Alaska QOL in LAX

[Griego]

Can any Alaska LAX FO's tell me something about your QOL? I understand that it can vary quite a bit, but humor me if you are able. What goes Junior, 2-3 day trips, locals? Is there a good mix of trips? How many days off for junior line holders? What does the worst case month look like? Would it be easy for someone who lives 2 hours away?

Thanks for any info you can give.

 

[SWA/FO]

hey BKS you on this board?

 

[Griego]

Anyone?

 

[Old School 737]

I'm not based there anymore but it was OK. If you live 2hours away you should be good as far as reserve is concerned. lots of Mexico turns and up and down the West Coast. Overnights in PDX, SFO and a few others but those seem to be where you overnight the most. There are some turn lines out of SNA. They are short of crews there and you can expect to fly abunch on reserve. Some guys that have been there only a few months have held a regular line or openflying line after only a few months online.

 

[Going2Baja]

If a new hire you'll be on reserve for up to 6 months - this could be shorter if spots open in SEA for guys wanting to get out. Compare that to 3 years reserve in SEA. Once on reserve you'll get blocks of days off as 2-2-2-5. Trips vary from locals to four days. Not many Mex overnights but they are adding Cancun. Life for a line holder is pretty good and there are lines made out of SNA. As for the two hours - the company says you must be able to get to your file in ops with in two hours in normal driving conditions. ie. mapquest. Company says airline is growing but they've been saying that for years.

Good luck!

Baja.

 

[ferlo]

They're adding more pax seats not more jets...to them that's growth.

 

[8v8ter]

I've been online about 2.5 months now and reserve has been pretty good to me! I haven't flown too much, last month was the most with 47 hours and most reserve days spent at home (living in domicile is the best. At my last job I commuted for 7 years!!) Only 3 short call outs in that whole time, most assignments you'll know about the day before. When I did get overnights I haven't been away from home for more than 2 nights in a row, ie a mix of day trips and RONS. I could have held an open flying line this month, but don't know if that is just because senior guys bid reserve to get Thanksgiving off.

Good luck!

 

[hyeflyin]

Any projection on the number of new hires for next year? Tx.

 

[lumax]

Have not heard any numbers for next year but this is from the VP of flight ops. Posted about 2 weeks ago.

In summary, we are recognized as a great airline with even better people. We also know that working together is essential for our continued success. A successful plan with great execution should allow us to hire over 900 pilots between now and 2012 to cover growth and retirements.

 

[Mamma]

Airlinepilotcentral.com showed no MD-80s going out Oct 23 class. Is that just an omission or are they still putting new folks in them? Any word on future class drops?

 

[Going2Baja]

Oct 23rd class was as follows:

4 SEA MD80
4 ANC 737NG
2LAX 737NG

Crew planning said 300 new hires through the sim by end of 07'. I think this was a oops - this would mean 25 a month. There is one class sked for Nov and nada for Dec. The same gal mentioned classes of 12 - I think she ment monthly but who knows. The good news is that things are happening.

Baja.

 

[Baze]

G2B,

I think 300 by the end of 2008 is a more realistic goal. I cannot see Alaska being able push 300 new-hires through training in 12 months.

If they hire 12 a month, and maybe a few extra here and there, they'll be able to get about 300 on the property in a 24-month period.

Baze

 

[CesnaCaptn]

Baze,

Did they give you a class date? Any word on equipment and base offering?

C.

 

[Going2Baja]

Baze - I agree w/ you but i asked the question agaon and she said 25 a month. That would make the 300. I'll believe it when i see it.

CesnaCapt - Baze and I started on the 23rd. He's just started the Mad Dog GS and I'm in the Guppy.

Baja.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

Baja,

Good luck in training. I'll see you when you get down to LAX.

C.

 

[Going2Baja]

CC - Look forward to it. Can't wait to put the 'Puzzle Palace' behind me!!! I'll buy the first round when I get there.

Baja.