flyingreasemnky

Consider Kalitta as they already have a new contract and starting pay is $101.56 first year and $119.33 second. Upgrade is currently 18 months which would jump to $175.49 at second year and $203.31 at third.

manolo1492

I went to Atlas after 10 years at some regional owned by Skypest, and it was the best decision I ever made!!! I had a blast in training, flew the coolest plane ever to some amazing destinations, and worked with some pretty cool people. I enjoyed being home for up to 13 days at once, and really had fun while traveling the world for 17 days (20 days once). For me being on the road that long was a cakewalk, maybe because I was in the Navy and had over 3 years floating at sea. Might not be as easy or enjoyable for everyone, specially the married family folk. As far as pay goes, it's not horrible compared to most regionals, although with all the $billion dollar signing bonuses it does make it hard to compete. Second year pay is not bad at $100/hr, although I didnt really get a chance to enjoy it much because I was hired somewhere else exactly on my one year anniversary. HUGE thanks to Atlas for helping me get to my dream job!

I really do miss the 747 and the awesome destinations :**(

No Land 3

On the flip side, if you are a CA, you might hate being an FO again, and flying with two to three other pilots, you might find yourself operating the coffee pot more than taking off and landing. I left a regional and got a pay increase at K4. I have a much higher QOL now, but my own personal satisfaction has taken a small hit. I really loved being a CA, I miss that. With that said, I am happier at K4, and now have financial freedom. Can't speak for Atlas, but it's always advantageous to get your foot in the door before a new contract is signed, and I would expect their new contract to be better than ours at K4.

robthree

Not an Atlas guy, but Ex-ACMI.

17 days on the road is absolutely brutal on your family life. With young kids its almost unbearable - for them even more than you. You will miss every important family event. The schedules just don't have the flexibility that a young family needs. Especially as the junior guy.

Living near CVG could be workable. Get the 767, bid reserve, you could be home a lot. Can you survive on min pay? Not is it beneath you, but can your family make ends meet with the pay cut?

And at that point, why would you make the move? You're getting PIC time, making adequate coin, seeing your kids grow up, what's better about sitting reserve, making less money, just to have a heavy jet type?

In my new hire class at UAL, it was 30% Military, 50% Regional, 15% mid-major, and 5% ACMI. Atlas will probably not propel you into a major airline new hire class any faster than racking up more TPIC and networking will.


Now if your airline is shrinking into oblivion, or you get furloughed, or some other calamity befalls you or your job, you should absolutely go get a job at an ACMI place. They do well during economic downturns, and it is a fun job. But I don't think I'd trade the left seat in any airliner to be the junior reserve bunkie.

No Land 3

I’ll also add that I have two young kids and a wife. With it being brutal on family life really depends on your wife and kids. When I am home, they get much more dad/husband time than when I was at a regional. You can actually do stuff when you are home for nearly two weeks.

HercDriver130

^^^^^^^^ this ... every family is different

For Robthree to make the sweeping statement that it is brutal on your family is just BS. Can it be.. yes.... but no more than any airline job... I would be the divorce rate amongst pax carriers and cargo carriers is about the same.

Tenacvols

I'd say it's higher amongst Pax carriers. Damn flight attendants....

Whale Driver

Family and kids aspect of long trips is PURELY a direct reflection on the confidence of the wife.

minimwage4

Easy just get an ugly wife and have some ugly kids. Then 17 on will be good.

HercDriver130

^^^^^^^^ agreed