Airline Pilot Central Forums - Delta and Alaska

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Quote:

Originally Posted by scambo1 (Post 1862031)

Alaskan is a dream job! I just don't understand why ANC isn't your senior base.

Because it should be called Seattle Airways

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timbo (Post 1862018)

Yeah, I know, you edited it while I was typing my response, took out the word "Like".

The point here is, unless you have flown International, you can't criticize it. You obviously have, but some of the others, not so much.

I was one of the ones who said I would NEVER fly international at Delta. I had flown the KC135 across the pond (un-augmented) and never liked it. I also said I'd never commute.

But then Delta closed my base (BOS) and made a commuter out of me. When I had to pick a new seat, I had the choice of junior Capt. on the 727, or MD88 in NYC, or senior copilot on the MD11 in ATL. Just prior to making my choice, I flew with a 767 Capt. (me as f/o) and asked him what he thought.

He said, "Fly International, it's like working for a different airline! All the layovers are 24 hours, in great hotels, in great cities, and if the plane breaks, you go home and get paid, they don't have spares! Oh, and you NEVER get rerouted!"

So, I put in for MD11 F/O in ATL and have never looked back.

I had already been a junior MD88 Capt. so I knew how much that sucked. The MD11, while a huge POS as an airplane, was a much easier job, with much better layovers and much better schedules. Due to the longer legs, I was only working 9-12 days a month., vs. 15 days a month flying a domestic line, or 19 days a month sitting reserve MD88 Capt.

All very good points. I apologize if my comments came acrossed as "criticism". I was only stating how I felt about it. Different strokes for different people. Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by scambo1 (Post 1862031)

Alaskan is a dream job! I just don't understand why ANC isn't your senior base.

I'd LOVE to be based in ANC, flying a Beaver on floats to fishing spots! Get some Silvers!

As a kid my Dad was based there in the Air Force. We arrived from Texas a few months after the big earthquake in 1964 (?) and the place was a mess, but I loved watching the sled dogs running down the middle of the snow covered main street, pulling a big sled, and the family of moose that lived in the woods across the street from our apartment. It was weird walking to and from school with a flashlight though! :eek: (up hill, both ways, barefoot, in snow)

Check out the picture of down town ANC after the quake:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Alaska_earthquake

He was transferred back to Randolff AFB after only a year in ANC, (and FAI) and then up to Pease AFB in 1966. By the time I turned 6 I had lived in Cali, Tx (twice) Alaska and NH. We stayed in NH for the rest of my childhood. It was nice to put down some roots, even if they did talk funny!