I understand it is a horrible place to work. Reasons for me are the schedules (block of days on- block of days off), maybe based close to home. I am too old to ever see a left seat at a major, if I even would get hired there. Looking at the Delta and SWA threads it seemed 38 was about the median age, well, I passed that many moons ago. I do like long-haul stuff. Some airlines want recommendations from guys that have flown with you. Yes, many of those are at Atlas, I don't know anybody at UPS, Fedex (don't qualify because of overseas employment anyway).
I cannot afford the regionals. There is a minimum paycheck that comes with growing children and the need to build a retirement. I know first year pay sucks, but if I can break 50k then I am good.
If you think nothing can be worse than Atlas, think again. Hauling 110 tons of don't-need-to-be-declared lithium batteries from China or bringing cows and other wild life into a war zone, economy travel on the cheapest airlines via multiple stops, 2 and 3 star "hotels"...

The current state of affairs is not good. Seeing the bonuses that have been allocated to just a few, the unwillingness to negotiate a contract, heck, even trying to go back to a worse contract. Having been at several airlines that all went belly up rather quickly I am worried about Atlas' fate. Yet you never know. USAirways should have gone belly up, yet they bought America West and came above water again until AA bought them. There are a few more. So all hope is not lost...yet.

I understand now that the computer system is making the decision before hr gets involved with it, and sends the tbnt email.