (by scheduling), so the word on the street you heard is not that accurate. The rest are all arriving slowly to the different picketing locations, thursday nights in MIA are a blast, come on over guys 
(Shutting it down is quite ok)
(Shutting it down is quite ok)
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Thanks blackbaron!
On 08/12 Whale wrote:
<<A strike vote and a walk out are two VERY differant things. It's rare for a strike vote to end up not being in overwelming support. No big deal. BTW, 20 people is 6% to 7% of the workforce. Could it be that they felt it was easier to not vote vs voting against? Now all of a sudden the 99.23% is 93%. Not such a bragging number.
I also have little doubt that Polar will strike and a VERY large percent of their CM's will walk. A lot of new hires there at Polar? The big differance vs the last strike is, this will not be a three hour strike. It would not be surprising to see a lockout before they get to walk.>>
strike started @ 0601Z
On 08/12 Whale wrote:
<<A strike vote and a walk out are two VERY differant things. It's rare for a strike vote to end up not being in overwelming support. No big deal. BTW, 20 people is 6% to 7% of the workforce. Could it be that they felt it was easier to not vote vs voting against? Now all of a sudden the 99.23% is 93%. Not such a bragging number.
I also have little doubt that Polar will strike and a VERY large percent of their CM's will walk. A lot of new hires there at Polar? The big differance vs the last strike is, this will not be a three hour strike. It would not be surprising to see a lockout before they get to walk.>>
strike started @ 0601Z
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Sorry it came to this. I was hoping, as it got to early morning, AAWH would finally come around. It's the pits when you have to risk your job to find out how much money Polar was really making. A TOTAL lack of trust between the employees and the third floor is almost crimnal.
Just checked the schedule. No PO's in the system. It's a sad day when there are no "Polar" or "Polar Tiger" call signs out there, anywhere.
Struck work rules were released a few hours ago and you have the support of Atlas Air and most the cargo industry. Once pickets locations are posted, I'll be more that happy to join you on the picket line. GOOD LUCK! We'll need it.
Just checked the schedule. No PO's in the system. It's a sad day when there are no "Polar" or "Polar Tiger" call signs out there, anywhere.
Struck work rules were released a few hours ago and you have the support of Atlas Air and most the cargo industry. Once pickets locations are posted, I'll be more that happy to join you on the picket line. GOOD LUCK! We'll need it.
Top Dog
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WD...
How much money?
I hear something quite different, more or less along the lines of 5Y subsidising PO's ops for the last couple of years.
Would like to hear the other side of the story.
I'd hate to see one of the great names in our business disappear.
How much money?
I hear something quite different, more or less along the lines of 5Y subsidising PO's ops for the last couple of years.
Would like to hear the other side of the story.
I'd hate to see one of the great names in our business disappear.
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CR2,
That's the question many would like to have the answer to. Some of it depends on what people want to hear. AAWH is famous for shell games and won't break out the numbers, Atlas vs Polar. When they do break them down to scheduled, ACMI, and charter/military, scheduled is the big looser. That's, today.
When Atlas was in the last days of the cooling off period, three years ago, ACMI was a big looser. Just seems a little too convenient for AAWH, or maybe, just piss poor timing by the unions.
That's the question many would like to have the answer to. Some of it depends on what people want to hear. AAWH is famous for shell games and won't break out the numbers, Atlas vs Polar. When they do break them down to scheduled, ACMI, and charter/military, scheduled is the big looser. That's, today.
When Atlas was in the last days of the cooling off period, three years ago, ACMI was a big looser. Just seems a little too convenient for AAWH, or maybe, just piss poor timing by the unions.
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Thanks Whale, no big deal really, yes it's sad to get to that point for some, but the good thing is that we'll all know each other in the next class. Wasn't worried before and nor am I now. There is a life after PO. Everybody stuck together as you can see
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Polar pilots strike
Pilots at Polar Air Cargo went on strike Friday, refusing to fly for the worldwide freight airline.
