Alaska thread for Alaska pilots...
02-23-2015, 05:28 PM
#351
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 47
Originally Posted by Spoilers
No, 2 airlines. My first airline was shut down. I have not been given the opportunity to upgrade. Right now, still 300 numbers away. Probably won't upgrade or it'll be a looooooooong time. I refuse to start over at another regional.
Don't lose faith I am sure at the end of the day after looking at 400ish resumes it gets hard to keep a smile. Having been lucky enough to spend a little time there on the inside you are not wrong thinking it is a great group of people to work with. I hope we are all lucky enough to get a call soon and get to know each other in ground school.
02-23-2015, 07:49 PM
#352
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by Spoilers
I have 8+ yrs. of 121 experience, but no TPIC time. I know competition is fierce and I wasn't expecting to walk out with an interview invite. However, most major carriers recognize that the industry has been very stagnant, some of us had to start over at another carrier and haven't been given the opportunity to upgrade.
I recognize that I am not the only one in this situation and that I have to work three times as hard to make myself stand out from other senior regional FOs AND people with TPIC time. I put in a lot of work and effort to make myself more marketable, it is my part-time job. I take advice, guidance and tips from current (AS) pilots and recruiters that I meet and ask questions on what I can do to strengthen my qualifications and my skills. The majority have been very understanding, offered excellent advice and most importantly been encouraging!
When I compare notes from this event meeting with this Alaska rep to an event I went to last year with another major airline, the difference is day and night...
The <other major airline> rep was very easy to talk to, he understood the industry and the setbacks, he compliment my experience, achievements, activities and that I was on the right track and what I can do to improve myself, but also being realistic to what it takes "right now" to get hired and to be competitive and that the landscape might and probably will change and that there are possibilities to be hired on as an FO with no TPIC time. I'm sure half the stuff was all BS and he probably says the same thing to the next 100 applicants, but I left feeling good and it gave me hope and that I actually learned something.
AS was the complete opposite. Rep didn't even introduce himself, even though I knew who they were (I did my research and homework). No TPIC = no chance. And the only "advice" I was given was that I should upgrade. Gee, never thought of that.
It breaks my heart, because I think Alaska is an awesome company with a great product and every employee I have come across is very passionate about AS and enjoys working there, and I would love to work there. I'm not letting one bad experience keep me from applying, but in the end it was a pretty disappointing way to end the event.
I recognize that I am not the only one in this situation and that I have to work three times as hard to make myself stand out from other senior regional FOs AND people with TPIC time. I put in a lot of work and effort to make myself more marketable, it is my part-time job. I take advice, guidance and tips from current (AS) pilots and recruiters that I meet and ask questions on what I can do to strengthen my qualifications and my skills. The majority have been very understanding, offered excellent advice and most importantly been encouraging!
When I compare notes from this event meeting with this Alaska rep to an event I went to last year with another major airline, the difference is day and night...
The <other major airline> rep was very easy to talk to, he understood the industry and the setbacks, he compliment my experience, achievements, activities and that I was on the right track and what I can do to improve myself, but also being realistic to what it takes "right now" to get hired and to be competitive and that the landscape might and probably will change and that there are possibilities to be hired on as an FO with no TPIC time. I'm sure half the stuff was all BS and he probably says the same thing to the next 100 applicants, but I left feeling good and it gave me hope and that I actually learned something.
AS was the complete opposite. Rep didn't even introduce himself, even though I knew who they were (I did my research and homework). No TPIC = no chance. And the only "advice" I was given was that I should upgrade. Gee, never thought of that.
It breaks my heart, because I think Alaska is an awesome company with a great product and every employee I have come across is very passionate about AS and enjoys working there, and I would love to work there. I'm not letting one bad experience keep me from applying, but in the end it was a pretty disappointing way to end the event.
I sincerely hope you are able to keep a positive attitude and catch on somewhere, where, when you are in charge, you'll be able to treat other pilots kindly. Take care.
02-23-2015, 08:22 PM
#353
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: B-737 Capt
Posts: 153
Originally Posted by Spoilers
I left with mixed feelings...
