Alaska Application Submission Difficulties...Anyone Else?

[flyboydh1]

Anyone trying to apply to Alaska having issues submitting your application? Mine is saying I haven't answered all the questions, but I've verified it now at least 20 times, and from what I can tell, all the questionaire is fully completed. Anyone else having issues?

 

[Z_Pilot]

Make sure that you're using the web browser they specified. Internet Explorer 8, I think it was (yes, I know, *cringe*).

 

[Jeff Lebowski]

Now the site is down for mx. Does anyone have any info as to when it might be back up or if the window might be extended?

 

[msmb]

There is only so much you can do with an IBM PC Jr....good luck everyone.

 

[Z_Pilot]

Now the site is down for mx. Does anyone have any info as to when it might be back up or if the window might be extended?

It is back up as of recently, and the window has been extended by one day.

 

[wscrj]

Apparently there have been issues today with the Alaska pilot application website. The recruiting team is aware, and has extended the closing date/time for applications until tomorrow at 11:59 pm.

 

[flythere]

Anyone trying to apply to Alaska having issues submitting your application? Mine is saying I haven't answered all the questions, but I've verified it now at least 20 times, and from what I can tell, all the questionaire is fully completed. Anyone else having issues?

Have you applied elsewhere?? This place is not looking all that appealing down the road! Ya, the profits have been good, but the jig's up and others are starting to catch on!!

1. growth seems to be coming to a halt, the only growth we've seen in the last 7 yrs that I've been here has been through the -800/-900's with more seats. When I was hired in 06 we had approx 115 airplanes around 1435 pilots. We had a bunch of smoke blown up out tail-pipes about 2000 pilots by 2012. Well, 2012 has come and gone and we are still sitting around 1450 pilots and 117 or so airplanes!

2. The threat of outsourcing is very real! I take it you are flying for a regional, maybe Skywest or some other jet operator. If you are so fortunate as to be hired here, you may see more of the flying you should be doing, farmed out to your old company! Yes, Skywest flying our routes with those shiny CRJ's.

3. HA will start taking delivery of those NEO's within the next 2 years, we have VX encroaching even more on our turf, not to mention SWA starting LAS-ANC pretty soon.

There are other factors at play as well, not to mention a bunch of old geezers that could pull the plug with less than 30 days notice, and no reasonable numbers for upgrades in sight!!!

Also forgot about the ongoing contract negotiations, that could throw another wrench into this mess as well!!!

If I were you, I would seriously consider throwing in apps at other places, SWA, AA/US Air, United. 10-11 year upgrade times are possible, maybe longer if they can farm out more flying, SEA-Bay area, SEA-So Cal, oh ya, forgot about the intra Alaska flying and SE they want to farm out to QX.

It's possible by 2017 AK could be sitting at 100 -800/-900's flying transcons and some island stuff, and 3 -700 freighters flying fish and limited freight in AK.

Management is afraid of their own shadow when it comes to competition, we don't have the airplanes or pilots to challenge any type of threat from competition. I have a feeling when HA deploys those NEO's, management will turn tail and pull out of the islands.

Just my 2 cent worth!!!

 

[imacdog]

So where do you have your application in at, flythere?

 

[CesnaCaptn]

Have you applied elsewhere?? This place is not looking all that appealing down the road! Ya, the profits have been good, but the jig's up and others are starting to catch on!!

1. growth seems to be coming to a halt, the only growth we've seen in the last 7 yrs that I've been here has been through the -800/-900's with more seats. When I was hired in 06 we had approx 115 airplanes around 1435 pilots. We had a bunch of smoke blown up out tail-pipes about 2000 pilots by 2012. Well, 2012 has come and gone and we are still sitting around 1450 pilots and 117 or so airplanes!

2. The threat of outsourcing is very real! I take it you are flying for a regional, maybe Skywest or some other jet operator. If you are so fortunate as to be hired here, you may see more of the flying you should be doing, farmed out to your old company! Yes, Skywest flying our routes with those shiny CRJ's.

3. HA will start taking delivery of those NEO's within the next 2 years, we have VX encroaching even more on our turf, not to mention SWA starting LAS-ANC pretty soon.

There are other factors at play as well, not to mention a bunch of old geezers that could pull the plug with less than 30 days notice, and no reasonable numbers for upgrades in sight!!!

Also forgot about the ongoing contract negotiations, that could throw another wrench into this mess as well!!!

If I were you, I would seriously consider throwing in apps at other places, SWA, AA/US Air, United. 10-11 year upgrade times are possible, maybe longer if they can farm out more flying, SEA-Bay area, SEA-So Cal, oh ya, forgot about the intra Alaska flying and SE they want to farm out to QX.

It's possible by 2017 AK could be sitting at 100 -800/-900's flying transcons and some island stuff, and 3 -700 freighters flying fish and limited freight in AK.

Management is afraid of their own shadow when it comes to competition, we don't have the airplanes or pilots to challenge any type of threat from competition. I have a feeling when HA deploys those NEO's, management will turn tail and pull out of the islands.

Just my 2 cent worth!!!

I always find it interesting when people claim AS doesn't compete. I think they just pick their battles. What did we do when VX entered our markets? We started the Westmost schedule and improved our onboard experience. I admit that we have since cut back our Westmost response, but VX cut their LAX-SEA route from 4 flights a day to 3 a few years ago and haven't added any flights back.

B6 adds a flight from SEA to ANC. Do even remember how that went down? We announced our SAN-BOS flight and within 24 hours B6 announces SEA-ANC with no schedule published. For all we know, it was just a competitive response to us moving into their turf. Did you know that we matched fares, added in a flight or two within an hour of their flight, and gave triple miles to our "loyal" customers.

PNW to Bay is a battle of attrition. No one is making money on those routes. Cutting those flights back and perhaps giving them QX or other CPA is just slowing the bleeding.


Of course outsourcing is a real threat. The junior pilots in each seat want scope and they want it now. As per usual, the senior guys just want more of what they have ($ and time off). Don't get me wrong, I want scope, but I don't see a wholesale gutting of mainline flying if management gets their way. I don't think Alaska's fleet will change dramatically, up or down--not in the foreseeable future.

HA, with their shiny new NEOs will be a threat. We will fight back with our -9Maxes. I don't see us completely pulling out of the islands. If we do, we will find new routes. I feel like that's AAG's MO. They stay cautious with fleet growth--pull losers and find winners. SAN and C. America could be our new source of growth going forward.

So, if you are at a regional, what do you do? The only airlines that are growing right now have B-scale compensation (save for HA). You would basically be looking at the seniority lists and calculating retirements. I think UA, DL, WN, and AA have the same chances of growing as we do.

Our stock has basically been going up for the past 5 years. It's managements job to keep that trajectory. Unless there is another economic shock, I don't believe we will "shrink to profitability."

I had a few conversations with pilots with varying positions within the union. They were all of firm belief that the company wants to get a deal done (dream all day long about why). The most notable thing said to me was, the company gave their comprehensive proposal and it wasn't that far off. Of course, either side could hit a sticking point at any time, but so far things are marching along in the right direction.

Seniority stagnation at this company can be so frustrating! Given that frustration, this place is pretty well run. I wouldn't cross it off a list of top airlines to work for.

 

[msmb]

Yeah.... What he said! Preach it brother. Seriously, if someone is that unhappy at AS then leave. I for one think things are better here than at many other places, that's why I said no to SW and others. The grass is always greener... NOT.