Alaska info - worth the jump?

[crxpilot]

Can any Alaska airlines pilots (or anyone in the know)shed some light on the current goings on there? I finally got a call for an interview after all these years and now I dont know if I should even bother. I have always wanted to move back up to the northwest/alaska working for Alaska, but I have found myself with a comfortable airline job thats primarily day trips out of Orlando and relatively ok pay and getting better as the months go by. Certainly not as good as Alaskas rates but we get by ok. (Orlando is not the pacific nw but the kids cant get enough of Disneyworld and Seaworld annual passes!)
Are the pilots of Alaska looking to move on as a general rule or is most of them quite content with the status quo.
From what I gather there is not a lot of growth in the near future, just a replacement plan in place for the MD 80's, is that correct?
Any further insight you may be able to provide for a family guy would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[igneousy2]

Some others here will probably tell you otherwise, however, in my view - if you want to live in Alaska's geographical area - then you can't beat it. Tension is a little high right now between the pilots and management because of the ongoing labor talks/Kasher award, however, I think in the whole scheme of things this will prove to be short-lived when compared to an entire career.

You can expect to be on reserve for awhile unless you bid ANC and the upgrade is not even on the radar when you are a new hire - currently 8 years at a minimum - 10 years if you want a chance of having a line.

I think for most people it comes down to geography - there are places where you will make more money, upgrade quicker, and get to fly newer/bigger equipment. However, if you truly want to make the Northwest/Alaska your home then there is no better place to be.

As far as lack of growth - I think a senior captain I recently flew with summed it up pretty well - "there have been times I have looked around the industry and seen everyone elses high growth, quick upgrades and thought - gee I wish I were somewhere else - but there were also times when I looked around and seen people losing their pensions, massive furloughs, downgrades, etc. - and thought gee, I sure am glad I am here.

Alaska has a very conservative business model that in these current times is frustrating as you see CAL upgrading 2 year FO's and putting new hires on the 777 however, it is also a business model that has allowed Alaska to expand the route network post-9/11 with a balance sheet 2nd only to Southwest and with the exception of some short pauses - been steadily hiring throughout the period.

I would take the interview - see if you even have an option. There are only a few places that I personally would have a hard time deciding over without considering bases - probably FDX, UPS, SWA, DAL, CAL - I wouldn't hesitate to leave any regional/national that I can think of for Alaska. Throw bases into it and you get your answer as to why I am at Alaska.

good luck

 

[tico]

I came to work here as flt 261 unfolded.....The management team in place at the time had inherited a sound, consevative business model. It was entireley their doing that led to an MD-80 going headfirst into the water off California.....We weathered the storm of post 911 hysteria not because they had any visiuon or talent but because of the hard work and vision of their predecessors..We have been in a steady almost unnoticable slide into decay since I arrived here. Their approach has been to "burn the furniture" to keep things looking good. And it is finally beginning to show.....Alaska Airlines as whole does not do anything well anymore. From res., to csa's to training to maintaining airplanes to flight operations, the years of neglect and poor management are beginning to really show.... The post Kasher guys are hopefull and will tell you that it is a great place that will get better.....and it is not a bad place to come in and punch a clock and do your time. But it will take a miracle to pull the place out of the slump that has been brought on by almost a decade of neglect... I can say that a decision made on equipment or route structure or people will disappoint you greatly. In all those areas we are solidly mediocre. But if you really want to live in SEA or ANC then it is probably a decent gig....We wont be seeing a new contract for some time to come as the company has no incentive to produce one. They can fill every class they run and most of the pilots here want to be in SEA or ANC so they are unable or unwilling to leave....The LAX pilots are the ones that hit the road to other better gigs. As a side note at 8 years I got a captain bid which I am going to take. I will never have decent seniority here again and I will be making about 600.00 dollars more a month than I would be under the pre-kasher pay scale as a co-pilot.. So even the upgrade is a bitter pill to swallow here... But I goes to work and I does my job and on layovers and in between trips I try and forget where I work......So who knows....in ten years it may be better or it may not be.. But again it is not a bad gig especially if you use it to move on up to a better gig

 

[ferlo]

