True statement. But it shouldn't be their expectation.

That ignores the fact that UPS, and every other place that I have worked, benefit GREATLY by the crewmember not always being in domicile. The easiest example, the regional JA. There are others.

I'm not saying that its happening every day, but when it does, it saves their a$$

 

Heck yeah. Thousands I've saved them in being able to fly for well below index from home vs SDF and that will continue to add up for the next 20 something years. Also serve as pseudo reserves at gateways. Surprised they don't take more advantage of this. I was in Europe last summer when I heard of some big hole they needed to plug in CGN. Never even got a JA call but could have been there in a few hours. For the right price, that is.

 

Haha, no reason for me to be un-gentle...

I agree with pretty much your entire post (and I feel the same way about your perspective btw., like the common sense, upbeat and to-the-point attitude).
I'd only like to add that although ups would like for us to live near our domiciles - it is NOT required, which of course is driving some of our managers nuts.

However, I don't blame new-hires for not wanting to live in Anchorage. Alaska is a beautiful place but winters can be harsh and long. The main issue for new hires is the what-iffs scenarios.

We're hiring and things are looking great, right? Well, wouldn't you say that '04-'06, maybe even '07 period looked about as promising? ..and then it wasn't anymore?
Sure, different scenarios, different conditions, I get it. However, as pilots we always plan for the worst case situation in flight. Many of us do the same with our daily lives. We all sign up for health care insurance, mutual aid, supplemental insurance, etc. Just-in-case.

Last time many of the new-hires who moved to Anchorage ended up being furloughed. They didn't get any help whatsoever with getting back to lower 48 to look for other jobs (at the time jobs in AK were almost impossible to find).
A guy I know paid over $40K to move his family back to lower 48.
When they got recalled many, if not most, had to pay for their own hotel rooms because the company viewed them as Anchorage based during the furlough even though many of them were sdf-based, well at least on paper (displaced out of anc but never finished training).

So why risk it now? Better build up some seniority 'furlough-buffer'. Note - I'm not predicting a furlough, not at all!
Just saying that holding off on actually moving to anc makes sense. Especially for new-hires.

So even though the company would like for us to live in our domiciles they can't force us. I sincerely hope that our union and the company start looking for commuting solutions because it'll probably get worst once the new planes start arriving.

Typical sdf-anc commute...

 

Interesting but incorrect belief. UPS not interested...just like 100% International commercial travel. It's relative to the many unique challenges faced by our ANC pilots. Some fixed, some unable this round.

 

You obviously know this subject more than I do and I respect that.
The next year - year and a half - will be very "interesting". To say the least.
I just don't see how we're all gonna make our jumpseats to and from work. ..and I emphasize the "to" segment.
After all, we can always stay in Alaska an extra day if unable to cath the flight home. Been there done that.

Going to work is a different story. ..and I typically catch a ride at least a day early.
(yes, I'm 'somewhat' paranoid and don't want to be late.. EVER!)