Bethel Resident and Visitor Thread (Kwethluk, Napakiak: to buy, restaurants, store)

[Jason28]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

This is exactly what I want to here. Assuming I can pass all the pre-screens, Juneau here I come.

As for the crappy work environment, I'm used to that. I'm a PILOT, and most pilots are far bigger jerks, I can assure you that. Egos the size of Alaska. I'm sure controllers are tame by comparison.

You don't know the half of it. Its not only the controllers being jerks, its the gigantic atmosphere of back stabbing, gossip, and people seeing who can get away with doing the least amount of work for the most pay. The union is AWFUL! They allow people that are absolute dick heads and downright dangerous controllers to not only keep their jobs, but get promotions on top of that. If you stay away from any of the big facilities or east coast facilities you may have a chance at a decent job...but you can't exactly stick your head in and take a look at the place before you're hired. The FAA is the most incompetent and wasteful government agency one could possibly imagine. Oh, and good luck because you're going to need it!

[northstar22]

Originally Posted by Jason28

You don't know the half of it. Its not only the controllers being jerks, its the gigantic atmosphere of back stabbing, gossip, and people seeing who can get away with doing the least amount of work for the most pay. The union is AWFUL! They allow people that are absolute dick heads and downright dangerous controllers to not only keep their jobs, but get promotions on top of that. If you stay away from any of the big facilities or east coast facilities you may have a chance at a decent job...but you can't exactly stick your head in and take a look at the place before you're hired. The FAA is the most incompetent and wasteful government agency one could possibly imagine. Oh, and good luck because you're going to need it!

I've had some pretty awful work experiences, so I can't imagine my lifelong dream could be worse. I've dealt with rude people, the key is to ignore them and focus on your own job. I'm planning to go to JNU, which I've heard is pretty laid back, so I'm sure it's nothing like the east coast facilities.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

This is exactly what I want to here. Assuming I can pass all the pre-screens, Juneau here I come.

As for the crappy work environment, I'm used to that. I'm a PILOT, and most pilots are far bigger jerks, I can assure you that. Egos the size of Alaska. I'm sure controllers are tame by comparison.

In my opinion, they are a both a different breed with different egos, then you are pulling it together...stay sane, be safe and welcome to AK no matter where you land

[Jason28]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

I've had some pretty awful work experiences, so I can't imagine my lifelong dream could be worse. I've dealt with rude people, the key is to ignore them and focus on your own job. I'm planning to go to JNU, which I've heard is pretty laid back, so I'm sure it's nothing like the east coast facilities.

I have two friends that work at Juneau but I lost contact with them. Both of them are cool laid back people so you might be in luck there...IF you can get in there. The FAA tends to hire people through each individual state and you will normally get offered the facility that needs people the most...which should be Anchorage but you won't know until you try to get hired.

Also at some facilities it can be very hard to ignore people when they are all dicks to each other all day long. Hopefully you don't get a place like that...but don't be surprised if you do.

[northstar22]

Originally Posted by Jason28

I have two friends that work at Juneau but I lost contact with them. Both of them are cool laid back people so you might be in luck there...IF you can get in there. The FAA tends to hire people through each individual state and you will normally get offered the facility that needs people the most...which should be Anchorage but you won't know until you try to get hired.

Also at some facilities it can be very hard to ignore people when they are all dicks to each other all day long. Hopefully you don't get a place like that...but don't be surprised if you do.

The process has changed somewhat - you can now request facilities in a state where you would like to work. I plan on specifically putting "not Anchorage" on my geographic preferences. Anchorage would SUCK, I hate big cities. Might as well just go to Detroit if Los Anchorage is where they want to send me.

[Jason28]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

The process has changed somewhat - you can now request facilities in a state where you would like to work. I plan on specifically putting "not Anchorage" on my geographic preferences. Anchorage would SUCK, I hate big cities. Might as well just go to Detroit if Los Anchorage is where they want to send me.

That doesn't sound too bad. To be honest Anchorage is probably better than a lot of the larger facilities. I think Anchorage is a level 8. I spent some time in Cleveland, which is a level 10 and I can't imagine how bad the level 12's are. Either way, if you stay in smaller facilities on the west coast or Alaska it probably won't be as bad...but thats still relying on stereotypes. Any larger facility = drama of epic proportions on a daily basis. Its just too much for me anymore and I'm happy working at a slow facility in Kodiak. I also worked in Bethel for a couple of years which used to be fairly busy but is now slowing down with the recession, increased fuel costs, etc...

[northstar22]

Originally Posted by Jason28

That doesn't sound too bad. To be honest Anchorage is probably better than a lot of the larger facilities. I think Anchorage is a level 8. I spent some time in Cleveland, which is a level 10 and I can't imagine how bad the level 12's are. Either way, if you stay in smaller facilities on the west coast or Alaska it probably won't be as bad...but thats still relying on stereotypes. Any larger facility = drama of epic proportions on a daily basis. Its just too much for me anymore and I'm happy working at a slow facility in Kodiak. I also worked in Bethel for a couple of years which used to be fairly busy but is now slowing down with the recession, increased fuel costs, etc...

Thanks for the info. Honestly the thing that bothers me about Anchorage is not the size of the facility, but the size of the city itself. I'm from a town of 12,000, and the thought of moving to a major metropolis scares the heck out of me. I LOATHE big cities. Absolutely abhor them. Besides, what's the point of living in Alaska if you're cooped up in a major city?

[Jason28]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

Thanks for the info. Honestly the thing that bothers me about Anchorage is not the size of the facility, but the size of the city itself. I'm from a town of 12,000, and the thought of moving to a major metropolis scares the heck out of me. I LOATHE big cities. Absolutely abhor them. Besides, what's the point of living in Alaska if you're cooped up in a major city?

The size of the facility is usually in direct relation to the size of the city...more people equates to more traffic. I always laugh when people in Alaska tell me Anchorage is a big city. I grew up in Rochester, NY which is relatively the same size as Anchorage. To me thats normal sized. Big city is like New York, Chicago, or San Fransico. Those are actually so big I can't stand them.

[creeboo]

Anchorage, major metropolis??? heehee... hee! That's cute. Having lived here for 6 years Anchorage is a "big city" but I wouldn't call it a metropolis. Easy enough to escape the crazy by heading down the Seward Hwy, or out the Glenn (for a while, unless you cut up into Eagle River, etc.)...

Good to see the bypass is open. I hate that that road is still closed.

[warptman]

Should relieve the mess at Watson's Corner!