Never really heard too many refer to Ezell as a good guy (guess there are worse)....but to each his own.
Unfortunately, there are many, many angles to the possibilities for ATI pilots who may be furloughed to return to ABX. The ABX LOA that allowed ABX pilots to gain employment at ATI/CCI is silent regarding various 'what ifs' that could occur. At present, no one really knows the answers to the variables and they will most likely begin to be answered/explored as they occur (such as the present ATI furlough).
I can tell you that if you got fired from ATI, it has not <yet> prevailed in releasing one from their 2 year waiting period. Obviously, common sense would dictate that if you are involuntarily released one would be relinquished from their 2-year commitment period. Common sense doesn't always prevail.
In short, what many are seeking is to be 'released or waived' from the 2 year requirement. *If* the ABX union and company agrees to it, the can of worms begins to open since the waiver would have to be applied uniformly...thereby allowing voluntary furloughed (more senior guys at ATI) to utilize this 1st if desired thereby keeping more junior person on property at ATI in an attempt to fulfill their 2 years. Furloughed is furloughed, voluntary vs. in voluntary is only difference in how one got into that status.
Lastly, keep in mind there are others (ABX furloughed) who never took an ATI/CCI job and have simply by-passed for some period of time.....each day that goes by allows them to be closer to their date of recall (2nd time) and they should retain a higher priority over 'waived' pilots. Naturally, I'd even expect someone to challenge and request if waivers are provided that similar provisions are also provided to by-passed pilots allowing one to change their recall date. This, in effect, levels the playing field by providing similar waivers/reliefs as possibly given to those employed at ATI/CCI.
Hope this hasn't gotten too long winded, but it is more complex than appears at the surface. Especially given that equality has to be seen across the board and not just for the (unfortunate) group of ATI furloughees.
