Atlas life as a guardsman/reservists
05-22-2011, 02:46 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Posts: 199
Atlas life as a guardsman/reservists
I'm currently a heavy airlift pilot for the Reserves and Atlas has been on my short list for a career for sometime now. I've read (all) the forums and have a pretty good snapshot of the quality of life there. Being an AMC/MAC guy, Atlas is fairly commensurate with day to day flying for me now and wouldn't hold too many surprises. One aspect I haven't read a lot from is what life with Atlas is like as a guard/reserve pilot. As with any airline, a left seat guys point of view of the company is great, but within the middle/ lower half of the bell curve, how is it at Atlas being a part timer for the military? Anyone have some good first hand experience? I'm not looking for warm fuzzies, just a realistic picture in regard to this unique combination of mil and civilian flying and lifestyle.
Thank you in advance!
Thank you in advance!
05-23-2011, 08:23 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Position: 747 CA
Posts: 344
Well, it does not leave much time for anything else, but since I don't have a trust fund to fall back on, it beats the alternative.
Atlas does a lot of military contract work so, they don't hassle us mil guys too much. I just give them plenty of notice. I have always scheduled my mil duty as carefully as possible to not push the system too far. I am a rescue guy, and I try to knock it all out in 4 day blocks with drill. AFTPs on Thursday and Friday rolling into weekend drill.
I have no life......
Atlas does a lot of military contract work so, they don't hassle us mil guys too much. I just give them plenty of notice. I have always scheduled my mil duty as carefully as possible to not push the system too far. I am a rescue guy, and I try to knock it all out in 4 day blocks with drill. AFTPs on Thursday and Friday rolling into weekend drill.
I have no life......
05-23-2011, 03:03 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: Leftof longitudinal
Posts: 1,899
Google USERRA, it protects your civilian job. Many airlines ignore USERRA as long as you let them. As much or more than your contract, every serving military pilot must know your protections under USERRA.
Example: You are only required to give verbal notice to your employer that you are going on military service. No permission required (some will say you need permission, or say that the contract requires a particular leave of absence format). Well, they are wrong. Ask your local ESGR folks for backup.
Could write 3-4 pages, but regardless of airline, USERRA remains the same. Many like Atlas Shrugged work way above and beyond to not impact their employer and I tip the hat!
However, sometimes you have mil that requires trips to be dropped. You don't get paid for the trips lost, but you have your job. They give you grief, file a complaint with the Dept. of Labor (see the DOL USERRA website)
Best of luck in the future.
SD
Example: You are only required to give verbal notice to your employer that you are going on military service. No permission required (some will say you need permission, or say that the contract requires a particular leave of absence format). Well, they are wrong. Ask your local ESGR folks for backup.
Could write 3-4 pages, but regardless of airline, USERRA remains the same. Many like Atlas Shrugged work way above and beyond to not impact their employer and I tip the hat!
However, sometimes you have mil that requires trips to be dropped. You don't get paid for the trips lost, but you have your job. They give you grief, file a complaint with the Dept. of Labor (see the DOL USERRA website)
Best of luck in the future.
SD
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