They were pretty big on networking so keep shaking hands and collecting AK business cards. Those at the meet the chiefs who didn't have the mins were encouraged to go Horizon. Using that to get to AK, I've heard there are good ways and bad ways to do it. I'm sure someone here can guide you on how to navigate that world if that makes the most sense for your situation. If you keep grinding for the hours they just seemed to care about meeting the mins, having a personailty that didn't make someone want to jump out of a plane, and preparing for the interview when that day comes. Best of luck!

Yeah, that was pretty much the tone throughout the day; they didn't really beat around the bush when it came to that topic. I don't have any background in 121 so I'm looking for a solid culture, base within an hour of home, eventually some north/south flying and some spending money. 95% of my time is in a 737 so I'm pumped to stay in it (with a chiropractor on retainer for when I'm home).

I'm pumped, see you all this summer!

 

Congrats, sounds like it will work out for you.

If you're going to fly C-40/P-8 in the reserves, I might try to avoid that while in training at AS. Same airframe with two different flows, procedures, callouts will make it that much harder.

 

Hi everyone,

Thanks in advance for any advice...I've recently submitted an application for an FO position with Alaska Airlines. My background is that I was a former pilot for Cathay Pacific Airways, where I spent 3.5 years as a Second Officer (cruise pilot) on the B747-400, and then a subsequent 7 years as a FO flying the B777-3ER. My last base was the London Heathrow base, but unfortunately Covid hit and we were furloughed for 18 months and then the company closed the base and made us all redundant.

Since the base closure, I converted my HK ATPL to an unrestricted FAA ATP with a B737 type-rating (obtained mid-2023), and have spent the past 15 months applying/waiting for my Spousal green card (UK passport holder) so that I can immigrate and work in America. However, this has all meant that it's been a number of years since my last flight due to the furlough and mammoth wait for a green card.

I meet all of the minimum requirements, however I am concerned about whether the lack of flying will severly hinder my chances despite my time and experience on the B777 for CX, the B737 rating and unrestricted ATP?? Any opinions or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Can a new hire expect to fly more than min guarantee a month? If a new hire wanted to work as much as possible is it feasible to do?

junior base I assume is sfo?

thanks

 

You can work more than min depending on the base. I would think SFO you could do it easily as a new hire. SFO is the junior base right now.

 

You can hold a line in SFO as soon as you’re done with training. Go to LAX and bid SCR if you don’t want to fly. I’m averaging 20 days off (including days I don’t get called on reserve) and crediting 100 by picking up an open time trip. I wanted to fly as much as possible but it’s not super easy to pick things up. That should get better with PBS.

 

My guess is they will give you a call, I've heard more than one story similar to yours, to include another former Cathay pilot now at Alaska. I met him on the crew bus going from the hotel to the training center.

 

Will you live in base or commute to SFO?

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I’d plan to move there

 

Then yeah, just pick up on your days off. It's all paid on top of guarantee.