Alaska Interview? Just Kidding!

[RocketRob]

How many "silver bullets" does each AK pilot get? Is it a annual thing or a lifetime thing?

 

[reepicheep]

I don't feel there is any conscious intent to exclude certain pilots from consideration, rather it's a simple function of supply and demand. With many thousands of highly qualified applicants how else to narrow the playing field? Southwest to their credit has used the type rating - a more equitable system since the resourceful and motivated can achieve the rating even if he/she cannot control who his/her friends & coworkers were hired by. But with their new system it appears even SW may begin to incorporate the LOR into their screening system. The rhetorical "Who is not using the Old Boy Network to select interviewees" is valid.

The fact is today it's a buyer's market and some otherwise excellent folks are going to be left out. 3 years ago it was a different story and maybe 3 years from now it will be again, but at this moment it's clearly a "Who You Know" game.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

Silver Bullet, Referal system, whatever......
I think the system of hiring by Alaska Airlines is a good one. Who else knows better than the employee themselves on who would fit in the best at the company. I know it's a good 'ol boy network for those looking in from the outside, but isn't this business all about networking?!?! So then, network!
As far as the question of who's a better pilot.......
Dudes and dudettes, we in the airlines industry fly from point A to point B; it doesn't matter whether there are thunderstorms, poor visibility, air traffic congestion, etc. On a daily basis, when everything goes well, it's not a difficult job. With the state of the art auto pilot and weather radar, it's simple as monkey see monkey do. The RNP approaches and flying down to minimums in Juneau or Ketchikan ain't a big deal either. So is flying around thunderstorms or flying on the east coast. After you've done it a couple of times, it's no big thing. I will agree that some pilots are better than others when it comes time to doing the "pilot stuff" (ie. flying skills and being able to handle multiple tasks at once).

 

[dogg]

Trainer, don't get so puffed up. It just proves my point..... And the Aleutian chain hmmm I think I have spent more time flying up and down it then you ever will and I think that I know the weather there just a tad better than you ever will.....I still say that a day spent flying back and forth from ORD to the east coast is harder and longer than a day spent flying in and out of DUT, KTN or JNU.( But that is just me and maybe I am more at home in AK). I think you must be one of those pilots that bought into the whole "Alaska time " scam.. Time is time and Airports are airports and if you follow the rules it does not matter what chunk of geography they are located they are all the same....So I still say the "silver bullet" system is about hiring your friends (which is not a bad thing) but it is not and never will be about hiring" the best pilots because of how hard it is to fly for Alaska". Simply searchin for the truth............and it has made for some good discussion

 

[mach none]

Dogg:

Did we turn you down? What is up the the attitude?

 

[trainerjet]

Trainer, don't get so puffed up. It just proves my point..... And the Aleutian chain hmmm I think I have spent more time flying up and down it then you ever will and I think that I know the weather there just a tad better than you ever will.....I still say that a day spent flying back and forth from ORD to the east coast is harder and longer than a day spent flying in and out of DUT, KTN or JNU.( But that is just me and maybe I am more at home in AK). I think you must be one of those pilots that bought into the whole "Alaska time " scam.. Time is time and Airports are airports and if you follow the rules it does not matter what chunk of geography they are located they are all the same....So I still say the "silver bullet" system is about hiring your friends (which is not a bad thing) but it is not and never will be about hiring" the best pilots because of how hard it is to fly for Alaska". Simply searchin for the truth............and it has made for some good discussion

Whatever, Dude..

I've spent my entire flying career basically in Alaska. First in the Bush, then for ERA, and now for Alaska. I could give a sh!t less what you think of me, or my company or the flying we do. I am extremely grateful to be where I am, and just as grateful that people like you are not.

Have a nice life doing whatever feats of aviation strength that you do.

 

[iluvetops]

Is there anyone here that have had the experience of IGS 13 in Hong Kong? In typhoon and a strong crosswind, this will be a challenge to any of us.

Degrees of difficulties in IGS is by far more challenging than a RNP in Juneau.

