Alaska ANYONE

[shwing]

What??

When did he resign and were is the info coming from, is it true or just a rumor?

 

[fly-n-fish]

This was posted on Alaska's World today ...

Tom Kemp named system chief pilot

MD-80 captain will lead airline’s 1,500 pilots

July 13, 2006

Captain Tom Kemp has been named system chief pilot and managing director of flight operations. He succeeds Captain Robert Spero, who has chosen to return to his duties as a check airman and aircrew program designee.

In his new post, Kemp is responsible for the safe operation of Alaska flights, including leading the airline’s 1,500 line pilots and ensuring flight operations comply with Federal Air Regulations and company policies. He also works with other airline divisions to coordinate policies and procedures that affect aircraft operations.

“Tom is a very experienced, well-respected flight operations leader and pilot advocate who has dedicated his career to mentoring and training others,” said Ben Forrest, vice president of flight operations. “We are fortunate to have someone of Tom’s caliber lead our pilot group in these dynamic times.”

Kemp, who has nearly 16,000 hours of flight time as a military and civilian pilot, was formerly Seattle base chief pilot for Alaska Airlines. As MD-80 fleet captain from 1999 to 2005, he had overall responsibility for procedures on that type of aircraft and supervised 32 check airmen, instructor evaluators and airplane program designees, who grant Federal Aviation Administration aircraft type ratings to pilots and monitor their performance.

“I am privileged to be a member of the most highly talented pilot group in the industry,” Kemp said. “Although we face a number of challenges, I’m very optimistic about our future and look forward to serving as the system chief pilot.”

Kemp joined Alaska in 1987 as a captain on Boeing MD-80 aircraft after spending four years flying for Jet America Airlines.

A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Kemp served as a commander, instructor and flight examiner in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 21 years.

Spero, who served as system chief pilot since February, joined Alaska in 1987 as a second officer on Boeing 727 aircraft and later transitioned to 737s. A Coast Guard veteran, he has more than 11,000 hours of flight time.

“We appreciate and thank Rob for his service, loyalty, pilot advocacy and leadership,” Forrest said. “During his tenure, Rob spearheaded several programs that will benefit Flight Operations’ efficiency and, in particular, the pilot group long into the future. We are grateful that he’ll continue to contribute significantly to our training efforts and flight operations.”

 

[Wowjack]

Are most people getting interviews because of recommendations?

 

[ferlo]

Rob probably resigned for a few reasons, non of which bode well for the pilot group.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

I spoke to someone directly involved with hiring and she informed me that interviewing has gone from 4 days per week to 2 days per week. I think they usually interview 4 per day.

 

[fly-n-fish]

You hopefuls might expect a hiring speed bump as Tom Kemp gets up to speed ... might even expect some subtle changes in the hiring system. We'll have to see how Tom feels about the old Silver Bullet system versus the newer system Rob recently implemented.

The real question one should be asking is "Why is Rob no longer the Chief Pilot and what does that say about Alaska Airlines management and anyone's ability to effect change for the better?"

Regargless how one feels about the change, it's not a good sign. He either 1) wouldn't do what management wanted, 2) stepped on someone's (Finan) toes trying to do what he thought was right, or 3) saw that he was powerless to effect change and walked. My hat's off to you, Rob (well, I never wear that hat anyway).

 

[Stearmandriver]

Wow, so not only did I manage to somehow screw up my first shot at the interview process, I may possibly have screwed up my ONLY shot if Kemp returns to the old silver bullet system?

Mu-tha...

 

[US Flyer]

Aviation Training Center?

I have a friend who needs current Alaska interview gouge. When I interviewed 4 years ago, Aviation Training Center (ATC) at Boeing Field was the place to go for the sim prep and they also had a good database of interview prep materials ... all the latest questions.

Anyone have a number for ATC? When I did a websearch it came up with a bunch of random stuff but no contact info.

Thanks!

 

[dashtrash]

1-888-708-2180 (Toll Free)
206-768-1332 (Seattle Area)

http://www.atcseattle.com/

 

[Z_Pilot]

Also check out Lori & Todd at:

www.flytheline.com

 

[ferlo]

ATC might have some decent info but from my experience they're just another bunch of opportunistic predetory parasites sucking a scarce few dollars from hopeful pilots. Did I mention the exhorbitant fee for a lame laptop "simulator" version of flight sim?

 

[akairman702]

ATC might have some decent info but from my experience they're just another bunch of opportunistic predetory parasites sucking a scarce few dollars from hopeful pilots. Did I mention the exhorbitant fee for a lame laptop "simulator" version of flight sim?

