AAI SACKS 100's of Pilots
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AGE!
Now that people are finding out who was terminated, it is clear that age was the deciding factor. Almost every crew member over 60 sent packing. Even long time crew members with low employee numbers who were late fifties or older sent home. So much for loyalty.
Also, Fixed Base pilots over 60 with a "three year fixed base" contract terminated due to this "seasonal" adjustment.
This is now a public company. How will the share holders react if they get wind? The Icelandic pilots work 3 weeks on - 3 weeks off so they are the least productive and the most expensive to the company. None of them, including fresh hires, were sent home.
Also, Fixed Base pilots over 60 with a "three year fixed base" contract terminated due to this "seasonal" adjustment.
This is now a public company. How will the share holders react if they get wind? The Icelandic pilots work 3 weeks on - 3 weeks off so they are the least productive and the most expensive to the company. None of them, including fresh hires, were sent home.
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What a great shame it is that pilots will not stick together. Collectively the crews have the power to bring companies like AAI to their knees, for that sort of behaviour.
Alone?....well you have just seen the results.
Is the "dark haired Scandinavian" still the "CP"?
Alone?....well you have just seen the results.
Is the "dark haired Scandinavian" still the "CP"?
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Unfortunately sticking together as you put it would not work in this case. Not much we can do for the lack of work.
One of the AAI secrets of staying in business has been the company ability to shred excess workforce duringh bad times. During 911 when business slumped to one aircraft flying for Nigeria Airways AAI managed to stay in business by parking and returning most of their aircraft and naturally laying off most of the employees.
Business should be picking up towards the summer as freight flying is increeasing as we speak. Many of us have been given a "Return to service" date of between beginning and end of March. There are more contracts under works so I am hopeful that like JO said in the letter that most people would be back to work by summer.
One of the AAI secrets of staying in business has been the company ability to shred excess workforce duringh bad times. During 911 when business slumped to one aircraft flying for Nigeria Airways AAI managed to stay in business by parking and returning most of their aircraft and naturally laying off most of the employees.
Business should be picking up towards the summer as freight flying is increeasing as we speak. Many of us have been given a "Return to service" date of between beginning and end of March. There are more contracts under works so I am hopeful that like JO said in the letter that most people would be back to work by summer.
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Fair enough and I would not find too much of a problem with that as I am well aware of basic economics.
However the behavior exhibited by AAI and to which is refer too, is that the cull was not based on seniority, which I think is outrageous. A stand against that type of age discrimination would be quiet justified. If rehiring was to begin again in March and be back to almost normal a few months later, then why hit on the older guys? From where I am, it has the hallmarks of permanent downsizing.
What about the Chief pilots, what are they doing about your plight? In my day a chief pilot was exactly that, a Chief pilot, who looked after the interests and stood up for his or her fellow pilots. That seems to be out of the window now, IE., the "...I'll be first in the lifeboat sonny, as I have to direct rescue operations ashore...." attitude.
During my brief stay at AAI we were told that within 2 years they would be operating 250 B747's! Delusions of grandeur come to mind.
I am also well aware that the contract pilots have no rights at all as the contract is not worth the paper it is written on from the point of view of the employee. Never seen one was worth the paper it was written on but it is better than being unemployed.
However the behavior exhibited by AAI and to which is refer too, is that the cull was not based on seniority, which I think is outrageous. A stand against that type of age discrimination would be quiet justified. If rehiring was to begin again in March and be back to almost normal a few months later, then why hit on the older guys? From where I am, it has the hallmarks of permanent downsizing.
What about the Chief pilots, what are they doing about your plight? In my day a chief pilot was exactly that, a Chief pilot, who looked after the interests and stood up for his or her fellow pilots. That seems to be out of the window now, IE., the "...I'll be first in the lifeboat sonny, as I have to direct rescue operations ashore...." attitude.
During my brief stay at AAI we were told that within 2 years they would be operating 250 B747's! Delusions of grandeur come to mind.
I am also well aware that the contract pilots have no rights at all as the contract is not worth the paper it is written on from the point of view of the employee. Never seen one was worth the paper it was written on but it is better than being unemployed.
Last edited by Formally Known As; 9th Feb 2006 at 07:42.
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Loyalty....?
Heloooo. Did all of you "loyal" cockpit contractors have this crazy idea that AAI would somehow be immune from business downturns, be immune from mismanagement, be immune from unfair in-house employment politics...? 
Look what happened to Atlas after its founder and CEO Michael Chowdry had died. A ship without a rudder. The company is still drying to claw its way out of a dark hole.
AAI boys & girls: Welcome to the dog-eat-dog world of aviation.
Look what happened to Atlas after its founder and CEO Michael Chowdry had died. A ship without a rudder. The company is still drying to claw its way out of a dark hole.
AAI boys & girls: Welcome to the dog-eat-dog world of aviation.
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During the period after 911 AAI lost most of the contracts they had.
The Nigerian was the only major contract.
