Any More Alaska Info?

[CMonBoard]

I unsuccessfully interviewed there 9 months ago. I was looking forward to another chance in 3 months or so, but I haven't heard anything other than about a postponed class in January.

Does anyone have any information?

 

[Kool]

Word is that Alaska has filled all of their classes for the year and HR is working on building up of 35 poolies from their current call-in list.

Any idea why you did not make t he first round? Sim check, particular interview question?

The difficulty with following Alaska's hiring is that they aren't hiring that many and only through referals. I know there are about 100 people on the "to-call" list when they start interviews again. I'm on that list, but unfortunately, have no idea when 'the call' may come. It's not looking great right now for the near term.

They just changed CEO's at Alaska Air Group (Ayer replaced Kelly) among a bunch of other changes, including adding Guadelajara and Orlando and buying nine 737 this year (retiring 3 MD-80's) for a net 6 increase in aircraft.

I'm hoping that after Iraq and the UAL and USAir deadlines have passed (either good or bad), things will pick up at all of these 'smaller' majors in the bid to increase market share. I would think that even if USA and UAL come out okay, they are going to have to sell of some of their routes and these other airlines are probably in a decent position to leverage some capital to pick them up. Ah, but the crystal ball of the airline industry is cloudy these days, and I don't think anyone can say with any certainty what so ever what will happen next year, let alone next month.

Here's hoping that we can ride the tide....anyone know if there is a Walmart Greeter position available in the Seattle area? Best of luck to all of you.

 

[mach none]

Word is that Alaska has filled all of their classes for the year and HR is working on building up of 35 poolies from their current call-in list.

Close, but not quite. We have a pool of 50 ( a buddy is swimming) and about 80 on the call list. The word is, we are just waiting for the OK from Corp to schedule classes after April. We need to hire more. We are short of FOs, particularly on the 737. I suspect those swimming will not be in the pool long.




They just changed CEO's at Alaska Air Group (Ayer replaced Kelly) among a bunch of other changes, including adding Guadelajara and Orlando and buying nine 737 this year (retiring 3 MD-80's) for a net 6 increase in aircraft.

We are getting 11 737s. 6 -700s and 5 -900s. we are retiring 4 MD83s. Net growth of 7 a/c. We are adding MCO on 5/22 and have applied for slots into Guadelajara. Ayer replacing Kelly is a good thing.

Good luck, it is a great place to work and Alaska is The Last Great Airline!

 

[Alaskaairlines]

It is so interesting to watch Alaska expand so rapidly! I wish them the best, possibly I'll be in the right seat in the distant future!

 

[Midnight Mike]

CMonBoard

Why don't you get your 737 or DC9 type rating and then apply again or update your resume, we have had
several pilots come to us just to get some warm up time in the event they are called. Doing nothing will get you nothing.

 

[sf260pilot]

Alaska Airlines

I was interviewed in January. I was told that all classes were filled through at least April and that if selected I would be in a pool of approximately 30. I was not selected. I am eager to reapply in a year. I have been flying Lears in a Cargo 135 op for 3-1/2 years and feel I have good experience. It was recommended to me to get some 121 experience, which I can't afford to do right now for family reasons. Any suggestions?

 

[mar]

Your experience is fine

If they called you for the interview then they're happy enough with your experience. I wouldn't lose sleep over your lack of 121 time.

More likely, something went afoul in the "Intangible Dept".

Try to think about what Alaska values and how you approached certain questions during the board interview.

I don't know you from Adam so I can't really make any good suggestions here.

It'll come to you. I was just rejected from a board type interview that I thought went pretty well. The more I think about it though the more I realize where I went wrong.

Good luck.

 

[Singlecoil]

I think mar gave some great advice there. I've busted two interviews that I thought went very well. It took a couple of months of reflection on each for me to realize what went wrong, then it was obvious. When it finally sunk in, it made me feel rather bad, but I learned a great deal from those experiences, and was able to turn them into a successful interview later.

