Cape is a different lifestyle compared to other regionals; we don't have typical month-to-month bidding for trips. First you will bid base, typically there are two base bids a year, with various vacancies in between depending on the amount of shuffling around that goes on (attrition, flight schedule changes ,etc) but bottom line you bid where you want to be. After you're in base you will then bid for your schedule. This is the schedule you will have for as long as you're in base, unless in-base seniority changes and you can try something else but because it is mostly outstation basing you'll be flying basically the same routes every day and you'll be home (in base) every night.

The exception to this is in the hubs (ie HYA, BOS, STL, SJU etc) where there are a number of 'backup' lines available. It's sort of Cape Air's version of reserve. You'll have a monthly schedule, (that can be changed to certain degrees), but in general you'll find out your assignment for the day the night before. Some standing by and some covering sick calls etc, and also some TDY assignments to cover vacationing/sick pilots in the outstations. That's just a quick and dirty explanation of that.

Dropping and picking up days is available; dropping just depends on if there is coverage available to cover your day, or if someone else decides to pick up the flying you are trying to drop. And if someone else is trying to drop a day it may be available to you to pick up if you choose to do so. Again just a quick explanation.

Commuting is not recommended, and can be quite difficult if you choose to do so, and if you do end up in an outstation (which being junior you most likely will) you're looking at a least a two-leg commute as it is, with one being on the 9-seat 402 which may or may not fill up quick. Hope this sheds some light on life at 9k!