I honestly wasn't expecting to see 400+ people there for AS. Last year apparently less than a 100 people showed for the career forum, but it was also a fairly new event. This was the 3rd year now, and I'm fully expecting this event to grow in the future.
What I liked..
- Only $35 fee for the whole weekend incl. lunch. They are not trying to make money off people like some other job fairs/events.
- The forums and speakers were great offering good advice, tips and encouragement.
- Met a lot of new people, and ran into people I haven't see in years I was able to catch up with.
- The Alaska representatives talking to folks waiting in line were great, answering questions and reviewing resumes.
What I didn't like...
- Standing in line for almost 3 hours.
- When I finally reached the front, getting less than 2 mins. with a less than personable rep who told me I had no chance and the moved on to the next person.
So, overall the event itself was well organized and inexpensive, and most of the Alaska folks I talked to were awesome, besides the one who really mattered at the end of the line. I left pretty disappointed and felt like I wasted a lot of time traveling 2000 miles to see them.
On Friday, the career forum, I did see some AS reps pull several people in smaller groups to chat with them, not sure what that was all about. Maybe additional screening for the day 1 interview?
I honestly wasn't expecting to see 400+ people there for AS. Last year apparently less than a 100 people showed for the career forum, but it was also a fairly new event. This was the 3rd year now, and I'm fully expecting this event to grow in the future.
What I liked..
- Only $35 fee for the whole weekend incl. lunch. They are not trying to make money off people like some other job fairs/events.
- The forums and speakers were great offering good advice, tips and encouragement.
- Met a lot of new people, and ran into people I haven't see in years I was able to catch up with.
- The Alaska representatives talking to folks waiting in line were great, answering questions and reviewing resumes.
What I didn't like...
- Standing in line for almost 3 hours.
- When I finally reached the front, getting less than 2 mins. with a less than personable rep who told me I had no chance and the moved on to the next person.
So, overall the event itself was well organized and inexpensive, and most of the Alaska folks I talked to were awesome, besides the one who really mattered at the end of the line. I left pretty disappointed and felt like I wasted a lot of time traveling 2000 miles to see them.
On Friday, the career forum, I did see some AS reps pull several people in smaller groups to chat with them, not sure what that was all about. Maybe additional screening for the day 1 interview?
I got lucky at AS when the right guy helped me out at the right time. I had interviews with all the big carriers in the 80's and was turned down by most of them. I was Turned down 3 times at UA and twice at AA. DL never called, Because according to FAPA statistics they hired 98.5 % ex military guys. I am civilian.
Keep trying...If you are west coast or Alaska State person or want to relocate there it's a pretty good place. If you want to live east of the rockies I would try the airlines with bases there. Good luck!
BTW this should be over in the AS hiring thread.
02-24-2015, 10:46 AM
#354
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2013
Posts: 30
Spoilers, sorry to hear about your experience. I was there as well. I feel like I had the exact same experience as you on Friday. I have 4100TT, 3000 jet, 1100TPIC mixed over corporate, charter, and airline flying. After 3 hrs waiting in line, I finally was able to speak to a line pilot. He admitted to me right away that he was not really part of the hiring dept but had come in to help with the overwhelming amount of candidates after receiving a call from JH that morning and decided to come in on his own time and help out. So shortly after admitting he was a "fill-in", he grazed over my resume quickly and fixated on the 4100TT and told me 5000 was a min competitive threshold I had to be at for consideration. He briefly patted me on the back about my 1000+ TPIC time, but said I need more total time to be competitive.
The whole exchange took 2-3 minutes and I didn't feel like I had a chance to speak on my own behalf. He was interested in flushing through the big line of candidates.
