Chris Knight

With all the hiring AS has done this year, more people are getting on board that are thinking of jumping. I just heard of a probation pilot who bailed several weeks ago for UAL. I know at least three other pilots hired this year who have their apps out.

They pretty much say the same thing.. That this is their dream job, best place to work, people here are happy... BUT, with thirty-some years left in their career, a job at one of the legacies will pay a lot more, and with overall better work rules. Perhaps the option of wide body flying and Int'l long haul is included in that thought process as well.

I think that at this point in the industry, it's natural to consider other options, considering all the potential seniority growth and significantly higher pay at the Big Three. I compared the pay rates on the 737 between AS and UAL/DAL. CA pay at year 12 at the moment is close. But with UAL looking at a possible 15-20% raise, with even higher rates for w/b flying, I think people are feeling like they should make the jump, despite the positive and unique work culture at AS.

Last I heard, AS has four thousand applications in. Doesn't seem like a supply and demand issue, but I believe the changing climate of the industry will place increased pressure on AS to make some contractual/scope?/pay increases for the better.

Chris Knight

Just realized I quoted the wrong guy.. 2Loud, I was directing to your post.

2loud

Loyalty is a two way streak and unfortunately, it just doesn't exist in this day and age. Alaska family or for that matter, "company xx" family is a myth and a lie. We are just pawns and $ making cogs in the mega corporate machine; I get it and have come to terms with it a long ago. Anyone under 40 who is not applying to the big three needs to have their head examined. Of course, you have the crowd who are in hog haven living in Gig Harbor (aka-pilot ghetto) or just in the northwest, who would work for peanuts (yes, we do work for peanuts here at Alaskan) to fly airplanes for a living.:roll eyes: Don't hold your breath hoping for a good contract here at AlaskasWorld. Hell may need to freeze over or SEA & PDX need to fall into the Pacific before that happens.
If I were a new hire with less than 3 years on the property, I'd do a little spread sheet and put out my apps with the big 3. Throw it out there and see if you get an offer. If you like what you see, you can make your decision then. There's no pension plan, pay is way subpar and falling further behind, 401k is only 13.5%, schedule sucks, reserve sucks due to "lack of crews on reserve" bs, cost of living is some of the highest-all 4 bases, commuting is getting harder and harder, trip trading is virtually nonexistent, PBS on the way, work rules are less than desirable, weak pilot group, did I say pay sucks?... what can go wrong? I'm not saying that it's much greener on the other side but at least you will be well compensated for your skills and time. The potential is at least there on the other side. Unfortunately, this "mega regional" may have reached its limit.

Chris Knight

Sounds like you are past the point of jumping the fence?

2loud

Anyone can jump ship at any time but it's not a smart move for me at this stage of the game. Anyone with 3 years or less with the company and/or under 40 should consider unless you are close to upgrading. Maybe this pilot group will wake up and go from being Caitlyn to Bruce but it's highly doubtful.

alphasierra01

If its not a smart move for you to go elsewhere, why complain so much? Why b**** about what you can't control? However you CAN control where you work.

2loud

You sound like you are management or management's beaaaahtch...the latter I would guess. Oh I see, go work somewhere else if you don't like it here, right? Seeing that we don't have a national seniority list, one can't just uproot and make a lateral movement. Since this is the case, there is such a thing as point of no return in this business (ie. age and seniority) incase you haven't noticed. It's like a super senior captain in his forties at a regional. Senior FOs and FOs who are close to upgrading are pretty much stuck here at the mega regional. Complaining? Hardly. I'm stating mere problems that can be fixed but won't. Why b***h? Because I'm a fhuking pilot, that's why. Any other questions?

SpeedyVagabond

Actually this is good advice and doesn't make him a management type at all.

Mitch404

My buddy got a thanks but no thanks email today. Seems kind of strange, 9 months after his application. Anyone know if there is possibly a purge happening for a new window opening?

8v8ter

He is right though and we need to be paid competitively and we have fallen significantly behind. Now I know we were pretty close to competitive, and then the big 3 all got out from under bankruptcy wages, but that's why I voted no to a 5 year contract. The AS guys in the 2 biggest bases need to not be so excited to fly out of the PNW that they are not willing to fight for what we deserve. Have heard stories about new guys being told to not ask for too much or they'll close the base. I think we need to have a mid contract adjustment because we are so far behind now, but don't know if that can be done.
My 2 cents.