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Polar QOL
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I have been with Polar Air Cargo as a F/E for 5 years plus and it depends pn what you want in a job.
Polar's contract is heavy on the quality of life side. The maximum working days are 16/month, but you can work longer if you wish and that would give you some pretty hefty incomes due to our CBA. The patterns are generally 16 days but you can get two patterns in one month. So the road warrior battles are at a minimum. We are in the CASS program and that does help commuting. One of the more onerous items is the fact that we do have 30 and 60 day bids lines, including the reserve lines. Personally it does not bother me but it might some.
As far as pay, we do not make the same as Atlas, but they work a lot more than we do in order to get it. Hence, it depends on what you want in a job. I like the time off. And if you do work on your days off you can make some serious money, even on probation.
But the best part about Polar is the people. We have a great cheif pilot in Chris Agnini and D.O. Joe Masone, and all the others, much to many to mention in this forum. We are a fun group, which is why we don't lose a lot of people. We fly some interesting places and good MEC representation with ALPA.
Polar's contract is heavy on the quality of life side. The maximum working days are 16/month, but you can work longer if you wish and that would give you some pretty hefty incomes due to our CBA. The patterns are generally 16 days but you can get two patterns in one month. So the road warrior battles are at a minimum. We are in the CASS program and that does help commuting. One of the more onerous items is the fact that we do have 30 and 60 day bids lines, including the reserve lines. Personally it does not bother me but it might some.
As far as pay, we do not make the same as Atlas, but they work a lot more than we do in order to get it. Hence, it depends on what you want in a job. I like the time off. And if you do work on your days off you can make some serious money, even on probation.
But the best part about Polar is the people. We have a great cheif pilot in Chris Agnini and D.O. Joe Masone, and all the others, much to many to mention in this forum. We are a fun group, which is why we don't lose a lot of people. We fly some interesting places and good MEC representation with ALPA.
And for UAL your questions about Atlas, they do not seem like happy campers with their QOL, but that is just what ia hear from some of the crews. They really would like what we have and keep their pay.
By the way, I am in Sweden with a 7 day layover; now that's a paid vacation in my book. Try that with anyone else, although it doesn't happen here too often. I got a great bid.
By the way, I am in Sweden with a 7 day layover; now that's a paid vacation in my book. Try that with anyone else, although it doesn't happen here too often. I got a great bid.
furloughfodder
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I think what Flyhard might be asking is: can you ever get a line where the days are broken up in to chunks of less than 16 days in a row. From what I understand there are reserve (and regular) bid lines that have you work the first 8 days of the month and the last 8 days of the month, etc...If that is the sort of thing you want to do.
From what I understand, Polar is the best kept secret in the industry. I would love to hear from some Atlas guys about how their QOL is.
On another note, Polar is working on getting their contract renewed. It is 2 years past due. They were conducting picketing last week, and are heading towards a strike vote in the near future. I just want to say: "HANG TIGHT, AND GET WHAT YOU DESERVE!!! AND STAY TOGETHER!!!"
It is about time a pilot group stands up and fights for what is right, as opposed to everyone taking 20-30% paycuts without even putting up a fight. I think Polar will be the first group to stand up for what they deserve since 9/11...maybe they will start a new trend and get this profession back on it's feet!
From what I understand, Polar is the best kept secret in the industry. I would love to hear from some Atlas guys about how their QOL is.
On another note, Polar is working on getting their contract renewed. It is 2 years past due. They were conducting picketing last week, and are heading towards a strike vote in the near future. I just want to say: "HANG TIGHT, AND GET WHAT YOU DESERVE!!! AND STAY TOGETHER!!!"
It is about time a pilot group stands up and fights for what is right, as opposed to everyone taking 20-30% paycuts without even putting up a fight. I think Polar will be the first group to stand up for what they deserve since 9/11...maybe they will start a new trend and get this profession back on it's feet!
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As far as lines, it would be hard to say. This month there were quite a few, next month well......
Polar is the best kept secret in the industry, but Atlas is trying hard to change that. Fortunately we have a good Cheif Pilot and D.O., a really hard working MEC, and a great bunch on the line. So far we have kept the finger in the dyke.
Polar is the best kept secret in the industry, but Atlas is trying hard to change that. Fortunately we have a good Cheif Pilot and D.O., a really hard working MEC, and a great bunch on the line. So far we have kept the finger in the dyke.
Here we go.
