It's fun listening to some captains at Alaska tell new hires they should leave and get their apps out.

All this as a means to "leverage" something at negotiation time.

Here's an idea. Lets get a better contract and do whatever it takes to get a better agreement in place. And let's get out of the mindset that this management team is somehow a better negotiating squad than those at AA, UAL, DAL, and so on.

We need new hire to leave? We need to hire a professional negotiator? I call BS. It's a mindset that needs to change. And new hires leaving ain't going to do that.

Let's start with the mindset of the pilot group.

You're exactly right-CAs using FOs as a means to an end. Get ready to be thrown under the bus, again. Mindset change? This pilot group? When is Hell scheduled to freeze over? Don't be naive. Keep your options open.

Wow, such a change from the 90's.

They wouldn't interview me because I had a grievance in at my current company at the time. I wanted to work there.

Alaska hires great people, I mean it! I really admire the culture, but if I were in the job market I don't think they'd be my number one based solely on career progression.

There are lots of young Captains flying around so attrition isn't going to be a huge upgrade producer. That leaves growth. With one fleet type (the same one SWA is flying), DAL growing in the home-drome, and UAL recent order for almost 100 737-700's growth at AAL may not come quick enough.

Career progression would give me pause, but what a solid company to work for otherwise.

Besides the pay and retirement issues I would think the type of flying would come into play too. When I was on the B737 and never crossing the Mississippi (west flying), I thought it was the best job ever. Now flying the Airbus PHL to LAX or SEA, you'd have to pry me out of the Bus with a crow bar and I'd go kicking and screaming. Will I like International? I don't know, but I like having the opportunity to try one day. I think with Alaska though my biggest concern would be what kind of effect is Delta going to have on them. They're doing great now, but what about 10 or 15 years down the road?

I would be more than happy to make a career out of AS!

Yeah, "the times they are a changing." When I was talking to one of the new hires in Charlotte I kept on having to do a reality check, because we were talking about the differences between the Boeing and the Bus. They were ex Alaska.

The pilots I know at Alaska seem happy to be there. Seems like you have the right attitude. It could be a great career.

They were my second choice, never got called for an interview.

Well, I guess that's not true they were my third choice. American United Alaska