I want to move to Alaska - yes, another cheechako with unrealistic dreams (home, school)

[Metlakatla]

EMPLOYMENT -

All employees working at Chena Hot Springs Resort have the option to live on property. Employment includes free room and board.

[riceme]

I didn't know that but it makes sense, lol. I should have figured you knew what was up, Met. haha. And yes, newcomers could do a heck of a lot worse!!

[Metlakatla]

That's okay...figured maybe you mistook me for -57 or something.

[mizzile]

Originally Posted by riceme

Dude, don't be a knucklehead. Don't come up here in the winter. Have you seen the weather we've been getting? I mean it's not cold (it's about 14* right now), but I have gotten over 2-feet of snow at my place in the past seven days. There were 21,000 people without power... 6k today. And heed the advice above about working in an airport. In this post-9/11 world you will have to get a TWIC card which is sometimes not all that simple. Have you ever been in trouble?

About working out at Chena Hot Springs, where would you live? There's not a lot of rentals out there and that's a helluva long drive and a lot of $fuel from town. I have a buddy that works out there giving sled tours. If I see her I'll try to remember to ask her about accommodations for employees.

If you had $2k and you had to put good tires on your pickup then by my calculation you've got about $1200 or less left. Don't be a knucklehead. Don't come up here in winter. Really. I'm not trying to be a jerk. I am trying to help you. This is not a good idea.

Or at all. The last thing we need is more end of roaders with no money, no prospects, and no sense of reality.

[riceme]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

That's okay...figured maybe you mistook me for -57 or something.

r

Dammit that's harsh, Met!

[laina1980]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

This can't be real, but on a positive note fast food places and other retail jobs always seem to be hiring up here.....

Please, if I had a dollar for every type of person I met in AK that fits the OP persona he is describing, I'd be $$$$

[FSU2016]

Originally Posted by Rockskipper

Thanks, GnomadAK. I have no illusions of working as a bush pilot, I just want to learn how to fly. I can easily pass a physical, I'm very fit and have no problems (sight, heart, etc.). I have actually memorized everything in a somewhat dated ground school book and know it pretty well, though I know that's not the same as actually doing it. I've hung around lots of small airports - I tend to gravitate towards them, and have talked to lots of pilots. If I can get work at a big airport, I'd be in heaven, but I'm hoping some of the smaller places with guys who have their planes in their own hangers will let me help them in trade for a flight or two. I used to have a friend who would let me fly with him on flightseeing tours if he had an open seat in exchange for helping him with grunt work. He moved on to a place in Colorado, so that ended. Maybe I need to find an even smaller airport, like Talkeetna or something? I dunno. Seems like a small place would be more likely to help me get started.

In any case, I just got new tires today and am now organizing for the trip. I have a passport and a little cash and a bunch of dehydrated food a friend's wife gave me, plus lots of propane and warm clothes. I'll be heading out soon, depending on the weather. WIsh me luck and any other comments very welcome.

OK, I'm editing this to add that I'm going to leave tomorrow. I'm excited and no point in waiting. Saw it was snowing in Anchorage. Time to go.

I'm really curious to know what happened???

[Rance]

Originally Posted by FSU2016

I'm really curious to know what happened???

Might have went tumbling head over heals on the first good corner he came to!

[Rockskipper]

Hi everyone! Hey, I made it!!!! Long drive, but no problems. I found part-time work for a pilot doing his - are you ready for this - books! LOL. He's a chronic procrastinator and is letting me stay in his hanger office (I sleep on a cot) in exchange for organizing all his paperwork and a bunch of tools and parts (mostly junk) - we're talking years worth, none of it very important stuff, but he's kind of a packrat. He's an older guy and about ready to give up flying since he doesn't think he can pass his next physical, but he's starting to show me some mechanic stuff on his Cessna. I love it here and am looking for work as a cook part-time to make the cash I need to take lessons, since I don't need to pay rent I should be able to take a few lessons once I get a job. If I can make this work through the winter, I'm hoping things will get even better as I meet more people. Thanks everyone for all the great advice. Alaska's great. Only problem so far is I had to get a tooth pulled, but I survived.

[GnomadAK]

Oldschool Alaskans are packrats not because of hoarding tendencies, but of neccessity borne of the uncertain supply chain. If it might be useful later, don't throw it out.