Elusive Napkin

If you click on the link for the bid packages there is a link in the "General" section with instructions on how to bid for training.

rmr1992

Thank you!

Talon1011

Not a bad plan at all, Iron. It's working out well for me! Of course ATA was once the place I enjoyed flying and planed on staying until I retired. Then they evaporated. One never knows in this business. The best you can do is find the type of flying you love to do and go for it. It is what it is so I plan on enjoying the ride as long as my nickle lasts.

744driver

Talon,

I don't disagree with your message...however, my response is a bit more nuanced than that. And it is a change of heart over the last two or so years that I have been on this thread...ready?!!

I have provided (along with many others) the best information that I could to help the guys who have been interested in seeking a position at Atlas. I have always believed and continue to do so that Atlas is a great company, and a job at Atlas is a great adventure (simply because of the type of flying we do)...

However, conditions (read, treatment by management of the pilots, and the disregard for the CBA) have gotten worse over the last year or more. So much that I cannot recommend this job to anyone anymore in good conscience...maybe in a year or two when we negotiate a better CBA, and force their hand, I may change my tune, but as it stands now, I wish to publicly tell pilots to stay away...especially young ones.

Harsh words? ... May be ... but, I have seen the environment at Atlas become toxic and the daily struggle to keep to the CBA, and the daily struggle to get the simplest things done, is such a huge ordeal here.

Once again, I cannot in good conscience, recommend Atlas as a place to hang your hat, even for a short stint. And especially for a young person, and especially when the legacy, LCCs, etc (and FDX and UPS soon, we hope!!) are hiring right now.

All the best to those seeking employment here, but my recommendation at this point is to approach this with extreme caution...know what you are getting into, and do your homework.

Disclaimer...I am likely to get lots of PMs after this. I am not going to answer any questions in private. So, unless you have something nice to say, please say it here in the thread.

Good luck.
744driver

CandlerKid

Well said 744. Every breakfast and flight is filled with how we are all of a sudden being treated like we are still at fill in the blank (Comair, ASA, Mesa, southern, Amerijet, etc). You have to fight for everything in the contract. The vibe around here is starting to get pretty bad. The company better do something soon or I'd guess anybody under 40 will be gone in short order. Just be aware of what you're getting into if you feel like coming here...

Rhino12

Well said 744. When folks in my age group ask - I tell them the same thing. It is not a bad place to be, like you said. However if offered a position at another company you may be better off.

The company says the sky is blue because there has always been a line of folks waiting to fill a first officer position but those of us in the game know better. 744 is not an FO and this is his position on the current (key word) situation. Take it for what its worth.

If you have questions PM 744 :-)~

NightIP

To be fair, I'd like to find the things I like to do on my days off, and do those instead. I don't care about the type of flying; all about the money and time off. Unfortunately, Atlas can't compete in that department. And that's why I have my apps out elsewhere.

gr8vu

Waited on an Atlas flight to walk off with the captain a while back to discuss working for the company. In the end as we reached customs, he asked if I had a family and I said yes...he recommended I go apply at Delta.

Talon1011

Sounds like a 'sour grapes' guy to me. Everyone's situation is different. Granted, this ACMI life can be hard on a family if the spouse isn't a strong individual as well. Between the USAF, ATA and now here .. this is all my family has ever known. Holidays were whenever we were all together around the correct date, birthdays were celebrated when we were together, and when the washer broke down my wife took care of things without wringing her hands. Take an honest look at your situation and evaluate how things will be if you are gone 17 days during the month.

This is nothing more than what has been written here many, many times on this thread. Know what this Freight Dog life is like before you walk in the door. If it will work for you then you will have the time of your life here. If not, it will be misery. Answer that question honestly and your decision will be made for you.

NightIP

Definite truth there. This is my second ACMI job, and while Atlas is far better than my first one, you really do need to do a self- (and family) assessment to figure out if you should come here or not. I have some friends at the regionals who would love to come over, but who would probably get divorced if they did. I tell those guys and gals that they need to steer clear.

In reality, I really hope with the next CBA we can rein in the number of days worked, and hopefully kick up the guarantee, rig, and other soft time rules. I don't think any of us realistically expect FedEx+1% on the next CBA (never know, though), but people coming here need to realize that the job itself can become a monster that can swallow your life if you're not careful. Of course, that's true for a lot of jobs, not just Atlas. Work to live, not live to work, as the saying goes. I like to think of Atlas as the company that helps me pay my bills and fund my expensive hobbies.

We also need our union leaders to continue to educate our pilot group that "fun" is not a valid trade for pay and QOL. I once listened to one of our pilots at the bar in Hahn (I was sitting at a table nearby) who practically had a couple pilots fresh out of the military convinced that Atlas was better than Delta because it was more fun. Really, really off-base stuff.

Anyway, just some random thoughts as I enjoy my 6 days off before I run off and go stack some more FunBux™ at work.