Alaska... smoke 'em if you got 'em

[maru657]

Your wrong about this profession being a blue collar job. You are paid to make critical decisions which I don't think a blue collar job entails. You can't possibly train all the different scenarios that may come up in the course of day to day flying and that is why critical thinking skills are so important.

Truck drivers utilize critical thinking skills, Tugboat drivers, The driver of the tug which pushes your airplane back. "Critical thinking skills" is just a euphemism for having one's head out of one's fundament when considering your next action. In the words of an original member of ALPA, "We worked for years to get the wages and working conditions of the average American pilot above that of the itinerant farm worker, and then they failed the IQ test and started thinking they were republicans".

 

[hammer2]

Well, education + intelligence + experience is better than just luck and experience.

Also, variety of experience is huge as well. What's that old saying, 5000 hours is quite different than 1 hour 5000 times.

You military pukes know how to rub someone the wrong way!!! I don't have college, but I do have experience, with the same amount of luck that you had. I except the min of a 4 year degree. I took a different route in my career. The way airlines are going, you should learn to be nice you could end up in my right seat! I may or may not hold a grudge. You may figure out that flying is flying with or without a degree.

 

[Scooby74]

Medically how about this: Blood pressure below 110/70 (prime health), Cholesterol less than 160...of coure they would look at the low-density lipoprotein because that is of course the most dangerous factor, body fat less than 14 %, weight proportional to height(guys no larger than 32in weist line) , 20/20 vision with no corrective lenses, can hear better than a 20Hz-20kHz. During the interview they should test you for all kinds of cancer such as lymph node, mouth, skin, lung, thyroid, prostate for the guys, breast for the ladies, oh what the heck I know your only 30 but lets throw in a Colonoscopy. OK you passed all that now.... do you Exercise to 70% of your max heart rate at least four times a week with strength, flexibility, and cardio training. Do you eat 2,500 calories a day(with a good diet), drink no more than two alcoholic drinks a day, have a normal blood glucose level...we are looking for around 70 mg.dl cause 126 is diabetic, very important to have a low homocysteine and C reactive protein levels. Do you get 7-9 hours of sleep EVERY night, do you go to the dentist twice a year (were going to need the records because blood bacteria in you gums is the same blood that is traveling to youru ticker) out yeah, last but not least no use of nicotine is allowed Yeah, I don't think I would feel safe flying with a captain that didn't fall into every category listed above.....I should most likely never go to work again. I think the rule is a little silly. But it's their rule and that's why I never applied. I couldn't. On an occassion I like to have a chew. But I do fit into the rest of the above........no wait my vision is 20/25, i'm 5 lbs over my charted ideal weight, my cholesterol is 175, I only got 6 hours sleep last night, oh yeah have to go to the dentist today haven't been in 9 months. Fly safe all....Scoob

 

[Scooby74]

Medically how about this: Blood pressure below 110/70 (prime health), Cholesterol less than 160...of coure they would look at the low-density lipoprotein because that is of course the most dangerous factor, body fat less than 14 %, weight proportional to height(guys no larger than 32in weist line) , 20/20 vision with no corrective lenses, can hear better than a 20Hz-20kHz. During the interview they should test you for all kinds of cancer such as lymph node, mouth, skin, lung, thyroid, prostate for the guys, breast for the ladies, oh what the heck I know your only 30 but lets throw in a Colonoscopy. OK you passed all that now.... do you Exercise to 70% of your max heart rate at least four times a week with strength, flexibility, and cardio training. Do you eat 2,500 calories a day(with a good diet), drink no more than two alcoholic drinks a day, have a normal blood glucose level...we are looking for around 70 mg.dl cause 126 is diabetic, very important to have a low homocysteine and C reactive protein levels. Do you get 7-9 hours of sleep EVERY night, do you go to the dentist twice a year (were going to need the records because blood bacteria in you gums is the same blood that is traveling to youru ticker) out yeah, last but not least no use of nicotine is allowed Yeah, I don't think I would feel safe flying with a captain that didn't fall into every category listed above.....I should most likely never go to work again. I think the rule is a little silly. But it's their rule and that's why I never applied. I couldn't. On an occassion I like to have a chew. But I do fit into the rest of the above........no wait my vision is 20/25, i'm 5 lbs over my charted ideal weight, my cholesterol is 175, I only got 6 hours sleep last night, oh yeah have to go to the dentist today haven't been in 9 months. Fly safe all....Scoob

