In March of 2020, Atlas Air, operator of both the largest widebody fleet and the largest 747 fleet in the world, was gripped by the pandemic and universal lockdowns.  Yet, Atlas operated the first flight for Project Airbridge, delivering critical medical equipment, PPE, and emergency supplies during this time of need. At the height of the pandemic, Atlas pilots delivered these lifesaving supplies, around the clock, to nearly every theater on earth. Often, these areas were the hardest hit with the highest levels of infection resulting in numerous Atlas pilots being infected by the Covid19 virus. Still, Atlas pilots pressed on, delivering these life-saving supplies and ensuring critical supply chains remained open while others closed completely.

In 2021, Atlas Management declared they would force their pilot group to take the Covid-19 injections under threat of job termination without regard to medical status, religious belief, or the natural immunity that many pilots had attained as the result of their exposure due to their employment at Atlas Air.

In October, Atlas Air CEO John Dietrich announced that all Atlas Pilots must be “fully vaccinated” by December 8th.  At this time, 37% of Atlas’ approximately 2,500 pilots remained unvaccinated. 

After the pilots learned that their union, Teamsters Local 2750, was not going to defend them against this declaration, Atlas pilots joined together to defend their Title VII rights

Quickly, the group organized, retained the services of an attorney, and served Atlas with a demand letter along with each pilot’s request for accommodations. This campaign ended successfully with all pilots who submitted requests were accommodated.

Patricia Goodwin-Peters, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Atlas Air, communicated that any pilot who wants to continue to fly for Atlas must take the vaccine regardless of the outcome of the OSHA and Federal Contractor Mandates.  Instead, she blamed foreign hotels, restaurants, and other international entry requirements for the mandate.

On January 25, 2022, Atlas CEO John Dietrich announced via a prerecorded “Town Hall” meeting that Atlas will require all pilots to be vaccinated by May 1, 2022, or be placed on unpaid leave, effectively terminated.  Just over a week later, on February 2, 2022, it was reported that Dietrich announced Atlas will not accept any religious or medical exemptions.  This is the same day Atlas offered to “buy back” all awarded vacation days during the deadline period at 150% premium.

Regardless of the consequences, the men and women of Atlas will not bow to mandates that violate their Title VII and ADA rights, nor will we submit to coercion or threats.  We delivered for the world during the darkest days of the pandemic.  Atlas pilots will now deliver for each other by continuing to hold the line and stand in unity in this fight for liberty and freedom. We are on the right side of history, and WE WILL WIN!