Alaska Classes!!!

[flying4food]

Anybody on the inside have an idea of how the classes are breaking down, as far as bases and equipment?? I haven't heard any rumors as far as the Oct 23rd class? I understand there are several vacancies for the MD in Sea and nothin for the 37!! Anything, anything!!!!

 

[The_Russian]

Like a female dog?

 

[Old School 737]

Don't have the numbers but there will be a bit of back fill spots on the MD for awhile.

 

[aussiefly]

Whats the upgrade like at alaska?? airlinepilotcentral is showing most junior capt as being hired in 1998. So its about a 7-8 year upgrade???

 

[ferlo]

When the Senator you failed to write to has his way, you can Add 5 years to everything.

 

[tico]

Whats the upgrade like at alaska?? airlinepilotcentral is showing most junior capt as being hired in 1998. So its about a 7-8 year upgrade???

I am an early 2000 hire and probably have around 3 years to go........the only movement is retirements...we are in and have been in a zero airframe growth mode...all of our growth is in ASM's... gettin rid of the little planes and gettin bigger ones..... and the strike in 08 or 09 will slow that down a bit further

 

[aussiefly]

When the Senator you failed to write to has his way, you can Add 5 years to everything.

Actually, I did write to him per the form letter that was PM'd me here.

cheers

 

[Rhino]

classes

Filling the current bid of 14 ANC, 6 LAX and 3 SEA 737 spots. There are 25 MD spots to hire also. Alaska can only train 4 MD newhires per class (just one sim). Not sure of your desires, but if you want the 737 right away, plan on sitting reserve in LA or ANC. If you prefer SEA, choose the MD. You'll most likely be able to bid over during the next position bid (due out in Feb/Mar) and get the SEA 737 that way...next summer... perhaps...maybe.

I haven't heard of specific class breakdown per city/aircraft, but you can count on four MD slots in each class. As I understand it, there is still just one class per month. 8-10 guys per class.

 

[lumax]

Do any of you have a form letter regarding age 65 that can be sent to senators? Please post here or PM to me. thanks

 

[Old School 737]

Do any of you have a form letter regarding age 65 that can be sent to senators? Please post here or PM to me. thanks

Me to please.

 

[aussiefly]

This is what Andy sent me and I basically sent an abridged version of this.

Dear Sir

I have a great deal of concern over S. 65, To Amend Age Restriction of Pilots. I have looked at many safety studies and have seen a direct correlation between accident rates and age among professional pilots. A pilot in his/her 20s is prone to accidents due to lack of experience. That moderates from a decreasing trend to a flat trend until the mid-50s, where the accident rate begins increasing again. The graph is U shaped, and the pilots in the 56-59 age group reach an accident rate nearly identical to those of the 30-33 age group. I urge you to read the FAA report that I have included a link to: (http://www.faa.gov/library/reports/medical/age60/media/age60_3.pdf). Please note the graph on page 24.
As we age, our physical and cognitive abilities decrease. It is hard for us to look at ourselves in the mirror and admit it, but it is an indisputable scientific fact. Some of us age more gracefully than others, but as we mature, we all experience decreasing physical and cognitive abilities. Pilots are not immune to this fact, and the data from the FAA report (cited above) is indicative that the lines between increased experience and decreasing abilities crosses, on average, at the age of 55. In fact, I would speculate that pilot sick leave takes a large upward turn starting at age 55, an indication that the physical and cognitive demands of the job start taking their toll around that age.
Some will argue that we should simply increase our testing standards to eliminate those pilots no longer fit to fly. However, according to testimony by the Federal Air Surgeon, tests for physical and cognitive abilities are not readily available at a reasonable cost.
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that we are living longer, healthier lives and it makes sense to increase the retirement age of pilots. But are we really? While the quantity of life (average lifespan) has increased, has the quality of life in our seniors improved? I would argue that the average lifespan has increased due to medical advances which prolong life, but fail to address the quality of life. We have seen statistics where the percentage of smokers has steadily decreased over the last forty years. But match that up with our obesity rate over the last forty years. The negative health effects of obesity are much less apparent to the naked eye, effects that strike viciously with no warning.
I have heard some say that the age 60 rule is discriminatory. The age 60 rule was recommended to the FAA by a medical board back in the 1950s. They based their decision on scientific reports available to them at that time. Upon review of the FAA’s 2003 report, it appears that they should have chosen age 55 as a safer retirement age. Unless there is a greater reason to change the age rule than safety, I would suggest that if any change were made, it should be changed to 55. At least there is scientific data to justify that retirement age.
Is there a pressing need to change the current retirement age, in effect lowering our safety standards? There is no current shortage of pilots; in fact, many major airlines (American, United, Delta, Northwest, US Airways) have pilots laid off; the number is in excess of 7500. That is more than ten percent of the professional pilot population. So there is certainly no shortage of highly qualified pilots available. Do we really need to rush forth and change a system that is not broken?
I have read that S. 65 has been attached to the DOT’s appropriations bill, as section 114. This provision was not included in The appropriations bill is now on the Senate calendar under general order number 535. I urge you to remove section 114 from the appropriations bill.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Do any of you have a form letter regarding age 65 that can be sent to senators? Please post here or PM to me. thanks

