Omni Air Pilot Negotiations update
08-19-2017, 06:14 PM
#261
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Part 121, 135 & Military background
Posts: 379
08-19-2017, 06:36 PM
#262
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Part 121, 135 & Military background
Posts: 379
A letter from one on the way out.
I am writing to officially tender my resignation from Omni Air International. I appreciate you allowing me to rescind my previous resignation. I used the time since to do some thinking about my future at Omni and what that might look like.
While on the surface it appears the company has good intentions as far as the negotiation of a new pilot contract, it doesn't take much digging to see that isn't the case. Jeff Crippen's letter to the pilots was very appealing and the website he and the company created looks really nice with graphs, charts, and pictures of money, but these are simply flash to obscure what lies beneath - a weak offer.
Neither the letter nor the website address business class travel other than to condemn it, while it is one of the most important issues to the pilot group. I have been subject to the abuse of the Omni travel department for nearly seven years. That abuse will not continue for me. I have to ask a simple question, why is it that Atlas can provide it's pilots with business class travel but Omni can't? The answer is Omni can, it just refuses to.
When I first started at Omni, I was scheduled to work 18 days per month, often being held out longer than that. Today, almost seven years later, I am still scheduled to work 18 days per month and still get involuntarily held out longer than that. How can Omni expect to appeal to current or new pilots (to replace the current pilots who are leaving so rapidly) with a future like that, and with no scheduling incentive for longevity? Our competitors work their pilots fewer days per month and cannot hold out their pilots for four extra days like Omni does because of whatever unfortunate circumstances arise, whether it be a maintenance problem or Omni's inability to adequately staff its fleet with pilots due to attrition.
The previous two items are of great concern to the pilots. Let's look at something equally concerning but much more simple - the Known Crew Member Program. The pilot group has expressed interest in KCM since its inception, yet the company refuses to let us participate, making Omni one of the only remaining airlines not participating. At first the reason was due to cost, but the pilot group agreed to pay for the expenses. Why would Omni deny its pilots access to such a program when it costs the company nothing? Omni's behavior in this matter exposes how it truly feels about its pilot group.
Even more troubling than these issues is the recent exposure of the company's lack of trustworthiness. I am referencing the proposed Based Crewmembers LOA. Mr. Crippen's response to a question asked by a pilot on the new website about the LOA was clearly an attempt to deceive the pilot group into believing the LOA would only affect pilots flying "light category aircraft". Luckily our union was able to outline not only the very real possibility of based operations for our current aircraft, but also Mr. Crippen's blatant and intentional misdirection and flat out lie. In fact, the LOA does not mention "light category aircraft" at all. Do you think we have forgotten the Madrid TDY?
How long will Omni continue to resist the imminent improvements which are needed to bring the pilot's compensation and quality of life to industry standard? How many more pilot's will it lose while it drags out negotiations to try to save a few dollars? How many more trips will Omni turn down because it can't staff its aircraft with pilots? Only Omni leadership has these answers and I wish the best of luck in its future endeavors, whatever they may be.
Sincerely,
Another Captain
I am writing to officially tender my resignation from Omni Air International. I appreciate you allowing me to rescind my previous resignation. I used the time since to do some thinking about my future at Omni and what that might look like.
While on the surface it appears the company has good intentions as far as the negotiation of a new pilot contract, it doesn't take much digging to see that isn't the case. Jeff Crippen's letter to the pilots was very appealing and the website he and the company created looks really nice with graphs, charts, and pictures of money, but these are simply flash to obscure what lies beneath - a weak offer.
Neither the letter nor the website address business class travel other than to condemn it, while it is one of the most important issues to the pilot group. I have been subject to the abuse of the Omni travel department for nearly seven years. That abuse will not continue for me. I have to ask a simple question, why is it that Atlas can provide it's pilots with business class travel but Omni can't? The answer is Omni can, it just refuses to.
