Part 135/Part 121 Ops in Alaska
04-23-2010, 02:12 PM
#11
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Alaska
Keep in mind that operators in Alaska are most likely flush with resumes and applications right now. Usually it takes some significant flight time plus 500 hours of Alaska time to get a bush part 135 job. Don't tell them that you are a university graduate either.
I was a 22 year old new college graduate when I first went up there. Jobs were hard to come by in the lower 48. Someone told me that they were begging for pilots up north. One guy told me that he flew 2000 hours a year in a cherokee 6. Like some sad Jack London story I went up there and found exactly the opposite.
I suppose that if I would have eventually ended up at the major of my dreams my bush flying time would have made for good cocktail stories. As things turned out if I could do it over I would have skipped Alaska altogether.
Join the Navy, Fly for the Airforce, or wait it out but don't go to Alaska unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money and waste years of your life building near worthless single engine piston flight time.
Skyhigh
I was a 22 year old new college graduate when I first went up there. Jobs were hard to come by in the lower 48. Someone told me that they were begging for pilots up north. One guy told me that he flew 2000 hours a year in a cherokee 6. Like some sad Jack London story I went up there and found exactly the opposite.
I suppose that if I would have eventually ended up at the major of my dreams my bush flying time would have made for good cocktail stories. As things turned out if I could do it over I would have skipped Alaska altogether.
Join the Navy, Fly for the Airforce, or wait it out but don't go to Alaska unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money and waste years of your life building near worthless single engine piston flight time.
Skyhigh
Last edited by SkyHigh; 04-23-2010 at 02:25 PM.
04-24-2010, 10:32 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Groundlooped and liking it
Posts: 266
I honestly don't know what way I view it. I have been spending a fair amount of time jump seating around to the different AK station on Alaska and have seen that I would like to fly up there. I know that I don't see my self flying 206's for the rest of my career but I could be happy working up to AS or something along the lines but who knows maybe i will change my mind once I do it.
I think everyone has said something of value here. DC-6 FE time might only mean something to you and the company you work for, but that counts doesn't it? Alaska flying can be a means to an end, but for others it gets in their blood and never leaves. Ask many of the military pilots who get forced up here and never want to leave. With the current state of the aviation industry, you have 2 and half years until any real hiring starts at the majors (and thus the regionals) , so take the time to see what the state has to offer. Pick a company that you can get turbine time with, which I guess is all of them now.
04-24-2010, 10:40 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Groundlooped and liking it
Posts: 266
One thing I will say about everts that is cool; the guys who fly the brasillia also fly the C-46. Get your turbine time and big old WW2 plane time. The DC-6 pilots only fly that plane. Course, their seniority goes by age in each new class, youngest being the most junior which means DC-6 FE, at least for a while anyway if you are 22.
04-24-2010, 11:04 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: Livin' the dream
Posts: 626
What have you got to offer AK?
I've thought about this thread for a few days now. Wondering about my approach and would it be helpful.
Here goes, original poster. Niceness is out the window. In advance I would ask that you not take this too personally. You don't know me, and I don't know you-other than what you've written here and in the writing you did in the 135 Alaska Flying jobs thread.
You seem to be looking for a guarantee. A job. Flying in Alaska. You've jumpseated around a bit. I guess you must have family who can provide the passes.
To be honest- Alaska does not need you. The attitude you have demonstrated in your posts reeks of entitlement. You post your question about getting a 135 job in AK in this, the part 91 and "low time" pilot section. To belittle Alaskan pilots the way you have by assuming that "driving" that measly little old Cessna 206 on your way to an AS job is, well, pretty offputting and demonstrates that you don't know jack about AK flying.
Likely, if you were lucky and skilled enough to get offered a position learning about AK flying in a 206, you would learn a lot. You might even survive the experience somewhat unscathed. You might not though. You seem to think you can just waltz right in to my state, among my fellow Alaskan aviators, and do what we do in the challenging conditions we do them. In our measly little airplanes.
You can't.
Not yet anyway.
Look elsewhere for you career path to that big shiny jet. There are plenty of us here already.
Here goes, original poster. Niceness is out the window. In advance I would ask that you not take this too personally. You don't know me, and I don't know you-other than what you've written here and in the writing you did in the 135 Alaska Flying jobs thread.
You seem to be looking for a guarantee. A job. Flying in Alaska. You've jumpseated around a bit. I guess you must have family who can provide the passes.
To be honest- Alaska does not need you. The attitude you have demonstrated in your posts reeks of entitlement. You post your question about getting a 135 job in AK in this, the part 91 and "low time" pilot section. To belittle Alaskan pilots the way you have by assuming that "driving" that measly little old Cessna 206 on your way to an AS job is, well, pretty offputting and demonstrates that you don't know jack about AK flying.
Likely, if you were lucky and skilled enough to get offered a position learning about AK flying in a 206, you would learn a lot. You might even survive the experience somewhat unscathed. You might not though. You seem to think you can just waltz right in to my state, among my fellow Alaskan aviators, and do what we do in the challenging conditions we do them. In our measly little airplanes.
You can't.
Not yet anyway.
Look elsewhere for you career path to that big shiny jet. There are plenty of us here already.
04-26-2010, 01:21 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Position: DHC-8 FO
Posts: 283
I've thought about this thread for a few days now. Wondering about my approach and would it be helpful.