 

[densoo]

Alaska's no smokers policy is one of the reasons they are on the top of my list. Smoking is a disgusting habbit that effects everyone around you. I can't stand it when the Captain gets into the cockpit and he wreaks of smoke.

Disgusting? How about the captain who asks for half a cup of coffee at the beginning of each leg and he appears to be sipping it ever so daintily during the flight, but the coffee cup only gets fuller, then at the end of the flight puts the open and unfinished coffee in the small trash sack, followed by the cleaners grabbing the bag (not knowing a moron would put an open cup of liquid in the trash sack), and spilling the coffee all over the floor.

Oh, yea, it wasn't "coffee." He was spitting tobacco into the cup the whole time. Noticed the big Don (Vito) Corleone wad in his front lower lip appeared after each wheels up on subsequent legs. Compartmentalization is a good thing, otherwise I would have had to throw up sitting that close to someone spitting into a cup for 22 hours. I thought I had given that up when my youngest started eating solid food. Guess not.

At least have the courtesy to take it back to the galley yourself at the end of each leg and put it in the trash bin.

 

[ReverseSensing]

"Critical thinking skills" is just a euphemism for having one's head out of one's fundament when considering your next action.

I think I found my new signature.

In the words of an original member of ALPA, "We worked for years to get the wages and working conditions of the average American pilot above that of the itinerant farm worker, and then they failed the IQ test and started thinking they were republicans".

This is great, too. Thanks.

 

[av8instyle]

You military pukes know how to rub someone the wrong way!!! I don't have college

That shows in your post.

 

[maru657]

After introspection and a few beers I'll put this as succinctly as possible. If your representative pilot group allows or even actively supports a policy by your company which does not allow me to apply for a position based on actual skill and experience. Do not expect me to honor your picket line. After all, the excuse that the company has the right to hire who ever they want, will also apply during any job action on your part. Throwing road blocks into the path of any opportunity I may have will not leave me with the impression that I should support your career enhancement scheme.

 

[ferlo]

After introspection and a few beers I'll put this as succinctly as possible. If your representative pilot group allows or even actively supports a policy by your company which does not allow me to apply for a position based on actual skill and experience. Do not expect me to honor your picket line. After all, the excuse that the company has the right to hire who ever they want, will also apply during any job action on your part. Throwing road blocks into the path of any opportunity I may have will not leave me with the impression that I should support your career enhancement scheme.

How many beers exactly? Let me understand this. Because you like to smoke...like white trash...You'd be willing to SCAB during our upcoming potential strike? Perhaps you should give that a little more thought. I guess the "white trash" thing explains it all. You should start reviewing JNU charts now...in your trailer, while you smoke and watch springer. Caution for tornados.

Oh and BTW, I actively support the company on banning smokers. It's litterally the ONLY thing we're in agreement on. Go get your guvment cheese and grab another case of Schlitz down at the piggly wiggly. Have a nice day.

 

[Tarquinn]

After introspection and a few beers I'll put this as succinctly as possible. If your representative pilot group allows or even actively supports a policy by your company which does not allow me to apply for a position based on actual skill and experience. Do not expect me to honor your picket line. After all, the excuse that the company has the right to hire who ever they want, will also apply during any job action on your part. Throwing road blocks into the path of any opportunity I may have will not leave me with the impression that I should support your career enhancement scheme.

That was weak and lame...

 

[VABB]

After introspection and a few beers I'll put this as succinctly as possible. If your representative pilot group allows or even actively supports a policy by your company which does not allow me to apply for a position based on actual skill and experience. Do not expect me to honor your picket line. After all, the excuse that the company has the right to hire who ever they want, will also apply during any job action on your part. Throwing road blocks into the path of any opportunity I may have will not leave me with the impression that I should support your career enhancement scheme.

