Cleared4appch

Hello, been a long time lurker on the Atlas threads and occasionally posting here and there. Been interested in going to Atlas at some point in the future, though I realize that hiring has stopped for now and is expected to pick up some time next year more than likely. A question I have: how many pilots, or what percentage of pilots that go to Atlas, make a career out of it and decide to finish there until retirement?

I do understand that a good number of folks leave there for ‘greener pastures’ like the majors. But everyone seems to speak highly of the company and the experience they gained while working for Atlas. I have had some people, who I’ll mention that have never worked for Atlas, tell me don’t go to Atlas when I suggest it, and I ask them why, and they don’t seem to have a good rational answer as why I shouldn’t go there. They will say you will make way more $ at the majors. On that point I can understand the money aspect to it, and with better contracts as well. But I’ve learned after flying for a regional for 2.5 years now that I’m not necessarily money-driven. I don’t need to be making major airline wages to be a happy camper. There are several things that draw me to Atlas. The biggest draw are the schedules and how that would fit into my lifestyle. Commuting to work on gateway travel sounds REALLY nice, especially only having to do that 2-4 times a month vs 7-8. I currently commute to my regional base, and while it’s ok 97% of the time, I can’t see myself doing the commuting thing forever. I’m 35 right now but honestly I can see that wearing me out like a ragged dog if I were to do it for another decade or so.

On the other hand, moving to base isn’t really an option either as I have permanent family ties/connections that will keep me where I currently live. I honestly can’t ever see my family and I moving to an airline domicile, even where all the majors have them. We don’t like living in or near major cities, and where we currently live is like a hidden gem to us. Now it’s safe to say that yes, we are open to the possibility of changing our minds at some point, but we honestly can’t see that happening. I married a woman who has been 100% supportive of my aviation career and has been by my side the entire time. Honestly makes me wonder how she puts up with it (and me lol). We have talked about schedules at regionals vs majors vs ACMI and we both kind of agree that we would like and prefer the Atlas type of schedule a lot more. It would be nice to come home and have 2 weeks off (or more) and then head back to work and be gone for a longer stretch. Then come home and rinse and repeat with longer stretches off each time. I have had this type of schedule, well more similar to my stretch of days off vs days on at my regional several months here and there, and I like it a lot more than doing multiple 4 day trips back to back and commuting for it.

I am thankful for the experiences I have had as a regional guy, it’s helped to build a solid foundation of 121 flying, but there are gripes I have about it too, just like any job.

I’d like to hear thoughts from you guys on making a career out of a place like atlas. Both from pilots who have chosen to stay, and from those who moved on after only a couple years or so. What were the things you really liked about the job/lifestyle? And what were things that you absolutely hated? What were some things that you didn’t even know/hear about from anyone beforehand but learned afterwards (either good or bad)?

Thanks in advance!

TiredSoul

Numbers may or may not be super current but let’s give it a swing:

52-60% leave in their first year.
80% leave within three years.
After three years it steeply declines to single digits a year with almost no one leaving after year 6 unless it’s retirement or failed a random.
Anywhere between 15-18% are in for the long haul, pun intended.
The 74 flying is more exciting and a little more ad-hoc aka schedule changes and the 77 flying is the more boring side of the house.
74 has military (pax too) flying and the occasional VIP run and the 77 has none of that as they can’t seem to get their head out of their @sses as buying Delta’s pax 77’s out of the dezzzert

astray

I'm planning on staying. Unfortunately you can't get this kind of schedule anywhere else, especially without commuting. I have parents that live overseas and the schedule allows me to visit very frequently without having to work magic on the bidding software. The job itself is easy, the crews are relaxing, and the pay is decent. It's not WB legacy pay, but it can be on par with NB pay with the new retirement benefits. The only thing that's really detrimental about the schedule is that seniority doesn't really give you more days off. Sure, right now if you're senior on the 767 you can get 24+ days off without an issue, but generally on other fleets you're looking at maybe 13-17 days on, whereas at a Legacy at similar seniority you can perhaps get 20+ days off consistently.

But the destinations, the commute-free schedule and flexibility, and 14 straight days off really can't be beat, and Atlas is currently the best place to be if you need this kind of lifestyle.

Wings08

While I am at a different cargo carrier, I have a buddy over there that loves it. We both started at a regional so we have had our share of the commuting and pax life. He has been there 3 years and per his words "they will have to drag my ass from the seat to make me leave. I love it here". I still commute, which blows but 7/7 schedules make it less painful. I am also quite jealous of his worry free commuting.

