Twincezzna

I came from a 135 to ATI so I'm not the greatest judge on 121s but my first several months here have been rather easy. It was approx 3 months from my interview to my type ride which is pretty great to knock out so quick. Everyone trash talking ATI prob worked when they were understaffed? Who knows? My first month I missed the bid so I was put on reserve an flew 80hrs. I told scheduling what days I needed off and they kindly built me a week on/week off schedule for my first 2 months. I got checked in the 757 and flew to some exotic places already with a coulple of 30+ hr layovers at an all inclusive in the Caribbean. I flew more than the base of 60 hours an got around 6k on one pay check, 2.5 on my other so almost 8k in 1 month. There is money to be made if you want to fly a lot. My next upcoming trip I'm scheduled to fly around 68 hours with 75% day flying and a 24hr layover in Hawaii. One benefit of ATI freight is the fact that it's primarily Amazon. Yeah they have funky rules on the ramp but they really have their **** together. I did a couple of runs for DHL and it was so slow and disorganized we were sitting in the plane for 3 hours while they unloaded the cans into trucks at 0400 in the morning. ABX can have all of that nonsense. Amazon is really efficient so not much time is wasted on the ramp which I appreciate. For your goals ATI is a good place to get some experience quickly.

Reactivity

Where did you obtain your detailed knowledge of the CBAs at each of the ACMI carriers, and who are you to decide that one is superior to another for the purposes of dispensing career advice?

Longevity in the current hiring environment means exactly diddly squat. There is a giant cohort of new pilots taking whatever job they can get that will get them noticed by Big Name Airline. And again, I'm curious where you get the detailed knowledge of any of the ACMI companies that allows you to make such a blanket statement. The APC page for Atlas indicates that they are, or at least were in the not-too-distant past, running classes of 24 every three weeks. That doesn't sound like an indication of any kind of significant longevity there.

PineappleXpres

Lateral move longevity.

TimeTraveler

To Clue32,

Unfortunately, yes it was the automated TBNT after applying. But that's okay. I am fine making a stop on my way to Atlas. Maybe it will just be better this way. Thanks for the PM offer. I will keep it handy.

astray

The automated system gives you a TBNT if you don't meet the full ATP requirements. Just tick all the boxes that say you do and at least get a phone interview. Plenty of people at 1500 TT get hired by Atlas.

TimeTraveler

To Twincezzna,

Wow, that's amazing and so cool. You seem to be in a very sweet spot at ATI! I too would definitely volunteer to fly as much as possible. I do not want to sit at home (at least for now). I always check out their 757 flying on FlightRadar. It seems to be some flights between military bases out between Japan and Singapore...unless I am looking up the wrong ATI (!?) ...versus NAC...that only has the HNL-SEA-LAX-HNL legs and some carribean legs out of Miaimi that makes me wonder if I will get to fly much past consolidation.

Dead Head

Think twice before going NAC. Especially MIA!

The training deprtment is not that great (but instructors are really good) Scheduling is a mess. If you fly out of MIA you'll never get per diem, no hotels or housing. They fly to Peru and back with a heavy crews. You'll never leave the airplane. No bunks Just 4 pilots a mech & load master filling the cockpit. Other South Arerican trips with 3-4 legs. Spending 18-20 hours on duty in the cockpit. No more over time. No one ever makes consolidation in time. As soon as the CA signs you off you become an IRO and time out of consolidation.

Everyone who has worked for ATI ABX say "Don't!" Atlas, Omni, AmeriJet, 21air, is a much better option from what I've heard. Kalitta Charters also treat thier pilot pretty well. Hotels on each end of the DHL runs. No sitting in a crew lounge.

Just my 2 cents

Birdsmash

Was any of this different than what you discovered during your research before accepting the job?

Reactivity

Actually, they don't. Some like them, some don't. I work at ABX. I know you can do better, but you can also do a lot worse. Some people just like to bash the last company they left because they have to make it worse than the company they moved to. Otherwise, they made a big mistake.

Better in some ways, not better in others. Depends on what you want.

You're either making this up or talking to the wrong people.

C17B74

React is on point. Every outfit is nothing more than a dog with different types of fleas. Find the one with which you can live with (more + than -) and thrive. Not an ATI or ABX flyer just a fellow ACMI and I truly enjoy stepping on the jet to so-called work. Some will never be fully soul satisfied even if they have met most of their priorities at any so-called dream job. Big 3 or whatever may be a dream for many, but many of us are having a blast knowing full well the pitfalls of other outfits that do not fit us. It's not like it was well over a decade ago not knowing what you truly don't know and your friends were the only litmus test regarding the job. Now it's all at your finger tips so plug and play where you "think" you may be best off! Good luck, it's your life no one else's.

Small Kids, Big Kids, Ex-wives, wife, Debt, Bills, Home town, Domicile, PAX, Cargo, schedules, hobbies, mammon seeker, Logo on your chest, or whatever - everyone has their boxes to check. I have a few of these to maintain QoL = time off/good trips/just me specifically.