Originally Posted by
rickair7777
No plausible contract (even industry leading) can retain sub-40 pilots. Between retirements, widebodies, variety, and nonrev destinations AS can't hold a candle.
They might be able to get by as a decent option for older west coast types, career changers, etc.
I disagree. I'm going to introduce a word that most Alaska pilots have never seen before.
Incentives.
What sort of premiums could incentivize pilot retention? Airlines that can't compete on career progression will have to compensate elsewhere. Schedules with lots of time off. Fast vacation accruel. W2s 30% above the big 3 in comparable fleets.
Pilots are not monolithic. Some will choose a small company with great pay and QOL over widebody SJS. Think 90s Southwest.
Declaring that Alaska cannot compete is just an excuse to not even try for better.