JetBlue or Atlas?
11-26-2023, 11:11 PM
#91
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2019
Posts: 105
Originally Posted by Cleared4appch
How long are your layovers typically? And I’d guess the flying, at least on the 74, is typically 1 leg and done for the day (since it’s long haul)?
The days can get long but usually flights are manned with three or four crewmembers so you can chill or rest in the back a chunk of that time in the air.
it's a laid back job but you do spend quite a bit of time dealing with jet lag.
We also have the 767 which has shorter legs and domestic flying if that's your thing. Or you can mix it up once your seat lock opens up which is what I did.
Other people will give their take as well.
11-27-2023, 07:09 PM
#92
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2013
Position: No Hats No Jackets No PAX
Posts: 1,504
Originally Posted by CRJJ
Atlas will always be the best job I’ve ever had, period.
With that being said, now that I moved on, I have ZERO contact with the passengers other than 2 PAs per flight if I’m the PM, otherwise not even that. FA drama? Not at all. Some are nicer some are a bit special, but it doesn’t interfere in our job at all, which is beyond easy. If PAX get all crazy, there’s a specific department that takes care of that, and we get paid by the minute so who cares.
And I’ve never been to a crashpad, living in base is key obviously, or a same day commute. Gateway is great but that’s on your days off most of the time unless your trip starts with a deadhead.
So is Atlas a unique job and a constant adventure? You bet, still miss it. But the typical crashpad/FA drama/PAX craziness argument is not 100% true anymore in my opinion.
If I didn’t have the familiar situation that I have, where pay/benefits are what matters the most, I’d still be enjoying the 74 lifestyle.
With that being said, now that I moved on, I have ZERO contact with the passengers other than 2 PAs per flight if I’m the PM, otherwise not even that. FA drama? Not at all. Some are nicer some are a bit special, but it doesn’t interfere in our job at all, which is beyond easy. If PAX get all crazy, there’s a specific department that takes care of that, and we get paid by the minute so who cares.
And I’ve never been to a crashpad, living in base is key obviously, or a same day commute. Gateway is great but that’s on your days off most of the time unless your trip starts with a deadhead.
So is Atlas a unique job and a constant adventure? You bet, still miss it. But the typical crashpad/FA drama/PAX craziness argument is not 100% true anymore in my opinion.
If I didn’t have the familiar situation that I have, where pay/benefits are what matters the most, I’d still be enjoying the 74 lifestyle.
Last edited by C17B74; 11-27-2023 at 07:30 PM.
11-28-2023, 12:25 AM
#93
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2019
Posts: 105
I agree pay and benefits are important.
there are many ways to skin a cat and my family's plan has always been to live abroad where life is way cheaper.
the real question is also are you able to spend your time till retirement doing the kind of flying you envision yourself doing?
if you can handle doing LGA or JFK to ORD (overdramatization I agree) for the rest of your career then power to y'a. I'm just not built for that.
also something else to consider is the companies themselves.
what is JB? A legacy? A LCC? It's stuck between legacies and LCCs...how strong is that for market positioning?
it's gonna buy spirit...a currently distressed ULCC that unfortunately is realizing that target customers with low discretionary spending are an unstable source of income.
atlas granted could be chopped off and sold to pieces tomorrow...but currently it has a strong position in the ACMI world.
there are many ways to skin a cat and my family's plan has always been to live abroad where life is way cheaper.
the real question is also are you able to spend your time till retirement doing the kind of flying you envision yourself doing?
if you can handle doing LGA or JFK to ORD (overdramatization I agree) for the rest of your career then power to y'a. I'm just not built for that.
also something else to consider is the companies themselves.
what is JB? A legacy? A LCC? It's stuck between legacies and LCCs...how strong is that for market positioning?
it's gonna buy spirit...a currently distressed ULCC that unfortunately is realizing that target customers with low discretionary spending are an unstable source of income.
atlas granted could be chopped off and sold to pieces tomorrow...but currently it has a strong position in the ACMI world.
