Unprecedented pilot attrition at Air Transport International (ATI) is a growing concern for the airline’s pilots, as is ATI management’s attempt to fill the vacancies by hiring foreign pilots using EB-2 visas rather than negotiating fair pay rates sufficient to attract and retain available qualified U.S. pilots.
“ATI’s visa scheme is not a sustainable path to maintaining, much less growing our staffing levels. Only a market-based pilot contract will attract and retain the pilots needed for ATI to serve its customers,” said Capt. Mike Sterling, chair of the ATI Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), which represents ATI pilots.
ATI pilots are seeking a strong contract that allows for pilots to build their career at the airline. ALPA has been in negotiations with management for an updated contract since June 2020 but the delay in reaching an agreement has led to a mass exodus of ATI pilots. Of the roughly 550 pilots at ATI, a record 126 left in 2022, and 89 have already left this year as of May 5, 2023, for airlines with contracts that offer better pay and quality of life.
“Our pilots have made it very clear what they need to stay: a fair and equitable contract agreement. The ATI pilot group takes great pride in providing our customers with outstanding service, as displayed by our continued achievements in safety and performance, despite ATI management neglecting our primary needs,” added Sterling.