When I first started at Omni, I was scheduled to work 18 days per month, often being held out longer than that. Today, almost seven years later, I am still scheduled to work 18 days per month and still get involuntarily held out longer than that. How can Omni expect to appeal to current or new pilots (to replace the current pilots who are leaving so rapidly) with a future like that, and with no scheduling incentive for longevity? Our competitors work their pilots fewer days per month and cannot hold out their pilots for four extra days like Omni does because of whatever unfortunate circumstances arise, whether it be a maintenance problem or Omni's inability to adequately staff its fleet with pilots due to attrition.
The previous two items are of great concern to the pilots. Let's look at something equally concerning but much more simple - the Known Crew Member Program. The pilot group has expressed interest in KCM since its inception, yet the company refuses to let us participate, making Omni one of the only remaining airlines not participating. At first the reason was due to cost, but the pilot group agreed to pay for the expenses. Why would Omni deny its pilots access to such a program when it costs the company nothing? Omni's behavior in this matter exposes how it truly feels about its pilot group.
Even more troubling than these issues is the recent exposure of the company's lack of trustworthiness. I am referencing the proposed Based Crewmembers LOA. Mr. Crippen's response to a question asked by a pilot on the new website about the LOA was clearly an attempt to deceive the pilot group into believing the LOA would only affect pilots flying "light category aircraft". Luckily our union was able to outline not only the very real possibility of based operations for our current aircraft, but also Mr. Crippen's blatant and intentional misdirection and flat out lie. In fact, the LOA does not mention "light category aircraft" at all. Do you think we have forgotten the Madrid TDY?
How long will Omni continue to resist the imminent improvements which are needed to bring the pilot's compensation and quality of life to industry standard? How many more pilot's will it lose while it drags out negotiations to try to save a few dollars? How many more trips will Omni turn down because it can't staff its aircraft with pilots? Only Omni leadership has these answers and I wish the best of luck in its future endeavors, whatever they may be.
Sincerely,
Another Captain
It sounds like you have had enough.
I am very happy for you that you were able to move on and find a Greener pasture.
Omni depends heavily on their captains to continue the tutelage of new pilots when they get out of training. I have no doubt that you have helped a lot of new guys become quality International Pilots.
you're sincere account of your experience at Omni is clearly heartfelt and I hope management reads it and understands.
Congratulations on the new gig.
08-19-2017, 07:38 PM
#263
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Position: Captain
Posts: 16
So, you are for taking less than an industry standard contract? What's insulting is selfish guys that will settle for less based on their own needs. Sorry if you find it insulting but it's the truth. Do your job and do it well and be rightfully compensated! I am not on here to make friends! I am here to get guys to understand that we can't sell ourselves short! I am not PC, I call it as it is.... If you don't like it I hear we are hiring flight attendants...
08-20-2017, 05:40 AM
#264
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Part 121, 135 & Military background
Posts: 379
So, you are for taking less than an industry standard contract? What's insulting is selfish guys that will settle for less based on their own needs. Sorry if you find it insulting but it's the truth. Do your job and do it well and be rightfully compensated! I am not on here to make friends! I am here to get guys to understand that we can't sell ourselves short! I am not PC, I call it as it is.... If you don't like it I hear we are hiring flight attendants...
You don't call it as it is; you call it as you see it.
if you want to influence people, or as you say with enormous condescension "make people understand", make an argument!
Convince people why it is in their best interest to wait longer for more.
But, way more importantly, respect your fellow Pilots.
you might be a 10-year captain who's single and has all his bills paid; if you tell me it is in your best interest, to wait as long as it takes to get the "industry standard contract" that you speak of, then I would say you're probably right, FOR YOU.
If someone is a first-year co-pilot with a wife and two kids living in Seattle who has exhausted his savings, and he tells me the contract offered is what's best for him, then i would say he's probably right too.
Determining what is best for each of us is a very personal decision.
And, that doesn't make either of you selfish.
I was recently in a conversation with six other pilots and they were all weighing the cost benefit analysis.
It was a smart conversation.
Calculations were made, talks of 401Ks, compounding interest, potential for advancement, what is necessary for the company to thrive and even a few good ideas that might help bring this thing to a close that we could all agree on, were discussed.
what they were not...
