I've spent the last year enjoying the wonders of Alaskan tundra aviation. It's what you make of it, what you take from it, what you put into it that matters. There are good companies, and like you've read here, there are those that aren't so good.

It's not the kind of place that you want to start flying in the winter time, so take as much time as you can, wherever you are this winter, and build time however you can. Then start to market yourself in March for the April and May hiring season. Learn to fly Alaska in the summer. That's my contribution. If you PM me later, I'll tell you who I worked for, and what my experiences were. I've written a log as well, and maybe you'll find some humor in those stories.

In short, as much as I b!tched and moaned while I was there (no comments from those that know me, please!), I wouldn't have traded it for anything.
Good luck,
Frozen