Originally Posted by
QCappy
It's nice to finally see some positive things said about Alaska. I agree things can only get better.......I hope. The flying is so varied, from 10 min flights to 7 hour flights, and you fly to the ends of the continent. I think Alaska is one place where you can still be a pilot, especially in the state of Alaska. And then you can go sit on the beach in Mexico or Hawaii.
For what it is worth, I left the state of Alaska in 1996 to go to Germany. I've said before that my dream job was always "Delta" back then, but I actually had another plan for a while. I hoped to return from Germany back to AK, perhaps to a staff tour or a Cope Thunder job, and then get out and fly for Alasaka Airlines (and perhaps C130s at Kulis if I was lucky...)
Well, life has a way of things changing. My father passed away, my in-laws were getting older, and I got another F-15 job at Tyndall. So--we got anchored in the SE with kids and family, and by the time I could get out, AK didn't quite fit the family plan anymore.
However--simply put--there isn't a more beautiful place to live, work, and fly IMHO. The people that I know that went to AK followed their hearts first, and none of them have regretted it. For pure enjoyment, I can't think of a more challenging and enjoyable Airline gig.
Funny thing is a buddy who is up there got hired in the late 90s and was concerned about being bought out or losing his job down the road. Instead, all our our mutual friends at the Big 5 got furloughed or were barely hanging on, and he continued to work in a company that was making money. You don't always know how the story will turn out...