DC8DRIVER

Yes, I do!

Sorry you feel that way. We try to post useful information and when applicants are successful, we like to celebrate their successes with them. Of course there is some goofy sounding stuff about the grill, but if you get the interview or a class date, you'll want to join the gang there to gather useful tips for the job.

Not quite sure what you mean here ... I understand that reading the same answer 10 times is redundant and tiring, but when we have to write the same answer 10 times, it is a waste of post space and our time. We'd rather answer new questions! It also shows a lack of interest and dedication from the questioning poster who hasn't the time to spend on the research for a great job.

Many posts in the last 50 pages include the timelines that successful interviewees experienced which some folks find helpful as well as answers to the often asked questions about qualifications and flight times.

It took me over 7 months of updates to get the first call. A shorter time than some but longer that most, so I can understand when people get frustrated waiting for a call, but don't take it out on the guys who are trying to help out. We're really not d-bags. We just like to steer guys in the right direction and part of that is reading our previous work so we can avoid the redundancy that you pointed out.

So hang in there and keep updating your stuff at Atlas. It appears that we will be hiring many pilots this year and when you get the call, you will be assured of having the latest and greatest when you stay updated with this thread.

744driver

DC8,

It seems there is nothing to see here...move on, folks, nothing to see here.

So, our work is done...now move on folks...nothing to see here.

Bye now, don't forget to write, bon voyageeeee (that famous philosopher Bugs Bunny said that!!).

RJCapt

Hopefully the interviewers will pick up your attitude and give you the thanks but no thanks.

RunnerMark

I agree 100%! I'd rather SEE new questions, or at least the same questions with "any NEW developments?" added to it. It's just a bit dramatic to tell someone who asks ONE question to read 5.400+ posts before they are allowed to ask another. I've been applying to Atlas for over three years, I've worked ACMI, and understand the lifestyle, yet when I asked a question several months ago I was told to do what?.... Read 500 pages as if I new nothing. A typical assumption made by people here.

It is helpful if you are applying and getting called right now... is it worth 50 pages of reading sifting for one other answer though?

No, you are not all d-bags. Some just occasionally act that way. As I said before, LOTS of great info, and I appreciate those to took their own time to answer.

Thank you. I'd love the opportunity, but if I do, I probably won't post "I got the call!" And by then this thread will include this whole page about the thread, and likely stand about 700 pages

KYTBRD

My Atlas Experience:

This experience is meant to help others know that they are not alone in they’re wondering about "did they receive my resume", "what do I wear to the interview", IT hiccups, interview suggestions, and hotel recommendations when you do get the interview.

Aug 12: I applied when the hiring window first opened, Aug 12. My availability date was Mar 13. If you complete the PAQ on a MAC it is not readable by their system. You’ll need to complete it in Windows.
Resume and PAQ update in Oct and Dec. There was never any receipt confirmation. Though I did try to contact the HR department via email and telephone I was never able to contact anyone.

28 Dec: Phone Call interview from Brittany. She was very nice on the telephone. Easy conversation. Just be honest with all your answers. Don’t be negative or talk bad about other carriers, current employer, or anything else. Just be positive. Speak into the phone with a smile and you won’t be able to be negative (at least that’s what I tell my kids). APC Forum posts on the Atlas Hiring page around 24-29 Dec were spot on. I recommend reading those. TMAAT when….difficult crewmember, What is CRM, Why Atlas, Who else have you applied to,… This lasted about 30 minutes. At the end she offered me the test.

30 Dec: 100 questions in 60 minutes. Once again APC Atlas Forum was spot-on. This is the fastest 60 minutes of your life. Be prepared with your papers, iPads, computers, etc. before logging into the system. In previous years the test had been only 50 questions. Based on both pre-100 question and post 100-question test information on APC I would estimate that the additional 50 test questions were only added to the original test questions. IOW: the same 50 questions were on the test plus 50 more. I completed my test on an iMac. When I was ready, I logged-in and the test was not available as the directions in the email had stated. I called the help desk number on the home screen and received a phone call 30 seconds later from tech support (amazing, on a sunday no less). I explained the situation and he fixed it right away. Logged back in and all was well. At the completion of the test I selected the option to go back to the home screen and my computer gave me an error message and shut down Safari. Talking with folks at the interview I was not the only one to have the error message or the test availability problems. So this was not specific to Mac. After the error message I relogged-in and all was well. My score was on the home screen.

31 Dec: Kyle from HR called. He offered me 16 or 17 Jan 13. I took 17 Jan due to other commitments. 15 minutes later I received the email from Kyle with what to study, what to bring, and directions to the facility. The difficulty with the picture in the email is that the google screen shot is supposed to have arrows and squares on the picture indicating where to park and which building it is. However, email programs (both safari and outlook) separate the pictures and arrows into completely separate individual icons and pictures. When I googled the address Google Maps states Embry Riddle. That is the correct building. I did not notice a sign outside indicating Atlas is even in the building. It’s the only multistory Green Glass building on the block. Lots of trees out front.

16 Jan 13 Courtyard Marriott: There is an Atlas rate you can ask for if they have this block of rooms available. ($70-$80 ish). Without that the going rate is $215+ taxes. If you are active duty military they will allow you to use the military rate ($173 including taxes). Obvious conclusion – once you have your date call immediately (305-642-8200). This location is a Marriott campus with a Residence Inn Courtyard and, Marriott. The CM is where Champs Sports Bar is located and a great many Atlas pilots hang out in the evening. I met quite a few here the night before my interview who were very helpful. Just be yourself and hangout. Personally I did not drink alcohol this night. I stuck with water. I would recommend staying here if you can due to the convenience of having the hotel shuttle to take you to the campus (If cost is an issue then I think others stayed at the Comfort Inn) Great staff. Because of the email map issue stated above, I elected to take the Hotel provided shuttle. It runs at :00 and :40 every hour. Signup the night before. The building opens at 0700 and the interview starts promptly at 0715. The shuttle bus departed at 0640 and arrived at 0650.

