LAB: Lookin' At Bears.

 

Well who knows, maybe I'll try. I have several good friends there to use as recs. Even a couple I helped hire at the commuter, watched them upgrade, get their 1000+ 121 PIC and boom get hired at Alaska. One of them already encouraged me to try.

Reminds me of a Simon and Garfunkel song. Ohhhhhh, I'd rather be a gear puller at Alaska than a Captain at US, oh yes I would, If I ooonnnlly coooould, I surellly wooouuld.

 

Didn't you say you have 9 years at AWA? Where does that put you overall at AWA? Close to CA?

 

Alaska was always number one on my list of airlines I wanted to fly for. Unfortunately they never called me in for an interview. Last summer I had some buddies over there contact me to see if I wanted to try again. Now that I'm married, 1 kid + one on the way, mortgage, etc... (responsibilities) I just can't justify going back to the bottom of the seniority list, first year pay (currently over a $100,000/year paycut), little to no control over my schedule, etc...

Top third of the list JetScrew and feel like I'm married to the company now with only 18 years (max) of flying left. I'd expect to be a career F/O at Alaska (which isn't such a bad thing in and of itself), but I just can't do that to my family right now trying to save for college, etc...

You new hires at AS....enjoy your time there! Have fun on your layovers in JNU...head down to the Hangar for some halibut tacos and Ambers. Maybe I'll see you there! Always had and still very much have an affinity for Southeast. Center of my universe!

GP

 

Ha, ha, unfortunately, not even close. I went back wards thanks to the merger, if we hadn't merged, yes I'd probably be close to captain. I'll leave it at that, since this thread is about Alaska, not US.

 

When you're done with the tacos and beer don't forget to head over to Pel' meni for some Russian dumplings!

 

I was 40 with just under 10k hours when I was hired at AS in 2006 and I was 3rd most senior in our class which goes by age. If you want to come here you must apply.

 

Another testament for a national seniority list. In the meantime, never too late to start over. Amazing how mortgage payments still get paid etc etc. just cut back on jewelry and dining out (probably better for your health anyhow).

 

We are all happy for those who were able to get hired at Alaska Airlines. My position is and always has been that it is possible for everything to work out but not probable. I have many friends who are siting captains at Horizon Air and did not even get looked at. They hold similar and usually better resumes but were missing the most important attribute which is a very strong internal contact.

My guess is that most everyone at Horizon Air got hired with the same dream of moving on to AS not to mention Skywest and the rest. The reality is that there is not enough room for most. One needs to calculate the risk versus the rewards of the career. Is it worth it to spend a small fortune and take huge risks when the odds are that the best the average pilot can hope for is to spend their days on the seniority list of a regional?

I have spent the last 25 years studying the hiring practices of AS and believe there is a pattern. Unless you are well connected a fat resume holds little value. There will be retirement and some movement however it still is a small company that is facing stiff competition. There are plenty of people on the inside track to supply the needs of HR.

Skyhigh

 

Key factor in getting hired. Keep the ball on the fairway at Canterwood. If you slice or hook it into one of the senior CA house then you are hosed. Good thing I am such a good golfer.