Originally Posted by flyingice (Post 1685690)

Mixed reviews is a fair assessment, and not just for QX FOs. Same for QX captains that want to make the leap. Here's what I've gathered of the situation from several angles:

First off, you need 2000 SIC at QX to qualify for the reduced AS mins. If you fly your butt off at QX, that's three years minimum. That alone isn't the golden ticket.

AS likes to see a combination of things, it's a points system. Are you a check airman/ sim instructor/ SPT instructor? Do you have recent community service activity (eg Aviation Day volunteer, Make A Wish)? Do you volunteer with your union on a committee? Any involvement with recruiting or hiring or projects in the Chief Pilot Office? Do you go to employee meetings? Conventions like WIA?The more involvement, the better.

Combine all that with a good HR record, a good relationship with the Chief Pilot Office, and internal recs from current AS pilots, and you may have a decent shot. There seems to be no real science behind the process, it's really on a case by case.

And there seems to have been an equal amount of QX FOs to QX captains who've been hired at AS. That "magical" 1000 TPIC isn't all that magical anymore...

Originally Posted by bgmann (Post 324224)

I have heard that Alaska will lower their minimums to Horizon air FO's if they have 2000 SIC with Horizon. I have a hard time believing this since Alaska would have to train two people for 1 pilot slot.

They would have to invest in the Horizon pilot to get him/her training at Alaska. In addition, they would have to invest in training a new Horizon pilot.

My question is: Will Alaska eat their own young despite the above comment?

Am I better off going to a carrier with quick upgrade and get my PIC time? (Republic, Skywest, Jetblue, Compass) Or get my 2000 SIC at Horizon and finally get based in SEA and have QOL? Thanks!

Originally Posted by Omnivorous (Post 1685896)

I personally know someone who went SIC to SIC. She (that maybe had something to do with it) flew in the Q for quite a few years and acquired her ATP in a Seneca in order to meet the criteria. Pre-HR5900.