I LOVE IT!!!! How in the world did you find this? It's quite appropriate because eleven (yes 11) pilots in my unit including the Squadron Commander have been hired by Atlas!! 5 are in school now, 3 in the pool, 1 on military leave and me and the other are flying the line and loving it!

It's a great compnay to work for and the flying is challenging, but fun. I had my most difficult landing in Ramstein yesterday with really strong crosswinds. Worked out well, but still very challenging. You have to accept somewhat of a crab in this plane because you don't want to dip a wing too low and scrape a pod. It lands well and is very stable in gusty winds.
Best of luck to the new hires.
Cheers

Wow, 11 guys from one squadron...impressive. First guy got in and brought others with him...are you ready to throw darts at him now?!!

I think there are several ExpressJet (XJT) guys that have been hired over the last few years...but I'm sure your group has out-numbered them.

Congratulations...and good luck to the guys on the outside looking in. I'm sure they'll get to you soon.

744Driver. Thank you for your insightfullness! I have followed your input on this thread for a while and truly appreciate the time you have taken to provide all of us such sound information. I am on the outside waiting to get in, having completed the phone interview and online tech assessment. I am also XJT where there is a slew of compadres waiting to get in as well lol. Atlas has been the flavor of the month for quite a few months for most of us here. In earnest, it's been my floavor for a number of years. I hope to meet you in the not-so-distant future...

easy tiger, a 74 also can't load an m1, bradley, chinook, or a ch-46 either :)

ex-xjt here as well, welcome!!!!

747/now 76 driver rumor has it he has been at home for awhile :D

Yep....have been home since Oct 30th. I was in Miami for Captain's charm school for 4 days last week. And my Captain's OE is not likely to start till mid January. :D I haven't had this much time off since the furlough in 2001.:mad:

You guys, C5whaleguy, and other line guys, please keep working hard so that I can maintain my lifestyle!! Don't worry, I'll rejoin the line flying club soon...one of these days, I'll repay the favor.:rolleyes:

No thanks required, baam7700...just trying to pass on some good information to help you guys break through the noise on some of the other threads about Atlas...not an easy feat after 273 pages and 2700+ posts.

All the Atlas guys have tried to offer valid information for you to use while you are trying to jump through the hoops in the hiring process.

Good luck.
744dri...er, 767driver

It's good to see more MAC folks showing up here! (and it IS MAC doggone it. None of this AMC stuff) You guys will love it here. It's much like the C-141 and C-5 world without the MREs and tents. Wait...C-5s didn't do tents. OK, for you Galaxy guys it's without MREs and the hotels are better. :)

There are a lot of other C-17 guys here from other squadrons (though some have recently gone on to greener - ie. purpler - pastures). and even though there are at least 11 guys here or in the pool from Astar, I really hope that dosen't mean we're about to get DC-8's ...

dc8driv ... uh, I mean (soon-to-be) ... dash8driver

What is the schedules like at Atlas and how senior is the JFK base?

You owe the company 17 days per month. I've heard with the switch back to line bidding that there are mostly 17-day patterns, so I would plan for that and then be happily surprised if you get something different. It depends a bit on the base you get. HSV and JFK are junior on the 747, I'm guessing CVG will go junior on the 767.

Plan for 17 days in a row, and then be extended 3 days. If you do that, then you will be "happy", as most trips are less than that. Trips range from 1 day to more than 17 days. I would say the average trip in the JFK base is 1-2 weeks. JFK is the most junior, I think, but bases don't matter much at Atlas as you airline from your Gateway, unless you live in base, and even then you may be airlined to somewhere else, as many trips do not start/end in your base.

Lately, even though I have been scheduled for 17 days, I have been doing some R1 at home, so not gone 17 days.

cliff
GRB

I flew Freddy a few thousand hours... You're right. But...size doesn't matter if you can't get it up! Traded the engineer for winglets - much happier now!

Can someone explain how reserve works at Atlas? I've seen a lot of guys talk about R1, which I gather means "home reserve". Is that only if you live at your base, or is that true home reserve wherever you live? Is there another kind of reserve besides R1, and if so, what is the callout time? It seems like this reserve stuff makes the 17 day a month committment a lot more palatable. Thoughts? Thanks guys.

I have not found Atlas to use reserve like most airlines. I have never had a full month of reserve days on my schedule. My schedule usually does not include reserve but some months I get a few days thrown on my line. With that said, I have only been here 9 months so take it for what it is worth.