I came back on Saturday and stood in line for another 3 hours and Im glad I did. This time the candidates were being pre screened by HR team members. If they didn't like you, you were stopped there. If they did like what they saw/heard you were placed in a queue to speak one-on-one with a Pilot Recruiter (Base Chief or other line pilot on the pilot recruitment team). I made it passed the HR and went on to talk to one of the Chiefs. I had probably 10-15 minutes for each step. All relatively easy questions, tell me about yourself, your career, why do you want alaska, why would alaska want you, TMAAT customer service stuff. At the end, I was told I seem like the candidate AS is looking for and to make sure I get my app in on the next window (will be my 4th attempt) which should open on/around march 10th. No 1st day interview invite, but I do know of at least one person who was given 1st day interview on Saturday.
After Friday, I felt pretty worthless. After Saturday, I was feeling great!
The whole exchange took 2-3 minutes and I didn't feel like I had a chance to speak on my own behalf. He was interested in flushing through the big line of candidates.
I came back on Saturday and stood in line for another 3 hours and Im glad I did. This time the candidates were being pre screened by HR team members. If they didn't like you, you were stopped there. If they did like what they saw/heard you were placed in a queue to speak one-on-one with a Pilot Recruiter (Base Chief or other line pilot on the pilot recruitment team). I made it passed the HR and went on to talk to one of the Chiefs. I had probably 10-15 minutes for each step. All relatively easy questions, tell me about yourself, your career, why do you want alaska, why would alaska want you, TMAAT customer service stuff. At the end, I was told I seem like the candidate AS is looking for and to make sure I get my app in on the next window (will be my 4th attempt) which should open on/around march 10th. No 1st day interview invite, but I do know of at least one person who was given 1st day interview on Saturday.
After Friday, I felt pretty worthless. After Saturday, I was feeling great!
02-24-2015, 12:38 PM
#355
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Position: Between sets
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Spoilers
I left with mixed feelings...
02-24-2015, 02:28 PM
#356
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2012
Posts: 40
Originally Posted by NVPilot
Sorry to hear about your experience. I was there Friday and came away with almost the complete opposite reaction. I don't know if it was because I have TPIC or that I interned there in college, but I was rather suprised with the length of time the two reps I spoke with spent with me.
Don't lose faith I am sure at the end of the day after looking at 400ish resumes it gets hard to keep a smile. Having been lucky enough to spend a little time there on the inside you are not wrong thinking it is a great group of people to work with. I hope we are all lucky enough to get a call soon and get to know each other in ground school.
Don't lose faith I am sure at the end of the day after looking at 400ish resumes it gets hard to keep a smile. Having been lucky enough to spend a little time there on the inside you are not wrong thinking it is a great group of people to work with. I hope we are all lucky enough to get a call soon and get to know each other in ground school.
02-24-2015, 07:07 PM
#357
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 790
Originally Posted by ForeverJunior
Spoilers,
Have all 8 years been with the same airline? If so, have you had opportunities to upgrade?
Have all 8 years been with the same airline? If so, have you had opportunities to upgrade?
I too was told no TPIC = no Job.
It's not like regionals pay some good amount of money on the right seat that we decide to get stuck there..
The Puyallup job fair was awesome though. Saw some old friends, made some new ones.
The best part as $35.. I stopped going to some of the other job fairs because simply I cannot afford to any more.
02-25-2015, 09:56 PM
#359
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2012
Position: Left
Posts: 49
Speaking of Skywest anyone know why the last class had 5 Skywest employes? I thought there was a Qx 30% thing not a Skywest 50% thing. But I'm out dated.........
Maybe there just amazing model Alk employes. It's not like Qx pilots are part of air group, and share in the profit sharing. Weird, what's the metric?
Maybe there just amazing model Alk employes. It's not like Qx pilots are part of air group, and share in the profit sharing. Weird, what's the metric?
02-26-2015, 05:23 AM
#360
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 160
Originally Posted by R3360
Speaking of Skywest anyone know why the last class had 5 Skywest employes? I thought there was a Qx 30% thing not a Skywest 50% thing. But I'm out dated.........
Maybe there just amazing model Alk employes. It's not like Qx pilots are part of air group, and share in the profit sharing. Weird, what's the metric?
Maybe there just amazing model Alk employes. It's not like Qx pilots are part of air group, and share in the profit sharing. Weird, what's the metric?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
