How long have you worked there?

Atlas Air flies into Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The air cargo carrier capped a troubled three years on Jan. 30 when it filed for reorganization wider Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code

Atlas Air flies into Chapter 11 bankruptcy | Westchester County Business Journal | Find Articles at BNET

I've been at Atlas (longer than I care to admit!!) since Dec 1996.

What I don't want to do is to get into a he-said-(s)he-said argument about the pros and cons of the airline business, and Atlas in particular. There is plenty of information out there these days and I'm not here to convince anyone about anything.

Those pilots that have reached a dead end in this job market by accumulating many thousands of hours in RJ's might want to consider Atlas as a way to get to the big airplanes. It also represents a possible career for others that are looking to move on to a MORE stable company.

What I know is that Atlas offers a good future, based on the data available today, and the foreseeable future. And it is considerably brighter future than some of the other kids in the airline playground.

I am now done "selling" Atlas' virtues.

You can now go back to your regularly scheduled programing...and discuss the original intent of this thread.

Just reading the thread and following the debate. I'm not really sure what the point of having a link to Atlas filing Ch.11 is about.

I could be wrong (sarcasm), but I'm pretty sure I could find some links to legacy airlines being in BK as well. And some of those have furloughed MORE pilots than Atlas even employs.

Apples to oranges when comparing Legacies to ACMI/Charter, just sayin'

A lot of guys left Legacy jobs for UPS and are regretting it. The $$$ got them drooling, and they left for a company that will kick you to the street and fill your flying with management pilots. Many had way more seniority at their Legacy, and now some are on the street and for others the possibility is getting closer.

I guess my point is this industry is a gamble regardless of where you go or where you stay. If somebody wants to see the world, Atlas can get you that. If you want to fly one of the most popular jets all over the world, Atlas can get you that. But remember you can be on the road for a very long time, and if you have a family that is very, very difficult especially if you're used to 4 on, 3 off schedule.

Bottom line, if you feel it's time to move on then apply, interview, and if offered then make the decision. You can't ever worry about walking into that room if you don't even give yourself a chance to get to the door. JMHO.

What you failed to mention was that it was a pre-packaged Ch.11. Additionally, the pilots contract was NOT TOUCHED...no concessions. In fact, the new management group not only re-instituted profit sharing (that has now gone from 11% post Ch.11 to 12.5% of the pilots individual gross pay last year). They also provided stock options with a strike price of around $17.50.

The new management team is not airline retreads, but people from the conatinerized rail and ship cargo industry who understand the business and have done a really good job of diversifying the business model. Which explains why they didn't go in the tank in this recession and are making money...and buying new planes, used planes and expanding.

The model looks pretty good...smart decisions and an unwillingness to follow the standard industry norms that have hurt so many.

Not bad.

Can we please get back to the intent of the thread...which is to help those INTERESTED in applying for a job at Atlas.

There is plenty of information out there to satisfy anyone and everyone, no matter what color stripes you wear.

We all make the decisions for our lives and our own situations based on the information we have at the time. We all hope and pray that it is the right decision for our lives, families, and will get us comfortably to retirement and beyond.

Like someone said above, if you want a sure thing, go be a nurse, or a doctor, or anything else except a pilot.

Some of us love what we do...others, not so much. Well, then quit and leave it to those of us who do and you can move on to other things.

He also failed to mention that was a six year old article. IMHO is a strong carrier with new aircraft on order and are a reliable freight mover. If you can handle the schedule it wouldnot be a bad place to be.

I have several friends that were hired in the 2007-2008 classes that get most of the schedules they bid for. That is not bad for a guy that has only been on our seniority list for only 2-3 years.

As has been said here before, Atlas does not run a hub and spoke operation. Therefore, the trips can be long...but there are plenty of short (3-6 days) to choose from. And a lot of guys that live near a base, or the ones that don't mind commuting multiple times a month, do bid these short trips and/or reserve periods.

I've sent my resume 3 times.

Conversely, pre 9/11 there were guys that left places like UPS/FedEX to go a legacy.

I wouldn't doubt that some of them, particularly the ones that went to UAL and AA regret it.