I couldn't agree... less. I did the ATC interview prep. prior to the best interview of my life and also had an excellent sim. ride in no small part because of their 'lame' simulator instruction. ATC has very recent, valid interview preperation material (I can remember only 3 questions on my interview that weren't addressed by the ATC prep) and the sim. prep scenerios we practiced (lame as they were) included the exact profile I flew on the eval.

As far as the "predatory parasites" part... funny, but I think if you look at it from a 'return on investment' perspective it's a ridiculous argument.

 

[ferlo]

I guess it all depends on the individual. I also didn't appreciate the follow up calls fishing for "updated" info. Basically, thru my hard work and dedication I get to a point in my career where I can get on at Alaska, and they feel that I should provide them with endless free info so they can turn around and sell it, without so much as a gesture of gratitude. So yes, they're parasites. Just another company who wants a pilot to do something for free so they can pull in some cash. Only a pilot would consider this as part of a "return on investment". I guess it's true in one sense... they're return, your investment.

Also, there is no denying their "sim' is a 20' computer screen and a version of Microsoft FlightSim. At least it was 5 years ago. Not impressive. For the same money you can go to Long Beach and fly a real MD-80. As soon as I left the place I knew I had wasted the money. To each his own.

 

[av8instyle]

I guess it all depends on the individual. I also didn't appreciate the follow up calls fishing for "updated" info. Basically, thru my hard work and dedication I get to a point in my career where I can get on at Alaska, and they feel that I should provide them with endless free info so they can turn around and sell it, without so much as a gesture of gratitude. So yes, they're parasites. Just another company who wants a pilot to do something for free so they can pull in some cash. Only a pilot would consider this as part of a "return on investment". I guess it's true in one sense... they're return, your investment.

Also, there is no denying their "sim' is a 20' computer screen and a version of Microsoft FlightSim. At least it was 5 years ago. Not impressive. For the same money you can go to Long Beach and fly a real MD-80. As soon as I left the place I knew I had wasted the money. To each his own.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this one also, Ferlo. My experience was a good one as well. Good interview prep, spot on simulator training nearly identical to the sim ride. Is it a PC? yes, but in my opinion tougher to fly well than a sim that gives feedback. I also bought an hour of real sim time at STI and felt the combination of the two events was great prep. I did not have jumpseat privileges at the time so a trip down to LGB meant an airline ticket and looking back that would have been unnecessary.

As for the post interview solicitations, I gladly took the time to tell them about my process, because they give these feedback letters in a big packet to you when you buy their prep program. IMO they were just as valuable as the sim prep. I knew exactly what to expect walking in the door.
Overall well worth the money at the time. That being said, the process has changed quite a bit and I'm not sure if it is as scripted as it was. But it probably is.

 

[US Flyer]

Thanks for the information! I'll call them now that I have a good phone number.

I don't mind spending some money for interview prep if it gives me an edge by addressing areas of weakness that I need to work on...

 

[ferlo]

Again, it depends on the individual. I did submit all of my interview experience to an aviation interview website. It's free for everybody. I have no problem doing that at all. That's just helping out the next guy. I'm done donating my time, for some aviation companies profit. Enough is enough.

 

[akairman702]

Ditto.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this one also, Ferlo. My experience was a good one as well. Good interview prep, spot on simulator training nearly identical to the sim ride. Is it a PC? yes, but in my opinion tougher to fly well than a sim that gives feedback. I also bought an hour of real sim time at STI and felt the combination of the two events was great prep. I did not have jumpseat privileges at the time so a trip down to LGB meant an airline ticket and looking back that would have been unnecessary.

As for the post interview solicitations, I gladly took the time to tell them about my process, because they give these feedback letters in a big packet to you when you buy their prep program. IMO they were just as valuable as the sim prep. I knew exactly what to expect walking in the door.
Overall well worth the money at the time. That being said, the process has changed quite a bit and I'm not sure if it is as scripted as it was. But it probably is.

 

[US Flyer]

For those with a good memory- what kinds of questions do you remember being asked in the interview process?

Also, from what I have read I could expect to be on reserve for a long time. I'm interested in the ANC and SEA bases- how long until one could expect to be able to hold a line in either domicile?

The ATC people seemed to indicate they have SOME gouge on the interview, but I won't really know how much until the day before the interview.

I'm not really hung up on what aircraft I would fly, but will take whatever I can get if hired!

Thanks for the continuing information.

 

[Going2Baja]

Any new news re: interview dates? Baze - how did your trip to the conference turn out?

Baja.

 

[ScubaGirl]

I got a call Thursday for an interview at the end of the month. Didn't have any SB or recommendations. Just applied online less than 6 months ago.

Does anyone have any examples of questions they ask? Is it pretty standard. I did't ask yet if I have a sim but it didn't sound like it. She said they have 4 days of interviews in Aug that are still being scheduled and unsure about how many in Sept. Any info on the initial interview would be wonderful.

Thanks