It it also might not be a horrible risk to consider the likely impending contract improvements... AS could become a somewhat more selective airline if the union hits it out of the park on that. Buy in low, so to speak. The overwhelming strike vote shows some very real resolve, which by all accounts hasn't existed in the past.

But there's obvious risk in any speculative venture... lot's of things could go wrong.

Also the big three are not quite at the point where they are hiring any and all small airplane 91/135 pilots, they still like mil and 121... the guy's phone may not be ringing off the hook. I don't think the big three have an ANC base, and I think FDX can still be picky. Commuting ANC -LAX for life is just like a transcon commute for life.