Zeddb,

I really don't have a dog in this fight anymore...I'm at Atlas on the "light twin"!!

However, you may ask your BA friends why it matters that "the BA work" he mentions only matters when it comes to big airplanes that carry freight. He seems to ignore the examples you gave of carriers that fly pax for BA.

Like my better half says...he has "the selective hearing disease"!!

And these people tend to forget why the BA freight work is by definition in an ACMI company, which, by the way is more expensive in the short run for BA.

But I am sure if they would accept the full, complete terms the board of BA would allow the cargo boys to have their own operations.

Now probably most contributers to the thread have not understood what I worte...

GSS morale misery
 

But would you class the 10 years of GSS operation plus the period of the Atlas Chelsea Rose operation a "short run". It can't be that much more expensive or BA would have done something about it surely??

It also has to do with the fact that in a really bad worldwide economy where air freight is suffering badly, they could just pay some penalties and give back the shiny new jets that BA did not have to pay for...

If they start their own operations, they'd have to buy or lease (dry) aircraft for their pilots to fly...and that is a huge commitment (and risk) that BA (or any of our customers) don't want to take...

I forgot to add "yours aye" was at the helm when the secondees appeared
Had I known that was going to happen I would not have gone to GSS in the first place
Many of the original Atlas guys were duped into transferring to GSS 2002

Unfortunately those management guys of that day don't realise they have a lot to answer to, hence the legacy of the present situation

Duped...but most INCREDIBLY lucky as it turned out...
 

This turned out to be a very lucky choice...as they would have been made redundant (like all their former colleagues) in 2009 when Atlas closed the STN base and discarded all the non-Yanks as pawns in union negotiations.

Also, most were given a command...so it proved to be a VERY fortuitous decision in taking lower pay and conditions to move from AACS to GSS.

PG

Most of us came over as captains
GSS were the lucky ones to have the smooth transition with experienced crews

Ur not that well informed

Popgun,

Not quite...the "original Atlas guys" would have been able to come back to Atlas mainline in 2009 (as many did) from AACS (not GSS) when it was shut down...

At the risk of being shot down, how are things at GSS at the moment?? Do they have plans to recruit non rated pilots?

Thanks,

Dd

Direct DIKRO,

There has been some recruitment to cover retirements, a handful moving on and upgrades. Everyone who is coming through the system is 400 rated although not necessarily experienced on type. As long as there are such people available, there will be no non rated recruitment as far as I know.

Midnight cruiser,

I was certainly thrilled to be off the unemployment statistics and to be able to pay the bills again. So was Mrs Z.

As for your second comment, getting paid to sit in a nice seat watching movies is just fine by me. It has become better with the recent upgrading of our J priority. And the hotels in India are rather nice, the only real pain is immigration in Mumbai which is slightly less intrusive and unpleasant than Orlando. As for flying back and forth, there is no discernible difference between schlepping back and forth to the subcontinent and schlepping back and forth to the East coast or the Canary islands or up and down the UK 4 times a day. The big difference is that I now do a lot less of it.

I even got to go to the states this month, as our German colleagues have all been issued with Indian visas they can now enjoy the delights of DEL, BOM and MAA just like the rest of us and stop nicking all the Frankfurt -US trips.:E

I still maintain that it is a far better way to make a living than most of the slavery on offer elsewhere and command would top it all off nicely, should it ever happen. If not, then at least I have a chance of making it to retirement without dying of exhaustion first.

How's life with you?

Hours
 

Hi Guys,

Does anybody know if GSS will be recruiting again soon? And if so, how strict are they on the total hours requirement. Im rated and current on the 400, and although I don't meet the minimum TT requirement I have a substantial amount of hours on the 747.

Cheers!

Can't be that substantial ! :E

It is for the 744 world.

A good four years of LONG-HAUL on this aircraft doesn't get you very many hours.
Its not Ryanair flying mate...!! :p

Not sure how up-to-date www.ppjn.com is, but the webiste indicates GSS currently have 3 747-800Fs (400s have been replaced) with options on 2 additional 747-800Fs.

In this industry, nothing is certain and options may/may not be taken. Any idea whether these options might be taken? Is GSS doing reasonably "well" financially where growth would make sense or is it suffering like a lot of the freight carriers (i.e., Air Cargo Germany)?

They are looking for a new Chief Training Captain!

Iver,

GSS is trundling along as normal. All the flights are for BA at present so as long as they are doing alright so do we. Loads are generally pretty good and routes are adjusted as the market dictates, BA commercial seem to know their business and such things are far above my pay grade so I just turn up, fly then go home again.

