Alaska Air Hiring
07-18-2021, 05:37 AM
#4951
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2017
Posts: 936
Originally Posted by RIPV3
Hope things improve for y'all over there. Had a van ride to a crashpad once and one of the other guys was on the phone and said this is the worst f'n airline in the world. I thought he was talking about my (now) former regional, but nope, he flew for Alaska.
It’s not the worst in the world. It’s just that I could be so much better with a teeny bit more of a cost to Air Group. In fact Alaska Air lines with proper reserve staffing and scope would be awesome. Proper reserve staffing would mean:
- reserve wouldn’t be exhausting doubly so for captains
- big QOL improvements for everyone. Trip trades would be possible. Trip drops possible.
A industry standard scope policy would mean a path forward for pilot careers.
It’s not a lot we are asking for. However, Air Group has doubled down on scope and staffing. They tell us that profitability is not possible with a ratio of mainline to regional aircraft. They also claim they can not afford to change the current staffing model.
I hope OTZ Eagle’s prediction that we have a contract by next year is possible. I don’t think it will happen based on the current language from management that was sent out in an email Friday.
It’s why I’m trying my best to leave. I do hope I get at least an interview invite this time. I had over 1000 turbine PIC and leadership position experience, volunteering and job fair all checked off. UA never called but AS did. I’ve never flown less than 800 hours a year at AS since then, even during the pandemic year. So maybe I’ll trigger some computer algorithm this time?
As with all things aviation I with I had a crystal ball to see the future and know what decision is right. I do get paid now more than I did at the regional I came here from. But my QOL is way worse. I’m not looking forward to years of reserve as a captain with worse reserve rules than I had at my regional airline.
I’m not looking forward to giving up 3.5 years of seniority either but I might not even have that opportunity. I have to interview successfully first.
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07-18-2021, 06:08 AM
#4953
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2017
Posts: 936
Originally Posted by RIPV3
I'm sure it was a bit of an exaggeration, but being Seattle based, living in Portland, and on reserve he wasn't happy with his Seattle crashpad/commute/lifestyle.
This seems to be the existence of a jr captain. It goes on for what seems to be on average 3-5 years.
Right now it is indefinite (no growth) and the staffing is really bad. So I am sure that life is no fun for this person. There is no end in sight to endless red eyes and over 90hr months. Add a commute to that and there is little time to enjoy life.
So living in base isn’t that simple. It’s really living in SEA or LAX is what you’re looking at. Both incredibly expensive places to live.
If you want to live in Portland or Anchorage sure it is possible and as an FO you may in fact get this base in the sort timeline of 8-18 months as predicted by Mr Eagle himself. However with zero growth at the moment that timeline may be a total pipe dream.
What isn’t being discussed is now living in PDX the process you’ll have to go through when you upgrade will be extremely demoralizing and difficult.
As many have said the money isn’t bad. It’s just the QOL that comes with an upgrade just doesn’t seem to be worth it. When people here are saying they have lots of money but no time to enjoy it, they aren’t exaggerating.
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07-18-2021, 07:01 AM
#4954
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2021
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Lifesabeech92
Yea this is how I feel about it. It's a long chess game. I'm moving to the West Coast wherever they stick me first and sit reserve in base. I never thought commuting at any airline was a sustainable lifestyle. I truly believe Alaska has a superior product compared to other airlines and thus be able to grow in the future.
What is sad is all the crusty guys complaining about Alaska but don't move on? Are you that much of a terrible pilot that you can't get to an airline you identify with or agree with in terms of pay and work rules?
There are 1000s of pilots wanting to be part of Alaska.
What is sad is all the crusty guys complaining about Alaska but don't move on? Are you that much of a terrible pilot that you can't get to an airline you identify with or agree with in terms of pay and work rules?
There are 1000s of pilots wanting to be part of Alaska.
07-18-2021, 09:56 AM
#4955
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: CRJ
Posts: 109
Originally Posted by notmyplatypus
Are you a 25 yr old ameriflight pilot or a flight attendant ? You’re calling me crusty , btw, just because I demand a new contract just slightly north of steaming dog$@*t ???
When you regard 95% of the pilots at your airline to be 'weirdos' gotta wonder if the problem isn't you.
07-18-2021, 10:08 AM
#4956
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 144
Originally Posted by SkyKing466
Check their post history, I wouldn't take it too personally.
When you regard 95% of the pilots at your airline to be 'weirdos' gotta wonder if the problem isn't you.
When you regard 95% of the pilots at your airline to be 'weirdos' gotta wonder if the problem isn't you.
07-18-2021, 09:17 PM
#4958
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 46
Originally Posted by NewGuy01
Also forgot to add that all of the reserve lines currently sit at 18 days a month on.
You’re not really asking the right questions though. You should be asking about our work rules and how that affects pay and your quality of life.
Just look at what kind of crazy TFP numbers they are talking about on the SWA forum here. They work a lot but they get paid for extra.
A friend is a 767 FO he is making 200 an hour at the same seniority I am at Delta. He’s SEA based. He works less days and can trade days easily. He can also pick trips up too. And get nice premium pay.
We do have a premium system but our work rules do not favor it. I have been trying to trade into a different weekend trip that pays more at straight pay but we have this crazy MOU that denies our trades if the start time is at a 4 hours or more start or ending time. It also denies trades if you try and trade a weekend trip that goes on one weekend day for any weekday trips.
It’s hard to quantify these things. Our Union published a contract comparison and it is extremely useful. I would take a hard look at that if I were considering employment here.
Best of luck
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You’re not really asking the right questions though. You should be asking about our work rules and how that affects pay and your quality of life.
Just look at what kind of crazy TFP numbers they are talking about on the SWA forum here. They work a lot but they get paid for extra.
A friend is a 767 FO he is making 200 an hour at the same seniority I am at Delta. He’s SEA based. He works less days and can trade days easily. He can also pick trips up too. And get nice premium pay.
We do have a premium system but our work rules do not favor it. I have been trying to trade into a different weekend trip that pays more at straight pay but we have this crazy MOU that denies our trades if the start time is at a 4 hours or more start or ending time. It also denies trades if you try and trade a weekend trip that goes on one weekend day for any weekday trips.
It’s hard to quantify these things. Our Union published a contract comparison and it is extremely useful. I would take a hard look at that if I were considering employment here.
Best of luck
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