MesabaFO

I live in Kenai, AK about a 3 hour drive/30 minute flight from Anchorage. I'm flying for a 135 operator, but have prior 121 time, and am considering applying for the Prior Qualifying Time First Officer program. From what I gathered, ANC is the most junior base, which is great for me as that's where I want to be.

Any info on what the ANC schedules look like would be appreciated. Sounds like as an FO you'll be sitting reserve a lot.

I suspect you guys are back in ANC every night, as I doubt it makes sense to leave a plane in Dillingham/King Salmon overnight. Is that correct?

Just wondering how many nights a month I would need a crash pad, and if it would be possible to commute in the morning of first day of a trip, and back home at night on last day.

Thanks for your help!

Lileskimo

The most junior line holder in ANC is an April 2022 hire so expect at least a year on reserve getting called once maybe every 3-4 months. When I was there I got called twice off reserve from Nov-Mar. They give long call lines which you could probably get pretty quickly. So you’re probably looking at 2-3 months in a crash pad then sitting at home on long call and hardly ever flying. Not many overnights, I think the only one is Paine field. Lots of crappy short legs and double Fairbanks turns which are not fun IMO.

mauleman

Is it true a regional airline like Horizon utilizes short, long and ready reserve? Are you saying you'd have to be in a crash pad 2-3 months at the beginning because of ready reserve? I'm curious as well if I could sit at home realisticly if I could be a few hours commute away. Especially if im not getting any real hours in.

Flyawaywayback

Having not been based in ANC but QX has 3 reserve types. Airport reserve isn't a thing at all bases and I don't know if it is at ANC

1) Airport, sit at the airport for 8hrs, need to be to the gate within 20 mins of being contacted.
2) Short Call, 2 hr callout
3) Long Call, 12 hr callout (Accounts for 20% of reserve coverage throught the pilot group, not neccisarily in each base equally.)

Use this info as you will. They haven't been sending new hires to ANC since last summer but still a very junior base you would most likely get before finishing IOE. In terms of when you'd be able to hold long call? 2-3 months is probably a safe bet, but it seems hiring and movement have ticked up a bit the last few months so who knows. However I'd plan and expect to have to do a few months of short call in ANC. And not getting called much.