Recently came up with a class date. interviewed in May, was offered a class in October. Had a few questions: as per the timeline of training (10-12) weeks, what is to be expected after as far as reserve flying/schedule goes? I’ll be commuting from Portland. How can I best prepare prior to my start date? What’s the current wait time to hold a line?? As a newly hired FO on the jet, what can I expect my paychecks to be in training? After training? First year realistic pay roughly? Would it be a smarter idea to move to Seattle area while on reserve? Any other insights or thoughts appreciated.

 

You will definitely need to either move or get a crashpad for Seattle. Tons of commuters will make it impossible to get back to PDX.

 

I'm expecting a jet class in Dec/Jan, but haven't heard anything yet. My Horizon "mentor" told me she received a study packet containing systems, limits, EP's, and flows when she was notified of a class date. She's a Q FO so I'm not sure if they do the same for E175 trainees. I guess you didn't receive any study material?

 

I'm a Q pilot but I know E175 folks get the same packet.

My advice for a Portland to Seattle commute would be to get parking up at KSEA and drive yourself up. In the long run it's going to save you time, although it will cost you some extra money putting the mileage on your vehicle.

Don't put any stock in current times on reserve/holding lines. It's going to change and there's no way to predict what you will experience. Plan for the worst hope for the best.

Training pay (which is through the end of the month that you complete IOE) is 16 hours per week. Per diem for the time you spend away from base, which for training should be Portland until you get to OE.

After training it will be min guarantee and whatever extra you manage to make for the month (extra flying, per diem, etc.) A super rough estimate is $35,000 or so first year. After taxes and my deductions I take home ~$1800 a month.

If you can swing it you'll have much more free time living in Seattle doing reserve from home. But it's expensive up here and a different pace than down in Portland. Certainly not for everybody and unless you have a second source of income I can't recommend it.

 

If your trip ends between the hours of 11am-7pm it's gonna take you at least 4 hours to drive back to PDX

 

I don’t think it’s THAT bad. I guess you could make it work but in my opinion driving is better than hoping the timing works out and playing shuttle flight roulette as a junior pilot, waiting for the flight, flow, waiting for the parking shuttle, etc. If you live in Vancouver even better you get to skip the 205 bridge.

I5 can suck a lot though. Get yourself some good audio books and cruise. LoL