mike734

Here is the latest Chief pilot's newsletter information about our hiring plans. In his own words.

Hiring the next generation of pilots is one of the most important jobs of the Chief Pilot’s office. Giving each applicant a fair and equal opportunity to compete for an interview slot is the job of my team. This past spring we opened the application window for seven days and received nearly 2,200 qualified resumes and 780 letters of recommendation. By the end of the year, we will have hired 96 pilots.

Last week, we announced that we placed firm orders for 50 new air- craft and have options on 69 more. This is obviously good news for hiring, but it does not make the selection process any easier. At this point, we have far more qualified applicants than we have jobs. If you have recommended an applicant please encourage them to attend hiring events like WIA, OBAP, EAA, and other job fairs around our system. This will give them the opportunity to interact with our hiring team.

I am very grateful to everyone that has written a letter of recommendation, dropped off a resume, or has put in a good word for an applicant. It is my pledge to you that my team will work hard to find the most qualified pilots. We are looking for those pilots which not only have the technical expertise, but those that will also be a good fit with our company values. I ask that you please be patient as we move through this process. We are at the start of a long hiring cycle. For new applicants, please let them know that our window will open again in the first quarter of 2013. Once again, thank you for your help in finding the best pilots.

Lobaeux

Fantastic news! I'd love to be able to move back to the PNW and fly for Alaska.
Just wish the window would open sooner since I'm available in Feb 13, and I knew someone at Alaska.

MiLa

This is great news. I think Alaska is a great company and it's their culture that's the most attractive. Does anybody know what the posted minimums might be? What have they been in the past?

R3360

Not sure what the mins are, but they have hired FO's with zero PIC from Horizon.

That could be a QX/ALK thing.....Not sure

ogilthorpe

It is. If memory serves they wanted 4,000/1,000 and a 4 year degree last time.

CassinAK

Does anyone know how many pilots are planned to be hired in 2013?

flynow

Any info on which job fairs Alaska is planning to attend in the future?

Thanks in advance.

AngusT

Horizon has a very senior FO list, some with 12 years in the right seat. Alaska will interview this group with the minimum of 2000 hours SIC @ Horizon. Most have way more time then that.

Some applicants have been successful through that route. However, many were former ALK interns or pressed the flesh hard at hiring events and job fairs.

Without a doubt the best way to get your application noticed is with internal recommendations and in person contact.

mike734

The latest memo from Mgmt. said 70 for next year. That seems very low however as we will have about 40 retirements and previously they said they were going to hire 12 every 3 weeks through 2013. Only time will tell.

CassinAK

Thanks for the info! I start soon and can't wait to get online.