Why the hell did you take the upgrade? QOL is the only thing you might benefit from here...if you have the sicktime left.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

If I were starting all over again, I would not come to Alaska. As mentioned above, it's going to take a major miracle to revive this airline (ie. fire ALL numb nuts starting with Bill and clean house). If FedEx hired me today (and they ain't hiring at the moment), I'm outta here.
If domicile is all you are looking for and you don't mind the rest of the bull $hit, then it can possibly work. Alaska's pilot bases are located in some of the highest cost of living cities. At $30/hour, you won't be able to even a rent a decent apartment for you and your family. Hell, I made that when I was a brand new butter bar in the Air Force. If you are a commuter, then it's a different story; I, for one, cannot stand commuting.
I thought I'd never say this but Continental and Delta are better choices than Alaska, IMO. Atleast you have a better earning potential there.
I'd hold off on a better gig unless you want to come here and use this place as a stepping stone. I hope to God that this place will come out of this mess, but at the moment, I've lost all faith in this management.

 

[Tarquinn]

After almost eight years, I feel that working for Alaska is a good job, but that's about it... If you really want to live in Seattle, and you still consider it your home, then perhaps it would work for you. I suggest you go to the interview, do your best, and if they offer you a job then make a decision then. I get the impression by your post that you're not sure you really want to work here. Like the others have said, I go to work, do my job, then go home and enjoy my family. Alaska is not a very inspiring place to work, and it can be just plain frustrating at times. If you want to hang your hat at an airline you can believe in, I suggest you look elsewhere. It's really sad... I honestly believe Alaska has the potential to be an amazing place to work. Great route structure, super employees, new jets... Unfortunately nobody higher up seems to care.

 

[johnsonrod]

Avoid Alaska and stay at Allegiant. Better QOL (few overnights) and perhaps a base will open at Bellingham some day. You should only consider it if moving to Alaska is your absolute goal (if that's the case apply to UPS and Fedex and bid the heavies out of ANC). I haven't heard that many positives coming out of Alaska pilots lately.

 

[tico]

Why the hell did you take the upgrade? QOL is the only thing you might benefit from here...if you have the sicktime left.

Don't have any sick leave left and need the money to dig out of debt...... We can retire at ten years and have travel benefits.....That is the next goal...each to their own....

 

[ferlo]

Don't have any sick leave left and need the money to dig out of debt...... We can retire at ten years and have travel benefits.....That is the next goal...each to their own....

I hope it works for you...Plan "A" isn't working for anybody, here's to Plan "B".

 

[tico]

I hope it works for you...Plan "A" isn't working for anybody, here's to Plan "B".

Of course it wont work.......But when the place loses the other main engine and drifts up on the rocks I will have a little 737 pic time to sell to the contract places. And if I can get back to zero and walk away with travel bene's after ten years then it will not have been a total waste........What is plan B... did I miss that memo.......

 

[crxpilot]

Thanks to all who replied with real good relevant information. Based on this, other info, and my gut, I passed. Thanks again!

 

[ferlo]

Of course it wont work.......But when the place loses the other main engine and drifts up on the rocks I will have a little 737 pic time to sell to the contract places. And if I can get back to zero and walk away with travel bene's after ten years then it will not have been a total waste........What is plan B... did I miss that memo.......

No memo, I think most of us have out own plan "B". I've resigned myself to the fact that this is just a temp job and I've gotten serious about building a financial life outside aviation...certainly away from the rapists at Alaska Airlines. That's my plan B. If crew room chatter is any indication I'm far from alone on this one. Good Luck.

 

[Z_Pilot]

Bump for updated Alaska info.

 

[Z_Pilot]

bump bump

Fill me in on life as a newhire. I know I can expect ANC. How long on reserve? Cost of living in ANC? PDX-ANC commute?

Thanks!

 

[wscrj]

ANC not cheap, but not LA either. Most pads in the $300-$500+ range.

You'll probably need to at least share a car, but you can get 'em cheap.

If ANC grows as much and as fast as they want to, it won't take long at all to hold a line, I'd say within 6 months if you're getting in soon.

Good luck, or welcome, whichever applies.