11-28-2023, 05:18 AM
#94
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Posts: 693
Originally Posted by Lionhaart
what is JB? A legacy? A LCC?
The definition of a Legacy carrier is an airline that existed before the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 (thus, the "legacy"). With the merger mania of the last several years that means there's not many left.
American
United
Delta
Alaska
Hawaiian
That's it.
11-28-2023, 12:35 PM
#96
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 65
Originally Posted by Lionhaart
Imagine getting a call to operate Chicago to Leipzig followed by two days in Leipzig. Then it's business class travel to Miami, get there in the morning to then operate at night to Mexico...followed by two days in Mexico. Then it's Mexico to Alaska. When you're done you're bought a ticket to go home (after you've rested at a paid for hotel, of course.)
does something like this tire you or excite you?
if it's the later then you'd like flying at Atlas.
If youre okay with the same old regional flying for more money and slightly bigger planes then jetblue.
if you want an adventure then come to Atlas.
I'd wager that posters who say "go to JB definitely " haven't flown pax since 2018. It's driving a greyhound bus day in and day out.
kcm and passenger terminals
begging for Jumpseats and crash pads with flight attendant drama
lots and lots of New York.....
waiting for hotel shuttles...
smug passengers would couldn't care less about your PAs and just want you to go already.
Can you see yourself doing that for a decade or more on the same metal? Hey you'll get a bit more on the 401k maybe. And a line will help you avoid the crash pads..maybe?
as for the comment of the 747 type...unless you know of other planes that have noseloading you can expect the 74 to be around for a while.
as for the hard two week work...yes you're gone for half the month..but you're not working half the month. You'll be spending a good chunk of that at layovers around the world. And when you do operate it's a one and done deal.
it's a laid back job...
at the end of the day if you want an office job with a better pay package at the end then JetBlue.
if you want an adventure or a lifetime with a good pay package at the end then come to Atlas.
yes atlas can and will get better but so is any airline, right?
You know what...give it a shot. Worst case you get a heavy type rating and have done some unique and valuable flying. Best case you find that this place fits you like a glove too and you get hooked on the flying and the money (which can get good once you can get open time...very good.)
does something like this tire you or excite you?
if it's the later then you'd like flying at Atlas.
If youre okay with the same old regional flying for more money and slightly bigger planes then jetblue.
if you want an adventure then come to Atlas.
I'd wager that posters who say "go to JB definitely " haven't flown pax since 2018. It's driving a greyhound bus day in and day out.
kcm and passenger terminals
begging for Jumpseats and crash pads with flight attendant drama
lots and lots of New York.....
waiting for hotel shuttles...
smug passengers would couldn't care less about your PAs and just want you to go already.
Can you see yourself doing that for a decade or more on the same metal? Hey you'll get a bit more on the 401k maybe. And a line will help you avoid the crash pads..maybe?
as for the comment of the 747 type...unless you know of other planes that have noseloading you can expect the 74 to be around for a while.
as for the hard two week work...yes you're gone for half the month..but you're not working half the month. You'll be spending a good chunk of that at layovers around the world. And when you do operate it's a one and done deal.
it's a laid back job...
at the end of the day if you want an office job with a better pay package at the end then JetBlue.
if you want an adventure or a lifetime with a good pay package at the end then come to Atlas.
yes atlas can and will get better but so is any airline, right?
You know what...give it a shot. Worst case you get a heavy type rating and have done some unique and valuable flying. Best case you find that this place fits you like a glove too and you get hooked on the flying and the money (which can get good once you can get open time...very good.)
11-28-2023, 02:11 PM
#97
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2013
Position: No Hats No Jackets No PAX
Posts: 1,504
Originally Posted by eminitrader
Exactly why I chose Atlas over Spirit - some called me crazy but I think I made the right choice.
11-29-2023, 03:57 AM
#98
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,470
Originally Posted by zerozero
Not to be pedantic, but JB is literally not a Legacy by definition. It's a LCC.
The definition of a Legacy carrier is an airline that existed before the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 (thus, the "legacy"). With the merger mania of the last several years that means there's not many left.