ACG are now no longer trading so not much of a comparison. There may be a bit of work as a result or maybe not. As I understand it they did a lot of stuff for DHL. We still maintain currency on the 400 in the simulator and the manuals all feature both variants. Read into that what you will. Rumours come and go just like every airline, no idea what may or may not happen. There are a few new faces appearing which means I might get to enjoy my standby days at home this week:E

Dihaz, AFAIK recruitment is finished for the time being but it is worth putting in your details via the website as things can and do change fairly rapidly. As long as you are not too short of the required hours, having a current 400 rating will put you in the running.

Zeddb,

Thanks for the constructive info!

Cheers!

It's easy to figure out who you are A340yumyum.

Would anyone be able to divulge what average take home is after tax per month at GSS? A friend of a friend was offered the job recently but turned it down on the basis of money. Are the figures on ppjn correct? Also is it 18 days per month generally? I have heard it tends to be less. Many thanks, nomad.

It's easy to figure out who you are A340yumyum.

Sudden Twang. I was rumbled over a year ago!!

Nomad,

Years 1 and 2 are a touch lean but after that you get 4% increment up to year 10 then a bit less up to year 12. Company has only been in existence for 10 years so no one has yet fallen off the top end.

Sector pay has been increased and you get a per diem plus long sector payments and the odd bit of overtime or a day off instead if you choose.

I'm going into year 4 shortly and my average take home after stoppages and pension contributions is around 3.5K give or take. Not brilliant but given that I work half as hard as I used to, not too bad either.

If you want more dosh, the go and work for Virgin/BA or Ryanair. You will give a whole lot more to the taxman, spend more on travelling if a commuter and will probably be not much better off. I used to earn about 20% more but still had about the same disposable every month as I do now. Plus I get more time at home and am less knackered, despite being 87 years old.

18 days per month is about right although you will probably only fly 1/3 of that. The odd standby and lots of time in decent to very good hotels, where you will spend some of those allowances. Always ensure that the Indians have given you your food and beverage discount. Cheeky buggers.

Z.

Great post, right until the end when it takes on an ugly turn ("cheeky buggers")...come on, you can leave that out.:=

Quote..."Always ensure that the Indians have given you your food and beverage discount. Cheeky buggers."

Many thanks Zeddb, appreciate your assistance. Regards, nomad.

CAO,

Lighten up mate, only having a laugh. Have you ever spent any time in "
incredible India?" :E

Nomad,

Glad to be of assistance.

You are digging a deeper hole for yourself...:ugh::=

If you knew me at all, you would not be asking me if I have been to India...

Yes - but No but Yes - we don't know you. Pray enlighten, us, the foolish ignorant souls who enjoy a good laugh without, we hope, causing great offence.

I was wondering, is this all said whilst your head rocks from side to side?:p

No No! This is definitely A Gay Rights matter. I believe The Cheeky Buggers and their backing group are a very successful Crossover ensemble currently on A World Tour. They would not wish to be associated with dodgy doings, Cargo Airlines (although they send all their paraphernalia, speakers, minions, etc by such means) or indeed anything to do with Pprune.

I stand by what I said, and let's move on to the subject at hand...If you don't see any problem with what you said, then there must not be anything wrong with it, right?

Wow, must be a nice way to live your life hurling insults and not being held to account for it...must be nice to know everything about everything.

I'm done, and outta here...I do have a perspective (being an Atlas guy) that may be of use to someone, but it is not worth my blood pressure.

GSS morale misery
 

Jesus lighten up! You are bringing morale misery to this thread.

Is a job at GSS commutable from throughout UK or must one live relatively close to Stansted?

GSS morale misery
 

So what's the latest on this company guys/girls? Last few posts a few months old and OP over a year old.

Looks like BA/IAG and Qantas are trying the same tactic. Who will blink first? There will be casualties eventually:eek:


IAG searches for bargaining chip on freighter contract as yields tumble - the Loadstar

The 3 aircraft belong to Atlas Air anyway. I am sure they would have no problem finding customers for them.

I think Atlas would have a lot of trouble placing the aircraft...They have others unplaced...

Flite idol,

That article is interesting but seems to be 90% speculation and 10% guesswork. Airlines do that kind of playing one off against another all the time in order to drive a hard bargain. The SHA route got dropped but it could well reappear as others have come and gone over the years. JNB being a good example.

Not saying that it could never happen, but nothing has been said so far. I'll have to ask one of the drivers, who seem to be plugged into a higher source than the rest of us. Either that or they sit in on board meetings.

I'm not dusting the CV down just yet. :E

Not sure where your information comes from. I work here and I am telling you we have NO airplanes sitting on the ground, and a couple of customers looking for more lift.

Would it be smart to cut the fuel bill by getting 777F's instead?

END of the line for GSS Atlas Air Worldwide, British Airways to Pursue New Opportunities - WSJ.com