Javichu

That actually makes sense!. My brain is now in learning mode, so it would be a good experience, no doubt.

Any advise on which doors should I knocked on?. Apart from Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, I wouldn't have a clue!, and I know the jobs are all over the state.

Safety

I've flown about 1000hrs of backcountry/wilderness in the Rockies, always wondered how Alaska might compare. Alaska pilots would come down and fly some of the wilderness strips in the Rockies and say things like, "this is nuts, too dangerous". All the while, I figured Alaska would be more dangerous. Maybe it's just how we're trained and what we get used to accepting.

JohnBurke

There you have it, folks.

The best thing is lack of experience. Knowing nothing is the real life saver. Who'd have thought?

Live a little longer. Grow a little older. Check back in 10-15 years when you do have some experience. We'll see if you agree with yourself.

Panzon

I've been flying in Alaska for the last five years and have really enjoyed it. Definitely learned a lot, both about flying and about the majors. The flying insights are too many to list, but I can share the key takeaway about the majors: each has its own culture, and some cultures are more appealing than others. I am really drawn to the culture at Alaska Airlines: they seem genuinely committed to providing good service and treating everyone like gold. I've been really impressed by them.

These days we see hoards of low time pilots who come up to get their 1000 or 1500 hours. Honestly, they're sort of leeches. They are constantly playing the angles to maximize their flight time, they p1ss and moan when they miss out on a few hours here or a few hours there, and the moment they get the hours they need they quit. They make no contribution to the company or the passengers. What we need is more guys who want to stay in Alaska for a longer stretch - guys who want to become company instructors or check airmen, who want to make the company better, and who want to build good relations with the villages we serve.

On another note, the observation that the guys getting themselves killed are the experienced ones is valid. You wouldn't think it would be that way, would you? And it's also odd that in recent memory there have been two CFIT accidents in planes equipped with Capstone technology. We have a lot of technology to keep us from smacking into hard objects, but we keep doing it. Go figure.

JohnBurke

The 12000 hour pilot who dies CFIT didn't run into a mountain at 500 hours, either. Or 1000. Or 5000.

Let the 'I'm the safest pilot in the state' 500 hour expert speak in 10 or 15 years when he's got a leg to stand on. It's rather disingenuous to say that one has 500 hours and hasn't wrecked yet, and is therefore safer, and a ridiculous argument to suggest that the 12000 hour pilot (insert number here) is more dangerous because with 2400% more exposure and experience, has had a mishap.

In fact, one might reasonably observe that the pilot who proclaims himself the safest on the block at 500 hours, thanks to his safety-conscious view and humility...may be prime for the next crash.

The last 10,000 takeoffs and 15,000 hours don't count nearly as much as the next one.

Panzon

JB, I must be dense tonight: it sounds like you've got a hard-on for Javichu, but it doesn't seem like he's claiming to be the safest 500 hour pilot. I'm not sure what your beef is. Or maybe you don't have a beef and I'm just slow on the uptake.

JohnBurke

You're absolutely right. You are dense tonight, and apparently slow on the uptake. Well done.

PrettyFlyGuy

Alaska has 2 worlds in aviation. Western Alaska and the rest of it. So a lot might depend which landscape they flew. I flew in the Rockies before coming to Alaska and in a lot of ways I can agree with you. In Alaska we rarely have to deal with density altitude. Like today at 5500' out west of anchorage the density altitude was -1000' where in the Rockies it would be 8000'. As far as flying a cub to a random riverbed I would rather do it down south. The water is clearer and always flows the same direction and the dirt strips have smaller rocks. At the same time I saw some places in western Colorado I would think twice on landing at whereas in Alaska I would do it under the same conditions. All depends on comfort zones and what guys are used to I guess.
At this point I've come to realize most the old timers up here would never make it flying down south due to the fact they can't communicate with anyone outside their buddies on the radio or can't fly instruments for ****(granted it's kept them alive up here so maybe it's the way to go here who knows. Anyway They take pride in making Alaska seem "scary" and keeping a legacy up here which keeps others from coming. Makes my resume look better so I will go with the flow on this one lol.
Granted the flying here is tougher than any cfi-airline guy will ever imagine but at the same time it's not rocket science.
I kinda miss the Rockies a bit so I might have to take a trip thanks for the reminder haha
Thanks for listening to my ramble it was a long day up here and my brain is all over the place.

PrettyFlyGuy

Anchorage is mostly high time guys who live there and are experienced so it would be hard to make a case to get on anywhere there and plus they are all ifr ops who all want 3000 hours. Bethel is the primary starting point for most guys in the industry and if you ask any old timer here that's where they started. Juneau has some entry level stuff but they are primarily float operators and want 200 hours float time. Send an app to Ryan air if you have your multi. They start you right seat in a casa and can get the type rating till you hit 1000 hours then you will fly a 207.
All I ask is don't be the spoiled dip**** like the rest of our selfish generation and come up here to hit your 1500 and bolt. It's the reason training contracts have been made since no one is a man of their word anymore and it has screwed everyone else over. Like a guy said earlier we need instructors and check airman here and it's hard when everyone leaves. Now I'm not saying stay forever since I personally have zero respect for most of the Alaskan culture but don't just use an operator to build time and leave without mentoring the next guys. Remember somebody had to teach you so pay it forward.
A lot of guys who stay here and get a management spot like assistant chief or check airman have that on their resume forever and leave for LCCs or better fractionals and skip the regional crap all together so that's always there as well.
Anyway if you want to make a good life story at a job that gives you more cool stories in one shift than an entire airline career then come to Alaska
I think I should be a paid spokesperson for Alaska aviation after that one. Either way good luck!

Javichu

Wow I never thought about mentoring new pilots once I get enough experience. I guess I've been a wannabe pilot for way too long haha. Thanks for the thought/advice.
I respect that idea, and I believe in those foundations, not just aviation but in general.
Bethel, 10-4. I'll do some research after late dinner.
My CPL ASEL is next week after huge mechanical issues in the complex, been waiting forever. Si by yhe ens of yhe month I should have both single and multi.

For the other guys.... I'm as safe as a pilot as you can be with 400h. I'm humble, patient, and for me experienced people are golden. They've been where I am right now. Doesn't mean they don't have bad habits, but that's why you also have common sense. Listen, filter, learn.




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