First Polar and Atlas are different and I know little about Atlas. As for Polar, if you are on reserve you will not be sitting around at JFK (the only base). Last year I bid reserve most of the time and only spent three days at JFK, and this year so far none. Quite often it is the senior people that bid reserve. And we have 2 reserve systems, one at home and one on the road (but you never see home reserve). We do not have crash pads as most carriers have but the company pays for our hotels, it is called R-2 or hotel reserve. There is some question on whether it is considered taxable income or not and I won't delve into that, but because of this question scheduling pretty much keeps us out of N.Y. and reserve is pulled a lot of other places. But do not expect to sit and pick up a lot of frequent flyewr miles. Right now I am on a 7 day layover in Sweden, but 7 days is a bit unusual. Next month I pull a 4 dayer in Astansa.
Our layovers vary and we do get some good stays in places. I cannot think of anyone at Polar who does not like our QOL. When I finish this trip I will be at home 10 days and then back out for thirteen. Home for 10 more, a three dayer (one day commercial to AMS and then operate to JFK) and the rest of the month off. I have a 60 day line my 10th choice. I bid 50 on the FE list to give you an idea of how it works.
Anyone who wants to e mail me at [email protected] I will give you my phone number if you want to know more before deciding to come over to Polar.
First Polar and Atlas are different and I know little about Atlas. As for Polar, if you are on reserve you will not be sitting around at JFK (the only base). Last year I bid reserve most of the time and only spent three days at JFK, and this year so far none. Quite often it is the senior people that bid reserve. And we have 2 reserve systems, one at home and one on the road (but you never see home reserve). We do not have crash pads as most carriers have but the company pays for our hotels, it is called R-2 or hotel reserve. There is some question on whether it is considered taxable income or not and I won't delve into that, but because of this question scheduling pretty much keeps us out of N.Y. and reserve is pulled a lot of other places. But do not expect to sit and pick up a lot of frequent flyewr miles. Right now I am on a 7 day layover in Sweden, but 7 days is a bit unusual. Next month I pull a 4 dayer in Astansa.
Our layovers vary and we do get some good stays in places. I cannot think of anyone at Polar who does not like our QOL. When I finish this trip I will be at home 10 days and then back out for thirteen. Home for 10 more, a three dayer (one day commercial to AMS and then operate to JFK) and the rest of the month off. I have a 60 day line my 10th choice. I bid 50 on the FE list to give you an idea of how it works.
Anyone who wants to e mail me at [email protected] I will give you my phone number if you want to know more before deciding to come over to Polar.
Astana is at the end of the earth. A 747dogg, where do you get off we flystruck freight. Not only haven''t we we won't. If your talking about a letter sent out by our former MEC, you better check. We made him reverse that within a week and threw him overboard. Our new MEC is ex-Eastern and if you think he would allow something like that you need a drug test.
b747dogg
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Whale Rider
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b747dogg
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I'm not attacking the Polar guys, just don't forget what happened!!! I was in the strike center waiting to walk when the news came that Polar would fly Atlas freight. It's the truth. You even said there was a letter that was changed a week later by your MEC. You guys are alright, but lets not forget the past. We know the enemy is the evil empire!!!!
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puddlejumper101
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mar
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Big Sigh of Relief!!
Thumbs up to Fuzzy and b747dogg for finding the common ground.
This gives me much hope.
I may be a new guy but this much is obvious to me: A divided pilot group plays *directly* into the hands of management. As long as both pilot groups play tit-for-tat we might as well be puppets on strings dancing for the enjoyment of Mr. NATO or whatever his name is.
I also think Atlas and Polar are the best kept secrets out there (maybe not any longer).
I thank God everyday I was never hired at a major. Please let's keep our eyes to the front and keep looking out for each other. Don't let the past destroy what could be a truly awesome gig.
And thanks to the Polar guys who have given me many rides to and from work and always treated me like one of their own.
Thumbs up to Fuzzy and b747dogg for finding the common ground.
This gives me much hope.
I may be a new guy but this much is obvious to me: A divided pilot group plays *directly* into the hands of management. As long as both pilot groups play tit-for-tat we might as well be puppets on strings dancing for the enjoyment of Mr. NATO or whatever his name is.
I also think Atlas and Polar are the best kept secrets out there (maybe not any longer).
I thank God everyday I was never hired at a major. Please let's keep our eyes to the front and keep looking out for each other. Don't let the past destroy what could be a truly awesome gig.
And thanks to the Polar guys who have given me many rides to and from work and always treated me like one of their own.
General Lee
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KeroseneSnorter
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flyhigh2610 said:
Word is that they are going to interview maybe one or two more days next month then slow down a while until the training snake digests it's prey.
Looks like classes are filled through august or september right now, then nothing else until after the first of the year.
Of course as always, this is subject to change at any moment!
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