Just talked with the chief pilot, and told me they're not hiring at this moment. Any other company hiring at AK ???

 

You talked with Frontier or PenAir?

 

The chief at Frontier Alaska is Rett Leaf. If they say they aren't hiring give it a day. Trust me, they'll be hiring again soon. They are having trouble keeping the Anchorage First Officer base full. They currently fly 5 to 6 crews in Anchorage and have 2 "TBA" slots on the FO side. The captains slots in Anchorage are virtually impossible to get in Anchorage. The captains slots in general are tough to get at Frontier. When I flew there the progression was First officer in the 1900............Navajo flying in the "bush" and then left seat in the 1900. Truthfully, some of the most fun I have ever had flying. The pay is comparable to any other regional out there, the work is quite a bit tougher, the experience (with the right attitude) is beyond compare. The flying is like you will never see anywhere else. If you are weak in crosswinds, well you won't be after a month flying out west! All that being said, if you don't want to get dirty, or work hard don't go to Frontier!

 

As for the gouge, just know the basic 121 q's and they may have you do an approach in the fixed base 1900 sim. (Most likely the ILS to 1L in Fairbanks.) I don't believe there is any sort of written test, just the basics. Your attitude is 90% of getting the job at Frontier.

 

Frontier chief pilot said the requirements are ATP and 1200 hrs TT.
I was thinking 500 hrs TT was enough for a F/O position there.

 

I'm not sure what that's about. If you really want the job, just keep trying. Most guys start with well under 1000, myself included (250.) If I can help, let me know, my names not total mud up there in Fairbanks.

 

Sounds like an awesome opportunity, I'm definitely going to try getting a flying gig in AK.

 

Frontier was the best experience and some of the most fun I've had in my career that I'd rather not repeat. It can be very hard work in some very cold weather. Expect to load freight/bags, fuel the aircraft, at 20-30 below in the winter and then hand fly said plane across Alaska for 10-12 hours a day. Summers on the other hand are amazing.

I definitely don't regret flying for them and the flying I do now is quite tame compared. However, having ground crews and a comfy cockpit is pretty nice too.

Alaska isn't for everyone, but once it gets in your blood its tough to get it out. Anchorage is overrated, Fairbanks is where the fun is to be had.

Man, I miss that state dearly...