Globemaster2827

The bottom line is that if you're at Atlas and thinking about putting your foot down on catering read the new GAM. Follow the contract and manuals. Coffee is not in the contract so they can and apparently did rewrite the books.

If you're thinking about coming to Atlas understand that relations with management are terrible. You'll be in the middle of than on probation.

5Ypilot

Managment relations terrible is an understatement. Its worse than I ever imagined it could get. Its a bloody war and theres no hiding from it if someone comes here. Know what you are getting in to and understand you will be accountable to fight. Its really ugly, and really stressful.

AnotherWriter

Well, this thread is kind of off putting but I'm going to ask my questions anyway. I am having a hard time finding information about Atlas anyway. I would genuinely appreciate some real answers, I see you all are having contract woes. I haven't been doing this long enough to say I understand all of it, but if we can leave grief about that to the side for a moment.

I am an RJ driver in my early 20s, basically turned nomadic since starting at my current gig about 18 months ago. No serious commitments. Regularly spend 20+ days on the road anyway, doing 5 on, 2 off, 5 on, 3 off, 5 on etc. I like my current gig and will probably upgrade within the next 6 months anyway. So unless unforeseen circumstances, there is TPIC in my immediate future.

1. Schedules. Last I heard the 17 on/14 off went fair senior. Or is that how they all are, but rather gluing them together so you get 28 days off before restarting 34 days on rests more senior? Are there specific schedule benefits to driving the 767 rather than 747? 767 more junior perhaps?

2. Pay. How are you all paid? I see you've got min guarantee obviously and it looks like most guys work 75+ hours anyway. Any soft pay? Someone told me if you all get stranded at an out station for a couple days, they have to throw some money at you every day.

3. Home basing. How exactly does this work for you guys? It doesn't sound like its genuine home basing.

4. Other work rule things. Deadheads, any provisions about business class if X flight duration/crossing country lines? Can you collect reward points towards frequent flyer or hotel loyalty programs? Does scheduling like to abuse you/reflow you when you're on a trip? Baring IROP circumstances, are you pretty much for sure going to what is on your trip sheet and then run away to home?

Hopefully you don't view me as part of the problem - I am 100% looking to use Atlas as a stepping stone but I also think it would be great experience, be a lot of fun for a single guys in their early 20s, and if the economy goes sideways or we get into war with NK, I would probably rather be at Atlas than my current RJ gig.

Really appreciate anyone willing to give a thoughtful response. Just trying to make informed decisions.

BYOB

Stay and get PIC time. PIC time and a degree will greatly separate you from those without PIC time.

1. Schedules are all over the board. It’s what you bid, what you can hold, and what lines are built. I’m on a 17 day trip right now. Not preferred for me, but it’s what I needed to do. Only you can screw yourself into 34 day trips by bidding 17 day trips back-to-back.

2. This company will NEVER throw money at you. EVER. Do your research on guarantee pay for first year and subsequent years. Multiply that by your hourly rate, this is what you’re guaranteed. Nothing more. If you stay out 17 days your Calculated Rig Time will increase your pay, but there is nothing beyond guarantee. You can be awarded an 80 hour line and sent home early and only be paid 62.

3. There is no home basing. Again, if had done 5 minutes of research and searched this thread, you’d understand this. Do some homework, literally 5 minutes of it using the search function on APC to understand Atlas Gateway travel and imputed income.

4. International DH is business or better. You keep the points. I’m on day 2 of a 17 day trip and I’ve had 7 changes to my schedule in the coming week. You absolutely will not fly what you bid for. You’re simply bidding for a line that has the days off that you want. That’s it. Nothing more. Bid for a line going to Sydney? End up in HKG for 4 days instead. Think you’re going to Europe and hanging in Germany for a few days? Plan on sitting reserve in a hotel in CVG instead.

To summarize this all, do your homework. Know EXACTLY what you’re getting yourself into. This place is becoming more and more contentious each day. When Atlas has 17 year 747 captains leaving, you really need to ask yourself why. These are the kind of questions you need to be asking.

jackcarls0n

Quick question, the gateway travel program is applicable for someone living in US only?

What if someone lives in HK? Is that a possibility? Someone did tell me that they are few guys living outside US. How does that work? (I understand that, it is only possible if you are on 747).

Also, the Taipei hub flying for the 767, is that awarded in seniority or if someone actually lives in Taipei, they can request that?

Globemaster2827

You can do that but getting to your Gateway is on you. The guys I know who do it blow a TON of time getting to and from work. So in HK, I'd have my Gateway be ANC and stay ANC based. You'd probably bid lines that start out of ANC and go between ANC and HKG as much as possible. Even when your line gets destroyed you'd probably still end up in HKG a good bit. Every blue moon there might even be a HKG Reserve line that you could bid...

Riverside

People on the internet don't do homework. They rather be spoon fed.

captainv

Oh good, someone who wants to completely disregard what little seniority we have because it's convenient for him.

captainv

1. Schedules are all over the place. Depends heavily on base & equipment. 30 or 60-day lines. More split lines than 17-day patterns. Benefits of 767? Lots more domestic flying, but it's night turns out of CVG.

2. You get paid what you do, not what you bid. While i was senior on the 767, I averaged 72 hours/month. 747 pays more, and you will make more than a regional FO, but it took a classmate of mine 5+ years and 747 CA Pay to exceed what he made at Skywest as a CA.

3. It is not home basing. They want you to arrive in base at least 10 hours prior on every trip although there is no FAR requirement for it. 60-day lines can have up to 5 pairings. Depending on where you live/are based, you might give up a bit of your days off to get into position.

4. Biz or better on international DHs. You get the points. More of a factor on the 747 than the 767. 747 skeds change all the time, less so on 767 cargo runs. For 767 AMX pax flying (senior), the only constant is change. There is no trip/bid pay protection, so the most senior pilot can bid a high value line, and then get sent home early whenever the company feels like it.

Should you decide to come here without PIC, Atlas will snap you up because you'll be much less likely to leave any time soon.

Radials Rule

Since you’re nomadic and if you’re willing to live within driving distance of ANC or CVG (both junior 747 bases, CVG is junior for the 767), you will have better QOL. You’ll be able to arrive in base for reserve or a trip on your own terms instead of 10 hours prior.