Originally Posted by
VNAVsnoozer
Alaska just posted that they will throw out any application from a Horizon pilot unless they have at least 2000 hrs at Horizon. No flow to Alaska anymore, no upgrade for 13 years, no pay, and no jets. ***? Why would anyone go there if they could get a signing bonus, and a two year upgrade in a jet everywhere else? No wonder they can't fill a class and are canceling flights. They Q400 is a complete POS and turboprop FO time is worthless.
just a quick fact check....there was never any flow to AS from QX and a QX FO has ALWAYS needed 2000 hrs at QX to be able to apply at AS.
Classes are being filled and flights may have been cancelled because there was a logjam as trainees were waiting several weeks to be put through IOE.
There are plenty of reasons that applicants are still applying at QX. Part of it may be the opportunity to apply at AS as an FO (admittedly, many have not been called yet to interview, but that seems to be changing) but it may also be that many desire to live or stay in the Pac NW and quality of life issues are important.
The jet debate is an age old, tireless one. QX has had plenty of FO's leave with worthless POS turboprop SIC FO time to fly big fancy jets like 747's (that is a really big one) and a variety of fancy non-worthless narrowbody "mainline" JETS that even have fancy, awesome first class seats and engines under the wings!
The Q400 isn't the end all and has it's challenges. From personal experience, it has been mostly reliable, has cool technology (HUD, RNP, coupled VNAV) and is a less claustrophobic experience for the peeps in the back while they sip complimentary local mircobrew and wine.
This site is plagued with constant visceral swill loaded with inaccurate information that makes it frustrating for those looking to make a good judgement on their career choice.