Leaving Alaska for United
 

Any former Alaska people willing to share their experiences jumping ship from Alaska?

What was the biggest difference you noticed? Does Alaska have anything better? (Highly doubtful)

To date, the highest amount of pilot attrition at Alaska has left for United.

Was it worth the jump? Would leaving 5+ years seniority at Alaska be a no brainer? Currently live in base which is also a United coastal base.

Recommendations on which app review service to use? Any tips on landing an interview?

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

I left 5 years at Alaska last year for United. It was not a hard decision at all. For me, I am a commuter and live in the Midwest so you can imagine how horrible the commute was. Alaska’s schedules just aren’t commutable and they have no intention of ever leaving the west coast or expanding. The pay cut sucks right now but I’ll be back at the same rate I left at Alaska in the next year or two since I’m on a larger jet. The west coast for United is extremely junior and if you pick 737 or 320 you could have a line extremely quickly.

For me, the jump was a no brainer. The contract is better, pay is better, options for different larger jets, international flying, more choices for bases, great training department, and overall good people. My quality of life has increased dramatically and there are so much more opportunities right now at United. But You do what you gotta do for what would be your best quality of life. I still have 25+ years in this career and i have no regrets making the jump. Hope that helps.

Most pilots that have made the transition from AS to UAL appreciate the lack of passive aggressive oppression that Air Group gives their employees!!!

Made the switch. Got in toward the beginning of the wave and rapidly got decent seniority quickly on the guppy. Could have upgraded at AS had I stayed (did not know that when I quit). So, a very significant short term pay cut. Long term: ? Possible quick upgrade at UAL, don’t know yet. WB flying is there, it may or may not be for me but will try once the time is right. Lots of choices and interesting opportunities outside the flight deck to explore as well.

I fly with many Captains who went through a furlough, two, or other austere times at UAL. This industry is unpredictable and anything can happen. Have a backup plan.

The good…
- Reserve better (you get some choice). First class DH. Assigned a trip, for the most part flew it, went home, didn’t get messed with beyond that. I’m sure someone sitting reserve for a while will have other experiences.

- Lineholder life is better. Most trips I didn’t like was able to trade for things I liked better.

- Hotels, meals, transport better.

- The tools, training, support are all top notch.

- Not messed with on my trips (yet) in terms of reassignments or extensions. I’m sure it happens.

- Prem trips 50-100%. Not chasing that until done with first year pay.

- 5 hrs calendar day min

- Life continues to get better with seniority

Not so good:
- you’ll be junior again

- Leaving behind the sick bank, starting over on vacation accrual.

- Don’t expect to show up and work fewer days or be able to drop whatever you want. That unicorn isn’t here. I am former VX… we had a great thing there, it’s gone. They’ll work you here and redeyes are common. Weekends off go senior and you will be unlikely to trade out of working a weekend without giving up time off. I don't like to give up my days off. Days off similar to Alaska with the lucky exceptions of getting a trip bought off for IOE, an occasional drop to another pilot. Wide body lineholder better, but also senior, and another can of worms I am not qualified to discuss yet.

No regrets/can’t look back because to do so would not be healthy! Reach out, get the data on what life is like and the risk of giving up seniority, and make a call.

Its been a good move, so far.

Passive aggressive? I always felt it was open hostility!

If you’re assigned the 737 and have a previous 737 type, does that effect the new hire training footprint at all? I’d imagine it probably doesn’t matter, but curious as to the impact other than not having to fill out IACRA paperwork.

nope - it doesn’t matter if you are typed or not. You have to learn the UA way.