Was an embarrassment.
You don't need to be on here to make friends; but it is foolish to make enemies.
08-20-2017, 08:08 AM
#265
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Position: Captain
Posts: 16
You're so busy insulting people that you don't even take the time to listen to yourself.
You don't call it as it is; you call it as you see it.
if you want to influence people, or as you say with enormous condescension "make people understand", make an argument!
Convince people why it is in their best interest to wait longer for more.
But, way more importantly, respect your fellow Pilots.
you might be a 10-year captain who's single and has all his bills paid; if you tell me it is in your best interest, to wait as long as it takes to get the "industry standard contract" that you speak of, then I would say you're probably right, FOR YOU.
If someone is a first-year co-pilot with a wife and two kids living in Seattle who has exhausted his savings, and he tells me the contract offered is what's best for him, then i would say he's probably right too.
Determining what is best for each of us is a very personal decision.
And, that doesn't make either of you selfish.
I was recently in a conversation with six other pilots and they were all weighing the cost benefit analysis.
It was a smart conversation.
Calculations were made, talks of 401Ks, compounding interest, potential for advancement, what is necessary for the company to thrive and even a few good ideas that might help bring this thing to a close that we could all agree on, were discussed.
what they were not...
Was an embarrassment.
You don't need to be on here to make friends; but it is foolish to make enemies.
You don't call it as it is; you call it as you see it.
if you want to influence people, or as you say with enormous condescension "make people understand", make an argument!
Convince people why it is in their best interest to wait longer for more.
But, way more importantly, respect your fellow Pilots.
you might be a 10-year captain who's single and has all his bills paid; if you tell me it is in your best interest, to wait as long as it takes to get the "industry standard contract" that you speak of, then I would say you're probably right, FOR YOU.
If someone is a first-year co-pilot with a wife and two kids living in Seattle who has exhausted his savings, and he tells me the contract offered is what's best for him, then i would say he's probably right too.
Determining what is best for each of us is a very personal decision.
And, that doesn't make either of you selfish.
I was recently in a conversation with six other pilots and they were all weighing the cost benefit analysis.
It was a smart conversation.
Calculations were made, talks of 401Ks, compounding interest, potential for advancement, what is necessary for the company to thrive and even a few good ideas that might help bring this thing to a close that we could all agree on, were discussed.
what they were not...
Was an embarrassment.
You don't need to be on here to make friends; but it is foolish to make enemies.
08-20-2017, 09:22 AM
#266
Banned
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: Window Seat
Posts: 1,430
Apparently you need to stop wiggling your stick for a minute and listen to yourself. I am a married captain with kids and lots of bills and I need the raise today. What I won't do though is take a sub par contract that lowers industry standard. I understand everyone's situation is different and I am not speaking to new hire FO's.. As far as the Seattle FO goes maybe he should find a better job, lots of companies are hiring.
08-20-2017, 01:13 PM
#267
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2009
Posts: 611
For those suggesting your contract should be something short of industry standard is a suggestion that you want to subsidize Omni's business model with your paycheck.
Do you think the fueler charges 50 cents on the $1 to fuel an Omni airplane versus a Delta airplane because your management team claims to have a weaker business model. They charge market rates for fuel just as you should be charging market rates for your skills.
You can argue about where you fly or what you fly but that is irrelevant, either Omni has a sustainable business model or it doesn't. Either they can afford to pay market rates for pilots to fly their airplanes or they don't have a viable airline.
08-20-2017, 03:59 PM
#268
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Part 121, 135 & Military background
Posts: 379
Crew expenses should be treated no differently than fuel, aircraft acquisition, parts, and maintenance expenses. These expenses are the same at large airlines as they are at small airlines. They are all a cost of doing business.
For those suggesting your contract should be something short of industry standard is a suggestion that you want to subsidize Omni's business model with your paycheck.
Do you think the fueler charges 50 cents on the $1 to fuel an Omni airplane versus a Delta airplane because your management team claims to have a weaker business model. They charge market rates for fuel just as you should be charging market rates for your skills.