 

[trainerjet]

Degrees of difficulties in IGS is by far more challenging than a RNP in Juneau.

No doubt. Just like the days of the LDA in Juneau were more challenging than the RNP. Personally, I'm going for degrees of safety vs. degrees of difficulty. I don't need to prove anything to anyone anymore. Just collect a paycheck and get as much time at home as possible. My current position allows for all of that, and you can't ask for much more than that.

Apparently there are still those on here who feel the need to prove that their ba!!s are bigger than the next guy's. (Not referring to you iluvtops.)

 

[mach none]

Is there anyone here that have had the experience of IGS 13 in Hong Kong? In typhoon and a strong crosswind, this will be a challenge to any of us.

Degrees of difficulties in IGS is by far more challenging than a RNP in Juneau.

Been there and done that.

I still think Alaska flying is more challenging as a whole. RNP has made it much easier, but you always have to fly the jet and think about where you are going and how to get there when all the magic goes away( as you alway should). Non radar, down in the terrain. 30+ knot winds with driving rain-snow, very exciting.

Just my humble opinion.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

Yeah, me too.... been there done that Hong Kong, JNU, SIT, KTN (southeast AK flying and them some) etc. etc. etc. acts. I definitely don't mean to be arrogant, but an aircraft is a human controlled machine and if you keep your cool, anyone can succeed in putting that thing on the ground safely as long as you stay within its designed parameters. As I mentioned before, some are better than others just like anything else in life. I think most people on this board are qualified to do the job; just my humble opinion. And, oh yes..... without a doubt, Alaska Airlines is indeed the last great airline.

 

[dogg]

Mach, no you did not turn me down and as far as attitude....if that is how it is coming out than I apologize...having flown my entire career within the state of Alaska, I call bull on the "Alaska time" myth that so many people hold near and dear and I think that there are lots of great pilots that will not have a chance at a career with Alaska(myself not included) because they will not be able to produce a "silver bullet" inorder to get their application noticed. But like you guys say it has worked so far, might as well leave it alone.............and Trainer, stop getting so huffy ... jeez

 

[trainerjet]

and Trainer, stop getting so huffy ... jeez

Deal....

 

[UND84]

Why can't we all get along?

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Deal....

Trainerjet,

Thanks for asking us all to "Deal" with the issues raised in your scintillating posts. Or do you mean you have issues that we need to deal with?

Have fun "doing whatever feats of typing strength" on flightinfo.com that you need to do. I'm outa this thread.

 

[trainerjet]

Trainerjet,

Thanks for asking us all to "Deal" with the issues raised in your scintillating posts. Or do you mean you have issues that we need to deal with?

Have fun "doing whatever feats of typing strength" on flightinfo.com that you need to do. I'm outa this thread.

Actually, what I meant was that he had a deal when Dogg asked me not to get so huffy. And then he wonders why I do with posts like yours.

Oh well, I made a deal with Dogg not to get huffy, so I won't.

I guess you'll have to "deal" with being a d!ckhead all by yourself.

 

[Fred]

The Silver Bullet is not always a must have. Myself and others at Alaska are prime examples. We were hired by going to career seminars and talking to the right people. Not that I advocate Air Inc. and the hefty cost, but the people who do the hirng at Alaska like face time. Also not every person with a Bullet gets the job. In fact, I have know people with multiple recommendations that have been shot down. Like someone said, once you get the interview, your on your own. Nobody can fly the sim for you (Climbing and leveling DME Arcs, NDB Approaches and Holds, etc), or make an impression for you on the hiring board.

Good Luck to all

 

[av8instyle]

Not that I advocate Air Inc. and the hefty cost

I got three job offers at one conference. I didn't end up taking any because a better deal came along, but the point is that I thought it was well worth the money. I don't understand why people have a hard time paying for a decent service.

