DHL sees opportunities as end of US de minimis exemption looms
DHL, for one, appears optimistic about the possibility of the US ending the de minimis ...
By Alex Lennane
DHL has come under fire from American pilots claiming the German company’s influence and control over US airlines is too strong, and could be breaking foreign control requirements.
As a result, Atlas Air and Southern Air pilots are holding a strike authorisation vote on Wednesday, launching what could be a lengthy process.
The issue has come under the spotlight following the acquisition of Southern Air, a DHL Express operator, by Atlas Air, also contracted by DHL, a 49% shareholder in Atlas’s Polar Air subsidiary.
Atlas Air ...
Comment on this article
Christopher
April 01, 2016 at 2:27 pmYour comment about no pay comparison between Atlas and Centurion/SkyLease crosses well beyond the border of ludicrous. Centurion/SkyLease has one operating airplane and no long term business. Kalitta has an ongoing pilot drain because of managements refusal to negotiate in good faith and they also have taken a strike authorization vote. Further, the question of long term operation once Connie Kalitta steps away; for whatever reason, is an unknown whereas Atlas’ survivorship is well established.
Smart business moves and more importantly, the hard work and dedication of the Atlas pilots; even through bankruptcy, have made Atlas the industry juggernaut that it is. The prudent move now would be to engage the pilots in prompt, meaningful discussions that address their long simmering issues, bring their pay to equivalency with FedEx and UPS, and allow the juggernaut to grow. The risk of losing current, qualified pilots to UPS, FedEx and legacy carriers is not rhetoric, it is real and occurring. Too many other jobs are out there for a pilot to not consider other options. Atlas must fix the problem before they become known for killing their own goose that is laying golden eggs.
Alex Lennane
April 01, 2016 at 2:42 pmI realise that Atlas and Centurion/SkyLease are different beasts – but Centurion/SkyLease do seem to have about seven aircraft on the books, and more than one operating. It has been in business for a long while, and seems to survive whatever. However, I am sure Atlas would prefer to be compared to the likes of FedEx and UPs rather than Centurion. As you say, with an upcoming pilot shortage, it may pay to be prudent now.
Jim
April 03, 2016 at 3:06 pmWhat Centurion has “on the books” and what is real are two different animals. They have twenty pilots on the payroll; enough to crew one airplane. To compare them or assume that Atlas wage comparisons should include Centurion to put things in perspective is analagous to saying that a student pilot in a Cessna 152 is qualified to fly the Space Shuttle because they are both underpowered and have wings.
Disgruntled Atlas Pilot
April 02, 2016 at 5:03 pmThe bottom line is it is the pilots that make this place successful and it is time the company recognizes our hard work. The company can certainly afford to pay industry standard wages.
Q4 stock comparison results 2015
AAWW / UPS / FDX
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)
27.2% / 15.81% / 24.08%
Operating Margin (5 year average)
12.48% / 10.12% / 6.76%
Revenue Per Employee
$0.91 / $0.13 / $0.16
Net Income Per Employee
$3,647 (Legal Costs & Fines) / $11,136 / $3,580
The problem with this management team is corporate greed and their ego. They seem to think that they can continuously hire and train their way out of this pilot shortage. They have come out and stated that they will attempt to hire guys that are not desirable to other airlines to try and stop the attrition. We have guys that have finished training more than three months ago that are sitting around waiting to start OE (line qualification training). That is how backed up they are and the training department simply cannot handle it.
All the pilots want is industry standard wages, work rules, and to be recognized for our hard work. Why would a pilot come here and stick around when they could get the 747 type rating and then go to UA, AA, or DL and fly a narrow body for more money, better quality of life, and not be gone for up to 17 days at a time? Widebody FO’s at UA, DL, AA, FX, and UP are making more than our 747 Captains. We do not have basic work rules such as pay protection. You can bid for and be awarded a 80 hour pay credit line, and due to the inefficient crew scheduling department you can be rerouted and end up with the minimum 62 hours for the month.
Times are changing. The company is only as successful as they are due to the hard work and flexibility of the pilots. No more. The philosophy out on the line now is SHOP (stop helping out Purchase, NY). That means no more picking up the slack when other departments (ie scheduling, travel, etc) drop the ball. This management team needs to realize that a happy and motivated pilot group will be key to their success. If not, they will be on their way to destroying a great, successful company due to their corporate greed.