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11-15-2017, 03:37 AM
#64
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 128
I wouldn’t make too much of the fact that you will be commuting during the process. Haven’t you been looking at moving out to the PNW?
There have been at least two probationary terminations at least semi-related to commuting that I am aware of. Don’t try to sit reserve from NYC and then call out sick once you get an assignment from schedueling-you won’t be the first, but it would be your last time.
There have been quite a few 50+Ers actually. I think you could spin it to your advantage. I just heard a rumor on the line that there is a 60y.o entering an upcoming class. Maybe that’s you?
Good luck.
11-16-2017, 06:16 PM
#65
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: Back on the "light" side...
Posts: 196
Yes there is you have to give yourself two reasonable shots at making it to work on time.
I wouldn’t make too much of the fact that you will be commuting during the process. Haven’t you been looking at moving out to the PNW?
There have been at least two probationary terminations at least semi-related to commuting that I am aware of. Don’t try to sit reserve from NYC and then call out sick once you get an assignment from schedueling-you won’t be the first, but it would be your last time.
There have been quite a few 50+Ers actually. I think you could spin it to your advantage. I just heard a rumor on the line that there is a 60y.o entering an upcoming class. Maybe that’s you?
Good luck.
I wouldn’t make too much of the fact that you will be commuting during the process. Haven’t you been looking at moving out to the PNW?
There have been at least two probationary terminations at least semi-related to commuting that I am aware of. Don’t try to sit reserve from NYC and then call out sick once you get an assignment from schedueling-you won’t be the first, but it would be your last time.
There have been quite a few 50+Ers actually. I think you could spin it to your advantage. I just heard a rumor on the line that there is a 60y.o entering an upcoming class. Maybe that’s you?
Good luck.
11-18-2017, 04:10 PM
#66
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Position: a cushy one with a forward facing window
Posts: 114
11-19-2017, 05:31 AM
#67
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Position: A320
Posts: 236
Good luck to those applying. Please understand what you are getting yourself into however.
This is not Delta.
You are going to be dealing with a hostile management group.
The schedules are really really bad, especially on the Boeing side. And the company doesn't want to do anything about it.
Even after the raise, we will be $35/hr under the better contract flying the same aircraft.
Our work rules are pathetic at best and the company takes advantage of it.
We have no Scope. The company testified during the arbitration that they want the ability to buy another carrier and not merger the companies. They stated they want the flexibility to launch larger RJ fleets. They have shown no commitment to the pilots that they would do anything but farm us out if they can figure out a way to do it and still staff the airline.
With that said...
Crews are great to work with, I personally can only attest to this on the Airbus side. But I've met a lot of really good people on the Boeing fleet too.
If you can't get called by delta, American or United it is a way to guarantee a west coast base almost immediately out of training.
Contract opens back up in about a year and a half. The Virgin side pilots are ready for war, and I believe the Alaska side guys are as well. We will make this a better place to spend a career even if it kills them.
Good luck with your decisions!
11-19-2017, 06:43 PM
#68
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2017
Posts: 27
A few things to consider before committing to Alaska Airlines. This is from a guy who's life long goal was to be a career Alaska pilot.
I was born and raised in the Seattle area. I watched Alaska jets fly overhead everyday hoping that one day to be sitting in a cockpit of a Alaska jet. After years of hard work, I finally landed my dream job with Alaska Airlines. After more than 2 years at Alaska, I left for greener pastures. It was a very difficult decision but one that I will never regret.
The good:
1.The pilots and the front line employees. With the exception of one or two, everyone was super awesome to fly with. It reminded me of my previous regional. I really enjoyed having beers with almost everyone whom I flew with.
2. Flying was better than what my buddies were doing at the big three on narrow bodies. Alaska has their share of all nighters but they also have good trips to the islands and Mexico. Seattle pilots couldn't hold Costa Rica flying but we had our share of Mexico overnights.
3. Ability to be based in the Pacific Northwest/west coast. Being from Seattle, I was able to hold SEA out of training. With Delta's expansion, this is a game changer. SEA 75/76 is a good possibility for junior pilots and when the C-series come online, I'm hearing that CA bid on it will go very junior is what I'm being told. I digress. Portland is unique in that Alaska is the only major airline with a pilot base there. It's also very senior.
Sorry, that's it for the good.
Tha bad:
1. Schedule and bidding are the worst I've seen to date. Pairings, lines, trading....they're beyond suck and that's putting it nicely. The lines are inconsistent, meaning they're a mix of AM trips and PM trips, very little pure weekend off lines, etc. Many of friends were commuters and they hated our lines/trips because a good majority of the trips weren't commutable. Trip trading is nonexistent and there are more MOUs than there are stars. The crew schedulers appear to be nice but they will violate the contract in a nano second to move a flight. They can get outright nasty at times and the pilots have no recourse but to fly and grieve. The guy in charge of crew scheduling is a complete tool, from what I have heard from other pilots. Some crew schedulers are pilot haters. As a matter of fact, their entire management seem to hate the pilot group. Hard to believe but spend some time there and you'll see.
2. Management=pilot haters. They have zero respect for the pilot group. It almost appears as if they promote such toxic culture. They make videos and send out e-mails out of spite. Management at Alaska possess zero leaderships skills and no heart. Alaska ALPA is slightly better but completely powerless, hence the disrespect from management.
3. With their arbitrated pay rates, Alaska is on par with the big boys but only until around year three. After that, it will decline at a pretty steep rate. 401k and the bonus programs still trails the big three.
