My first year at Atlas has been fun. Woefully underpaid, but fun.

I just reapplied to UPS, updated United and AA. Looking at job fairs on the horizon.

 

Those upgrade times MAY be somewhat accurate....IF we get an amazing contract very soon...otherwise they will be significantly shorter, IMO.

We're not going to ADD 500 pilots next year. No way. At a class every 3 weeks on each fleet, 24 in the 747 classes and 12 in the 767 classes(which are the numbers they used up until recently, but now it seems 6 new hire/6 upgrade per 767 class) the grand total would be about 600. We will lose more than 100 during that time frame, and training can't keep up with that pace anyways.

For perspective, the most recent seniority list(10/30) shows 1457 pilots, the junior 747 Captain is 630(09/11 hire) and junior 767 Captain award is 735(01/13 hire).

 

FYI. 12 year 74 CA just resigned to go to UPS. Read between the lines.

 

When those pilots were hired we were at or below 1000 pilots. They've upgraded in the time they have because we have added so many new aircraft and pilots behind them on the seniority list. They've really only moved up 2-300 numbers though. If it wasn't for the growth they'd still be waiting for upgrade. That's why they're saying if you're not hired soon you are potentially going to have a long wait for upgrade. Attrition under our current contract will help but if/when they get to 2000 pilots, those last few hundred pilots hired will still have a long upgrade without more growth helping out.

 

And how will we handle that growth? What's bizarre is that in the last 6 months, 80% of our new hires have gone to the 747, yet we have 19 767s coming in less than two years?

 

Just by crunching some numbers from the latest vacancy award, we have about 1077 pilots on the 747(436 CA 641 FO). That includes everybody on the seniority list, including those that don't fly the line(training dept, LMED, MIL, MGMT, etc). As a WAG, let's take 75 off to cover those...which is probably not enough. 1002 pilots for 42 airplanes. That gives us 23.85 pilots per airplane. I think UPS staffs the 747 at 23 per plane, so it's in the right ballpark. They show 47 NH spots on the latest vacancy award in addition to these numbers.

I think the 747 hiring has just been to cover the existing airframes, plus the couple additions we've had this year. I started less than a year ago and my seniority has moved up an average of 10 per month. The numbers show that we should be staffed adequately, but yet it's always a Chinese fire drill when it comes to scheduling.

The latest vacancy award shows 383 767 pilots(196 CA 187 FO) for 18 airframes. Figure 35 or so don't fly the line(again a WAG and probably way low) and you get 19.3 pilots per airplane. That seems a bit high for an airplane that most are operated 2 pilot and sit at out stations for DHL all day and the same crew flies it back, so presumably some of those are planned to fill the new airframes coming online. They show 23 NH spots for the 767 in this vacancy award.

I've heard from people that interviewed recently that they were told most upcoming new hires will be going to the 767, with a few 747 classes here and there. Who knows if it's true or not, but I have a feeling there's something we're not being told about that is going to happen on the 747 side. I'm sure you've all heard the various rumors...time will tell if any of them are true.

 

Rumored next interviews are January 16,17,18 in Miami

BayBum

 

All applicants are highly encouraged to perform some "due diligence" when considering accepting a job offer from this company.

Search for the Atlas and Southern CBAs on line. They're out there. Do the math and don't believe what some company reps say you *could* earn.

An RJ Capt making $150k/yr and expecting to suck it up the first year making only $95k is going to be SORELY disappointed when the reality of being stuck on low training pay for months on end due to OE back up and a 50 hour guarantee kick in.

More realistic first year earnings look more like $30-40k/yr.

The more you read and learn, the better choice you'll make. Unless you simply need a 767 type for your FedEx and/or UPS application you really must take heed.

 

Atlas is still better than any regional, my friend(s).... Push comes to shove, when the majors aren't calling, where would it be better to retire at...regional airline or Atlas? It's a no brainer.

 

It's all about expectations. That's what I'm saying.

Do NOT drink the Kool Aid.

Make educated decisions.

Maybe ONE DAY we will have a pension. Today there is no pension. If you had done your homework, you would KNOW that.