Interview Day: Once again APC posts regarding the interview were spot-on.

Dress Code: The interview email now states nothing regarding what to wear - 0, zilch, nada. In the past it stated business casual to, which they received many calls regarding that definition. EVERYONE in my session wore a suit and tie. In the technical interview and panel interview I was offered to take my coat off which I did.

0715- Owen started the presentation. Atlas promo video. Brief synopsis of the day. 12 candidates total: 7 previously qualified 767, 4 military (2 x C-17, 2 xC-5 (both C-5 from reserves of which 1 from American Eagle), 1 World. Several thousand applications, 410 had received telephone calls, 142 selected for interview.

0805 – 0835: 30-minute writing assignment. Stay on 1 page, front only!!!! There were several folks, myself included, who were unsure of the topic. Don’t make up a bunch of BS. But be able to put down your best coherent thoughts in readable handwriting. The consensus from everyone I spoke with was it's not so much about the correct answer, but can you write your thoughts well on paper. By comparison to the test, 30 minutes was more than enough time.

0900 – 2 by 2 interviews. 1 person with HR, 1 with technical. Then switch. Then individual 3 person panel interviews – HR, Company Captain, Training. All interviewers were very relaxed.

1200 -1300– Lunch and talk to company captains. Feel free to ask anything you have questions about.

1245 – My turn to begin. From 0900-1200 those of us (4) who did not interview in the morning sat in the conference room and talked about our past, general life and anything else that came to mind.

1245 – 1305: Technical Interview

1305 – 1325: Resume Review: This was quick for me since I’ve only had 1 employer. We covered my history from High school graduation to the present. He reviewed my driver’s license, medical, FCC license, ATP card. For those who have older ATP cards without the English proficiency statement on the back, get a new one. I was informed my was invalid without it (this change occurred in 2007). He stated this was more common with military folks because they will get the certificate but not exercise it for many years. He said it was not a big deal, just have it before starting class if selected.

1340 – 1400: Panel Interview

1415 – 1500: Tour of the facility: sim bays, wooden mock-up, 74 touchscreen mock-up, class rooms, CBT computers, TVs posting simulator schedules for student and instructors.

1530: back at the hotel. Call my wife and try not to second guess any answers I think I could have stated more clearly or accurately.

1615: I met one of the folks who recommended me in Champs. He just happened to be here on R2 after a Monday sim. This led to meeting a great many other folks and having a good night talking with other Captains/FOs, Purser/flight attendants, and some of the wives who had been a part of Atlas for many years. It made me want to be part of the Atlas team even more and assured me that my wife and family were in the right place. It had been recommended to me to stay 2 nights just in case the interviews run long. You wouldn’t want to leave the interview early to catch flight to catch. Even though it did not run long I was happy I stayed the extra night.

That about sums it up. Good luck to everyone here. As to the recent discussion of “to read, or not read the whole thing”, that is personal preference. Personally, yes there is filler in some spots, but that only served to help me get a better understanding of Atlas culture ( I will admit I skipped much of the grill discussion). This forum is as much about what is contained here as well as what is not contained on this forum. Those who have been here for the past 6-9 months will understand the differences between this discussion thread and those of other companies. With minor deviations it has stayed on topic – pilots helping pilots get a job. I would offer this before you post a question. Do a quick search first before you ask. EVERYTHING I needed to know for today and the events leading up to today were contained in these pages (gateway, schedules, tests, interviews, destinations, bases, taxes). Also, read the corporate website and Wikipedia. It has all the company specific info provided to you free of charge. Investor info, partners, aircraft, the future, the past. For those with an iPhone, add AAWW to the stock ticker. This way you’ll get all the latest news articles. It was a small price to pay for the opportunity to fly big aircraft internationally for the rest of my life. As my father says competence = confidence. That’s my .02. YMMV.

Thank you to all those here who helped and provided so many tips and suggestions. Regardless of what happens I will always appreciate your willingness to go out of your way to help a complete stranger. Fly safe.

Now I can get back on the water with my kite. It's been a while. Unless I get called and then it's back to getting prepared.

I hope the info above helps folks get hired. Good luck to everyone.

BlueHenFR8Dawg

Nicely written... good luck!

ATCsaidDoWhat

And a good primer on patience. As so many of us have said, this isn't the job for everyone. Take the time to read it and then give it some thought. Getting quick answers without depth is kinda like having someone answer the test questions for you. You may get them right and get the interview, but when you find out what the job involves, you may hate it.

ATCsaidDoWhat

Clearly missed the page where folks commented on how one of the things looked for is if the candidate is someone that others will want to be in the front office with for 16 hour days and 17 day rotations...

Vertigo1960

KYTBird: Thank you for the valuable update. It had been enlightening following the progress of many. DC8, thanks for the reminder of patience, a good virtue.

KY: Good luck in retirement. Thanks for serving.

Intransit

Thanks for the thorough description of your experience KYTBRD. My suspicion was confirmed that heavy qualified guys are filling up the interviews. A bit discouraging. Ah...the virtue of patience.