Hello, its Travis again (you know because this is my blog). First day of training was awesome and we covered a lot of topics on what Alaska Airlines (and to extent the air group and horizon)… I knew a lot of the information already, and feel very confident in my abilities to do our job.

The one thing I was very impressed with was something I always knew about Alaska Air: They do great deeds without wanting to be recognised for it, and encourage their emplyees to do the same. Of course I will tell you… but its something you don’t hear from corporate, and I would never rave about how selfless the airgroup is because that’s not who the airline is… but from make-a-wish to angel flights to the united way to red cross Alaska Airlines is constantly helping out people even while the economy isn’t that great.

My parents worked part of Alaska Airlines care team and were out helping families after flight 261. They went out to help people they didn’t even know and had to take considerable emotional tolls to do this, they had even missed my birthday because they were out there helping the families… and I am very proud of that. I am proud that this is the company I work for, and I know that soon I will be able to show my Alaska Spirit.

My room mate is a very interesting guy (and not in a bad way), and he may be staying with his sister! That means a room all to myself. However… if he is here it will be cool to really get to know someone I will be working with.

Alaska Airlines is such a great company and it was very nice to get a refresher on the history of the company and of course I was touched hearing the stories of the things we do for people.

All in all great day for my first day of training… tomorrow on to actual ramp service stuff. I will of course report back tomorrow!

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Well I got into Anchorage today from flying in from Seattle. It was a great flight and I am very happy to be here. My roommate hasn’t shown up yet so it looks like so far I have the room to myself!

I had a little misscommunication in the beginning and wound up not knowing what hotel my reservation was at. The amazing representatives at ANC (the supervisor I talked to in particular) was, however, able to quickly track down the reservation and even setup the shuttle for me!

I am very much looking forward to tomorrow which is my orientation to Alaska Airlines. While I feel that I already have a good grasp of the company (Alaska Airlines started out as McGees, and the guy on the back of the planes is named Chester… for two examples) I feel that this will really expand the depth of what I know, and give me a new insight to things I once thought I knew… I won’t be a know it all.
I am about ready to get to bed… its been a big day and its small beens compared to.. well the rest of my life here at Alaska Airlines. I am very excited that people are so enthusiastic about me joining their team.

Please forgive my spelling and grammer its late I am tired.

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Alaska Air’s new motto is “North of Expected” and on my flight back from PHX (to SEA on the 4:00 flight), I had a really great time which made me keep thinking “this is a VERY North of Expected flight”. This flight “went right” around every corner, and while some of it was of course just good timing, and luck… you can’t deny that the team effort of everyone that had worked together on this flight really brought it together! The flight and feeling that the agents and crew members gave me made me keep thinking that new phrase “North of Expected”, even when I first entered the door.

It started with my arrival into the airport, I had gone up to the kiosk to check in for my flight and it assigned me a seat (which sometimes happens depending on flight loads) and I was able to change my seat to my second favorite spot (first being Emergancy Exit Row, second being row 6 bulkhead). I was very happy with this, and proceded to my gate.

When I made it to my gate I asked if first class was open (my mom will be paying for it, so why not right? ) just so happens there were some seats available but since I am flying non-revenue I wait to give others a chance to get those seats, but as soon as it was time that those seats could be cleared, she called me back up and gave me the seat. This agent was on the ball.

Getting on the flight, and everyone getting seated (in their assigned chosen seats, no musical chairs here) went incredibly fast, and we were able to push back nearly 5 minutes early.

Sitting in first is a rare treat, and Alaska does a great job of making the most of it… the food was better than what I had bought at the airport, and the flight attendants were patient, and warm.

On the flight I was studying my flash cards (airport and airline codes… I will vent my displeasure of some of the code choices later… I am in too good of a mood right now)… I didn’t know what dutch harbor was so I asked the flight attendant and she quickly told me.

The flight was a bit bumpy, but you can’t fault the pilot for that; on the contrary the pilot actually quickly adjusted altitude and warmly and professionally addressed the cabin telling everyone we will shortly be able to move around.

When you have a team like that all around you, how can you not be proud to be selected to go through training to be a part of this awesome group?

This flight was very “North of Expected” picture attached is out my window.

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This is a pre-flight announcement: This post is just a catch-up for those of you who are not aware of how I got the job at Alaska Airlines.

I have been applying for Alaska Airlines for the past 3 months, every time a new position opened up,  I would apply for it… I have always wanted to work for Alaska Airlines and after my dad has started feeling better from being so sick, I decided that this was my chance. A few weeks ago, I received an email in my inbox saying that Alaska Airlines wanted to hire me for the Bethel Alaska Ramp Service Agent position. I quickly accepted the offer and was told that I needed to get to Bethel, AK for a job interview.

After flying from Seattle(WA) to Anchorage(AK) to Bethel(AK) for a job interview, I was told in my initial interview that I was awesome and that they wanted to see me in Anchorage for a second interview – THE VERY NEXT DAY – I had only planned on a day trip… However, this wasn’t just some job interview… this was going to be my career (hopefully). So I flew back to Anchorage and spent the night in the airport (which is no big deal I have done it before, when your asleep you can’t tell the difference between there and a hotel!)… Cleaned up the next morning in the bathroom and went through my job interview.

The Human Resources agent that I was talking to was very nice (she had actually been the person who origionally set my Bethel interview up). I went though the questions, stayed honest… and landed my dream job. She (HR) was very through to make sure that I knew what I was getting myself into (apparently Bethel isn’t a big party place, so people don’t like to stick around), which was awesome it really showed that they wanted a dedicated employee and gave me the opportunity to show that thats exactly what I will be!
I am now waiting on September 15^th to start training in Anchorage for two weeks. While I could, hypothetically, fail training… I doubt I will… I am studying these Airport Codes, and Airline Codes… as well as Aircraft Information… I plan on coming to class with the basics mastered.

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Force Children to run on wheels that generate power Btards controll morals in future

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