Wow! Do the internals usually get the first calls for interview?

Are the competitive applicants usually well over the 3k total time minimum?

Not necessarily, and yes, well over 3000 ( non hp mil) is the norm.


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When do calls from this round of spps start going out?

Looks like the app window just closed. Any idea when it will open next?

Past windows have been Feb 2013, Dec 2013, and now Aug 2014, so if the trend continues, probably about 9 months.

AS/QX transition
 

Just curious, has anyone recently made the transition from QX to AS?

Alaska Air Hiring
 

During recurrent last week I met 2 new hires from QX. It looks like there is 1 or more in each class.

I've heard there were a couple of new hires who left for Delta during indoc; can someone confirm this rumor?

Recently, about a third of each class has had pilots from Horizon.

I think that's the ratio they've been shooting for. Much better than the "olden days" when the Bagwan refused to let QX guys go to Alaska because he didn't want to be the Alaska Training Dept.

So instead of guys staying in the company (btw, QX pilots are trained to the same basic standard as AS pilots), guys with a lot of local PNW experience and knowledge, they jumped ship for the other majors.

Why the Bagwan couldn't understand that was a complete mystery to me.

But then, again, the Bagwan once called his pilots "juvenile delinquents in uniforms" in the QX inflight magazine for all the passengers' edification. Genius, pure genius.

In class now--3 of the 10 in my class were 15 year QX captains. It seems about 1/3 of each class is prior QX. A female QX FO interviewed two weeks ago and was hired.

Sounds like a rumor a Delta bubba started--I have been in class almost two months and have not heard of anyone leaving during indoc.

Untrue. Rumor is false.

There have been a couple line F/Os who bailed for DAL. That's been awhile ago though.

I know Alaska is big in community service-- is that as broad as it seems? What about volunteering at local VFW posts in the community past and present?

That'll do. Just be able to substantiate and talk about it.


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F15Cricket- When did you interview and when did your class start?

Interviewed at WIA in March, day 2 was 31 March, started class on 21 July. This is an incredible place to work, and I am enjoying every minute of it! Word is about 100 a year for at least the next 2 years, so good luck!

F15Cricket, if we sign up for WIA this coming March, does everyone get an interview? How does that work? I'm debating going and dropping the $.


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No, they choose a very small number of people to interview on-site. One person I spoke with was not invited on the first day but went back on day 2 to see if there was anyone new to talk to and was asked to do an interview. 2 years ago the lines for Alaska were about 2 hours long, bigger legacies were longer.

Alaska Air Hiring
 

Wow, just got a TBNT letter for 'not hiring tobacco users'. I said i smoke 3-6 cigars a year? Wow......

Switch to the weed. Washington state loves it

AS is a nicotine free company. Any admitted use is the end of the line. They will test for nicotine on the newhire drug screen, but not again. After you're hired, it's not an issue.


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My guess is it helps keep our medical insurance costs down. But with 3000 applicants for 100 jobs, the company can be selective ...

Captnmo, I'd recommend going, even though you may not get an interview on the spot. I do know they keep track of folks who show up at job fairs and things like that ... if nothing else, it'll add points to your application to help you get that interview.

Also, I went to Puyallup in February (they had an aviation trade show); there I met the chief pilot. I know those things do add up ...

Yep. And guess what: If you apply for an internal job and admit to smoking a cigar, you won't get hired for that either.

Again, unless you want an internal job...

Thanks F15. I live just up the road from Puyallup Fair grounds and will definitely attend that. So I'm weighing how much added benefit I gain from attending the WIA a month later hoping to get an interview vs. the impact on my regional FO budget.


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Budget impact vs. Long term gain.

Seems like now, in the midst of the "pilot shortage", would be the perfect time to send the "I'm rejecting your rejection letter-letter". One could have some fun with that.

And that's the million-dollar question. Frankly, I'm cautious about the "pay-to-hope-to-play" game when it takes food off the table for my kids. With the trade show in February just down the road from me and other angles I have available to me, I'll be weighing my options carefully. Don't get me wrong, Alaska is my first choice, but my family's well-being always comes first.


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Any rumors on when the next hiring window will open? And which conference the Alaska reps will be at next?

Well, the hiring window just closed so the next will probably be in about 6 months, I would guess. I haven't heard of any upcoming events the Alaska folks will be at, but I would bet they will have folks at Puyallup in Feb'ish at the Aviation Trade Show (whatever it's called), as well as Women in Aviation.

Cricket, my app is in for the current AS hiring window. No call yet. Anyway, do you have any gouge on interview prep? I heard there is a place in Renton, in addition to ATC at Boeing Field that has a good prep course. Thanks.

Rainier Flight Service. Owned by a couple AS FO's. My buddy used their service to great success.


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I was very pleased with the prep Rainier Flight Service provided as well; highly recommend.

I see the application window is closed, but is Alaska still interviewing currently for fall classes?

Interviews to continue throughout the end of the year.


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I should say "at least" through the end of the year.


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I was very pleased with ATC. Everyone that had their prep there the day that I had my prep got the job offer.

Thrill, Check your PM sent.