Airline Pilot Central Forums - Atlas Air Hiring

Quote:

Originally Posted by KYTBRD (Post 1333307)

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.:D 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.

Great Post!!! Way to look out for your buds, Mike. It was great seeing you down here while I was here for PT and sitting R2. Good call on staying that night. You got to meet L.A.(our chief pilot) who was here for his PC. Great coincidence for you. Good times were had by all at Champs. Your willinginess to help your pilot buds out is one of the HUGE things we are about at Atlas. My R2 ended tonight and the company put me on a trip leaving Sunday to Brize Norton(RON), Ascension Island(RON), Falkland Islands(RON), Ascension again(RON), Brize Norton(quick-turn), Switzerland(RON), Memphis. Great example of how exciting this company can be!!!!!! Best of Luck to you and all the folks who interviewed this week!