A recent class at Alaska

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03-19-2012 | 02:51 PM

#41

captnmajic

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyHigh

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

Not true. I have several friends over at Alaskan who are not from the Pac NW nor did they have any connections with the company prior to being offered a job there.

03-19-2012 | 04:26 PM

#42

mike734

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New boss = Old boss

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From: Ca B737

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnmajic

Not true. I have several friends over at Alaskan who are not from the Pac NW nor did they have any connections with the company prior to being offered a job there.

Improve your chances of getting hired at Alaska? Don't be overheard calling them Alaskan.

03-19-2012 | 05:18 PM

#43

USMCFLYR

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From: FAA 'Flight Check'

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnmajic

Not true. I have several friends over at Alaskan who are not from the Pac NW nor did they have any connections with the company prior to being offered a job there.

You missed a very important aspects of posting with Sky.
HIS friends and what he has heard (or tracked or kept up with) are much more important than any friends of yours and what you might know of their successes

USMCFLYR

03-20-2012 | 12:05 PM

#44

Fishfreighter

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyHigh

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.

Sorry, not true. When I got hired, I was on the East Coast and had never even HEARD of Alaska Airlines. It was just one of the places I hit when I "covered the earth" with resumes. My 5200 hours of military flight time probably didn't hurt, but I had ZERO inside contacts in the company.

Alaska is big on getting a "good mix" of pilot backgrounds. They actively recruit at places like WIA and OBAP. I've seen them reject highly qualified pilots, both military and regional. In fact, they rejected at least TWO QX check airmen for the last class.

Sorry, Sky, but I think you've wasted 25 years of study. It is true they prefer people with strong ties to the PNW and/or Alaskan flying experience, but those are not the be all and end all qualifications.

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnmajic

Not true. I have several friends over at Alaskan who are not from the Pac NW nor did they have any connections with the company prior to being offered a job there.

An independent testimonial.