DC8DRIVER

I'll just jump in on this one ...

First, you might want to set your sights elsewhere. Atlas is not only unique in its operation, but our overlords have just bought a competitor and they apparently intend to screw us over on a contract that has just begun to be negotiated. It is a difficult job flying 5 extremely different types of 747's (or, in the case of the 767, it'd be pax, cargo, old and new airframes; all different) to airports that may have never seen a 747 in parts of the world that require armed guards to escort us on some of our trips. And all of this for just about half of the compensation packages that other 747 operators offer.

It started out being an interesting job, but being treated as rudely as we have been, I can no longer recommend Atlas to fellow pilots.

Furthermore, many of us have put hours and hours of answers into this thread answering just about every conceivable question you could think of. If you just HAVE to know about Atlas, please grab a large beverage and dive in.

I will, however, try to give you an answer in a nutshell; pilots owe the company 17 days a month usually delivered in one trip on a 30 day line or may be broken into two, three, or four trips in a 60 day line. Hours vary greatly based on which airplane you fly (74 or 76) and whether you fly domestically (mostly 76) or international (both). There is NO typical schedule. Nor will you fly a trip that looks like anything that you bid and were awarded. Schedules change frequently and radically. We fly to six continents on flights that vary from 20 minutes to 16+ hours. The foreign airports that we seem to frequent are HHN, RIX, DXB, LAD, NRT, ICN, HKG, PVG, NGO, AMS, NBO, LEJ, VCP, SCL, LUX, CGO, CKG, LIM, BKK, LGG, AUH, RMS, AVB, BAH, TAR, STN, YEG, MAO ... well, you get the idea. It's not the ten or twenty domestic airports that you'll see flying for Delta.

As far as take home money, I believe that the new 76 guys tend to operate closer to min guarantee than the new 747 guys, but that varies according to your base and seniority. My first year here I was on the 747 and averaged about 72 hours.

If you have any choice at all, I would recommend looking elsewhere. At best, Atlas could get you a 74 or a 76 type to help you on your way to a decent career.

8

Treehorn

The management has made it clear that they want a nasty, draw out brawl. I would definitely look elsewhere.

Elusive Napkin

Why do you guys keep saying we "owe" the company 17 days per month? That's not quite accurate, but is a common statement around the company. We are scheduled to a maximum of 17 days. There can be and are lines with less than 17 days of work.

Now, they aren't common. That needs to change. But let's use the correct terminology of a maximum of 17 work days in a bid period. That's the same as a minimum of 13 days off per month; which is the way most contracts word it.

captainv

So, you had 1200+ hours in November, just got hired onto the E-175 at Skywest, and yet couldn't be bothered to "sift through 1500 pages of mostly rant and negative comments" to learn about Skywest before accepting a job.

Boy, are you gonna love it here!

Actually, I'm going to save you a lot of work. Show up at the next job fair Atlas attends. (Hopefully, someone will look up it up for you!) Ask the questions you asked above. For extra credit, ask what kinds of jets we fly and what our uniform hats look like. Make sure you bring enough clothes for two months as they'll likely skip the interview and put you on a plane for... Hey, does anybody know where Atlas does their training?

BYOB

I can't tell if this is sarcasm or if you're being serious. Most regional pilots coming to Atlas are accustomed to working at least 16, and more often than not 19-20 days a month, often with uncommutable trips one one end, sometimes both ends. Yes, 17 days is a lot, and it would be great if the next contract could reduce that to 15 or 16....but most guys coming to Atlas are accustomed to being treated much worse. I'm not sure how the military pilots have it that are exiting the military, but I'm guessing they work at least 17 days a month and rarely get to fly.

It's all a matter of your perspective. Don't like 17 days a month? Let the union know your wishes and negotiate more guaranteed days off in the next contract.

Treehorn

It's not sarcasm. And the fact that you make the regional comparison is frightening. This is not a regional. We do not fly RJs. We fly 74s for very little and stay gone from home for too long. Please drop the "it's better than a regional" sentiment. The very fact you make that comparison speaks volumes for our work rules.

900drver

😂😂😂😂 funny ****

BYOB

I'm not making that comparison directly, per se. I'm stating that many pilots coming to Atlas are doing so because (despite low pay/retirement/etc.) coming to Atlas is better than where they presently are with better opportunity to a) upgrade and earn more than at a regional (in spite of industry low wages for operating the 747/767) or b) enhance their resume to make themselves more marketable to legacy carriers or UPS/FedEx.

Treehorn

And those leaving the regionals to finish their careers here will wonder what went wrong when they turn 64 and are still flying 17 days a month.

dutch747

Your assuming that we are only gone 17 days, when in fact it's usually over 19 days. If your Jr. you may get assigned a line out of ANC that is broken up into 3 different segments, causing you to be away from home at least 20 days up to 23 days.

17 days is days actually working, not away from home. Unless you live in base.