Path to Atlas Employment
 

2000hr pilot here who's been working their first 135 IFR job (single pilot medevac) now for just under 6 months looking for career advice. After reading through hundreds of Atlas APC posts I thought I'd ask specifically what some of you Atlas pilots thought. I'm thinking of applying to Atlas in the Fall or Winter of 2024.

I'll be ready to try and take my career to the next level near the end of this year after my seasonal pilot job is finished. I should have about 2500 TT, 150 Multi, 600 Turbine PIC and 3 years part 135 experience. I'm looking to be based out of ANC and hoping to get into the 74 if possible.

After reading through all the posts here I think I would enjoy the pros and cons of Atlas and having ANC as my base would be preferred. I have a couple questions:

• Would the hours I'll have when I would be done with my seasonal job in November be competitive? (2500 TT, 150 Multi, 600 Turbine PIC )
• Is there a good window of time to apply to get a training date in the fall or early winter at Atlas?
• Would it be possible to work part time at my summer seasonal pilot job on my off days?
• Should I get my ATP CTP though Atlas before applying or go get my entire ATP through ATP Jets for example?

Lastly most of my professional flying so far has been VFR. I'll only have under 6 months of single pilot IFR before potentially applying to Atlas. I've read that without previous 121 experience or not much IFR experience I might be under qualified to apply to Atlas? Any insight is much appreciated.

Going from bush Alaska to a multi-crew Boeing is a big leap. It can be/has been done. However, you will have a very, very steep learning curve that will require max effort. Even though it would suck, I think going to a regional (not RAVN) for six months to get your ATP, a 121 training program under your belt, and a little bit of experience would make your transition to the Whale A LOT easier. Atlas will most likely always be hiring for ANC.

ANC is a garanteed first base for 74 new hire.
Like he said, that’s a Giant leap, pun intended.
Follow his advice, get on with a Regional, get some jet and IFR time. Speeds, SID/STAR, FMC are all things you’ve never worked with.
The 74 training program is not geared towards vertical hiring.
I came from a 73 and it was daunting.

I concur with TS. I have a single pilot EMS King Air background as well. Went to a DoD contract on bigger Multi TP's working a crew airplane before coming to Atlas. In retrospect, the uphill climb on the 74 would have been a lot less hair pulling if I had at least some background flying SIDs and STARs in the 121 jet world. It can be done, but I would bet you'd be happier and more confident hitting a regional for a few months. YMMV.

You're competitive and way above mins. I know a lot of 1500-1700TT bush guys that were hired into the 747/767. It's up to you to study and get through the program though. You might be offered the 767/737 instead, and those don't have an ANC base.

Apply. Worst that happens we say no and you try again later. Applying multiple times does NOT go against you at all.

Advice? Get to a regional yesterday. Doing more of what you're currently doing isn't improving your resume or knowledge base as much as getting a Part 121 jet type rating course, and IOE/LOE + line experience would do.

Apply to Atlas now. Let them decide. Right now you don't even exist. Update your resume at regular intervals (monthly or twice a month).

Check out what the regionals offer. Some offer quick upgrades if you have X (500??? 750, or 1000 hrs Part 135 time). Go there and you might be able to do 6-12 months as FO and then upgrade. That's a HUGE improvement over another 500 hrs of single (?) engine TPIC time.

Airlines like 500 and especially 1000 hrs TPIC time. But I also had a top guy tell me "we're not getting many of those guys. Or it's PC-12 TPIC time." Hs tone of voice wasn't impressed - seems like they'd prefer jet or at least large turboprop (ATR/Dash 8???) TPIC time.

After 500 hrs, or less, in a given job look into moving up the experience, size, speed, Part 135 vs Part 121, resume improvement ladder. Each step will improve your experience and make you better prepared for the follow on job.

Good luck.

While your advice is nice, unfortunately the regional market is not what it was a year ago. Barely anybody is hiring FOs, and even then class dates are pretty backed up. His time as a single pilot medevac also doesn't count towards 121 PIC mins.

Not sure where that is coming from, most every regional I know of is actively recruiting FOs. Especially if they have 135 turbine time. All the American subsidiaries need FOs now. Otherwise they still wouldn't be offering bonuses for it. Envoy and Skywest are still advertising for FOs with just ATP mins. They prefer DEC qualified, but they still need FOs

Envoy and Skywest are advertising but not hiring in any numbers, mainly only from their own cadet pipeline. Know a lot of 1500TT CFIs and 2500TT 135 guys that got the TBNT without a phone screen. PSA and Piedmont are very selective too, especially if you have high time and they think you'll jump ASAP.