Horizon cutting flights due to pilot shortage
10-06-2017, 04:17 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 2,479
Originally Posted by snackysmores
If you have 0 time your QOL will be much better on the E-jet with a west coast base, however once you upgrade at OO you're going to be commuting to reserve in DTW which just isn't an option for a lot of people. A zero time pilot coming to Horizon will upgrade as soon as they hit 1000 121 (most likely) and can stay on the west coast instead of having to go back east at Skywest until they get hired by a major.
10-06-2017, 04:35 PM
#42
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2016
Posts: 82
Originally Posted by word302
Meh. BOI ERJ upgrade is just over 3 years and dropping fast. West coast CRJ upgrade is under 3 years and dropping fast.
10-06-2017, 04:38 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 2,479
Originally Posted by OregonAviator
I don't have any interest in flying a CRJ or commuting for SkyWest. If I'm going to commute I'm going to go get those huge bonuses and quick upgrades over commuting to Detroit. This is the reason why Horizon has it better than Skywest in my opinion because I know that working at Horizon I will not be commuting to the Midwest or east coast to eventually be back at home again, most guys and gals come here to have that home base right away or pretty dang quick if they didn't get it out of ground school. Also, even if you guys do the longevity pay it's still not even worth it for my situation.... our FO scales compared to OO I would actually be taking a pay cut. I'm here til this ship sinks or a miracle happens and we grow again. Maybe if SkyWest decides to raise the pay rates to at or above market rates I'd maybe consider it. Until then....
10-06-2017, 09:04 PM
#44
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: CA
Posts: 25
OA,
In the airline industry, very few people manage to stay put and not move/commute. If you are one of the few, great. Count your blessings.
Most people usually move to their first base at the beginning. New pilots on reserve and commuting don't fair well in the reliability department. You don't want a black mark on your career because you got fired while on probation due too many failed commutes.
If you are young, you need to seize the opportunities to get on with a good regional and get your turbine pic. Then, quickly move on. YOU decide which one fits you needs. If it is Horizon, then go there.
Realize that if your long term plan is Alaska Airlines, Horizon may not be the quickest route. Due to the staffing issues at Horizon, the AG is hesitant to poach from the Horizon pilot group. While Horizon pilots have interviewed and being selected based on the hiring quota, there is quite a stagnant pool of them waiting for class dates due to staffing problems at Horizon. (Source: AS CA I know well).
Go where your heart yearns. However, be careful to not let your heart cloud your judgement regarding career decisions.
I've been in this industry (with one airline) for as long as most millenials have been alive. Yes. That makes me sound old. I really don't feel old. But, looking back... I feel really lucky. I have a great job with great seniority. I really can't complaint.
From my perspective now ... Again, if you are young, go where you will get your time quickly and move on. Seniority is everything. If your first airline job is flying a jet, I'm jealous. It will make the next airplane that much easier to learn.
Flying a turboprop for 5 years (doing between 6 to 8 short legs per day in the weather all day) builds character. I know. Been there/done that. However, the jet is way more fun.
Sorry for the long post. Since this is an Internet forum, someone will call all this BS and say that I'm some poor CFI making stuff up. Hey, so be it.... I just hopes it helps some....
In the airline industry, very few people manage to stay put and not move/commute. If you are one of the few, great. Count your blessings.
Most people usually move to their first base at the beginning. New pilots on reserve and commuting don't fair well in the reliability department. You don't want a black mark on your career because you got fired while on probation due too many failed commutes.
If you are young, you need to seize the opportunities to get on with a good regional and get your turbine pic. Then, quickly move on. YOU decide which one fits you needs. If it is Horizon, then go there.
Realize that if your long term plan is Alaska Airlines, Horizon may not be the quickest route. Due to the staffing issues at Horizon, the AG is hesitant to poach from the Horizon pilot group. While Horizon pilots have interviewed and being selected based on the hiring quota, there is quite a stagnant pool of them waiting for class dates due to staffing problems at Horizon. (Source: AS CA I know well).
Go where your heart yearns. However, be careful to not let your heart cloud your judgement regarding career decisions.
I've been in this industry (with one airline) for as long as most millenials have been alive. Yes. That makes me sound old. I really don't feel old. But, looking back... I feel really lucky. I have a great job with great seniority. I really can't complaint.
From my perspective now ... Again, if you are young, go where you will get your time quickly and move on. Seniority is everything. If your first airline job is flying a jet, I'm jealous. It will make the next airplane that much easier to learn.
Flying a turboprop for 5 years (doing between 6 to 8 short legs per day in the weather all day) builds character. I know. Been there/done that. However, the jet is way more fun.
