DakBroadbent

Sorry for the thread drift...

Mudhen200

I'm seeing a lot of miss-information in the last few paged of ranting.
Secret ALPA / Company deals, pay scales so low we will never catch up, IP's blacklisting all but their buddies, Captain's kids getting all the new hire slots...

I don't understand what makes some pilots so bitter and angry. I started to go down that road once myself when I had my A$$ handed to me by Mr. Kasher, but I stepped back from the ledge and chose to keep things in perspective.

I get paid a great wage to do very little work. I have good benefits. I get a good amount of time off. I like what I do and I like where I get to do it. You have no idea how little I care if Delta or United will be making $5 an hour more than I do in 2016.

Reality is that this company currently makes more money (% ROI) than any body else. I hope that it lasts - and as a pilot for the company I will do everything in my power to make sure it does - because with that very high % ROI comes a stability that is very rare in this industry.

This thread was suppose to be about hiring. Maybe we could help some young guy / gal find their way through the maze and get the cheese rather than turn it into a soap box for disgruntled employees, who frankly would be miserable no matter where they worked.

For those who want to be a pilot for Alaska. This is a great company. I wish you success in your interview and hope to see you on the line.

Packrat

Sorry, Mr. Arctic Eagle, even though you've attempted to cleverly, slightly change the facts, everything you've noted is 100% true.

Life's GREAT in the ANC base. Double BET turns mean AM or PM flying and home every night. Gotta LOVE living on the frozen island, though. If guns, light planes and killing fish and fauna excite you, its a great base.

Talk about disinformation. Both Allegiant AND Southwest posted a higher ROI than Alaska last year. You might want to do some research before you spout the Company line in public. However, go ahead...stand up in front of the cabin and make you're welcome aboard PA. Because that's what "brand differentiation" is all about.

YOU are the reason Moose tagged AS pilots as pansies. Alaska pilots will be so far behind other Majors in pay when the contract comes up for renegotiation, you'll never make it up. Enjoy selling you're vacation back in March and April. You're also the reason a lot of these young guys you "hope to see on the line" will go to other airlines because Alaska has no need to hire them.

It must be wonderful in your little Arctic Eagle world. We're all glad for you.

P.S. Since you love the "Mudhen" title you're either one of the Senior guys in ANC who made Captain in 2 years or you're one of the new guys who had to yank gear for 15 years to get your left seat. Considering how much you "love" Alaska Airlines, I'm guessing its the former.

vagabond

Mod note:

Stay on track boys and girls. If you must make odious comparisons please take them to PM.

By the way, there is at least one AS pilot who can never be considered a pansy.

CRM114

Do you know the projected retirements at AK? Last I heard, it was a 12-15 year Capt. upgrade. Without some sort of major expansion or merger, that's going to be a lot of 737 right seat time compared to opportunities elsewhere.

I think AK is an awesome company with a great culture (for the most part), it's just that everyone is so young that it will present considerable career stagnation for the FNGs.

Packrat

To go back to my original point: My contention is that GIVEN THE CURRENT HIRING ENVIRONMENT, I personally, would have Alaska near the bottom of my "wanted list." Considering the wave of near term retirements FedEx, Delta, UPS, American and even United would rank above Alaska.

But, then, I'm not in love with living in the Pacific Northwest OR the state of Alaska. If that's your driving desire and you don't mind yanking gear for 12 - 15 years, Alaska may be just your cup of tea.

lpcunity

Any idea when future calls for interviews may go out?

CassinAK

Packrat where do you work?

mike734

Attention all pilots wanting to move on from their current job. Don't apply at Alaska. I love it here and look forward to the next 20 years but never mind that. You should listen to the guys who think it stinks. It would really be great if we had no applicants the next time we negotiate a contract. So please don't apply. Thank you.

GearBoy

That's just it. A few people who you call "disgruntled" are trying to help those same people make an educated decision. That means that they need to get both sides of the equation, the good and the bad at Alaskan Airways. There's your I'm lucky to be anywhere and I'll settle for less side (presumably one of the pansies). Then, there's their it's not all roses sitting next to and throwing gear for a bunch of pansy "I-got-mine-Screw-you-types" looking at a 15-yr upgrade and no quality of life (presumably non-pansy).

Those same disgruntled people have already admitted that if they had to do it all over again in TODAY's hiring environment, Alaska would NOT be their first choice. The people currently interested in Alaska need to know why, unless you're one of those non-pic-turbine-no 4-yr college degree-silver bullet from your daddy-affirmative-action types. In that case, it might be that they're tailor-maid for Alaskan Airways. Now. if they also volunteer in the soup kitchen, they should be golden. Alaskan just might be their cup of tea;
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ps. what's all this "mud hen" and "arctic eagle" nickname stuff? sounds like a flying club.
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