The union announced the strike starting at 1:30 a.m. EDT September 16 after negotiating since February 2003 and mediation since June of that year.
The National Mediation Board released the parties from negotiations last month into a mandated 30-day cooling off period. That period ended Thursday at midnight, after which the Polar crewmembers staged the first strike against a major cargo airline in recent memory.
"While we regret the Polar crewmembers' decision to strike," said Jeffrey H. Erickson, president and CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Polar's parent, "we have prepared for this contingency. Consistent with our strategic initiatives to place our aircraft where they are most profitable, we have returned three aircraft on dry lease to Polar back to Atlas Air. We have also placed two Polar aircraft for sale or lease, and are in the process of placing the remaining seven aircraft in other uses, including dry leases. As a result, only seven of the Company's 42 aircraft are affected by the strike."
The company also laid off 40 of Polar's most junior pilots recently as it shifted some of its capacity over to Atlas, an outsourced air operator for world airlines. Polar flies 747 freighters in scheduled service around the world, selling its capacity to forwarders.
The union announced the strike starting at 1:30 a.m. EDT September 16 after negotiating since February 2003 and mediation since June of that year.
The National Mediation Board released the parties from negotiations last month into a mandated 30-day cooling off period. That period ended Thursday at midnight, after which the Polar crewmembers staged the first strike against a major cargo airline in recent memory.
"While we regret the Polar crewmembers' decision to strike," said Jeffrey H. Erickson, president and CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Polar's parent, "we have prepared for this contingency. Consistent with our strategic initiatives to place our aircraft where they are most profitable, we have returned three aircraft on dry lease to Polar back to Atlas Air. We have also placed two Polar aircraft for sale or lease, and are in the process of placing the remaining seven aircraft in other uses, including dry leases. As a result, only seven of the Company's 42 aircraft are affected by the strike."
The company also laid off 40 of Polar's most junior pilots recently as it shifted some of its capacity over to Atlas, an outsourced air operator for world airlines. Polar flies 747 freighters in scheduled service around the world, selling its capacity to forwarders.
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Moderator
Seems to me a breaking news story about a strike at a major cargo carrier (the only one in recent memory according to the article) would merit a seperate thread from a generic "what's happening at Polar" thread but that's just me I guess.
Seems to me a breaking news story about a strike at a major cargo carrier (the only one in recent memory according to the article) would merit a seperate thread from a generic "what's happening at Polar" thread but that's just me I guess.
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I would never ask an Atlas brother to walk off his job to protect mine. We are 2 separate companies and this is OUR problem. The only support we have asked for is not to fly "struck" freight, and so far Fedex, NWA, UAL, Kittyhawk, and Gemini have agreed to it (Atlas as well)
For the rest, if management wants to shut PO down, that's fine with me.
For the rest, if management wants to shut PO down, that's fine with me.
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Support
HH
I know for a fact that Atlas pilots have not flown any cargo from ANC. Each master waybill is inspected for Polar's number (403) by the crew and others, and each pallet of cargo is inspected for evidence that it is Polar cargo. In addition, Atlas pilots have been on the picket line and all those on the picket lines have been fed (free) by food from an Atlas pilot's restaurant.
The only problem I see is that your support is fast wavering due to the antics of your former MEC chairman both on and off the picket line. This gentleman (BF) has apparently decided to take it on himself to visit Atlas pilots houses (granted he apparently knew them) and tell those pilots wives that they are now considered scabs. It has also been reported that he had a verbal confrontation with an Atlas pilot on the picket line who had volunteered his free tiime to support you guys. This is unsatisfactory.
From this and other reports I have heard, the Polar pilots have gotten outstanding support from their Atlas brothers despite all of the acrimony leveled at them both in ANC and also in ORD and other places.
Good luck to you guys.
