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.
Talon's standard is the USAF and ATA, they both do not exist in the 121 and 117 world as we know it. He does not say if he has a hefty retirement or not from the military. It does make a big difference at Atlas. As the previous poster stated, at Atlas, this place is a big shell game. Sometimes one of those 80+ hour awarded lines goes away, while you are on one of those 20 hour days, for no reason. It is a tough pill to swallow and that motivates people to flee to Spirit, DAL, AA, UAL and SWA. The nice military retirement compensates for the lost pay that normally happens at Atlas.
I would advise those who look at Atlas in the top three job prospects to keep looking. In terms of CBA it does not even come close to the top 5. Atlas is still on its first negotiated CBA. The current CBA is a post merger non section 6 contract.
Also remember Atlas is partially built on CMI which means the risk to the company is none and substantial to the pilot group. Guess who is furloughed if any of the CMI customers decides to pull their airplane(s) in favor of another company?
Conditions right now are consistent light to moderate chop but it is forecasted to get worse before smooth sailing again. Good luck with your decision.