peterpilot379

I've asked this a few times in other threads with not much response (perhaps because no one does it). What's the scoop on commuting from SDF to ANC? Easy? Difficult? Jumpseating on UPS? Doable or complete a$$ pain?

On a side note, will a UPS newhire to ANC be able to hold a line up there?

L'il J.Seinfeld

As a newhire in ANC you will not want a line unless you live there. The reason is because the lines are not commutable. For example, they are 5 day trips with 4 days off then 3 and 3 etc. The reserve lines are 15 day blocks and that's probably what you would want to do as a commuter. Commuting is going to be tough to ANC, but SDF is probably the best place to live.

You also have to understand how incredibly junior ANC. The junior 747-400 FO is a 2/06 hire, which means nobody hired after that wants the position since they have vacancies.

RIght now the 15 day blocks of reserve are going junior, but I anticipate that to change. There will be a lot of people who will try the commute. As a union member we have protection in the contract if we miss work due to jumpseats cancelling. As a probationary crewmember you do not want to be highlighted by missing work because you can't get to ANC.

TipsyMcStagger

JS'ing on UPS is the only way you're going to get from SDF to ANC in one leg. So from that regard, it's easy. But I assume you're asking about the competition for the JS, correct?

If that's the case, you'll be competing with those who live in ANC and are commuting home, those who live in SDF but are based in ANC and are commuting to work. And those who are based in SDF and the company is positioning them to ANC for a flight (known as a Priority 3 Jumpseat).

There's plenty of competition and as the base grows (ANC) the competition will increase. Often, there are P3 riders listed for the JS but they don't show because they chose to JS on a commercial carrier from their home city. Usually, you won't know until it's too late.

Don't know if this is any help but that's the scoop.

Tipsy