Hello all, there should really be an introduction thread here somewhere for us long time lurkers to post their first posts. Figure since I am potentially looking to get an interview with AS I'll post here.
I'm attempting to get back into the airlines after a long absence and now seems like a great time to get hired. I have potentially 20 years left for this career. I am attempting to make a wise choice with who I apply yet trying not to be too picky about who may actually offer me a position, or at the least an interview. Alaska is high on my list as I am a lifelong resident of Oregon and the potential of driving to work would be worth it. I realize there will be some commuting and PDX is fairly senior. I spent 6 years commuting between PDX to SLC and a bit to ORD so I know what the life is like. I have also read all the recent posts to others here seeking advice about AS..... I know the legacies are hiring, I know DL has a base in SEA with short upgrades, but my situation is a little bit different then everyone else's.
My times are high with over 7500tt, 5500 multi engine turbine, and 1500 PIC turbine, representing an 8 year stent at Skywest.
I fall short of Alaska's "preferred" experience in that I have an associate degree and have zero flight time in the past 12 months. I have scheduled a biannual flight review and an instrument proficiency check at my local airport for next week just to show my intention and strong desire to get back in the cockpit. This will give me just a couple hours towards recent experience and possibly a few more hours that I may be able to afford thereafter.
Queston #1
I have read posts on the forums here of pilots getting back into the career and hired with little to no recent experience. Would the flight time and experience (and lack of recent experience) I have listed above warrant an invite for an interview here at AS?
Question #2
I would actually feel pretty good about my chances if it was just the numbers listed above. Heck I would have been back in the industry long ago if it was only a matter of recent flight experience but....... just to make it more challenging for myself...... my next question.... what are the odds of Alaska (or any airline for that matter) considering a pilot with these numbers and a "hiccup" on their record. This hiccup wasn't enough to cause any damage or injury but enough to lose a job over and get the FAA involved. Hiccup is not even on my record anymore but the 15 year absence from the career will be impossible to explain without bringing up the reason for my absence. I know I have read of other airlines recently that have hired pilots with "hiccups" on their record but what about Alaska?
For those that just need to know... In the summer of 2008 Skywest was fat on pilots and the economy was in the tank, this was not a good time to make any mistakes no matter how big or small, not to mention lack of union representation (sure Union might not have even mattered but I wouldn't know). There are no excuses for my mistake, but I have more than learned my lesson and have served my time and feel I am a better person now having faced such challenges. I want to fly again and make a steady paycheck, a position here with Alaska would be like a second chance at life again for me. This may sound poetic or cheesy but imagine the challenges faced in life over the last fifteen years after a career like ours had been pulled out from under us. I made it work, raised a family and am still married, but an indoor 9-5 job or even running a business of your own from home, I found to be just as difficult if not more so than some of the toughest days I had working for an airline.
Question #3
I don't want to miss the hiring wave as we all know a seniority number means everything and I realize my chances to get hired may require a drastic need for pilots, which I feel is a scenario many of the airlines are experiencing right now but like anything, I also realize the hiring boom will not last forever. I have been advised by fellow pilots to consult an aviation consultant service, obviously good advice. I checked on the one that was recommended, and the first available opening was late next month, a little longer than I care to wait if I don't have to, but of course I realize that being prepared may be more important than being early????
So... there is a meet and greet with Alaska next week I could attend. I assume a meet and greet is a chance to get answers to the questions of my qualifications. Would I be wise to attend the meet and greet at this time?
I briefly considered the direct entry CPT at the east coast regionals with the large sign on bonuses but a two+ year stent of awful commuting to an even longer possible stent of reserve, I'm not sure they could pay me enough.
Thank you for your time.
BT