Originally Posted by
Snickers
hmmm that's interesting. I know they hire from all walks of life but I was thinking if there is a point system then there should (in theory) be a way to make your application more attractive if you could get the things that would give you enough points, right? Obviously, you can't just go to Walmart and pick up some heavy time but if you know what they want then it's easy to differentiate yourself. For example, a friend of mine who recently got on at another carrier said the computer that receives the resumes and applications is looking for keywords like "FMS experience", "Glass Cockpit" or other words that are synonymous to the company's values. It's not really what you've done, it's how you worded it and how the computer interprets it.
And yes, I was referring to the box in the PAQ. I just looked at mine and if I add three people's names and job titles the font gets so small that there is no way anyone would be able to read it. I only have the person I am closest to listed. Is that hurting me, or am I getting the same points as someone who has say three?
I have never heard of a computer scanning system used here for resumes and there is no way to know how the point system (if, indeed, there is one?) works. I think there is a way to get additional names on the PAQ if you have the most up to date Adobe software.
From the many recently hired pilots I have come across in the past 2.5 years, my impression is that there is little emphasis placed on any one particular column of experience/background (with the exception of some current '76 pilots that were fast-tracked when we started that program). There are heavy pilots who are weak in glass/FMS systems. There are regional guys who thrive on 17 day trips and multiple schedule changes. There seems to be no one industry segment that is highly preferred.
Atlas seems to place the most weight on the individual who will thrive under the peculiar conditions we have at Atlas. They want pilots who have done their homework and know a lot about the working conditions here and still really want the job. They also seem to hire a lot of guys who will be easy to get along with in the cockpit during a 16 hour flight.
Sorry to be so vague, but that is the way it appears to me. Of course you should emphasize your strengths whether it be C-5 or RJ time, glass cockpit, ocean crossings, IP, Check Airman, whatever. Just be sure that you have done your homework because the people I know who were not chosen after an interview didn't know the company or didn't know how they would fit in.
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