Don't blame somebody for mistaking your brain-bag for a crapper either.

 

[Fly2Scuba]

Truck drivers utilize critical thinking skills, Tugboat drivers, The driver of the tug which pushes your airplane back. "Critical thinking skills" is just a euphemism for having one's head out of one's fundament when considering your next action. In the words of an original member of ALPA, "We worked for years to get the wages and working conditions of the average American pilot above that of the itinerant farm worker, and then they failed the IQ test and started thinking they were republicans".

Okay, I'll give you that point on critical thinking skills and some blue collar jobs requiring as such. However, every airline hires Captains and 90% plus percent of the pilot group is going to upgrade at some point making you a manager of the flight in charge of and coordinating between the flight attendants, dispatch, ground personnel, gate personnel, your copilot, etc. Just like I woulnd't consider the Captain of a police force a blue collar job, I don't consider the Captain of an airliner either.

 

[ferlo]

Okay, I'll give you that point on critical thinking skills and some blue collar jobs requiring as such. However, every airline hires Captains and 90% plus percent of the pilot group is going to upgrade at some point making you a manager of the flight in charge of and coordinating between the flight attendants, dispatch, ground personnel, gate personnel, your copilot, etc. Just like I woulnd't consider the Captain of a police force a blue collar job, I don't consider the Captain of an airliner either.

There are no white collar unions. Airlines are blue collar, maybe corporate isn't.

 

[av8instyle]

After introspection and a few beers I'll put this as succinctly as possible. If your representative pilot group allows or even actively supports a policy by your company which does not allow me to apply for a position based on actual skill and experience. Do not expect me to honor your picket line. After all, the excuse that the company has the right to hire who ever they want, will also apply during any job action on your part. Throwing road blocks into the path of any opportunity I may have will not leave me with the impression that I should support your career enhancement scheme.

Good one Einstein.

 

[Oh-ryan]

After introspection and a few beers I'll put this as succinctly as possible. If your representative pilot group allows or even actively supports a policy by your company which does not allow me to apply for a position based on actual skill and experience. Do not expect me to honor your picket line. After all, the excuse that the company has the right to hire who ever they want, will also apply during any job action on your part. Throwing road blocks into the path of any opportunity I may have will not leave me with the impression that I should support your career enhancement scheme.

How many of your ex-girlfriends did you call (and immediately hang up on) after you wrote this?

 

[EWR_FO]

Oh and BTW, I actively support the company on banning smokers. It's litterally the ONLY thing we're in agreement on. Go get your guvment cheese and grab another case of Schlitz down at the piggly wiggly. Have a nice day.

ROTFLMFAO

 

[maru657]

How many beers exactly? Let me understand this. Because you like to smoke...like white trash...You'd be willing to SCAB during our upcoming potential strike? Perhaps you should give that a little more thought. I guess the "white trash" thing explains it all. You should start reviewing JNU charts now...in your trailer, while you smoke and watch springer. Caution for tornados.

Don't disparage my trailer, it actually makes sense with the de-regulated airline industry. The 56 chevy on blocks in front is an ongoing project, Springer is informative and it's Marlboro's and Budwiser, you communist.

 

[Snapshot]

The answer is very simple.

It has nothing to do with personal freedoms. It is not a guage of a candidate's level of maturity, professionalism, judgement, or willingness to conform to the whims of management. There is no connection to stinky pilot syndrome.

Alaska Airlines funds its own health insurance. Instead of using a third party carrier, they are in essence an insurance company for the employees. Anybody that knows anything about health insurance will tell you that smokers are a bad investment. I think that it's safe to assume that not everyone is going to self-disclose the fact that they smoke knowing that it would greatly increase their premiums, so they simply nip it in the bud.

