Scraggly Heron

I'm looking at the pay scales for Atlas vs. the Soutwest and Delta's 737s (for a point of comparison)--they're pretty close as best I can tell. All three have assorted 401k matching and profit sharing. Delta has the opportunity to fly wide-bodies at a higher pay rate, but I'm assuming that it takes a long time to get there. Southwest seems to offer the opportunity to fly more hours and has a great work culture. Atlas looks like it has a faster upgrade to the left seat and you don't have to commute, they buy you a ticket to where you will fly from.

I think I'm missing some of the details, but for QOL purposes it looks like Atlas offers an advantage. The 'buy your ticket' deal would make it easier to live at the base with the reserve unit I'm applying to.

What are the thoughts of the experienced airline guys out there? What advice would you offer?

(I'm referencing Delta, but replace that with United/American/FedEx/UPS for purposes of comparison--I would take a job with any that hired me)

John Carr

Just as clarification. You referencing the no commute/gateway at Atlas. Which is GOOD, it's a QOL item.

But to be frank, you DON'T get into this job or go to a place where you can fly more hours. If you are at the point of applying to ANY of the airlines you've referenced, you DON'T need to stuff you logbook with any more flight time.

You WANT to be able to fly as little as possible and extracting the MOST pay credit in the process.

Sorry, but year 2 at SW or DAL 737, you'll be making MORE than you will at ATLAS. Your profit share and 401K will be BETTER also.

And dare I say, as an average, be home MORE once you are holding a line more than likely. Unless you are in some podunk town and you have to 2 leg a commute, etc.

Also, at DAL, newhires are holding NYC ER, that's a "widebody" category. Can't hold it right away? Doesn't matter, with the movement happening you can hold it quickly.

Scraggly Heron

Got it, thanks for the feedback.

The more hours thing was more about getting paid for more hours than building up my logbook, but your point about maximizing pay credit is well taken.

Ace Hotshot

Delta probably has the best uniforms in the industry, whereas, SWA's and Atlas' pilots uniforms are not very nice, especially Atlas (not a knock on Atlas guys and gals...i know you mostly fly the boxes). However, Delta has the second worse paint scheme in the US based airlines (the worst paint scheme needs no mention. Let's just say most are United in that opinion! Lol)

Anyway, I know these aren't as important as quality of job conditions, pay etc. However, image and self-esteem are important and I would feel very important in a Delta uniform..... and the hat!

My preference for a career with these would be Delta, Atlas then Southwest is last because MDW to MCI to BFE to DAL and eating at Applebees for 5 days in a row sounds very boring to me! No offense SWA, it's not you, it's me! Lol

Rama

If you work for Atlas,, you will be gone a lot. It won't get better with seniority like the majors. Pay in the long run will be higher also.

Twin Wasp

Delta's third year pay beats and Southwest's fourth year pay equals Atlas's sixth year. Both have a higher hourly guarantee than Atlas. Delta has a 15% 401k match, SW 9% and Atlas 5%. The fact you're comparing 737 pay with 747 pay says it all.

Fillmore Slim

If you work for Atlas,, you will be gone a lot. It won't get better with seniority like the majors. Pay in the long run will be higher also.

Spot on! You will lose 1-2 million in career earnings (hard pay and retirement). And as far as scheduling goes, you will always work 17 days. Their is no light at the end of the tunnel or cheese at the end of the maze. Your schedule will not get better with seniority as it does at virtually every other airline. There's 20 year captains here that can't bid holidays off.

kme9418

Let's be honest about the gateway "benefit" at Atlas. It's really only worth about $10,000/year which is what you would spend if you bought your own cheap ticket to work every time. So you will more than make up the difference working somewhere else. As for the "gone all the time"...if we ever got that electronic trip drop/trade thing we were promised, that would help this out for those that want time off more than money.

By the way, SWA IS a "legacy" now by my own definition.

Rama

Legacy 401k retirement contributions are around 15%. If you make $100k in a year, they give you 15k plus you may add your own contribution up to IRS limits.
This adds up quite a bit over time. I think Atlas has some type of 401k match, not sure of the details.

DC8DRIVER

Atlas will match 50% of the first 10% that a pilot contributes to the 401k, so 5% but only if you contribute.

Atlas is not a destination airline and gateway is certainly not a good enough reason to bypass a career at any major.

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