Atlas Life
 

Hi All,

There don't seem to be any recent posts about the quality of life at Atlas, specifically regarding communting to STN from the US. Is it easier now with gateway cities? If I wanted to live in, say, Italy, is that possible as well? How hard is it to have a personal life?

I am very interested in Atlas. I'm probably one of the few that actually wants to live in Europe, once I can afford it. The schedule will be rough, there is no doubt, but I imagine it is something that you get used to over time.

I'm currently at the regionals, and I just don't like passenger service. Especially passenger service tied to a major airline. Every week the schedules change, meaning that we never know if we are over or under staffed. We do fly into some interesting places, but we never overnight there. I got into aviation to see the world, and Atlas seems like a good place to go to meet that goal.

Please understand that I'm getting into this with open eyes. I'm looking for information on the company, specifically how financially sound it is, what the future prospects are for QOL with a new contract, etc. Is Atlas the kind of place that could be a career, or is it mostly just a waypoint?

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide. It helps a lot.

~A Regional Pilot

I can't give you any info on the STN base. I have been lucky enough to not have the pleasure.

Living in Europe is a good thing. The QOL is much better because the guys are able to do standby at home, vs. a hotel Nice has been popular, because of some good tax issues.

I'm at Atlas for the duration. We are the Leader in ACMI. We like to say we're the scum that floats above the bottom feeders. Work rules suck, but pay ain't bad, when compared to what has happened to the majors.

We have LONG term customers. That is what makes us different from others. Currently, in the ACMI world, a one year contract is long term. Qantus just signed a six year deal for three planes. Air New Zealand extended as well. With the 747-8's coming, new customers in the future, and with oil prices rising, the value of this investment is looking better.

As we get rid of the -200's, we are positioning our selfs for our long term survival. Yes, our competition is picking them up, but at some point, the -200 will be an anchor that could sink the competition.

A new contract is a wild card. Do a little search and you'll see some of the issues. The Polar stuff is holding things up and it's up to an arbitrator at this point. Whatever the result, we will be moving forward sometime this summer. Then, God only knows.

Hope this helps. Maybe a STN guy will chime in on those issues.

For STN, what is the likelihood a newhire will fly the 200 vs. the 400? Do the 400s fly longer routes out of STN vs. the 200?

How often would a STN based pilot fly back to the States (revenue flights) vs. flying East bound to Dubai, HKG, etc.? Is there good variety operating out of STN?

Right now new hires are going to the -400. STN flying is mostly EK, Qantas and NZ. The variety is very good. Domestic destinations a STN pilot usually sees are HSV and ORD. Occasionally MIA and ATL are thrown in the mix. MEX and GDL are added as a bonus..:p

If your looking for QOL, then pick another carrier, any carrier. I did

I'm not looking for QOL in a carrier. I asking about the QOL at Atlas. I'm looking for a job that will allow me to live in Europe, and is not passenger service.

Anyway, thanks to all of you for giving me some information. I'm really hopeful that I will get a job there in the near future.

G

Qol
 

Great Job! of what I hear. And don't listen to the trashhauler. As we say in dixie he knows nothing about nothing !:)

SC Pilot--

If you want to live in Europe make sure that they know that. Tell everyone you communicate with you WANT the STN base.

Ok, I'll let them know that I want the STN base. I know a lot of people don't want it. Someone told me that there were some union issues in STN a while back, something about the seniority lists there. Is that still going on?

My big concern is that I'm in a good position in my current company. Well protected from furlough, etc. With several companies closing down in the past week, I'm scared of getting onto the bottom of someone's list.

Do you think that is a valid concern for Atlas, or are they fairly stable (as stable as an airline can be...)?

I called today, and the person in charge of the pilot recruitment is out of the office all week, so I guess I won't hear anything this week. :)

Thanks for the info.

STN base
 

Are they hiring any Europeans for the Base?will they at all in the future non americans?

I was hired less then a year ago, and because I have dual citizenship, I was hoping to do a stint in Europe while based in STN. Due to the exchange rate and the fact we would loose one income I was not able to do so, but it would have been easy and QOL would have been better then present (which is not bad as far as I am concerned). I feel relatively comfortable with the financial side of Atlas, but things can change quickly, and the experience and the type are well worth the risk, specially considering that I was so burned out with my old job I was considering getting a job at the regionals!
While you are in the US, GTW allows you to fly to where your pattern starts on a positive space ticket or company aircraft. They have up to 36 hours to get you to work; you add the 17+4 and then 36 to get back, so it can be a long period of time. Once you are in Europe its much better, depending on where you reside you might get to do reserve at your own residence, and you can split the 17 days in 2 or more (?) groups. They have a system to get you back and forth based on (I believe) a last minute ticket on Ryan Air, if it is more you pay the difference, if less they pay the ticket. For what I understand, it balance itself off, with most months requiring no out of pocket expenses to get to work ( again, it depends on where you end up living)
I share WD outlook, don’t think its perfect but I am enjoying it. Not much fling and even less T/O&Landings, hardly over guarantee in the slow season, a lot of last minute changes, but I am really enjoying it. The way I look at it, they can do whatever they want in those 17 days, and I would rather flying then being at the hotel. When I am off, my cell is off, and with up to 14/15 days off a month in a row, it feels like a mini-vacation every month!
Good luck and feel free to PM me for more specific questions

Ok let me get tis straight. You work 17+4 involuntary extension thats
21 days + 36 hours to get you home. That 23 days of work. So how do you get 14-15 days off a month?

.....ummmm contract vs. actual?

Well according to the presentation yesterday, they are able to strectch the Atlas crew force 24% per the Atlas CBA. The specifically mentioned involuntary extension.

Pilots from both carriers really need to log on and listen. Especially to the CEO, the COO and CFO's presentation. Although it is qute long-winded, and alot of repeat info, but some real nuggets like above.

747rubani
That's what they can do, not what happens all the time. I am junior so a can only speak of limited experience, but so far I have been extended only during the Xmas period build up, while, due to rest, i have been allowed to go home a few days early, giving me the 15 days off i mentioned. I usually plan for the worse and hope for the best, and so far it has been good.

“Pilots from both carriers really need to log on and listen”. Log on and listen to what? I don’t believe that AAWH management would ever encroach upon a crewmember’s quality of life.

Nice. Nice. Nice. :}

Mr. C. Polyp
 

Hopefully you are speaking tongue in cheek!
Almost no one at Purchase gives a rat's a--s about
a crewmember's quality of life, only saving $$$$$!
(for their own bonus??)

All be advised, posts are being removed by the MOD if he does not like the content of what was said. At this point why bother to post at all.:ugh:

Fr8Dog, I can only assume that some of my postings were deemed to be inappropriate. If that is the case, then I apologize to you and any others that I may have offended. To my knowledge Fr8Dog I have never met you, we just have differing opinions. You are probably an OK guy. Like I said earlier, when I change jobs I like to start out with a clean sheet of paper. I prefer to rise in management because of my new achievements and not because of my past record. Outside of my logbook, I do not discuss simulator training events, check rides or any of the successful programs that I have implemented in previous employment. I am confident that my present employer will recognize my talents and allow me to rise to the level that I deserve.

:O