Unfortunately we can't make decisions for everyone. A mature adult would be smart to just say, "Nope. Call me when you have a slot on the 767 or 747 at Atlas." That is unless it's an unemployed 22 year old living at home with Mom and Dad in CVG. Then maybe...

 

Sigh.... I've heard this one far too many times. I think Atlas was a career mistake for me. I'd be a mil instructor by now and all of those guys in my peer group have been hired at forever airlines...

 

dang this thread went quiet

 

And after almost 7 years this thread, along with any interest in Atlas Air, has died in 3.............2..........1.... BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPP

 

The voice in the back of my head keeps telling me to look at Atlas. I know the lawsuit between the pilot group and management is not good and the relationship has been suffering for a long time.

The first year pay is a little concerning but it seems like everyone is keeping busy flying if they want to fly. The school house being backed up will slow things down but from what I have been reading those who are on reserve are flying +70 hours a month. Upgrades appear to be moving quickly. A 2017 hire could potentially hold the left seat in as early as 2 years from what I am seeing here.

My biggest concern I see is the stuff about imputed income. What it looks like to me is the company will pay for hotels and flights to/from the job/training but they will basically charge you for it via taxes. Am I getting that right?

I'm not looking to get talked into joining or talked out of staying away I am just trying to form the best opinion with the pros and cons of each company I think I would be interested in flying for.

I live in Metro Detroit and I've already looked at K4. It looks like they are just barely scraping by with flights but Atlas looks like it is a beehive of activity. Although appearances can be deceiving.

 

Here's the way imputed income works as far as I understand it:
The day before your trip, Atlas Buys you a ticket from KDTW to PANC. This ticket costs $1000 (example as I have no idea.) They also buy you a hotel room to get your rest in prior to your report time. The room costs $200. You have recieved $1200 of "income" in the eyes of the IRS that was not actually required for you to do your job as you COULD live in PANC. The company has to calculate the paycheck withholding as if you made that $1200 in regular income and withold it from your paycheck. Atlas doesn't get to keep it. Thye have to send it to the IRS with the rest of your paycheck withholding.

 

Do I get that money back on tax day? This also seems like a great way to rip off the pilots for no benefit to the company.

 

Nope. And there's a chance the fake income will kick you into a higher tax bracket. Fun stuff.

 

That depends. The IRS says commuting expenses are not deductible. That being said, I've heard pilots who have a side business in their residence city can make it go away. You balance the tax on a hotel versus the cost of a crash pad. The tax on a ticket versus the hassle of jumpseating to work. ANC is an extreme example. Why all new hire -400 F/Os get sent there I don't know. Lower 48 tickets are more reasonable. If I get hit with $70-$100 tax for going to work, at least I didn't have to worry about a jumpseat. And if the trip starts with a DH, the flight from my house to the plane isn't taxed. For me that's been about 25%-33% of my trips.

 

But during the trips the hotels are not charged as imputed income correct? Just during training and if you request a flight/hotel from the company to get to your base/trip. That is what I gather from all of this.