Mike,

I think about it all the time. (Everyday in fact) Alaska Airlines claims to like to hire locals however in my experience that means friends and family. I am not related to anyone there. I think my attitude was fine in the interview and I was told by the examiner that I flew the best ride that he had seen in a long time. My problem was that I did not have a strong political pull from the inside. It seems to me that both HR and the chief pilots office have a stake in each person who gets hired. There was no advantage to either side to see me on the line so both times I interviewed I fell short. Everyone I know who I consider to be a peer has either fallen short or had to interview at least three times.

Since leaving aviation I have surprisingly met more Alaska Airlines pilots. I don't think they hang around the slums I had to live in while a working pilot. Sadly my biggest reason is that I am badly out of currency and I can not afford to suspend the activities that have been supporting my family these last three years. Last winter Empire offered me an interview but the pay was only 20K and I would of had to leave the state. However, I have been trying to sell my Taylorcraft and buy a Cessna 152 to get back in the air.

Hopefully someday Alaska Airlines will become interested in hiring worn out side liners and I will have a shot or perhaps one of my friends will reach a position of power at Alaska.



SkyHigh

 

I do wish I was still flying but I am a grown up now with a family to support. The low wages that the regionals offer is short of what one needs for a fully funded and responsible family life. Additionally, now that I know what kind of life the world offers outside of the poverty hotel hell it would be difficult to go back to just any employer.

Thanks for the direct approach. I appreciate the commentary.

SKyHigh

 

[QUOTE=dckozak;67702]I have to give it to you SkyHigh, nobody can start a (new) thread about the same subject and get the feedback you do.
Anyone wanting to read SkyHigh's opinion on aviation, just look up his past posts form the members list; there are 1550+ and counting. They all pretty much say the same thing and the responses are also very similar. Can't we talk about something interesting like [censored ]......QUOTE]

Thanks man !!

My repeated opinions are ones that hit close to home with most of us. Someplace deep in everyone's heart we all know that I speak the truth and my words put cracks in their facade of denial.

SkyHigh

I have missed you.

 

What, they just called you out of the blue? I thought you were finished with aviation. Why would they call you for an interview unless you had submitted your resume?

Forget Alaska. By your own admissions you could never survive on first year pay.

I've got a 0615 launch tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you when we take the active. How I stuck with the program even when things were crappy. How YOU quit and now in your unhappiness all you can do is try to dash others' hopes of a satisfying aviation career.

Blue Skies!

 

SkyHigh,

Have you considered applying to SkyWest, or Horizon again, and supplementing that FO income with running your business on the side? You could hire a part-time manager of some sorts, and make up the cost of their salary flying. SkyWest upgrades are pretty quick, right now, and you could be on with Alaska. Plus, regional captain pay is really not that bad, especially at SkyWest. With seniority, which you can probably build somewhat quick at a regional like SkyWest, you can have plenty of days off to devote to the business as well. Just be one of those people who bids for the least flying, and most days off.

 

Yeesss Siirrr, we can! Let's start with that avatar!

 

Sure I have thought of that before. However the move and sacrifices that my family would have to make would not be worth the efforts. My business is not portable and therefore I would have to commute or sell it off. I know that you and I have already had this discussion but to me the pay isn't that great ands it would take me much longer to upgrade since due to family obligations I couldn't jump at the first opportunity. Believe me I have considered all the options carefully. Besides I don't know if I could put myself through all the BS that is associated with even a better regional anymore. I have reached a point in my life where it is Alaska Airlines or nothing. So unless Alaska reached a point where they are reaching for the bottom of the barrel I guess it will be nothing.

Thank you for the support though !!

SkyHigh

 

Nope I am not finished with my Alaska Airlines dream. I am however done with dead end low pay slave operations. It isn't the first year pay that I am concerned with but what comes after that. I could survive 26K for one year.

My point is to spread the facts about ones real chances of making it to a better job in this industry. To inform on what kind of sacrifices and costs are required in order to put your cards on the table. And what life is like along the way.

I am not stupid. I have already paid my dues. Alaska Airlines has my resume and if magic strikes I will not turn it down. However I am not going to waste another day of my life standing in line at some miserable regional or start up anymore. At some point you have to stand up for yourself and save what life you have left.

SkyHigh

 

SkyHigh,

You obviously meet the requirements to get hired by Alaska, or you would not have gotten an interview with them. But, how long ago was it, since you have put in your resume? How much recency of experience do you have? Sometimes reaching a dream involves some sacrifice. I'm don't mean going and flying for a regional again, but some kind of flying job would probably be beneficial. As someone pointed out, Alaska is supposed to be hiring in pretty good numbers.

 

You and I are on the same team here. I was a part time CFI (had to give it up) a year ago and have had a few close calls on local King Air jobs. However I am not a 20 something anymore and can't afford the wasted time sitting around the pilot lounge all day for low wages. Perhaps in a year or two I might be able to find something. Till then I will continue to build houses.

Another thing to consider is that right now there are few good airlines hiring. Alaska Airlines has to wade through a lot of military heroes, astronauts and the sons and daughters of the check airmen before they even get down to taking a look at no name CRJ captains let alone a sidelined guy like me.

Times are much different now from when I had my chances. Back then all the big names were hiring and Alaska Airlines was considered a stopping point for losers. Today we have an ocean of well qualified and furloughed pilots who have been backed up for over five years now and are hungry for anything.

I have been a fan of Alaska Airlines since I was a little kid. I have carefully studied their hiring practice for 20 years now. It will be a long long time before there will be any real opportunity there. In case you haven't read the letter from the Alaska Airlines chief pilot, to me he was basically saying that King Air and twin otter types of flying will soon be discounted and only the larger turbo-prop or CRJ type of flight time will be considered.

In my estimation in a few years every major airline will raise their requirements to 1000 RJ PIC or better. I am too old to start over and chase a moving target that I don't have enough time to reach.

SKyHigh