Could anyone give me a rundown of life/trips as a 747 FO at ANC? I’ve heard conflicting information on trip lengths and what a day-in-the-life looks like. Hoping to hear some ground truth from someone who’s there.

It depends on your seniority. Will you be junior or senior when you are hired? picture the worst possible commuting schedule on the fullest airplanes with no show jumpseaters packed Alaska airlines planes and there you go.

Are you typically looking at 3-4 day trips, or longer?

Looks to me to be more like 2 up and backs per 4 week period. Maybe half the lines would give you 1 up and back a 4 week

The trips are not always spread equally. Meaning you may have a 10 day trip separated by 3 days then. 4 day trip. Stuff like that.

I understand there is a limited amount of flexibility compared to some other airlines but if a guy needs some time off is there a way to drop a trip besides calling in sick? On the ANC 747 if a one month LOA was requested what are the odds of it being granted if outside of peak?

Yes... it’s called the Trip Board. An (IPA sponsored) external website that ties into the mothership computer system. You can POST a trip you want to drop and pilots on your fleet/seat will see it and if they want to pick it up and it doesn’t conflict with their schedule, then they can. Your loose the pay, that’s it.



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Right now, I’d guess a LOA for the 747 to have odds between “denied” and LOLNOPE.

Long international trips are VERY difficult to give away via trip board; shorter stuff definitely has better odds of somebody picking it up.

BV Days...

Not many of those in the first few years of longevity.

Thanks guys, this all really helps. I do appreciate the insight.