How long is the prediction from a new hire to alaska?

It depends on a lot. I have a few friends that are expecting to go by the end of the year. They’ve been here since 2015ish I think. But with the new hour requirements, it really depends on the airplane you’re flying and how quickly you hold a line. 2000 hrs and 1000 pic with the company is a big ask if you’re flying 20-30 hours a month on reserve. I know some people are lobbying to adjust the requirement to include cycles instead of hours on the Q since so many of our legs are 1 hour or less.

Conservatively at least 5 years.

Why in the hell would anyone want to flow to Alaska? I wish I had been lucky enough to work at horizon so I could have seen these muppets in action so that I could add Alaska to my never ever ever ever lost

So even if nobody else calls we should stay at our regional because Alaska is so horrible? Horizon isn't that bad, maybe you could flow down if you think it's better

The Pathways program worked pretty well for the first twenty or thirty pilots who went through the program. It is seniority-based, it is NOT a flow-through, and the company has recently increased the amount of PIC and Part 121 time required to move on to Alaska. As Snacky indicated, you'll probably be spending at least five years at Horizon before you can get on with Alaska.

For this reason, many of the Pathways pilots view it as a backup plan. it''s ironic that many of our former pilots are now working for Delta.

Maybe I will.. then at least I could fly longer routes in the 175 instead of flying Seattle to Portland to San Fransisco to Portland in a 321..

To be clear, the Part 121 time requirement is QX time. I came here with ~2000 Part 121, and now I need ANOTHER 2000, and I'm a line holder flying 350 hours per year.


1000 PIC QX for a total of 2000 QX.

Punished for my age.
Punished for my experience.
Punished for flying their old airplane.

But...you CAN keep your HHonors points from the HGI in Pasco.

Yeah, I hear you. I've been punished for my age, punished for my experience, and punished for my extremely bad timing (hired just prior to 9/11).

I don't think the 2000 hours of Part 121 time and 1000 hours Part 121 PIC is a bad idea overall, BUT the Pathways program should credit previous Part 121 time and/or significant military, corporate, or Part 135 experience. Requiring that the pilot have 2000 hours at Horizon is just a blatant attempt to keep people at Horizon for 5-7 years. Also, I've heard that Alaska won't take Horizon pilots that apply OUTSIDE the Pathways program.

As usual, Horizon management just ignored any input from the union or the pilot group.

I've chosen NOT to participate in the Pathways program, even though I meet the minimums. I would prefer to make my own choice with respect to my next job (as in , the first interesting opportunity that comes up). The changes to the Pathways program really bite for the guys and gals that want to go to Alaska, however. Many of our pilots live in the Pacific Northwest and want to stay here for their families.

You’re a lineholder and you only fly 350 hours per year?