BD
I know for a fact that Atlas pilots have not flown any cargo from ANC. Each master waybill is inspected for Polar's number (403) by the crew and others, and each pallet of cargo is inspected for evidence that it is Polar cargo. In addition, Atlas pilots have been on the picket line and all those on the picket lines have been fed (free) by food from an Atlas pilot's restaurant.
The only problem I see is that your support is fast wavering due to the antics of your former MEC chairman both on and off the picket line. This gentleman (BF) has apparently decided to take it on himself to visit Atlas pilots houses (granted he apparently knew them) and tell those pilots wives that they are now considered scabs. It has also been reported that he had a verbal confrontation with an Atlas pilot on the picket line who had volunteered his free tiime to support you guys. This is unsatisfactory.
From this and other reports I have heard, the Polar pilots have gotten outstanding support from their Atlas brothers despite all of the acrimony leveled at them both in ANC and also in ORD and other places.
Good luck to you guys.
BD
Last edited by Beaver Driver; 18th Sep 2005 at 22:28.
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Kevin,
2 Atlas pilots joined the picket line the first day of the strike, one of them was the brother in law of a PO pilot, and we thank them for their time. But that was it and understandibly enough since they are not supposed to picket.
As for the free food, sounds like a very nice gesture but no picketers have seen it. Would you have the address of that restaurant so we can let them know their food was lost on it's way there? You wouldn't be talking about the coffee shop would you?
I have no beef with you, and frankly I could care less if the place shuts down, but if the Atlas pilots are doing their job and checking the airway bills like you say, what do they have to worry about? Why did they have to use different entrance locations, have their van wait in an area all lights off, have the ops people use their own cars at some point to drop them off, etc..... ? Don't you think that if they just showed up for work as usual through the normal entrance they have used for years, they would'nt give the impression they are hiding something? The picketers are not there to prevent anyone from getting on an airplane, they are there to remind everybody not to carry PO freight, it's as simple as that.
If Bob's doing what you say he is, have him taken care of, that shouldn't be hard to do and you might even get the help of the PO guys
2 Atlas pilots joined the picket line the first day of the strike, one of them was the brother in law of a PO pilot, and we thank them for their time. But that was it and understandibly enough since they are not supposed to picket.
As for the free food, sounds like a very nice gesture but no picketers have seen it. Would you have the address of that restaurant so we can let them know their food was lost on it's way there? You wouldn't be talking about the coffee shop would you?
I have no beef with you, and frankly I could care less if the place shuts down, but if the Atlas pilots are doing their job and checking the airway bills like you say, what do they have to worry about? Why did they have to use different entrance locations, have their van wait in an area all lights off, have the ops people use their own cars at some point to drop them off, etc..... ? Don't you think that if they just showed up for work as usual through the normal entrance they have used for years, they would'nt give the impression they are hiding something? The picketers are not there to prevent anyone from getting on an airplane, they are there to remind everybody not to carry PO freight, it's as simple as that.
If Bob's doing what you say he is, have him taken care of, that shouldn't be hard to do and you might even get the help of the PO guys
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Pat,
The food (hot-dogs) was delivered by an Atlas pilot Friday afternoon. Saturday I had it in my truck on my way to the line but there were no picketers in sight - turns out they are only picketing when an Atlas airplane is inbound or outbound. Why pick on Atlas pilots only; especially in ANC where there are many many other cargo aircraft that may be carrying Polar cargo.
The Atlas pilots are merely going to work flying their own aircraft. Because you are concentrating only on Atlas aircraft you have, however, managed to let other cargo carriers (Southern Air, Tradewinds, FedEx, UPS, JAL, ANA, Dynasty, and many others) past your line without taking their pictures, asking them "not to carry Polar cargo," and giving them a blast of crap. Why is that?