I'd say qol and family should be a big factor with choosing cargo/atlas. They cool with you being gone 17 days straight? While you might not make "the big bucks" like a legacy, it's nut chump change either and getting better.

Best of luck

Clue32

I am at the 2.5 year mark, right where many are still choosing to jump ship evidenced by my seniority number still climbing 15-20 numbers per month until this summer. I plan on being here 19 more years.

With one exception, every Captain I have been paired with that was a former Regional Pilot plans on staying and speaks positively of Atlas as a career destination, the other lives in Chicago and joined his spouse at United already. No place is perfect, and there are certainly improvements to be made here. However, for many that aren't brainwashed into thinking that success as a professional Aviator means employment at United or Delta, this Airline is certainly a gem laying in plain sight.

Gateway travel, for most, and certainly for those that commuted to a Regional seems to be game changer. The longer blocks of time off comes in highly ranked as well. There is tremendous schedule variety, and with a little seniority you can find a niche that fits your lifestyle. We have a lot of split lines, a lot of lines with 14-16 days off, and we aren't trapped on a freighter for 17-30 hours at a time, or what ever nonsense happens at Kalitta and National.

It has been said many, many, many times. You have to plan on and expect only Minimum Guarantee. Scheduling seemingly reinvents the line-building process with new philosophies every month and you can't expect to always find high credit lines. Open Time is a phantom, a menace in your inbox. If you aren't in base, or aren't at the start of big block of off days, or aren't stalking your outlook inbox, or aren't an 8 year FO, or blah blah blah, you won't get it. 2x Training months and 1 or 2 months with your vacation weeks are MMG months.

Had I fully listened to everyone here, and had I not been very slightly bullish on my monthly credit expectations, I may have stayed at my last company a bit longer. However, I have zero regrets coming to Atlas. I have enjoyed my time on the 767 and the relaxed schedule afforded by the Amazon system, and am awaiting the next Vacancy Bid experience life on the 74. I hear it is like being at a completely different Airline.

Feel free to pm me anytime. Best of luck on your transition to Giant.

dera

I did my PC last month, ended up with 15 days home with creative bidding, and credited over 160 hours. The 747 is a gold mine for OT, for now. Obviously no-one should budget for that, but might as well take advantage when it's available.

It's somewhat difficult to only do MMG on the 747 outside training/vacation months. Quite a few bid for training on days off so those months turn into 85-90 hour months, you obviously lose a few days that way, but some prioritize money over that. Personal choice, and not terrible if you can hold those 17-18 day off lines.

astray

Meanwhile plenty of 24+ days off lines on the 767 with no OT at all...

Twin Wasp

It'll obviously not a career destination for everyone. Having added "Heavy" to the call sign and having international experience will make the resume stand out to mainline airlines. Younger folks might invest 3 or 4 years here and then move on. I'll say a lot of middle of their career pilots might dread starting over again and with the current contract it's not bad. Scheduling can be chaotic. Something happens with a plane the other side of the planet and you don't do any of your scheduled flights for the rest of the line. Someone might have made some plans for a three day layover and it ain't happening. Oh well, maybe next month. Gateway is fantastic. Seeing pilots hanging out at the gate trying to non rev and being able to walk past them to an assigned seat is priceless. We'll, actually it probably costs Atlas $500-$800 a month. Several times waiting in uniform if just coming off a trip or got too much toothpaste for TSA a Captain would ask if I'm trying to jumpseat. I'd wave the ID and tell them I was ticketed, in fact I'm number 2 on the upgrade list.

Ludicrous Speed

It's especially a good feeling when you're upgraded and a commuting pilot on their own brand's metal is sitting in coach.

SgtV

I came from the DoD so I know nothing of other civilian airlines, but I'll give my $.02.
Not sure how to accurately assign a value to the gateway travel; no crash pads, no standby, but from what I hear from friends at other carriers it is head and shoulders above the typical 121 experience.
Not having to uproot the family is another win. There is always room for improvement with pay and retirement but it suits me fine where I am in life.
I have had a couple of family issues and whether at home needing to stay home or out and needing to get back I have nothing but positive things to say about how I've been treated.
Not everything is rose-colored, the long flights can get tedious but I have found that they are mitigated by a pretty great group of pilots that I have enjoyed conversing with. And when Im stuck in a conga line at JFK I couldnt imagine having to do that more than once a day. YMMV.