TiredSoul

Atlas is a transportation company more then an airline. Contracts expire or are renewed.
A base can be opened to accommodate the requirements of a new customer.
Contract expires and aircraft are repositioned to other bases to supplement their flying.

Elevation

That's a tough one. I can't offer any real insights, unfortunately.

C17B74

Definitely a life moment based upon all the goodness you had at PDX. Back in the day HSV (74) closed up and bam, I was commuting via air. Maybe there's a base serving some other kind of goodness for you. I enjoyed the HSV flying so I was on the hunt to match that as well as remain a one hop commute to include seniority. I do miss driving to work and not losing home time, but ORD has worked out very well in my case. Like you said - research the bid packs, know your commute and anything else that may drive your quest for the best situation.

*Some things last a long time while others are short term and our operation is quite fluid. This could change rapidly to another situation, but the 74 does go thru/overnight at PDX every so often at least for the time being. Definitely could be a short lived stint, but it has been occurring for the past few months as ANC is crowed, weather or other reasons. Flew with a Capt this past Saturday/Sunday who lives there and has had a few overnight opportunities so the platform is a consideration. Personally wouldn't base any future on it, but jumpseating/deadheading (unless you chase miles) especially when shooting for home could be handy. Just spitballing, know one knows better than you what works best. Good luck and Happy hunting Clue.

MELedMel

what base where you?

How far from the bottom?

Chow

Thank you astray. You made a good point. This is really the heart of the matter, not considering everything else that also gets impacted.

Chow

Thank you for stating that. I didn't quite understand that but it makes sense when I hear it.

Atlas seems like an interesting outfit. There also seems to be a different temperment of the Atlas posters on here than from posters on other airline threads. Folks seem more cerebral to me. For whatever that is worth.

C17B74

Atlas show cases such a wide variety of flying within its own system that I dare say with weighted measure -it is unique. There are other outfits operating in parallel in several areas, but not all encompassing and to the extent or scale at times which affords many of us access to some real world insight.

Scheduled service, ad-hoc operations, specific customer requirements (last minute or delay requests), long term/short term contracts, military, passenger charters, bands/equipment, race teams, consortiums, sports teams (MLB, NFL, whatever), flowers, phones, laptops, lobsters, salmon, horses, livestock, pharmaceuticals, etc., etc., etc... the list is mind numbing as well as bigger entities such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, Amazon, Alibaba, Qantas, Asian carriers, mail, etc., more and more mind numbing. Still baffles me what shows up at times to the aircraft.

The point: Perhaps it's a greater perspective beyond just pax terminals or cargo bays, domestic and international ops, military support and beyond to include those we fly with from all areas of aviation hailing from all regions of the world. It is truly an opportunity to experience some unique insight, opportunities and various cultural aspects and mindsets beyond the melting pot. As many have said before Atlas casts a wide net and it truly has global reach.

Just me, but supporting MotoGP is pretty cool as a fan. Trying to find the right trip again or fall into it to catch a race is a bucket list repeat threepeat, etc. for me. Nothing is perfect of course, but for many of us this is the best it can get depending on who you are, etc. different strokes folks.

Chow

Hi C17B74,

Thanks for explaining it the way that you did. Your examples are interesting. Imagine carrying salmon one day and the "dolphins" the next, lol. (I saw a youtube video about the team).

The variety you listed is incredible to me.

Thanks again.

C17B74

I get bored very easily so this "job" shakes things up a bit and while chasing the $ is important to some extent depending on your situation, there is something to be said about enjoying your "work" while doing it. Every outfit has its perks, wins, losses, etc., so hopefully everyone lands where they actually want to be versus just need to be. Not going to sugarcoat it, we definitely can do better in several areas, trips are rather long no doubt as there is a trade off - so, with a few adjustments and bumps in compensation, etc. hemorrhaging pilots would draw down considerably. This is NOT for everyone, but a true gem with potential for many. Where it goes who really knows at our level.

*Living in a base where it is also your favorite place to be (i.e. hometown, kids, safe, family, entertainment, paradise, etc.) is hands down one of the best scenarios, especially if the "work" is enjoyable. Go there!

**Just me, but there are no outfits with an equitable base where I live or want to live in the future with flying I would consistently enjoy. I live where "we" want to live and fly whatever I want to fly with a single hop commute. There's my personal negative (loss of some free time), but if half your stress is getting to work and where your rest your head that's taken care of and there really is no other half of stress. I will relay I am quite a senior laying low FO, but I just flew with two other FO's on property about seven maybe eight years doing most anything they want as well. Find whatever and where ever makes you happy!

august222014

what are the bases for the 777? anyone can say a few words about it's operation? thak you in advance