Atlas pilots are close enough to this and have told you many times that they support you and are doing everything in their power to prevent carraige of Polar cargo. The fact is, there is no Polar Cargo to carry. See for yourself, call a Polar Cargo office - I have. No Polar sales office will currently accept any cargo. So I wonder where all this cargo that Atlas pilots are supposedly carrying is coming from.
Remember, this is your strike, not Atlas'. So if a crewmember passes through your line, he is not "crossing a picket line" as he is not flying your aircraft nor carrying your cargo. If an Atlas pilot chooses to "honor" your picket line, that is his choice. Yesterday morning two Atlas Pilots chose not to "honor" your picket line and were called scabs and given a verbal blast for "crossing a picket line" to fly their own aircraft. I dare you to do that to a FedEx NWA or UPS pilot. In fact, one of your picket stations in ANC is right where the NWA pilots must drive through to get to thier freighters - are you going to call them scabs for not honoring your picket line and for flying their own aircraft?
While this is a "rumor" board, everything I told you has been verified. If you want continued support you better find a way to get your guys (Bob) to focus a little less anger on the only pilots in this industry that can really help you.
I hope to do breakfast in HKG with you again sometime
Good luck to all of you.
BD
The food (hot-dogs) was delivered by an Atlas pilot Friday afternoon. Saturday I had it in my truck on my way to the line but there were no picketers in sight - turns out they are only picketing when an Atlas airplane is inbound or outbound. Why pick on Atlas pilots only; especially in ANC where there are many many other cargo aircraft that may be carrying Polar cargo.
The Atlas pilots are merely going to work flying their own aircraft. Because you are concentrating only on Atlas aircraft you have, however, managed to let other cargo carriers (Southern Air, Tradewinds, FedEx, UPS, JAL, ANA, Dynasty, and many others) past your line without taking their pictures, asking them "not to carry Polar cargo," and giving them a blast of crap. Why is that?
Atlas pilots are close enough to this and have told you many times that they support you and are doing everything in their power to prevent carraige of Polar cargo. The fact is, there is no Polar Cargo to carry. See for yourself, call a Polar Cargo office - I have. No Polar sales office will currently accept any cargo. So I wonder where all this cargo that Atlas pilots are supposedly carrying is coming from.
Remember, this is your strike, not Atlas'. So if a crewmember passes through your line, he is not "crossing a picket line" as he is not flying your aircraft nor carrying your cargo. If an Atlas pilot chooses to "honor" your picket line, that is his choice. Yesterday morning two Atlas Pilots chose not to "honor" your picket line and were called scabs and given a verbal blast for "crossing a picket line" to fly their own aircraft. I dare you to do that to a FedEx NWA or UPS pilot. In fact, one of your picket stations in ANC is right where the NWA pilots must drive through to get to thier freighters - are you going to call them scabs for not honoring your picket line and for flying their own aircraft?
While this is a "rumor" board, everything I told you has been verified. If you want continued support you better find a way to get your guys (Bob) to focus a little less anger on the only pilots in this industry that can really help you.
I hope to do breakfast in HKG with you again sometime
Good luck to all of you.
BD
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Let's be honest
I'm just speaking for myself as an Atlas pilot: I'm confused.
In the latest VARS we are once again reminded by our own MEC to *not* cross a picket line.
But as it's been pointed out, what's the problem with using our normal entrance at work to fly our own airplanes?
Or what about the guys going to training and having their pictures taken?
This doens't make much sense to me.
I'd suggest that if it seems some Atlas pilots are being sneaky and using the backdoor it's only because they're following the advice of the MEC.....which, I gotta be honest, is a little confusing.
In the latest VARS we are once again reminded by our own MEC to *not* cross a picket line.
But as it's been pointed out, what's the problem with using our normal entrance at work to fly our own airplanes?
Or what about the guys going to training and having their pictures taken?
This doens't make much sense to me.
I'd suggest that if it seems some Atlas pilots are being sneaky and using the backdoor it's only because they're following the advice of the MEC.....which, I gotta be honest, is a little confusing.