There is:

R1 - (True Home Reserve)

Must call scheduling within 30 minutes of being contacted.

Must be able to depart on a flight at the commercial airport nearest to home within 5 hours from contact when contacted between 0700 and 1200 local time. You will deadhead into a legal rest period.

Must be able to depart on a flight within 10 hours from when you are contacted outside of the 0700-1200 time frame. You may end up flying or resting at this point.

I personally have sat R1 about 5 days in the last 9 months and have not been used on it at all.


R2 - (Hotel Reserve)

Can be at any hotel location and you must contact scheduling within 15 minutes of being contacted. Must report within 90 minutes of initial contact. Hotel and per diem is provided by the company for this type of reserve. Calculated Rig time (CRT) accrues during this reserve time. In other words, you can be paid about 4.85 hours a day for this reserve unless you fly a greater amount than 4.85 hours a day in the month on average.

I have sat R2 about 9 days in the past 9 months and have been called out 1 time.


R3 - (Hot Airport Standby)

You must be ready to block out within 90 minutes of being contacted. R3 begins when you report to the airport. You cannot remain at the airport for more than 6 hours.

I have never sat R3 nor have I heard of anyone ever sitting R3. Someone else who has been here longer needs to shed more light on this. I am not sure if the company ever uses this?

Do you like flying for Atlas Air and do you recommend working for them?

That really depends on you. Read this thread all the way through and you'll have a pretty good idea if you're a good fit. I think the biggest attribute you need at Atlas is flexibility. If you've got that kind of personality, you might really enjoy it here.

Has anyone had any luck being called back for a second interview and being hired from that second interview? I got turned down in January. Is the 737 type an absolute no-go from Atlas?

R3...has been used in the past during UPS/FDX/USPS peak season flying. I have done Airport/Hot Standby in ONT about 10 years ago. On one of the R3 days, we did go to HNL and got a 2-day layover in Waikiki out of it!

Rest of the Atlas system...R3 isn't a common practice.

facebook,
captainv is absolutely right...don't make this kind of decision unless you read this entire thread. Get a cup(several) of good, strong coffee or other adult beverage of choice, and make a go of it. This is likely the best (certainly the most current) thread out there about all things Atlas, but mostly focused on hiring, interviewing, and working at Atlas.
Good luck.

I take it they asked you the question about whether you have been keeping up with the folks at Higher Power Aviation?

No, they never did. They asked about the type rating several times during the interview, but never asked about Higher Power.

I am a Feb 2011 hire and I have the B737 type rating.

Cheers,

cargo

Maybe it was me then. :(

I know this is way too far in the weeds for someone who hasn't even been called for the test, but I was wondering what you normally do at your gateway airport? Do you park a car there or have a family member drop you off/pick you up for each 17-day trip?

Of course it depends on your circumstances, but I'm not going to spend the money to park. That said, I'm only a few minutes away from mass transit that'll get me to the airport in time. If i did have to drive, I'd check out all the nearby airport hotels/rental car agencies/FBOs - many times you'll find one that'll let you park cheap/free.

737 can work for or against you depending in how you present your case. It worked for me.

With the push back of interviews to the spring/summer time does anyone on the inside know if HR is continuing with the initial phone interviews and testing? I helped a buddy and coworker of mine at XJT week before last take the written test (ALL gouge on this Thread is spot on; STILL STUDY!!). He received the initial call two weeks ago Monday, just after the company announced the slow down in hiring. He PASSED the test and got a call telling him about the wait. Just curious if the company is trying to fill an interview pool, so to speak, while on interview hiatus.

I'm also interested in a 2nd try. I've waited over a year and have sent my PAQ/resume in for another try. Lots of friends over there and would love to join the party. Is there a deep pool of highly qualified candidates in that tall stack of resumes? Me: 747 CA/744 typed, currently flying ACMI, non-mil. background. Thanks.

Are you given a choice of flying the 747 or 767 or whatever they offer you?

In a typical month, how many days are you gone and how many at home? When you work 17 days, how many days are you off till you work again. Thanks

Pegasus, they cast a wide net. My interview group was 2 747 cargo guys, 4 military, 6 RJ drivers. They hire RJ FOs with no PIC, 135 guys, 747 guys, military guys whether single-seat or transport. Best thing you can do to help your case if have a rec from somebody inside, but it's by no means required. I was an RJ FO who didn't know a soul inside, so if you want it, put your stuff in!