All the Senators are out of town for the next 6 weeks...

Tejas

 

[hyeflyin]

How many crews are based out of LAX and what kind of trips does it have. Thanks.

 

[lumax]

All the Senators are out of town for the next 6 weeks...

Tejas

I should have known, they are on vacation again!

As far as LAX, there are 114 crews as of 8-06 with flying mostly on the
west coast. I believe the only east coast trip they have is DCA.

 

[flying4food]

Thanks for the info guys!!!

 

[ClearRight]

Eight of us started class today. Four are from Skywest (2 CRJ CA and 2 EMB CA), one 1900 driver from Frontier Flying Service, Fairbanks, 1 Eagle FO, 1 Empire ATR cargo guy, and 1 furloughed United/ex-Horizon/corporate.

Here's the breakdown for base positions:
6 737 ANC
2 737 LAX

Haven't heard what the next class will be.

 

[Singlecoil]

Eight of us started class today. Four are from Skywest (2 CRJ CA and 2 EMB CA), one 1900 driver from Frontier Flying Service, Fairbanks, 1 Eagle FO, 1 Empire ATR cargo guy, and 1 furloughed United/ex-Horizon/corporate.

Here's the breakdown for base positions:
6 737 ANC
2 737 LAX

Haven't heard what the next class will be.

So 1 ALPA guy and 7 non-union pilots. What a shock.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not at all saying that any of you won't support the pilot group. It just indicates where management's head is when they decide whom to hire. If they honestly think that if they could only hire less militant types and their problems with morale will go away then they are sadly mistaken. Unfortunately I think they are so far out of touch that they may actually think that.
At any rate, welcome. The best Thai Food is at Emerald Thai about 8-10 minutes south of the training center on Pac Highway. It is at about 222nd or so on the left. Good luck staying awake during the computer based training.

 

[ferlo]

I have spoken with no less than 4 new hires (in the last 9 months) that are planning on leaving. I guess the eskimo mystique isn't what they think it is. Perhaps they should live it and find out how bad it is.

 

[LUalum]

Obviously you are not being kept busy enough in ground school if you can find time to goof around on message boards! Sheesh.

 

[Going2Baja]

CR - Enjoying the new class? What bases did you and Steve take? No MD bids eh? I wonder if they are saving them for the 23rd? Have fun!

Baja.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

Don't worry....sitting reserve will make them militant. Screw scheduling will do a very good job of that.
To the new hires, welcome... seriously! One advise though; have you applied to FedEx, UPS, and SWA?

 

[QCappy]

In Horizon's Seattle crew lounge there is a note that states something to the effect of: "Anyone who is qualified and has their application in at Alaska and has not interviewed come see a Manager of Pilot Services." Wow. Either they really want us to leave or Alaska is getting desperate.

 

[US Flyer]

So 1 ALPA guy and 7 non-union pilots. What a shock.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not at all saying that any of you won't support the pilot group. It just indicates where management's head is when they decide whom to hire. If they honestly think that if they could only hire less militant types and their problems with morale will go away then they are sadly mistaken. Unfortunately I think they are so far out of touch that they may actually think that.