4. The Union. With my limited interaction with the union reps, I never once felt like that they had my back. My previous regional didn't have a union so I have nothing to compare them to but I can confidently say that I was not at all impressed. I've contacted contract compliance on a few occasions but they never seem to give me a clear answer. It was strange because it almost felt as if I was speaking to crew scheduling instead of my union rep, if that makes any sense. I often wondered where my union dues were going. It was a rude awakening when I found out that so many ex-union pilots moved into management positions. How can that be?
5. Upgrade times. It was running around 6-10 years when I left but that may change for the worse after the SLI. Just my guess. Alaska is very conservative when it comes to growth. With strong competition from the big boys and SWA, they seem to be running out of steam. There are too many variables and uncertainties with this relatively small airline.
As we all know, seniority is everything. I don't feel that I've wasted my time at Alaska Airlines but I do regret for being so naive and narrow minded. It was after all my dream job, so I thought. For those of you who are looking at Alaska, if I had one advice for you, I'd look elsewhere first. No one has a crystal ball but with so many career choices and opportunities, it would behoove you to look to the big three, SWA, FedEx, or UPS. I've heard stories from some of the captains at Alaska about pilots leaving for UAL back in the 90s but you have to remember, these are different times. Alaska has the potential of being a fair to good career but it will never be an excellent one. I don't know what the future holds but it appears that Alaska is now a stepping stone. Just in my peer group when I was at Alaska, more than 80% are actively pursuing a job elsewhere. Whatever you choose, I wish you all well.
I was born and raised in the Seattle area. I watched Alaska jets fly overhead everyday hoping that one day to be sitting in a cockpit of a Alaska jet. After years of hard work, I finally landed my dream job with Alaska Airlines. After more than 2 years at Alaska, I left for greener pastures. It was a very difficult decision but one that I will never regret.
The good:
1.The pilots and the front line employees. With the exception of one or two, everyone was super awesome to fly with. It reminded me of my previous regional. I really enjoyed having beers with almost everyone whom I flew with.
2. Flying was better than what my buddies were doing at the big three on narrow bodies. Alaska has their share of all nighters but they also have good trips to the islands and Mexico. Seattle pilots couldn't hold Costa Rica flying but we had our share of Mexico overnights.
3. Ability to be based in the Pacific Northwest/west coast. Being from Seattle, I was able to hold SEA out of training. With Delta's expansion, this is a game changer. SEA 75/76 is a good possibility for junior pilots and when the C-series come online, I'm hearing that CA bid on it will go very junior is what I'm being told. I digress. Portland is unique in that Alaska is the only major airline with a pilot base there. It's also very senior.
Sorry, that's it for the good.
Tha bad:
1. Schedule and bidding are the worst I've seen to date. Pairings, lines, trading....they're beyond suck and that's putting it nicely. The lines are inconsistent, meaning they're a mix of AM trips and PM trips, very little pure weekend off lines, etc. Many of friends were commuters and they hated our lines/trips because a good majority of the trips weren't commutable. Trip trading is nonexistent and there are more MOUs than there are stars. The crew schedulers appear to be nice but they will violate the contract in a nano second to move a flight. They can get outright nasty at times and the pilots have no recourse but to fly and grieve. The guy in charge of crew scheduling is a complete tool, from what I have heard from other pilots. Some crew schedulers are pilot haters. As a matter of fact, their entire management seem to hate the pilot group. Hard to believe but spend some time there and you'll see.
2. Management=pilot haters. They have zero respect for the pilot group. It almost appears as if they promote such toxic culture. They make videos and send out e-mails out of spite. Management at Alaska possess zero leaderships skills and no heart. Alaska ALPA is slightly better but completely powerless, hence the disrespect from management.
3. With their arbitrated pay rates, Alaska is on par with the big boys but only until around year three. After that, it will decline at a pretty steep rate. 401k and the bonus programs still trails the big three.
4. The Union. With my limited interaction with the union reps, I never once felt like that they had my back. My previous regional didn't have a union so I have nothing to compare them to but I can confidently say that I was not at all impressed. I've contacted contract compliance on a few occasions but they never seem to give me a clear answer. It was strange because it almost felt as if I was speaking to crew scheduling instead of my union rep, if that makes any sense. I often wondered where my union dues were going. It was a rude awakening when I found out that so many ex-union pilots moved into management positions. How can that be?
5. Upgrade times. It was running around 6-10 years when I left but that may change for the worse after the SLI. Just my guess. Alaska is very conservative when it comes to growth. With strong competition from the big boys and SWA, they seem to be running out of steam. There are too many variables and uncertainties with this relatively small airline.
As we all know, seniority is everything. I don't feel that I've wasted my time at Alaska Airlines but I do regret for being so naive and narrow minded. It was after all my dream job, so I thought. For those of you who are looking at Alaska, if I had one advice for you, I'd look elsewhere first. No one has a crystal ball but with so many career choices and opportunities, it would behoove you to look to the big three, SWA, FedEx, or UPS. I've heard stories from some of the captains at Alaska about pilots leaving for UAL back in the 90s but you have to remember, these are different times. Alaska has the potential of being a fair to good career but it will never be an excellent one. I don't know what the future holds but it appears that Alaska is now a stepping stone. Just in my peer group when I was at Alaska, more than 80% are actively pursuing a job elsewhere. Whatever you choose, I wish you all well.
11-20-2017, 11:34 AM
#69
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,286
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