itsjustajob

Atlas has become 2022's Airline version of the Hunger Games!

This company is making record profits, and the thought of firing any pilot doesn't even phase this company and they can make that occur without a second thought and often without warning or following the progressive discipline process (trust us, with all that cash they can afford to deal with it in arbitration).

Firstly, the failure rate in the training center is setting records, Terminations are resulting since these are occurring during probationary years (UQE's) and the Union can't step in to help in those cases. The reason is simple, the lack of AQP, and the fast tempo high workload "PC" is overloading pilots coming up on that first check. The lack of seat time, the lack of hands on flying for a year is taking out a large number of 1-2 year pilots due to the loss of flying skills!

We are even seeing a VERY high percentage of Upgrades not making it through the initial simulator sessions and returning to the line as FO's, It takes more than just seat time to get through training, and Atlas more so than any other carrier has an extremely high standard to meet given the global reach of the operation. Seniority alone will not get an upgrade candidate through and into a left seat, and that failure will forever be on the record should you decide to go elsewhere.

On the other front, the Union is getting notified daily of MULTIPLE Article 19 hearings asking for terminations and letters in files.

The new pilots seem to be forgetting that the company IS NOT THEIR FRIEND in these matters, and instead of approaching the Professional Standards committee
go VFR direct to the company. The company historically whacks everyone involved with a hearing even the REPORTING crewmember...

The turnover of the new hires in the past 24 months is the highest percentage of pilots leaving, involuntarily and to a point voluntarily if only to keep their files clear of a letter by tendering a resignation ahead of a letter being placed in their permanent file.

May the odds ever be in your favor...

JoeFlying

Probationary years? I thought it was just 1 year?

itsjustajob

Probationary year can and has been extended in the past due to Article 19 findings and discipline in certain cases.

Roverruckus

I found the training to be quite a bit easier for my initial than my previous regional, so if someone can't make it through this training program, I would rather not fly with them. I had two wash out of my class and it was very apparent that it needed to happen. We don't need another 76 nosed over into ground.

Swakid8

I have ask, what is causing these guys going to upgrades not pass? I know there is a **** ton of preparation that is required going into it being up familiar with a complex FOM, solid knowledge of the systems, procedures.

mcfadden

Atlas had been hiring anyone with a pulse the past several years.

Elevation

I've been critical of our training program for a number of reasons, but a high fail rate hasn't been one of them. We definitely have not been losing pilots over nothing, either. I'm aware of more than one pilot that's been on special tracking multiple times after getting multiple extra checkrides. They're still here.

We fail to teach a lot of stuff that should be introduced in the classroom. This puts an undue burden on our check airmen. We haven't adjusted as necessary to people who may be coming here as their first airline, first jet. As someone else pointed out, our training is easier than most regionals. A more thorough program wouldn't come with an increased fail rate, but basics that we assume people know need to be taught rather than omitted to get pilots back to the hotel early. All of my gripes center around content rather than fail rates.

Flying the sim, especially after a year here, is on you. If you can do the basics, you'll get through the ride. Maybe someone will wag a finger at you, but you'll get through. Same goes for upgrade. If you aren't getting seat time you need, get seat time or buy a simulator for your laptop or whatever. AQP still comes with a maneuvers validation, so it's not like you magically get to be inept when and if we ever get it.

Elevation

Upgrade here is easier than upgrade most places. Read the FOM. We don't teach it well, so you have to study on your own. Know how to get information you need out of Jeppview too. None of it is cosmic.

Elevation

Also as a captain, ask to get in my Chilli from time to time. I'll delegate all kinds of stuff. That builds some familiarity with factors. Do this with a few different captains and you start getting a pretty good picture of things.

Swakid8

Elevation, I understand that. I went through a upgrade at my previous carrier. I agree with every point you have made so far. See the OP gripe about fail rates, but in my opinion, the training was actually easier than it was at my previous company to my surprise.

At the same time, there is a lot of leeway with how to do things which is a good thing and but it’s also a frustrating thing. The fail rates isn’t gripe. I gripe was lack of standardization amongst instructors with them teaching their techniques as gossip this contradicted the current FCOM rev procedures. (this was a huge gripe for me and my sim partner).

Also you are correct, there was a lot left out during the ground portion of Indoc which would have been covered if this was one first airline. But if this was your second airline, it’s no big deal because you knew exactly where to go for information that one was looking for in the FOM.

As the ride itself, it is straight forward, if you know you have training coming up, the onus is on the crew member to get in the seat, do some hand flying, do some PMing, be up on the currency FCOM Rev procedures not the previous one, study the material.