For those tracking Atlas



First post for a long time lurker, so sorry for the non-intro, intro. The planes are supposedly the ex-ABX, former TWA 767-231s that ABX put back to DHL when DHL massively downsized a few years ago. They are very old and are JT-9D powered. They will still need cargo doors cut into them in Israel.

Assuming those jets are ex-ABX, it will make an "interesting" atmosphere in the crew area at the CVG sort even more "interesting" when the Atlas guys run into ABX guys. You already have ABX vs. Astar (who both think the freight is "theirs") vs. all the other contractors. DHL sold it's share of Astar and now owns a portion of Polar, who does some of it's long haul flying and now you have DHL bringing in Southern Air to supplement/replace Polar on those long haul flights.

You think some major and regional pax airline managements are good at whipsawing. Well, DHL is right up there with the best of them.
 
why is there an Atlas 747-400 painted in Emirates livery? (saw it today in SJU)
They have an ACMI contract with them. There is also an Atlas plane in Atlas colors, but operated for Qantas. I was really confused the first time I heard Qantas on the radio in Anchorage. I thought somebody was lost.
 
Just curious, is the decision already before you, or are you just thinking about applying?

And, how long until 1000pic?

lets put it this way im 99.9% sure I can get an interview but I can only use that card once. I have about 300 p121 pic, I also have the chance for another interview with a foreign airline. The voice in the back of my mind is telling to sit tight and wait.
 
lets put it this way im 99.9% sure I can get an interview but I can only use that card once. I have about 300 p121 pic, I also have the chance for another interview with a foreign airline. The voice in the back of my mind is telling to sit tight and wait.

Fate favors the prepared. If you feel prepared with the PIC you have then go for it. If your current job is giving you opportunities to move forward and better polish your resume I'd keep doing that. If both are true I'd be patient.
 
lets put it this way im 99.9% sure I can get an interview but I can only use that card once. I have about 300 p121 pic, I also have the chance for another interview with a foreign airline. The voice in the back of my mind is telling to sit tight and wait.

Some guys will say you don't need any TPIC, just move on.

Others will say 1,000.

Some, 2,000.

I say move on to what you can when you can. If things hit the fan and you can't get a job with 747 international time, kids flying RJ's for 2,000 hours in the left seat probably won't be getting jobs either.

But that's just my take on things.
 
i think im just going to wait a year and see. Im the kind of guy that wants to stay domestic and fly during the day. I'm one of those crazy people that doesn't want to go to fedex.
 
why is there an Atlas 747-400 painted in Emirates livery? (saw it today in SJU)

Yeah, that was me, and miraculously I actually got to do the takeoff and landing; didn't expect that with a 3-captain heavy crew ;)

DXB-SJU, 14:18 flight time, 14:50 block.

We were hauling 20 tons of something for somebody, and SJU was just a tech stop; the plane continued with its payload to Maracaibo, Venezuela. I believe our loadmaster said the payload was "drilling fluid" that was needed at an oil field, but the trip may have been primarliy to position the airplane to Venezuela to pick something up there. I've learned pretty quickly to stop wondering about these sorts of things!
 
20 tons, that's it? :)

What's the current relationship these days between Atlas and Polar?

The seniority lists will be merged in the coming weeks but both certificates will remain intact for business reasons. The pilots will be able to fly equipment on both certificates.
 
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