Here goes, original poster. Niceness is out the window. In advance I would ask that you not take this too personally. You don't know me, and I don't know you-other than what you've written here and in the writing you did in the 135 Alaska Flying jobs thread.
You seem to be looking for a guarantee. A job. Flying in Alaska. You've jumpseated around a bit. I guess you must have family who can provide the passes.
To be honest- Alaska does not need you. The attitude you have demonstrated in your posts reeks of entitlement. You post your question about getting a 135 job in AK in this, the part 91 and "low time" pilot section. To belittle Alaskan pilots the way you have by assuming that "driving" that measly little old Cessna 206 on your way to an AS job is, well, pretty offputting and demonstrates that you don't know jack about AK flying.
Likely, if you were lucky and skilled enough to get offered a position learning about AK flying in a 206, you would learn a lot. You might even survive the experience somewhat unscathed. You might not though. You seem to think you can just waltz right in to my state, among my fellow Alaskan aviators, and do what we do in the challenging conditions we do them. In our measly little airplanes.
You can't.
Not yet anyway.
Look elsewhere for you career path to that big shiny jet. There are plenty of us here already.
Here goes, original poster. Niceness is out the window. In advance I would ask that you not take this too personally. You don't know me, and I don't know you-other than what you've written here and in the writing you did in the 135 Alaska Flying jobs thread.
You seem to be looking for a guarantee. A job. Flying in Alaska. You've jumpseated around a bit. I guess you must have family who can provide the passes.
To be honest- Alaska does not need you. The attitude you have demonstrated in your posts reeks of entitlement. You post your question about getting a 135 job in AK in this, the part 91 and "low time" pilot section. To belittle Alaskan pilots the way you have by assuming that "driving" that measly little old Cessna 206 on your way to an AS job is, well, pretty offputting and demonstrates that you don't know jack about AK flying.
Likely, if you were lucky and skilled enough to get offered a position learning about AK flying in a 206, you would learn a lot. You might even survive the experience somewhat unscathed. You might not though. You seem to think you can just waltz right in to my state, among my fellow Alaskan aviators, and do what we do in the challenging conditions we do them. In our measly little airplanes.
You can't.
Not yet anyway.
Look elsewhere for you career path to that big shiny jet. There are plenty of us here already.
Also I think if this hadn't been relevant for this section the powers that be would have moved it. I know that I would have a hell of a time flying in the crap that you guys fly in I am not taking away from the conditions and everything that you deal with...Its also great that you guys can do it. I also don't see why flying a 206 can't some day lead to flying in a "big shiny jet" I have been up front with a lot of guys who got their start in the 206/Cherokee6 for places like cape Smythe, Haines airlines, Wings and none of them have had anything bad to say about their experiences flying your measly little planes.
Last edited by crabinow16; 04-26-2010 at 02:01 PM. Reason: Finishing my thoughts
04-27-2010, 07:16 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Position: DHC-8 FO
Posts: 283
I think right now with my experience I will have better luck in the ANC area until I can get some more hours and experience. I have looked at trying to work the dock at Promech or ramp in Juneau but those are pretty low on the list right now.
04-27-2010, 11:12 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Groundlooped and liking it
Posts: 266
I've thought about this thread for a few days now. Wondering about my approach and would it be helpful.
Here goes, original poster. Niceness is out the window. In advance I would ask that you not take this too personally. You don't know me, and I don't know you-other than what you've written here and in the writing you did in the 135 Alaska Flying jobs thread.
You seem to be looking for a guarantee. A job. Flying in Alaska. You've jumpseated around a bit. I guess you must have family who can provide the passes.
To be honest- Alaska does not need you. The attitude you have demonstrated in your posts reeks of entitlement. You post your question about getting a 135 job in AK in this, the part 91 and "low time" pilot section. To belittle Alaskan pilots the way you have by assuming that "driving" that measly little old Cessna 206 on your way to an AS job is, well, pretty offputting and demonstrates that you don't know jack about AK flying.
Likely, if you were lucky and skilled enough to get offered a position learning about AK flying in a 206, you would learn a lot. You might even survive the experience somewhat unscathed. You might not though. You seem to think you can just waltz right in to my state, among my fellow Alaskan aviators, and do what we do in the challenging conditions we do them. In our measly little airplanes.
You can't.
Not yet anyway.
Look elsewhere for you career path to that big shiny jet. There are plenty of us here already.
Here goes, original poster. Niceness is out the window. In advance I would ask that you not take this too personally. You don't know me, and I don't know you-other than what you've written here and in the writing you did in the 135 Alaska Flying jobs thread.
You seem to be looking for a guarantee. A job. Flying in Alaska. You've jumpseated around a bit. I guess you must have family who can provide the passes.
To be honest- Alaska does not need you. The attitude you have demonstrated in your posts reeks of entitlement. You post your question about getting a 135 job in AK in this, the part 91 and "low time" pilot section. To belittle Alaskan pilots the way you have by assuming that "driving" that measly little old Cessna 206 on your way to an AS job is, well, pretty offputting and demonstrates that you don't know jack about AK flying.
Likely, if you were lucky and skilled enough to get offered a position learning about AK flying in a 206, you would learn a lot. You might even survive the experience somewhat unscathed. You might not though. You seem to think you can just waltz right in to my state, among my fellow Alaskan aviators, and do what we do in the challenging conditions we do them. In our measly little airplanes.
You can't.
Not yet anyway.
Look elsewhere for you career path to that big shiny jet. There are plenty of us here already.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