Re: Alaska hiring: Fred has some very valid valid points. I'd bet (and this is a guess based on previous trends) that only about 25ish % of silver bullets get jobs here. That is why we keep doing the program...it works. Yes, it's about getting your buddies hired. That way VERY few scum bags get jobs. I can say that I know at least one pilot at every major airline except ATA, and I haven't been in the industry that long. So, I'd say generally speaking that the majority of people that say they don't know SOMEBODY at Alaska probably really mean that they don't know anyone that will write them a letter, and if that's the case we don't want them.
Does that sound harsh? Whose feelings did I hurt?

 

[mar]

Dude! That was harsh!

av8instyle--Why ya gotta be like that? I thought you said, no scumbags at Alaska....



Just kidding.

Look. Here's my real beef: You wrote, "I don't understand why people have a hard time paying for a decent service."

I have a *VERY* hard time paying the middle man for something that should be kept between myself and the company.

But to be perfectly honest I find that military pilots just entering the civilian market and new civilian pilots just entering the market are more willing to pony up the cash for a seminar/interview prep/or even PFT.

Why? I thought you'd never ask.

My theory is these two categories of pilots just happen to see the additional outlay of cash as just one more expense to add to the list of logbooks, headsets, physical exams, aircraft rental, checkrides....you know, what's another $150 or $500 or even $10,000....?

It's all part of the deal, right?

Wrong.

I have no beef with the Silver Bullet program (well maybe a small one, but hey man it's their company and nobody is getting rich off of it).

But it really bugs the ever-lovin' crap outta me to have to pay some opportunistic, blood-sucking, profiteering middle-man (you know who you are) my hard earned money just to have the opportunity to access the company.

I mean, is this an industry or a club?

Am I a professional or a pledge?

My resume should speak for itself--not whose "services" I choose to patronize.

Fly safe man.

 

[Big Air]

Re: Alaska hiring: Fred has some very va

Re: Alaska hiring: Fred has some very valid valid points. I'd bet (and this is a guess based on previous trends) that only about 25ish % of silver bullets get jobs here.

Last spring I saw the Chief Pilot's news letter, and he said that they had hired 7 in 10 of those who had an employee reccomendation.

 

[dogg]

So now that everyone has had their say, I have a couple of questions. Does a "silver bullet" carry more weight with HR than some face time at a job fair and a resume with a couple of LOR's from Alaska pilots attached. And will the new system have any method by which an attendee of a job fair can somehow indicate this when filling out the online app. And do you guys think that the HR dept will look at all of the online apps or just search for names etc....It seems to be a curious system that is being put together...I hope it works. Of course Alaska would have to actually do some hiring for it to matter and it sure sounds like both sides of the fence are settling in for a long fight over that proposed concession plan.......

 

[av8instyle]

t sure sounds like both sides of the fence are settling in for a long fight over that proposed concession plan.......

I don't think it's gonna be much of a fight...our contract doesn't expire for almost 2 years, and we just announced a 40 some million dollar third Q profit. We could just say NO now and be done with it, but I think the MEC wants to see what they can get in return.

 

[Singlecoil]

I think changes to the A Plan (defined benefit plan) won't happen. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of proposal being presented to the pilots for a vote before this is all said and done. Perhaps a pay cut in exchange for a greater level of contribution to the B Plan (defined contribution plan)? Right now there is a $40,000 per year limit on total contributions to a B plan. If we can get the company to up their contributions so we can lower ours, maybe they would be able to get some tax relief for their contributions. I don't know how that works between them and the IRS.
My point is, there are some changes that could be made, that could truly be win-win. Hopefully what does get presented will require some thoughtful review and not be obvious concessions.

But at any rate, I think those in the pool can rest assured that their A plan will be safe. Defined benefit plans are doing poorly right now, because no one foresaw interest rates dropping as low as they are, forcing companies to contribute more raw dollars to the plans to compensate for the loss of interest income. Guess what? Interest rates are going up. The feds are going to be running large budget deficits for the rest of the decade, forcing them to sell bonds to cover the difference between revenue and outlays. More bonds on the market should lead to higher rates to stimulate the market to purchase them. End result, A plans are once again safe, especially because people didn't panic when there was a bump in the road at the turn of the century.