 

[CMonBoard]

Midnight Mike, mach none, and Kool,

Thank you for all of your replies. I just found this on the Alaska site:

With growing unrest over Iraq, Alaska Airlines pilots who serve in the Guard or Reserves are being called to active duty at a brisk pace. "We’ve had 45 pilots called up for six months or longer so far," says Mary Ryding, director of crew resource management and administration, noting that many are 737 first officers. "It’s a challenge losing so many in one fell swoop." Another 35 pilots serve weeklong stints each month. In all, 164 Alaska pilots are reservists. Other work groups also are feeling the pinch: Six station, eight maintenance & engineering and two management employees have been called up as well.

Due to the hard work of crew schedulers and generous volunteering for additional flights by other pilots filling in for those called to active duty, Alaska hasn't experienced any operational hiccups since the call ups began.

In related news, the Defense Department recently activated the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program that calls upon commercial aircraft and crews to transport troops and cargo for the military. Alaska has no aircraft obligated in the program's first stage, but as many as five Alaska aircraft—all 737-900s—could be pressed into service if phase two is enacted. Alaska is working on plans to minimize the impact on its regular schedule should one or more of those aircraft and crews be called upon. The military reimburses each carrier for this flying.

Too bad we can't get the calls to start coming--especially since my interview anniversary is coming up--even though I doubt I'm in the 80 people to be called. Sounds like the training department will be busy covering those pilots flying for our country.

 

[Kool]

I read the same thing on "Alaskasworld.com". It's like a bad catch-22, need more pilots, but can't because instructors are filling seats. Uggh! I wish I was swimming in the 'hired pool', but right now I'm drowning in the 'call for interview pool'. Info is so spotty right now and it really appears that things could change on a rapid basis.

Does anyone know if Alaska is in a financial position to expand in the event UAL sells off its domestic routes?

Man, I just hope that when I get the call for an interview I don't tube it! Heard not long ago (Feb interview group) that 5 out of 5 people failed the sim check portion of the interview! Yikes! Obviously it is easier to prep for that portion (no judgement on the people that fail this), but, really, does anyone know what the percentage of interviewees that get jobs out of the second HR phase? I mean, does most of the weeding get done in the sim, or is there still a high failure opportunity in the sit down, and if so, what's the common reason(s).

...Putting my eggs in one basket aint an easy way to live...

 

[mach none]

I read the same thing on "Alaskasworld.com". It's like a bad catch-22, need more pilots, but can't because instructors are filling seats. Uggh! I wish I was swimming in the 'hired pool', but right now I'm drowning in the 'call for interview pool'. Info is so spotty right now and it really appears that things could change on a rapid basis.

Does anyone know if Alaska is in a financial position to expand in the event UAL sells off its domestic routes?
QUOTE]

I think you hit the nail on the head. The instructors are now needed to fill in for those that have been activated, but we definetely need more pilots, but cannot train them.

I think the management is also slowing hiring down, waiting to see what happens with Iraq and UAL/U. It is better to be a little skinny than fat and have to do the F thing.

We are expanding now. BOS, EWR, IAD, DCA, MCO, MIA, ORD, DEN, the return to BOI, PDX-DEN, LAX-RNO and ANC-YVR.

We are one of the few bright spots in the airlines. Our balance sheet among the majors is topped only by SWA. Not bad company.

Just be patient and the call will happen soon. I would do your prep for the sim and get some interview consultation as well. I don't know what % makes it through each phase, but they are all challenging, but relaxed. Be yourself and have fun.

Mach

 

[Kool]

mach none, thanks for the words of encouragement. I've had my pipper set on Alaska since I decided that I wanted to go to the airlines. I agree, they are a very bright spot in this industry and believe they will continue to do very well based on their industry standard setting innovations (I was amazed at how many firsts Alaska introduced to commercial air).

Until that magical call comes, I'll be trying to get my crystal ball fixed...