I've always loved Alaska Airlines and have wanted to go there for the last seven years.

I'm at an ALPA regional, interviewed earlier this year and was not offered the job. The HR person seemed to really dig around to see if I was a big "union supporting flag waver". I'm just a middle of the road normal line pilot. They don't want you to be an independent thinker or creative problem solver. (Unless you are on the flightdeck during an emergency).

I was impressed with the operation during the 1st interview, not impressed during the 2nd. It reminded me of the "good cop- bad cop" type interview that Continental Express/Expressjet used to use in their interview process. There is not even a need for the second interview other than to make the HR people feel good. I really got a taste of their "true colors" when they never even called back to let me know my outcome. This was the most unprofessional thing you could do to a job candidate that has gone through the entire interview process. Absolutely inexcusable for a company that professes to be the "best" airline in the business. (I would cut them slack if I thought that my case was an isolated one, but its a behavior that they have repeated often).

What's with the attitude anyway? If you want to be treated with respect and in a professional manner you treat others that way also.

The moral of the story is that I now rate them my number six choice instead of number one. I have nothing against Skywest- they are a great company with awesome employees and hard working pilots, but I do find it awfully interesting that Alaska seems intent on draining that company dry in recent months to fill their classes. The management at Alaska seems to think that non-union correlates with the ability to tolerate more crap from above.

They want YOU to know the Alaska spirit, but cannot practice it themselves, even as early as during the interview process.

Unless you like abuse, apply to SWA, CAL, FED-EX and UPS before you waste your time with them.

In my opinion, there is probably a direct correlation between many of the current morale problems at Alaska and the current "administration" in HR there. I would not post this if I was still that excited about the prospects of getting another chance to interview there, but I think that the company in its current state is only a "shell" of the once proud industry leader it has been in the past.

 

[ferlo]

Amen. My interview was the same way. The head HR "Diva" (or at least she thought she was) couldn't be bothered to look at me when I gave my answers. Jackie, or Jaquie something.

She justed stared over my head at the window behind me as if the dispatchers that were walking by was far more interesting than anything I had to say regarding HER question. I distinctly remember thinking, "what's up with this rude Bitc*" They really think their Gods Gift to aviation. That's how ignorant they are to how other places work.

BTW, the 4 folks I know are leaving have been here less than a Year and their all former Skywest.

 

[US Flyer]

Amen. My interview was the same way. "what's up with this rude Bitc*" They really think their Gods Gift to aviation. That's how ignorant they are to how other places work.

Very funny, Ferlo. I felt the exact same way. Its probably a blessing in disquise that I did not get the yes call.

I work for a regional that treats us like crap on a daily basis, but even my company would have not pulled that stunt.

Best of luck with future endeavors!

Why DO we work in this crazy business? We must really love to fly............

 

[mach none]

US Flyer:

You just broke the code brother.

Tailwinds.

Mach

 

[US Flyer]

Is breaking the code good or bad? (I'm actually serious)

I don't know if you meant that in a good or bad way. (Such as breaking the secret that no-one can figure out, or if you meant breaking an unspoken code of ethics)

I'll be happy to delete any offensive content. This is my honest take on the situation.

 

[mach none]

Nothing offensive was stated. You told the truth and it is cool that you could see this based upon the narrow window of an interview. I think our management "gets it", they just don't care because it is all about the bottom line for them...screw the employees is the mantra.

 

[US Flyer]

Thanks Mach- nothing was ever intended to offend the flight crews who are awesome- it was meant to be more of an opinion of management- just wanted to clarify that.

Best of luck to you in the negotiations process- Kasher + 50%!

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

US Flyer,
You are not the first source I've heard from who said that HR didn't have the commone courtesy to call or send a "no thank you" note. That's just embarrasing. In the end, it all works out for the better (ie. SWA, FedEx, UPS, etc.). BTW, I think you meant to say Pre-Kasher +50%.

To all Alaska pilots,
If (more like "when") the openers next month from the company sucks, we all need to shut this place down for a day or so to give them a little taste of what's coming.