Does vacancy look pretty good usually?

It's hard to tell right now, because there hasn't been much hiring for the last year. Portland is the largest Q400 base and there are currently about eighty fully qualified FO's based here (and a few more in training that will get Portland as a base). From what I've heard, the "hard to get" base for Q400 FO's is Seattle. Given the projected level of hiring and the number of FO's needed in Portland, I think you could get Portland as a base within six to twelve months.

But if there are no spots when someone starts training, what are the odds there will be a spot before they complete training?

My point is that it’s very hard to predict where you can be based out of training. So be ready to commute for a few months, maybe a little more. I can say with relative confidence you can get whatever base you want within about 6 months, provided we see some movement on the seniority list.

Took me 13 months to finally get PDX base. Now I came in right at the start of COVID so there was no movement whatsoever for a long time.

That seems to be changing but I do know people who left pdx so they could hold a line in another base and now are having trouble coming back.


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There’s my point. I got PDX right out of OE.

Any idea on the amount of commuters coming from AK? I’ve heard the company is letting folks start and end trips out ANC. What’s the word on 175 SEA openings?

Friend of mine was in a 2/2021 Q Class and was given PDX right out of OE. I think the other replies are wise though. You really can't count on anything base wise until you're going through the process. I know most of us are "planners" but it's the unfortunate truth. Just about the only sure thing base wise is SEA if you get the jet. All of that could change this summer though with all the hiring/upgrades. I think it's going to be an interesting time.

BOI
 

Would it be difficult to commute to any of the other bases from BOI if I wasn't based in BOI?
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Shouldn’t be too bad. Ton of flights these days


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Yeah like 3 a day to PDX, 2 a day to GEG and zero to MFR. But Seattle would be good

Keep in mind, the only jet base at QX is SEA. The rest are satellite bases, which allows mgmt. to shut them down at will. Case in point, PAE was shut down already.

As far as beginning and ending trips in ANC, I've not seen or heard that. Of course, if the trip begins or ends with a DH, then you are allowed to drop the DH, maybe that's what you are referring to?

Are Medford, Spokane, and Boise actual bases (vs satellite) for the Q400?

If so, does their longevity seem to be safe?

There are no satellite bases for the Q so they are all relatively safe. It would take a lot to close one of those down. On that list, Medford would probably be the first to go but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.


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Cool, appreciate the response.

Did it for 2.5yrs and it wasn't bad with the exception of spring breaks and sundays