You can argue about where you fly or what you fly but that is irrelevant, either Omni has a sustainable business model or it doesn't. Either they can afford to pay market rates for pilots to fly their airplanes or they don't have a viable airline.
For those suggesting your contract should be something short of industry standard is a suggestion that you want to subsidize Omni's business model with your paycheck.
Do you think the fueler charges 50 cents on the $1 to fuel an Omni airplane versus a Delta airplane because your management team claims to have a weaker business model. They charge market rates for fuel just as you should be charging market rates for your skills.
You can argue about where you fly or what you fly but that is irrelevant, either Omni has a sustainable business model or it doesn't. Either they can afford to pay market rates for pilots to fly their airplanes or they don't have a viable airline.
Good!
At least you're making an argument.
450 is just acting like a blustering, prepubescent child.
So I'll respond to your points.
You are correct when you state that pilot expensive should be treated just like any other cost. However, when you say it is no different at Delta, I would have to challenge you on that point.
There is such a thing as economy of scale; Larger companies can defer cost over their operation by taking advantage of things like buying in bulk.
Ace Hardware has a hard time selling a hammer for the same cost Walmart can. Still the same hammer, but Walmart gets it cheaper because they buy in mass quantities.
Next you make an argument for "industry standard contract".
What is that exactly?
Omni has pretty much run all the ACMI competition out of business; Atlas and Kalitta are both cargo carriers with way more scheduled service.
For us to pretend that this is not a legitimate factor, is intellectually dishonest.
Take the business class travel conundrum.
Both sides are right!
Sir, I'm 6ft tall and 280 pounds (1 too many barbells and way too many burritos) and no one, except maybe Luke, wants business class seats more than I do.
The agony of commercial, economy travel is real. It is a legitimate complaint.
On, the other hand, when the company says that the absence of scheduled service and the size of our Fleet make it difficult to effectively use company travel like these other carriers do, is a legitimate point as well.
I believe, or at least hope that there is a compromise that represents the needs of both sides.
The idea that we are supplementing the company out of our own paychecks constitute a presumption that our paycheck should be a certain size.
Every single pilot at Omni could have applied at at a legacy carrier that has "industry standard".
We are all here for a particular reason.
some people never got their degree, some people were attracted to the quicker upgrade, some like the home basing, some people had a hiccup in their career, for whatever reason we all chose to be here.
The argument that people who want a contract now should just go to another carrier can be turned around on that same person saying if you want to wait forever for "industry standard", you should go to another carrier. It's the same argument both ways.
I think it would be wise to remember that Delta didn't get their contract overnight. it's a hundred-year-old company and their pilots have been through 20 + contracts to get where they are.
Like any other pilot, I would love more money and business class travel all the time, but I am trying to balance that with reasonable and fair expectations.
Jerks like 450 will insult people, challenge my manhood by making flight attendant employment jokes or even juvenile attempts at humor on my screen name. That's fine. I'll leave it to all those who read this to decide who is conducting themselves in a more professional manner.
On your last point, in reference to fuel cost, respectfully sir, you're just inaccurate on this one. Of course Delta pays less for fuel!! Hell, they own their own refinery!!
But, even without that, the whole buying in bulk thing would still apply.
Finally, I'm not a management shill nor do I have a hidden agenda. like most here, I am just a line pilot looking at the cost/benefit of how far we've come and how far we have left to go and what the price tag would be for that.
I completely respect your right to disagree. To believe that "industry standard" no matter how long it takes is the only option. I'd never attack you for that opinion.
What I can't stand is the brown shirt, thug tactics of some who attacked anyone who doesn't agree with their definition of what our contract should be.
08-20-2017, 05:06 PM
#269
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Capt
Posts: 3,215
Industry Standard Contract:
In the old days, companies like Atlas could pay the best in the ACMI world, and get many, many very experienced applicants.
The Pilot Shortage is changing everything. Omni and Atlas are competing w Kalitta, Miami Air, Delta, FedEx, SWA, Hainan Airlines, Qatar, Ethiopian, ANA, etc., etc.
