I keep hearing about Jerry's visit to the pilot lounge....what happened and how was he treated?
It was embarassing to me. One morbidly obese FO waddled up to Jerry Atkin with his shirt mostly un tucked, got in his face and started loudly stating that Management was a bunch of liars. Mr. Atkin asked who lied and said that if someone was not honest he would fire them. When pressed for specifics, Mr. FO looked at his shoes and mumbled "no one really, it was more an impression" (or something) and then he blamed ALPA. (In the FO's defense, there certainly are some good examples he could have given of management lying, but he did not think of them and to SkyWest's credit most of the worst management offenders are gone)
I don't like Mr. Atkin's game of cost boxes and aircraft transfers, but, he has the power to do these sorts of actions and thus far, ALPA has been unwilling, or unable, to stop him. Jerry Atkin has been tremendously successful and if no other reason than his power, he deserves respect. A line pilot is not going to get the pilot group anywhere by getting in a man like Atkin's face and screaming at him. Could we be seeing the wrath of a vengeful Jerry? I dunno.
I'm not sure why ASA is falling apart when by all objective measures it is not really that bad. Perhaps management finds some advantage in the lack of morale. But, pilots are taking their own little individual strikes by leaving and not coming back. Right now, I do not know how that is a good thing for ASA, SkyWest, or Delta.
With a good, experienced, crew I can stay on schedule. With a couple of malcontents, or a NOOB, there is little chance of being able to reliably deliver the product Delta sold their ticket-holder. When I try to care about Delta's passengers and delivering the product my own management team runs up, kicks me in the nuts and tells me I'm a loser for working here. It aint real encouraging.