 

[maru657]

Everybody funds their own insurance today, it's called ARISA. No it's not personal freedom or liberty, you ought to look up the difference between those. No smoking, anybody could live with but the degree thing is too similer to Delta's stance and we see how that worked out for them in the 80's, kind of like AMR in the 90's. Bending sheetmetal at an alarming rate, that is when they were not landing at the wrong airport. It narrows the pool of prospective pilots and sets the wrong standards.

 

[hoover]

Heh-heh . . .

Well, I don't smoke, but the point is, how much intrusion into your personal life are you willing to put up with. If I wanted to be under scrutiny 24/7 I would have stayed corporate.

PS., According to AirTran CEO Joe Leonard, they actually did approach AK last year about some sort of merger, but were rebuffed.

It's not an intrusion into your personal life. They are not telling you what you can and can't do. All they are saying is that if you can't work for Alaska if you use tobacco. That's their right and their privilege. It's a required qualification for the job, no different' than SWA's 737 type rating requirement.

 

[hoover]

I agree with you there. nasty habit. I was just laughing at that guys post that a pilot who smokes is probably a dangerous pilot because he/she is "not even taking care of his own life...." That has to be one of the most idiotic statements I've heard on here. But yes it is a nasty habit and smells aweful. I just call bs when I see it.

It may not detract from his stick and rudder skills, but it does show that he makes poor decisions. Knowing what we know about tobacco and nicotene, why would anyone take up, or continue, smoking? Only an idiot would do that, and I don't want an idiot flying the plane I am on.

 

[ultrarunner]

Dont forget.. these mins are as stringent if not more than FedEx, UPS, and many others that pay significatly more than ALaska.. and they are going to tell an applicant they cant smoke..... What a JOKE

I dont even smoke.. and that makes me mad>....

You'll be even more made when your insurance premiums continue to increase to support the smokers' cancer treatments.

 

[AlbieF15]

How about "no alternative lifestyles....ie homosexuals"..since they have a higher chance of catching HIV/AIDs. Wonder how long "those" requirements could stay on an application.....

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

How about "no alternative lifestyles....ie homosexuals"..since they have a higher chance of catching HIV/AIDs. Wonder how long "those" requirements could stay on an application.....

Agreed. Next they will require you to sign a letter saying you will never "date" a flight attendant (hetero please!) to promote a more harmonious and STD free work environment. After, its just good business sense and will improve your your profit sharing.

For everyone who wants to force others to quit doing something legal in order to qualify for a job...Thank You, may I please have another.

(Boots clicking) Heil Hitler!!

 

[AlbieF15]

In your profile you could put...

I'm a smoking, dipping, tabacco chewing bi-sexual who enjoys frequent and exciting unprotected sex with exciting people from all types of backgrounds....ready for world-wide employment...

Again...not a big fan of smokers or queers...but I find the irony in what you CAN discriminate against legally and what you CANNOT rather ironic at times...

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

It may not detract from his stick and rudder skills, but it does show that he makes poor decisions. Knowing what we know about tobacco and nicotene, why would anyone take up, or continue, smoking? Only an idiot would do that, and I don't want an idiot flying the plane I am on.

And you continue to crack us up.

This logic path is twisted on not quite right. Try again.

 

[Ty Webb]

It may not detract from his stick and rudder skills, but it does show that he makes poor decisions. Knowing what we know about tobacco and nicotene, why would anyone take up, or continue, smoking? Only an idiot would do that, and I don't want an idiot flying the plane I am on.

Rest assured that some of those "idiots" are a much better pilot than you, and are a hell of a lot more fun to work with.


.

 

[Scrapdog]

I'm a smoking, dipping, tabacco chewing bi-sexual who enjoys frequent and exciting unprotected sex with exciting people from all types of backgrounds....ready for world-wide employment...

Albie - isn't that the req's to be a Weapon's School IP?

 

[Fins Up]

deleted.

 

[AlbieF15]

Scrappy...don't know...but I hope none of your future F-22 IPs who have Eagle or Viper division patches are FI regulars...

Hang on brother--yet ANOTHER fire hose for you....

Albie