Atlas vs PSA (AA regional)
05-26-2019, 10:12 AM
#21
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2019
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Elevation
People talk line all you need is a degree and a pulse and you will automatically get into a legacy carrier. There are a lot of good, personable, educated pilots here at Atlas with clean records who haven't made it onward yet. 80% of my new hire class is still here. So while hiring is great, the are no guarantees.
Worst case scenario you go to PSA and wind up at A A at 42 years old. That gives you 23 years at American. You can still apply to be a street hire for the entire time that you wait to flow.
Worst case scenario you go to PSA and wind up at A A at 42 years old. That gives you 23 years at American. You can still apply to be a street hire for the entire time that you wait to flow.
05-26-2019, 10:37 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Position: Wichita
Posts: 681
Originally Posted by visualapp
This is very true. I have a bachelors degree, 1800 hrs turbine 121, no PIC, clean record, 2 job fairs and can’t get any phone calls not even LCCs carries, which is the reason why I came to Atlas. Now I regret my decision because I could have stayed at my regional, upgrade and get some PIC but is too late. That’s why I found my self in this “dilemma”, trying to decide between Atlas or a regional airline with a guarantee path to a legacy.
05-26-2019, 02:48 PM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,347
Originally Posted by JackStraw
You could’ve asked the question on APC before you came to Atlas and avoided the whole headache, you know? I’m sure you did your research on Atlas beforehand, right? I promise I won’t say “I told you so”.
05-26-2019, 03:22 PM
#24
Fly or Die
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Posts: 484
Originally Posted by Varsity
You won't flow from PSA in 5-7 years. 10-12 more likely.
05-26-2019, 04:43 PM
#27
Line holder
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: On the bus,seat 0A
Posts: 3,228
Originally Posted by Riverside
Unfortunately, not really impressive resume for a LCC.
05-26-2019, 05:24 PM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: B787 Captain
Posts: 163
I’ve had an interesting career and my experience may help you make a decision. I started at a 135 flying twin engine pistons. I got 1000 multi time and then went to a 121 cargo airline flying ATR’s. I upgraded at my first chance and I got my 1000 pic turbine in 2011, but wasn’t competitive. I was only flying 300 hours a year which wasn’t helping. I went to another 121 airline which was an IBT1224 charter airline to fly 737’s as an FO and got to see the world. I would have upgraded in less than 5 years on the 737 had I stayed, but I wasn’t happy and had thought the experience would open doors but it didn’t seem to help. I got 1000 hr SIC B737 time before I left. A mentor said I really needed 1000 JET PIC 121 airline experience to be competitive. A friend recommended PSA to me in 2015 and said I’d be able to upgrade immediately with my hours. When I got the offer at PSA, Atlas came a knocking but looking at QOL and upgrade time I picked PSA.
I got the upgrade award at PSA while in still in new hire basic indoc. For me the flow was looking at 6.8 years, but a spreadsheet with the average attrition and the flow a new hire today is looking at probably 8.5 years to flow, with nothing changing in the industry.
When I was trying to make the decision between Atlas and PSA I had a new born and a 17 day trip with Atlas wasn’t going to work for us. Everyone’s needs are different but I was in my early 30’s with a family and felt like the low annual hours at Atlas and time away from family wasn’t worth it. I wanted jet pic as quick as possible. I’m glad I picked PSA because I’m now at a major airline and didn’t make it through any flow agreement, I did it on my own. Good luck with the decision!
I got the upgrade award at PSA while in still in new hire basic indoc. For me the flow was looking at 6.8 years, but a spreadsheet with the average attrition and the flow a new hire today is looking at probably 8.5 years to flow, with nothing changing in the industry.
When I was trying to make the decision between Atlas and PSA I had a new born and a 17 day trip with Atlas wasn’t going to work for us. Everyone’s needs are different but I was in my early 30’s with a family and felt like the low annual hours at Atlas and time away from family wasn’t worth it. I wanted jet pic as quick as possible. I’m glad I picked PSA because I’m now at a major airline and didn’t make it through any flow agreement, I did it on my own. Good luck with the decision!
05-26-2019, 06:47 PM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: B787 Captain
Posts: 163
Originally Posted by ESQ702
If you believe the retirement numbers on AA’s APF’s listing here, roughly half of their 15k pilots have mandatory retirements between now and 2027. I’m no expert but I bet OP has a decent chance at getting over to AA as a private hire in less time than a PSA flow. Just my $0.02, and my aviation advice is worth what you pay for it...
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