I would say a good third of new hires have no TPIC, maybe more. Just based on observation.

 

In many cases the Captain has no TPIC either. Many of us were hired without it knowing it'd take a while to get out.

 

I would be one of the sponges. 74/767s have a way of handling rookie arrogance I would imagine. I heard this before about guys going to parts of the world they have never been in before. Now, I haven't flown airplanes in much of the world apart from Aussie and USA. BUT, I have lived and worked in a great chunk of it in other professions (Europe / Asia / Oceana mainly). Would that kind of experience help in any way- even if it wasn't flying?

Yes...first dollar made as a PIC will be in a heavy jet. That is quite a thought. European and Asian carriers do it routinely with ab-initio training schemes. Do you know any people whom this has been the case? What kind of captain do/did they make?

 

With all due respect, it's not the airplane.

Boeing have created amazingly capable machines, stable and powerful.

The problem is the OPERATION.

This company literally throws you the keys, sends you off in the middle of the night to some of the dustiest corners of the globe and says, "If you need anything, call us."

lol.

Until you've SEEN it and DONE it, well, you really don't know what you don't know. Two years to season in the right seat of a WORLDWIDE operation is pretty much nothing when you consider how much time you're sitting in the middle seat or in the back, logging 1 landing per month--2 if you're lucky.

 

The issues in different parts of the world come down to culture, so yes -- a general understanding of the local culture would be a big help. But the biggest thing is to be wary.

There is nothing magic about a heavy jet operation, other than they are closer to the limits a lot more often than a 737 shuttling around a legacy network. So on average it is not as forgiving (though every operation has its "bring your A game" days).

I have no doubt in my mind that a regional FO can come to Atlas and in time make an excellent Captain. But he/she needs to focused on preparing for it. Most of them are going to do a good job (and are a pleasure to fly with in the here and now). But this hiring cycle seems to have a larger minority of passive, uninterested new hires than existed in past cycles. Those are the ones that are going to have a very, very hard time. And, frankly, be dangerous. I don't think that this is just an Atlas phenomena.

When I look at the ab-initio airlines that you mention I see more established cultures, operating philosophies and route structures. Atlas is much more....dynamic. There is not a lot of hand holding in the day to day operation, to be diplomatic.

My advice, which may not be worth much, is to get around as you get near upgrade. Bid the weird lines that get out of your base when they show up. Bid reserve and bug scheduling to send you off the beaten path. Whatever works.

 

This is one of the best, most accurate, and thoughtful posts I have read here in a long time. Couldn't agree more.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Very true.

 

It is nice to see some positive posts on this thread. Any new developments on the contract negotiations front? It would be nice to see something positive there as well.

 

There isn't even a negotiation meeting scheduled this month.

The framework agreement that the company signed would have completed negotiations around the end of February. It broke the negotiations into three sections and assigned different sections of the contract to each time period. Shortly after starting the the second section which included scheduling the company said "We can't talk about scheduling without talking about compensation" which is in the the third section. The whole idea of the framework agreement was to lock some stuff down and then work from there. It's been a farce.

 

742Dash! I applaud your professionalism, integrity and candor. This is what made this forum a great resource which it can be again with a lot more similar and neutral posts. Your sentiments are also being echoed by the recent and sharp increase in pilot mentor applicants - both for Captains and FOs especially over the last month!!! Prospective mentors are stepping up and that's really admirable!

The entire industry is undergoing transformation as we know and will be challenged with similar circumstances. And yes, due to Atlas' more dynamic flying, it will require a careful mix of expertise, support and patience to pull through these difficult times. Things (both good or bad) typically happen in the correct order of time so need not worry about the things you have little or no control over.

Instead, focus more on the things that you control directly and that truly make a difference i.e. working on your inadequacies towards becoming a better person/human being, a better professional (as it relates to your career) and being a better mentor. Chances are, there are more people who look up to you than you are aware of!!

Additionally, always remember that no one was born knowing everything (or born on the 74/76) and no one leaves this earth knowing everything. However, there will always be an abundance of opportunity to learn along the way so that's where a lot of focus needs to be placed...on learning aptitudes and opportunities.

Atlas will be just fine: the sky is not falling; the doors are not closing and yes, this too will come to past.

For those wanting to come here, do the same due diligence as you would with any other operator that you are genuinely interested in working for. I did and can report nothing but satisfaction with my decision to come here. Being in the industry for the past 32 years has taught me a lot and shown me plenty. Accordingly, Atlas has afforded me the opportunity to grow in that regard.

Always remember that life is an individual choice and it's entirely yours to make - not the next man's. Choose wisely and stay positive!!!