Facebook - they pick the airplane for you. 767 pays a bit less. a "normal" month would be 17 days away/13 home. how it actually plays out depends on lots of factors. what base you're in, how senior you are, which airplane, what kind of flying that base does, how the lines are built. You can be extended up to 4 days but the new contract means they'll have to pay a lot more to do it. some guys bid trips close together to get more time off in a row. maybe you're in JFK and you do 17-day patterns. maybe you're in MIA and do more 5- and 6-day trips to south america. again, to get a true idea of this company, you need to read the entire thread. most of the answers are in here/

I know of at least one guy, currently in the pool, that was successful on his second try.

I was hired in Jan with a 737 type from Higher Power. They didn't say much about it during the interview really.

This place definitely isn't for everyone, but I absolutely love it. I'm on the Classic (not for much longer me thinks) and I've been fortunate enough to have a ton of R1 (home reserve).

My wife and I just had our first kid and it is definitely hard when you have to go away for 17 days, but its equally nice being home the other 13/14 or, when they throw some R1 in, 18-20 :0) I think I've only had one month where I was actually gone that full 17. One thing is for sure, ya gotta be flexible when you're out on the road!

I was invited for my second interview in October, 2011. Currently in the pool waiting for a class date...My first interview was many, many, years ago....

I was told going to a career fair where Atlas recruits is a big plus. Meet the recruiters and drop off a resume.

fullboat2,

I'm sorry to say that all those R1 days will come to a halt once you Classic drivers make the move to the 744.

The staffing model is pretty lean at Atlas...therefore, there is more flying that is added AFTER the award is published. And they use up your R days pretty regularly. You may travel to/from a trip on day 1 or 17 (meaning travel on their time, not yours) but still you are more likely to be gone the entire 17 days on the 744 than the Classic.

But the flying is easier and more varied than the Classic...it used to be the other way when we had 20+ Classics. But it is quite the opposite now...

Here is the breakdown of our fleet right now...

24 B744's
4 B744-LCF Boeing-owned Large Cargo Freighter
4 B744 pax airplanes
5 B747 Classics
3 B767-300 pax

On order...

7 B747-8F, with 14 options
5 B767-200F


2 Classics are going to the desert before the year's end...the other 3 are likely to be retired by mid-year 2012.

Good luck...

How do you pack for being gone for 17 days? Are you dragging a lot of stuff around?

Plan on doing laundry at least once, most likely twice...and being the cheap pilot that I am, I NEVER (EVER) get it done in Europe.

DXB, HKG, PVG, ICN, etc. I've even found places in SYD. Most of the places in middle east or far east are flat-rate for 7-10 pounds (weight) for about US$5. Ready overnight or express 2-4 hour service for a couple of buck more.

BTW, a lot of us carry the 26 in Purty-Neat bag, and a rolling flight bag. Or a 22 in with a back-pack or duffle bag along with the flight bag...but the flight bag MUST have wheels!!

Good luck.

744Driver...

Yeah, I know those days are coming to a screeching halt...which is why they are going to drag me kicking and screaming from this ol' beast :0) Everyone says the flying is much easier on the 400 side but I have nothing but positives to say over here on the classic...well, I'll admit, the HKG-ICN-ANC run could use a dose of sanity every now and then, but I only end up with that once a month at most.

Regarding packing...I've seen it all...guys that go out with a couple of huge suitcases and a flight bag for 10 days versus guys that go out with one small purdy neat and a flight bag for 17 days. I'm hoping the latter does lots of laundry like 744driver recommends. It's sorta personal preference really. The only tidbit I can throw in is even if you're patterned to Hawaii for the whole month, pack a sweatshirt, jacket, and probably some gloves...even in the summer. You just never know where you might end up!

I have been having quite a number of R1 days on the 744. From Jan-May of last year I averaged 17 days at home each month, and most of that was due to R1 days in my schedule. Just had 3 R2 days changed to R1 in the past couple of weeks.

cliff
CLE

Some trips are 1 day, some 2, 3, 4...all the way to 17 day trips +3 days of required extension. May have 1 day between trips. New contract calls for min 5 days (normally) between trips). You may have R1 (home reserve) so u r at home (and not paid the trip rig guarantee) as part of your 17 days on.

You may have to travel on your days off. What I have seen in JFK (the biggest pilot base) is that most trips are 1-2 weeks. I am airlining today (18 Dec), and am scheduled to be done with this trip and airlining again on 25 Dec. I will be asking to airline to an "Alternate Travel" location and not my Gateway.

cliff
CLE