American
United
Delta
Alaska
Hawaiian
That's it.
The definition of a Legacy carrier is an airline that existed before the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 (thus, the "legacy"). With the merger mania of the last several years that means there's not many left.
American
United
Delta
Alaska
Hawaiian
That's it.
11-29-2023, 07:06 AM
#99
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,427
Originally Posted by CRJJ
Atlas will always be the best job I’ve ever had, period.
With that being said, now that I moved on, I have ZERO contact with the passengers other than 2 PAs per flight if I’m the PM, otherwise not even that. FA drama? Not at all. Some are nicer some are a bit special, but it doesn’t interfere in our job at all, which is beyond easy. If PAX get all crazy, there’s a specific department that takes care of that, and we get paid by the minute so who cares.
And I’ve never been to a crashpad, living in base is key obviously, or a same day commute. Gateway is great but that’s on your days off most of the time unless your trip starts with a deadhead.
So is Atlas a unique job and a constant adventure? You bet, still miss it. But the typical crashpad/FA drama/PAX craziness argument is not 100% true anymore in my opinion.
If I didn’t have the familiar situation that I have, where pay/benefits are what matters the most, I’d still be enjoying the 74 lifestyle.
With that being said, now that I moved on, I have ZERO contact with the passengers other than 2 PAs per flight if I’m the PM, otherwise not even that. FA drama? Not at all. Some are nicer some are a bit special, but it doesn’t interfere in our job at all, which is beyond easy. If PAX get all crazy, there’s a specific department that takes care of that, and we get paid by the minute so who cares.
And I’ve never been to a crashpad, living in base is key obviously, or a same day commute. Gateway is great but that’s on your days off most of the time unless your trip starts with a deadhead.
So is Atlas a unique job and a constant adventure? You bet, still miss it. But the typical crashpad/FA drama/PAX craziness argument is not 100% true anymore in my opinion.
If I didn’t have the familiar situation that I have, where pay/benefits are what matters the most, I’d still be enjoying the 74 lifestyle.
Atlas was the best flying job I've ever had.... But, pay and retirement lagging behind peers were one of the biggest factors for me to take the job at the U... I already have like 3K pilots below me.... I also was able to take a jr Captain upgrade after 15 months on property....
Working for a legacy has been great. If you live in or near a base, it's a better gig. Working with FA's haven't been a big deal to be honest.For every single drama incident there's thousands of other non drama incidents (Pax and FAs) so don't let that scare you away from pax flying.
Crashpad, this is minimized by being near base.
Anyways,
11-29-2023, 05:25 PM
#100
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2013
Position: No Hats No Jackets No PAX
Posts: 1,504
Great to hear from you Swakid8,
Glad it's worked out for you. Very well said, being in base takes a huge bite of any issues at any outfit - especially a jump seat outfit it's a no brainer. Even here I do miss having a base nearby to drive too. It was the bomb when it lasted no doubt about it - makes a huge difference. Just not willing to sacrifice my Shangri-La / home by living near any bases offered at other outfits, globetrotting, no door, no tie, no jackets required and at the mercy of FAs to exit my seat.
*Very envious of those who just happen to live in base where that is their Shanghai - La which is lucky at best. Not somewhere I will leave immediately upon retirement. Had enuff forced moves for the job in the mil. Nice having a care free choice and I am grateful.
Glad it's worked out for you. Very well said, being in base takes a huge bite of any issues at any outfit - especially a jump seat outfit it's a no brainer. Even here I do miss having a base nearby to drive too. It was the bomb when it lasted no doubt about it - makes a huge difference. Just not willing to sacrifice my Shangri-La / home by living near any bases offered at other outfits, globetrotting, no door, no tie, no jackets required and at the mercy of FAs to exit my seat.
*Very envious of those who just happen to live in base where that is their Shanghai - La which is lucky at best. Not somewhere I will leave immediately upon retirement. Had enuff forced moves for the job in the mil. Nice having a care free choice and I am grateful.
Last edited by C17B74; 11-29-2023 at 05:54 PM.
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