Warning for those current or former flight attendants asked to attend the "all day face to face and group interview": don't waste your time or money!!
They are using you as "ringers" for who they really want, which are young, inexperienced, workers. I fell for the bait and did the "all day experience", at my own cost (which was hefty for Seattle in the summer-$200+ per night in hotel, $40 each way cab ride to the very out of the way venue with no parking, plus meals, etc.). They knew they weren't going to hire you, period, before you even showed up. Out of 42 people at the "experience", 30 were current or former airline, and not ONE was selected. We all realized *after* the day, that they never were going to choose us anyway. We were there to set a high interview standard for the 6 they actually offered training to. The job is very competitive, yes, but we were all overly qualified for the position. They *only* took the non airline people, period, and at that, they also were the youngest in the room. After much discussion amongst all the ones that were not selected afterwards, we all collectively agreed that they weren't interested in any of us from the start. We are smart enough and experienced enough to realize this. Now, I'm not saying that no one from another airline wouldn't get hired, BUT I will put the odds at zero to none. Very, very slim chance. We all knew *afterwards* that we had been used; sadly, we all really truly felt that Alaska was where we wanted to work- but not so much after this experience. The odd part was, we all individually felt that the interviewers were bored and uninterested in us individually- until we all were collectively told we weren't selected and started discussing the situation amongst ourselves. The candidates were actually the best of the best-and Alaska knows that- they actually told one of my fellow candidates so, AND they made the comment that they did NOT want people from other airlines "because they bring the culture from that airline here..". Well, hello, maybe some of us didn't like the "culture" we were in and wanted to work for a different one??? It's such a shame, and we were all so disappointed; it wasn't that we didn't get the job, it's we all KNEW we were used, and it CLEARLY was a waste of time. There were at LEAST 10 airlines represented, they can't ALL be wrong about us. We were ready, polished, and perfect, but it really didn't matter. So I reach out to those of you who *know* that you *think* you want to work there. Think again. It really does nothing for you.
For those of you who have never worked for an airline..go for it! You are the one they want! (Just so you know, there were HORIZON flight attendants who did NOT get it! Horizon is Alaska!)
I'm not going to write an out the questions or how to act, or what to do, because the truth is, they really aren't looking for anything but someone young and inexperienced that they can train and mild the way they want. That's it. Even those that are customer experience Davy; that is of no interest. They want people who will learn, period. They already *know* airline people are the best candidates; they don't care. So, again, don't waste your time or money.