In the long-run, Omni will need an industry standard contract, or they will be out of business. Even "just" an Industry Standard Contract might not be enough.
DAL is planning on ab-initio hiring, just like the military. AA has protected themselves with flow through: It will be VERY difficult for Omni to get any Envoy, Piedmont, or PSA pilots. UAL has come up with a number of solutions, including hiring CFIs without ATPs to bypass the regionals.
If Omni pilots agree to a sub-industry standard contract, it will hurt Omni, Atlas, ABX, etc, in the short run. But, in the long-run, Omni mgmt will have to come back early with better terms, or they won't last.
In the old days, companies like Atlas could pay the best in the ACMI world, and get many, many very experienced applicants.
The Pilot Shortage is changing everything. Omni and Atlas are competing w Kalitta, Miami Air, Delta, FedEx, SWA, Hainan Airlines, Qatar, Ethiopian, ANA, etc., etc.
In the long-run, Omni will need an industry standard contract, or they will be out of business. Even "just" an Industry Standard Contract might not be enough.
DAL is planning on ab-initio hiring, just like the military. AA has protected themselves with flow through: It will be VERY difficult for Omni to get any Envoy, Piedmont, or PSA pilots. UAL has come up with a number of solutions, including hiring CFIs without ATPs to bypass the regionals.
If Omni pilots agree to a sub-industry standard contract, it will hurt Omni, Atlas, ABX, etc, in the short run. But, in the long-run, Omni mgmt will have to come back early with better terms, or they won't last.
08-20-2017, 07:25 PM
#270
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2009
Posts: 611
Industry Standard Contract:
In the old days, companies like Atlas could pay the best in the ACMI world, and get many, many very experienced applicants.
The Pilot Shortage is changing everything. Omni and Atlas are competing w Kalitta, Miami Air, Delta, FedEx, SWA, Hainan Airlines, Qatar, Ethiopian, ANA, etc., etc.
In the long-run, Omni will need an industry standard contract, or they will be out of business. Even "just" an Industry Standard Contract might not be enough.
DAL is planning on ab-initio hiring, just like the military. AA has protected themselves with flow through: It will be VERY difficult for Omni to get any Envoy, Piedmont, or PSA pilots. UAL has come up with a number of solutions, including hiring CFIs without ATPs to bypass the regionals.
If Omni pilots agree to a sub-industry standard contract, it will hurt Omni, Atlas, ABX, etc, in the short run. But, in the long-run, Omni mgmt will have to come back early with better terms, or they won't last.
In the old days, companies like Atlas could pay the best in the ACMI world, and get many, many very experienced applicants.
The Pilot Shortage is changing everything. Omni and Atlas are competing w Kalitta, Miami Air, Delta, FedEx, SWA, Hainan Airlines, Qatar, Ethiopian, ANA, etc., etc.
In the long-run, Omni will need an industry standard contract, or they will be out of business. Even "just" an Industry Standard Contract might not be enough.
DAL is planning on ab-initio hiring, just like the military. AA has protected themselves with flow through: It will be VERY difficult for Omni to get any Envoy, Piedmont, or PSA pilots. UAL has come up with a number of solutions, including hiring CFIs without ATPs to bypass the regionals.
If Omni pilots agree to a sub-industry standard contract, it will hurt Omni, Atlas, ABX, etc, in the short run. But, in the long-run, Omni mgmt will have to come back early with better terms, or they won't last.
All the excuses can be made about economies of scale, who our competition is, based on the kind of flying we do, etc. The bottom line is just that, the bottom line. All these excuses will not keep Omni in business because the industry Omni is in is the U.S. aviation industry. Omni's competition is defined by the companies who are hiring Omni pilots away from Omni and based on what I am reading on here, Omni's competition is kicking Omni's butt.
I wish the Omni pilots the best of luck in achieving industry standard. As ATP Cliff has stated, coming up short of industry standard is an airline death sentence and the airline managers who refuse to accept this fact will also be looking for jobs soon enough with a defunct airline on their resume.
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