I understand they would have never accepted this contract prior to this which resulted in several million USD in non payment, normal for this country.
AAI worked us not according to seniority or nationality, but tried to spread the little work they had around for all.
In a 1 year period I worked myself only 13 weeks which I was gratiful for since no other jobs were available.
Probably slammed them in other areas for different reasons here, but they did try to help us all.
For that I am thankful.
I hope all of you get recalled soon.
Earl
The Nigerian was the only major contract.
I understand they would have never accepted this contract prior to this which resulted in several million USD in non payment, normal for this country.
AAI worked us not according to seniority or nationality, but tried to spread the little work they had around for all.
In a 1 year period I worked myself only 13 weeks which I was gratiful for since no other jobs were available.
Probably slammed them in other areas for different reasons here, but they did try to help us all.
For that I am thankful.
I hope all of you get recalled soon.
Earl
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I must say here that I have always been treated in a professional way in AAI.
Very kind people, and they always try to please you.
Also the best paid job I've ever come across on B737.
But indeed, flexibility is what AAI is keeping alive and healthy. Shame though that the B737 fleet had to go as we had good contracts and hard working, very competent crews.
Very kind people, and they always try to please you.
Also the best paid job I've ever come across on B737.
But indeed, flexibility is what AAI is keeping alive and healthy. Shame though that the B737 fleet had to go as we had good contracts and hard working, very competent crews.
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AAI
Hi chaps
dont forget AAI looks after the "fish-heads" first and last-even that idiot Oskar,soon to become a very bad B744 capt!!!!!!!!
Why does the E.C. allow these cowboys to operate in E.U. airspace?????
dont forget AAI looks after the "fish-heads" first and last-even that idiot Oskar,soon to become a very bad B744 capt!!!!!!!!
Why does the E.C. allow these cowboys to operate in E.U. airspace?????
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xnigelinrealworld
Your post does not enhance but confirms the appalling reputation of AAI. It also confirms the overall superiority of Boeing and in particular, of the above mentioned A/C!
Your post does not enhance but confirms the appalling reputation of AAI. It also confirms the overall superiority of Boeing and in particular, of the above mentioned A/C!
Last edited by Formally Known As; 12th Feb 2006 at 11:03.
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AAI... well aint that just great !!!! 
I have been in the pilot pool with AAI since a year ago for the classic, and now this !!
I hope all you guys who where asked to go, find a better job so AAI will be completely FU
when they rehire later on. (training in expensive !)Best of luck to you guys !
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hi
I've been in that pool for more than a year too 
But it seems that it turned in a "bloodbath" lately! Best wishes to those good fellows currently unemployed..I hope you'll all get back in line asap!
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..
..what's going on? ..How came nobody talks about AAI anymore?! ..all the drivers called back? Not yet? Any news?..this silence "sounds" strange..
Last edited by leveledoff 450; 2nd Mar 2006 at 14:10.
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Anyone know if they're getting anymore new contracts on the classic fleet for the summer or are they going out of business since they're loosing existing contracts and downsizing the 747 fleet.
Whats the update?
Whats the update?
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Hi Maverick,
With all due respect, who cares if those tossers lose more contracts
.....after "disposing" of alot of valuable crew
....in this business,what goes around,comes around
. Not that I'm bitter and twisted but the way that they used and abused the disposed of crews during the hajj.....will be interesting to see how many guys return (if required)!? There are plenty of jobs out there and a looming pilot shortage.....interesting times for everybody.....
See ya....
With all due respect, who cares if those tossers lose more contracts
.....after "disposing" of alot of valuable crew ....in this business,what goes around,comes around . Not that I'm bitter and twisted but the way that they used and abused the disposed of crews during the hajj.....will be interesting to see how many guys return (if required)!? There are plenty of jobs out there and a looming pilot shortage.....interesting times for everybody.....See ya....
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I have heard that after the last few months of bad news that there may be good news developing at AAI? Some of the terminated guys have received e-mails from Gary O'Sullivan asking about there availability to return?
I was thinking of going there awhile back (as I knew 2 or 3 guys who left CAL to go there in 2004) but with the news of the cuts and all the bad things I've read and heard I'm now, at best, very uncertain?
Pay seems okay it seems but no paid vacation, minimal benefits and poor promotion prospects as they don't have a seniority system in place except for the Icelandic pilots I've heard?
Seems it'd be easier to hire experienced Captains than consider promoting from within?
Then again 1 or 2 promotions a year here is equally pathetic!
I was thinking of going there awhile back (as I knew 2 or 3 guys who left CAL to go there in 2004) but with the news of the cuts and all the bad things I've read and heard I'm now, at best, very uncertain?
Pay seems okay it seems but no paid vacation, minimal benefits and poor promotion prospects as they don't have a seniority system in place except for the Icelandic pilots I've heard?
Seems it'd be easier to hire experienced Captains than consider promoting from within?
Then again 1 or 2 promotions a year here is equally pathetic!
