Chile Relleno

I have read the thread, some pages twice. I am currently a "7 on, 7 off" guy and even with this sked, the stereotypical 121 pilot hates the ambiguity that goes with the flying. I enjoy it. I understand 17 on is a part of the job, but aren't there lines that break up that 17 days of flying? If so, how hard is it to get those lines. Thank you for the frankness of the need to understand its a continuously changing schedule, I wish my company would have stressed that with a few of my teammates.

KCheese

To TwinWasp, 744Driver, Sike, BYUFlyr, and last but not least Galaxydriver:
Thank you for taking the time to help me out and answer the Nat Track questions.
They were all a big help.

On another note, I was at the Flt Ops job fair in EWR this past Fri. specifically for Atlas. Got a chance to meet DB in person and have a small conversation with her. I think that should help tremendously. While I didn't hear any talk of only 60 new hires in 2012, I was told personally that there would probably be a slow down in hiring for the next few months due in fact to the -200's getting phased out and those guys getting training for the -400. I was told to look for hiring to pick back up again possibly in Jan to March, but no definite date for that. Does this sound familiar to anyone on the inside?

DC8DRIVER

As stated above, Atlas will always buy you a ticket to and from your home (gateway) to where ever your trip starts and ends. No more jumpseating to work! Sometimes it will be on the day before your sequence starts or the day after it ends. They will also always buy you a hotel room if necessary for your pre/post-trip rest. No more crashpad! And sometimes they will with hold the "imputed income" tax.

I am starting my third month on the line and I am still impressed. The hardest thing is the 17 days away. If you can't do that then don't apply. It is the same number of days away as many other airlines but usually the days are all in a row. That said, I have just been awarded a 60 day line with two 8 day trips and one 17 day trip (not all concurrent - about a week off between them all).

My first two months I have had a 14 day trip worth 76:40 and a 17 day trip worth 79:08.

It's true (as posted a hundred other times here) that they will change your trip many, many times during your sequence so if that's a problem, you won't like it. Me? Couldn't care less. Roll with the punches and about half the time your schedule gets better.

I'm doing everything I can to get my fellow furloughees on here. It's basically what we had been doing, but with much nicer planes and a future.

8

JT400

Thanks! Sitting in the airport in ANC waiting to get on a plane to SEA-IAH-JAN(Home) on day 17. BB was the best for a check airman!!! See you out there!
JT

Twin Wasp

CR,

For November, maybe 1/3 of the JFK lines were broken up. We just switched from PBS to Line Bidding for November as part of the new contract so everyone is on a learning curve. Personally I choose the 17 day lines so I only have to adjust my body clock once a month. I've been home a day and am still 7 or 8 time zones off. Hey, I'm up posting at 3:30 in the morning. Some guys bid MIA because the trips tend to be more broken up and most of the flying is north/south so less stress on the body. In the end you get what you can hold.

sulkair

Can anyone with small children (1-5 yrs old) chime in on how they're able to make it work? Do the long periods at home balance out the 17 days away? Can you speak to the nuance of how relationships are different with respect to your children compared to your old 4 on 3 off gig at the regionals? Thanks in advance.

744driver

I have two young children and I have been at Atlas for more than a decade now...the long periods of days off do help. But ultimately, it remains a personal choice.

For my family, it seems to work...I also feel that I would be chronically recovering from short trips vs. coming home from a longer one, and adjusting only once or maybe twice a month.

Your spouse, partner, significant-other, etc has to have some input here also...before you take the plunge.

All that said, just remember the alternatives...and remember where Atlas stacks in the ranking system you come up with. If it is near the top (for long-term, if there is such a thing in this business), you need to, at the very least, send in your application...it is free!!

Good luck.

twoshadesblue

Curious as to how most guys pack for a 17 day trip? Surely, a carry-on wouldn't last for 17? Guess you have to leave your dancing shoes at home

Cousteau135

I'm able to do a 17 day pattern in a 26" bag with the idea that I'll end up doing laundry at least once or twice on the road. Although some have found places with quick turn laundry services (HKG is a good one), my sink washing skills are getting better. Regardless, that nut has been cracked by most and the discussions on various laundry/packing techniques have easily eaten up an hour of cruise conversation. I also find that I can stretch my uniform shirts by wearing a cruise shirt to save wear on the uniform. Personally, I dance like a Wookiee, but if you really wanted to bring your dancing shoes, I suppose you could leave the gym shoes at home or be willing to haul around a third little bag. Cheers,

twoshadesblue

Thanks for your response. I'm in the pool awaiting patiently! I've flown internationally with Mil for 10+ yrs., however, it was a little easier to bring a larger bag with a keeper jet with no worries of losing luggage in the commercial system. Just seems like a carry-on would take some creative planning to pack for 17 days when you can be in 100+ degree one day and -0 the next.