Was recalling from memory( bad idea). And another correction: The bid closure date is what determines eligibility not effective date.

He is definitely not GT.

SD will go far at this company. He is very much like TK if that says anything.

So from the sounds of this thread the luster at AS has tarnished quite sometime ago and the light at the end isn't visible yet. I'm Frontier and it is absolutely horrible over here right now, a contract, whenever that happens we'll at least afford for some better lube so the long shaft from mgmt glides a little more smoothly, but it will still suck.

I've read back only about 5 pages, and I'll dig back further. But is it worse than Frontier? Or just same **** different paint job?

From what I can gather is with the small size of new hire classes that are planned, little growth on the horizon, and a young group with few retirements, basically unless mgmt decides they want to grow they have no incentive to treat the pilots right. And if they are only hiring small classes of 12 here and there, realistically that is very easy to fill even if they treat people like crap. Is that the consensus?

In a class of 12 they usually limit the Horizon peeps to 4 of those spots.


My class of 12 had 4 Horizon, 2 military, and 2 part 135, and the rest were from other regionals.

I would not agree that the above is the consensus, although you can argue that there is some truth there. Short answer, it’s still a great job and the checks always cash, but we all know it could be much better. There are things that happen that we don’t agree with, and are hopeful to make some of those things better in the next contract. It would appear that most of us are concerned about the lack of main line growth, the increase in regional growth, and the apparent lack of vision from the top. Compared to what my friends at Frontier say, it is certainly better than what you folks have to deal with. Don’t come here for the quick upgrade, however, since we don’t have one, and likely never will, but you’ll fly with a great group of pilots.

For the guys/gals that got denied due to the high school thing, did you receive an email of your disqualification or how did you find out?

The main point of contention for a lot of people is the merger and its related consequences. Some of us lost a base and commuting 2,000nm+ or having to move across country. For some it’s going to be a hit on seniority in the SLI process and that award is due next month.

But no, Alaska isn’t Frontier. The hourly pay increase was 16-32% depending on which pre merger airline, retirement for those on the DC goes to 15.5% Jan which is within 0.5% of the big legacy airlines. No scope is a serious issue. But I’m not sure that’s entirely AS company fault as much as it is the pilot group for never having really fought for it. Scheduling stuff and reserve rules are not good at all but for someone who lives in base, they’re doable. And since most of Alaska pilots live in base (huge majority) the contract reflects it as such.

My conclusion is Alaska is a good place to work but my (and others) current view is skewed with merger pains. I don’t believe the gloom and doom, I think AS will be fine and is a good place to work assuming you plan to live in base or live on the west coast.

The fact that lack of scope may be the pilots group or management's fault does not make it better or worse. Working for a company without job protection cannot be a "good place to work", regardless of whether you commute or live in base.

AS as a steppng stone? Maybe...AS to hang your hat? Hell no.

Didn’t you come from a company without scope? There are a lot of people hanging their hats here and those of us that are, plan on improving what needs improvement. Feel free to join us or leave, either way, it benefits the group.