CJO @ Kalitta & Omni
 

Hello everyone,
I am having a difficult time trying to decide what's right for me. I am 39 years old and have about 3.5 years to flow
to AA approximately. My goal has always been to work for a legacy and fly heavies but AA right now doesn't look very healthy as a company with over 35 billion in debt. I have a family but am pessimistic about the schedules of Kalitta & Omni with being gone for 2 weeks at a time etc., but when home I will be home; no crash pads and or commuting. I would like if some ex. Envoy guys can put light and share their experiences and quality of life stories here so it can make it easier to make a decision and what is right for me and my family.

You'll make more at K4 than AA, and never commute ever again.

I'd be gone yesterday.

Every place has pros and cons.
make a list of what's important to you and your family. The one with the most checked off items on your list is the winner.
have friends at kakitta and omni, they dont regret their choice.

Just 3.5 years to flow. Wow. Let me highly recommend you consider staying at Envoy. Flow to the largest major in the world, or take a job with an ACMI with an uncertain future. Have you looked at AA retirements? You are going to skyrocket up the list at AA. Take a look at AA payscales vs the carriers mentioned. AA blows them away. QOL? AA again tops the list. You won't be gone 2 to 3 weeks straight. Plus, do you want to be talking to your neighbor and having to explain where you work? If you say "pilot for American Airlines," that says it all right there.

While I am certainly not advocating AA above all else, I am a married father with kids and pets. I couldn’t nor would my family want me to be away for weeks at a time, even if it meant I would then have two off.

to each their own though so you need to come up with what is important. 3.5 years to flow is a long time and I would certainly be trying to get picked up somewhere that fits your needs prior to the flow.

I knew a few guys at both and Atlas. Most left both for United, FedEx, UPS, and Delta, but a couple are still there. Those who are still there, it fits their lifestyle (single guy, married no kids, married with kids and two sets of healthy grandparents nearby).

3.5 years is a long time. Omni and Kalitta could probably get you to other majors faster as you add more ratings and international flying to your resume. They also pay better than Envoy. As long as you have 1000 PIC at Envoy, the only other box checking that can really be done here is LCA.

Where you are at, it's a tough call. Your QOL here will get better each month as you are reaching the top part of the seniority list.

However, since you are senior to me, you should probably take the CJO. ;)

you going too hard man, this is why I cant believe a word you say or take you seriously.

I'm at Omni and love it. Right now it's highly improbable that you'd ever have it happen, but in theory you *could* get 38 days in a row. I believe Kalitta is similar. Something to think about.

Now, that said, I've never had back to back rotations, and I've had my override days used exactly once in a year. I'm averaging more like 12-14 days on per month, going to cool places, making decent money, and upgrades are currently available whenever you have the time and are up to the challenge. I couldn't be much happier and am thrilled to be here But who knows what tomorrow holds...and we *are* owned by ATSG.

Are these the guys that own Atlas and Southern as well? - That would be a concern for me.

ATSG owns ABX, Omni and ATI.

AAWW owns Atlas/Polar and Southern.