Could please answer a question about ANC? My apologies if this offends, but why would anybody live there?

I have looked into relocating to ANC for big brown. All I found were huge negatives for QOL. Astronomical cost of living. Crime rates on par with Compton in LA. Highest rate of alcoholism in the country. Very, very poor national rankings for the public school system. Cold, snowy weather eight months a year. Dark half the year and sun the other half. 3,500 miles from family. I could go on and on, so......

I know at brown, you could upgrade to captain in half the time, but the extra 40% income, IMO, does not hardly offset the terrible QOL. For me personally, I could move to ANC and make captain and make an extra hundred grand a year, but even with the extra money, I could only afford a SMALLER house than I own now on FO pay, I'd have to put my kids in private school, and our family grocery budget would be much higher. Financially, I would have a lower QOL than I have now. Plus the whole dark and snowy winter would probably put a lot of tension on the wife and kids.

So if your're not really big into hunting and fishing, why would anybody want to live in ANC?

Thanks. And sorry again if you're an Alaska lover.

 

Why do junior pilot bases go junior?

If you're concerned about QOL, and ANC doesn't fit the picture, then I'd suggest you not move there!

If you're a new-hire, and on reserve, you don't HAVE to sign the three year lock and accept the paid move both ways. Just find a crash pad and commute. Oh yeah, good luck with that! The company couldn't even BUY a ticket from SDF-ANC this weekend in first or coach thru CVG, MSP, SLC, or SEA. The jumpseats are now packed with priority 3s. I got resched to OPERATE a day later (cutting into my Club Paris time) instead of CML'ing!

PM me if you want some free advice. I've considered the move, and even though I would be a VERY senior captain up there, and I still would rather just visit.

I'll be at F Street this Monday early pm in the red hawaiian shirt....just visiting of course.

 

Just replying to strut my new Avatar.... Makes you think doesn't it?

 

Are 3 better than one?

 

Not sure where you get your info. Schools in Anchorage and Eagle River, (just north of town) are very good. Yes housing can be expensive, but there are many reasonable areas also. Not dark half of the year, take a look at a sunrise/sunset table and compare it to any city in the midwest. I think you will find that the dark is really only late Nov to Early Feb. Yes winters are longer, but often colder in St Paul, MN.
We lived there for 3 years and liked it. The one good point you did make is that it is far from friends and family.
Not sure why you even mad your post other than to complain about something you would never do. Why did you even waste the bandwidth?

 

As someone that has no choice but to move to ANC, I am glad he posted the question so someone like you, who has experience, can enlighten us.

 

Oh yeah, don't forget you'll be eating fish heads and rice for quite a while...

 

What do you mean be "had no choice?"

Of course you had a choice! UPS did not require you to move to ANC. But for an extra $1500/pay period you signed a three year deal and you HAD to move to ANC. Good luck taking advantage of your "free" move to a domicile in the lower 48 after your tour is done....a new hires seniority won't hold anything outside of the junior base of ANC. Maybe MIA would be available....

 

Now your talking !!!!!! mostly north south flying and palm trees...

 

Sorry to butt in, but it sounds to me like you really aren't looking for an answer to your statement. But I've got to tell you, many of the guys who live up there love it. Pure and simple, they love the great outdoors, they love the daylight hours during their "summer season", and they of course love being able to get the hell out of dodge during the winter months. At least at FedEx, the most junior guy(s) always hold lines during fishing season. It's because reserve goes so damn senior. But you don't want to hear any of that, now do you?