Originally Posted by
captfurlough
Tanker Driver,
The short answer is yes, they have hired mainlanders, but the longer answer is they usually have significant or tangible ties to the island. Schedules are not conducive to commuting, especially with preferrential bidding. While there are some junior pilots that commute, new hires and junior guys do not generally have as much flexability as they might wish to derrive reasonable commuting schedules. There is a SEA base but it's extremely senior and not a possibility for junior crewmembers. Trips begin and end in HNL so starting a trip from the West coast is not really a viable option either. In general you'll be happier with your quality of life if you're willing to relocate to the island. Hawaii is different....in almost all respects....so relocation is something that requires an understanding of the history, culture, and realities of life in the islands. Previous threads have shed some light on these things; you may wish to do a search on related topics.
From my research on flight schedules etc.. I agree 100%... From my understanding, on the -330 or -76 you typically do 5-6 3 days trips a month.(what I was told from a friend there). Even if you lived on the West Coast you'd have to come in the night before OR risk taking a flight the same day that gets you in shortly before your scheduled duty. Definitely correct me if I'm wrong..
Also agree with living in the islands.... I've been here 2 years. You definitely get island fever on the neighbor islands. HNL has more going on, but also has a crap load of people/traffic etc. I was at the A.M. Mall the other day. Absolutely insane how packed it was. We've adjusted to living here pretty well. But the "dream" of living in Hawaii is different than the reality at times. We love it but mileage may vary. It's much easier to say "Honey pack up we're moving to HI" than to actually do it.
It seems everyone I've talked to that lives here has applied and interviewed at Hawaiian at some point. I've seen 4 co-workers leave for Hawaiian this year. 2 of them had absolutely no recommendations but did live on the B.I... and a few others interviewed but unfortunately didn't hear back yet... But there has to be a reason they specifically ask if you live in hawaii on the application.