Sorry for the long post. Since this is an Internet forum, someone will call all this BS and say that I'm some poor CFI making stuff up. Hey, so be it.... I just hopes it helps some....
10-06-2017, 11:18 PM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Position: fatigued
Posts: 1,397
Originally Posted by skwcrj
OA,
In the airline industry, very few people manage to stay put and not move/commute. If you are one of the few, great. Count your blessings.
Most people usually move to their first base at the beginning. New pilots on reserve and commuting don't fair well in the reliability department. You don't want a black mark on your career because you got fired while on probation due too many failed commutes.
If you are young, you need to seize the opportunities to get on with a good regional and get your turbine pic. Then, quickly move on. YOU decide which one fits you needs. If it is Horizon, then go there.
Realize that if your long term plan is Alaska Airlines, Horizon may not be the quickest route. Due to the staffing issues at Horizon, the AG is hesitant to poach from the Horizon pilot group. While Horizon pilots have interviewed and being selected based on the hiring quota, there is quite a stagnant pool of them waiting for class dates due to staffing problems at Horizon. (Source: AS CA I know well).
Go where your heart yearns. However, be careful to not let your heart cloud your judgement regarding career decisions.
I've been in this industry (with one airline) for as long as most millenials have been alive. Yes. That makes me sound old. I really don't feel old. But, looking back... I feel really lucky. I have a great job with great seniority. I really can't complaint.
From my perspective now ... Again, if you are young, go where you will get your time quickly and move on. Seniority is everything. If your first airline job is flying a jet, I'm jealous. It will make the next airplane that much easier to learn.
Flying a turboprop for 5 years (doing between 6 to 8 short legs per day in the weather all day) builds character. I know. Been there/done that. However, the jet is way more fun.
Sorry for the long post. Since this is an Internet forum, someone will call all this BS and say that I'm some poor CFI making stuff up. Hey, so be it.... I just hopes it helps some....
In the airline industry, very few people manage to stay put and not move/commute. If you are one of the few, great. Count your blessings.
Most people usually move to their first base at the beginning. New pilots on reserve and commuting don't fair well in the reliability department. You don't want a black mark on your career because you got fired while on probation due too many failed commutes.
If you are young, you need to seize the opportunities to get on with a good regional and get your turbine pic. Then, quickly move on. YOU decide which one fits you needs. If it is Horizon, then go there.
Realize that if your long term plan is Alaska Airlines, Horizon may not be the quickest route. Due to the staffing issues at Horizon, the AG is hesitant to poach from the Horizon pilot group. While Horizon pilots have interviewed and being selected based on the hiring quota, there is quite a stagnant pool of them waiting for class dates due to staffing problems at Horizon. (Source: AS CA I know well).
Go where your heart yearns. However, be careful to not let your heart cloud your judgement regarding career decisions.
I've been in this industry (with one airline) for as long as most millenials have been alive. Yes. That makes me sound old. I really don't feel old. But, looking back... I feel really lucky. I have a great job with great seniority. I really can't complaint.
From my perspective now ... Again, if you are young, go where you will get your time quickly and move on. Seniority is everything. If your first airline job is flying a jet, I'm jealous. It will make the next airplane that much easier to learn.
Flying a turboprop for 5 years (doing between 6 to 8 short legs per day in the weather all day) builds character. I know. Been there/done that. However, the jet is way more fun.
Sorry for the long post. Since this is an Internet forum, someone will call all this BS and say that I'm some poor CFI making stuff up. Hey, so be it.... I just hopes it helps some....
10-07-2017, 02:25 AM
#46
In the dumpster fire
Joined APC: Jan 2010
Posts: 257
Originally Posted by snackysmores
If you have 0 time your QOL will be much better on the E-jet with a west coast base, however once you upgrade at OO you're going to be commuting to reserve in DTW which just isn't an option for a lot of people. A zero time pilot coming to Horizon will upgrade as soon as they hit 1000 121 (most likely) and can stay on the west coast instead of having to go back east at Skywest until they get hired by a major.
10-07-2017, 08:10 PM
#49
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 56
I hate to tell you but I've seen friends from nearly every regional compare their W2 at the end of the year - and new hire or CA, OO almost always tops out or is right at the top. Pay rates may be lower but they aren't paying union dues and their QOL soft pay rules and company bonuses put them over the top. Just an observation - more to take into account than hourly rates.
10-14-2017, 04:44 AM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2015
Posts: 173
Instead of quibbling over a few dollars per hour, consider the leadership track records. SkyWest acquired every 175 they could get while Horizon sat on their thumbs. Horizon's current problems were avoidable, but they focused on cutting costs instead of investing in a sustainable future.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
