Originally Posted by
Talon1011
Sounds like a 'sour grapes' guy to me. Everyone's situation is different. Granted, this ACMI life can be hard on a family if the spouse isn't a strong individual as well. Between the USAF, ATA and now here .. this is all my family has ever known. Holidays were whenever we were all together around the correct date, birthdays were celebrated when we were together, and when the washer broke down my wife took care of things without wringing her hands. Take an honest look at your situation and evaluate how things will be if you are gone 17 days during the month.
This is nothing more than what has been written here many, many times on this thread. Know what this Freight Dog life is like before you walk in the door. If it will work for you then you will have the time of your life here. If not, it will be misery. Answer that question honestly and your decision will be made for you.
Definite truth there. This is my second ACMI job, and while Atlas is far better than my first one, you really do need to do a self- (and family) assessment to figure out if you should come here or not. I have some friends at the regionals who would love to come over, but who would probably get divorced if they did. I tell those guys and gals that they need to steer clear.
In reality, I really hope with the next CBA we can rein in the number of days worked, and hopefully kick up the guarantee, rig, and other soft time rules. I don't think any of us realistically expect FedEx+1% on the next CBA (never know, though), but people coming here need to realize that the job itself can become a monster that can swallow your life if you're not careful. Of course, that's true for a lot of jobs, not just Atlas. Work to live, not live to work, as the saying goes. I like to think of Atlas as the company that helps me pay my bills and fund my expensive hobbies.
We also need our union leaders to continue to educate our pilot group that "fun" is not a valid trade for pay and QOL. I once listened to one of our pilots at the bar in Hahn (I was sitting at a table nearby) who practically had a couple pilots fresh out of the military convinced that Atlas was better than Delta because it was more fun. Really, really off-base stuff.
Anyway, just some random thoughts as I enjoy my 6 days off before I run off and go stack some more FunBux™ at work.