I think you answered your own question. What’s the saying? “Nice guys finish last.” We do have great employees. I have tried to stay somewhat positive. I thought it can’t get any worse. The culture hasn’t changed. Gear boy speaks the truth, although he speaks it a lot.😁

Cathartic Altruism in Bizarro World
 

No, never QX-

Truth be told, IMHO, not a big fan of Horizon pilots who moved-up to ALK, especially the Lamar UND stereotypes. Just my opinion, but, they seemed to be some of the biggest sufferers of what I perceived to be Stockholm and beaten wife syndromes. IMO, the air group was all that they knew and thus rolled, folded and voted YES easily.

So, NO, not a QX guy-

Only an Alaska guy with years on both the MD and 737:

Multiple years on reserve with only 10 days off a month, poor or no QoL under the Sorrensons, Muis, Haiges, Johnsons, Wellmans, Sarretskys, Ayers et al; IMO, contract violation after violation; fly then grieve; stolen days off; stolen vacation days; reduced and eliminated summer vacations; multiple unnecessary base displacements; voted away pensions; ~35% pay cut; needless furloughs; a dysfunctional family that eats its young; IMO, CAs selling FOs down the river; unrealistic staffing models; IMO, intimidation for using SL; a bag of Moose Munch for X-mas, PayDay candy bars, 92% of industry; and insult after injury, on and on ...

All of the above and many more explain my dislike for AAG. Truthfully, I readily admit that I consider going to Alaska and not leaving sooner a mistake. If I had to do it over again, I'd do it differently. Again, just my opinion. Your mileage may differ.

I post not because I'm a troll as babybus childishly asserts. I do it probably for two reasons, possibly false altruism, so others don't make the same mistake I made and because it's cathartic. It's cheaper than therapy.

Listen. I believe that I wasted a lot of time at Alaska. IMO, they ruined a lot of lives, needlessly. Others should not suffer the same fate, especially in todays environment. If you want to go there, GO. Just hopefully make an educated informed decision.

I do find it interesting though, that babybus, presumably from Virgin, tells me that after being there for years that I know nothing of "over here," as if being recently acquired makes him all-knowing and a seasoned ALK veteran. Bravado, I guess- Maybe wounded pride-

Just go away? I already did. I knew enough to do just that. Hopefully, you won't have to entertain thoughts of doing the same. Truthfully, it'll be up to your newly integrated pilot group to make things better.

baby, I am not the real enemy. If the truth hurts, I'm sorry. Good luck to you. Find solace in knowing that I have more faith in the Virgin pilots than the usual Alaska suspects. The VX pilots do not have years of culture and syndromes to overcome. If Northwest could dig-in, resist, and overcome/prevail at Delta, there's hope for you guys too. But, denial and not facing the Bizarro Alaskas World reality won't help.

Again, good luck, God speed, and grow a pair. Otherwise, get used to being 5th highest.

Well said!

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkrfnYo-C...wio8o1_500.gif

Once again, very will said! It's the worst case of Stockholm syndrome in the industry. Let's hope the VX guys will prevent the AS yes men from lowering the bar even further...

Long time lurker, but I'd like some input.

My top consideration is living in Seattle, and that's non-negotiable. Of course, I also would like Legacy/Major pay and QOL, so a career at a SEA-based regional is just not in the cards. Clearly the best option would be Delta to SEA. But for you guys with strong opinions on AS either way, which would you choose if you were in my shoes (if Delta doesn't pan out)?

1. Suck it up and join Alaska with eyes wide-open, accepting that pay and QOL will suffer - but being able to live in-base.

2. Go with UA or SWA knowing that I will be a career-commuter to the Bay Area. Or AA/FDX with an even farther commute?

Is QOL and management so poor at Alaska that you would accept the commuter life with another carrier?

Thanks in advance!

Why is living in the Seattle area a priority for you? Is it possible you might consider moving elsewhere in the future?

Commuting sucks, but I would look elsewhere if DAL doesn't work out. I wouldn't come to Alaska if I knew then what I know now.

I wish you the best. I hope you get on with Delta.

I've lived all over the place with the military and the McChord area was easily head-and-shoulders above anywhere else for my family and interests. If I lived outside of WA, I'd probably end up "commuting" there a couple times a month to visit friends, climb in the Cascades, or backpack in the Olympics. Maybe that's doable. Ironically, I'd also be open to living in Salt Lake or Anchorage, but those are kind of already covered by those two airlines.

Thanks for the input. :)

I’ll chime in on the FedEx side of your commuting question.

Commuting on FedEx has got to be the easiest in the country. There’s always one nonstop flight to Memphis from any decent sized city, from which you can reserve your Jumpseat 21 days out. Cities like Seattle have at least 3 nonstops to Memphis, or a minimum of 9, and up to 15 seats a day. With the amount of layovers and front and/or tail end deadheads to Seattle, you may not even have to commute. Or even commute one day a month if you prefer the single departure 10-14 day trip lines.

There’s two banks in Memphis, and you’re guaranteed to commute into one or the other since they allow time for aircraft landing to be downloaded and their cargo contents placed into the sort. If you end up with a deadhead to somewhere other than Seattle, you can change that to start/end in Seattle, you just have to schedule enough crew rest prior to the departure.

I think FedEx has the best commute rules in the country, because nobody wants to be shot at in Memphis!

Good luck, hope you get Delta, Alaska if it works or wherever you find your niche!

GearBoy

I acquiesce, so you were at Alaska. I am not sure you were or are at Virgin, I would say no as the VX pilots are not like the Alaska pilots. We saw very quickly the smoke screen management tried to put up to hide their true selves. Glad you moved on I hope those of us that are stuck ( to close to retirement) to move on, along with the young Alaskans can change the give away attitude of the pilot group.

I only worked at AS for 24 years. And contrary to your opinion, I didn't dislike it. That doesn't mean I don't know most of the dirty little secrets the Angle Lake boys would have you overlook with their "We are Family" tripe.

Gear boy is 100% correct and tells it better than I can.