Horizon
 

What's going on at Horizon these days? Haven't heard much on QOL, Pay, hiring. Thanks

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...hlight=Horizon

That'll link you to the Horizon Hiring Thread (Search Horizon, currently on page two). An older thread and lots of chatter between UND guys but there are some good posts that should help you out.

RJ lines average 16 days off per bid. Q400 average 15. 200 average 14-15. Bid period is 35 days. Working on a new contract. Starting Loreto Mexico in January. A class of 11 started on the 4th, 9 UND guys ( most instructors), me 121, and another instructor from the NW. There is a class on Oct 31 and then one in December. New hires are only going to the Rj and Q400. They are not letting you cheoose the a/c, they assign you on your background. All with 121 time got the jet. With 6 jets coming back from DEN by the end of December the jet will take over the longer Q400 routes. There is no talk about new domiciles. They have said that upgrade will drop to 3-4 years but I will believe it when I see it.
I am very impressed with the company, it is like night and day compared to where I was. Let me know if you need anything else.

Upgrade will drop to 3-4 years? Hah! That's what they said when I got hired - and it went UP since then! They've been telling newhires that the entire time since with absolutely nothing on the horizon that'd make upgrade time drop. Increased attrition is the only reason upgrade time isn't going to 8 years by next year (and even then it might).

There are some good reasons to go to Horizon but don't kid yourself that you'll be a captain in anything less than six years. I was there 3.5 yrs and barely half way up the totem pole. I enjoyed my time there - but from a career standpoint it was a complete waste of time.

I agree.. the 3 year thing is something the like to float around to new hires. I would say 6.5 to 7. When do you start at compass?

Already did, am in the "self study basic indoc," I go back to MSP next week.

Agreed.

Doesn't the most junior jet captain have like 10 years of longevity?

Thanks all for the info. The Pacific Northwest is a great place to live and work. Just pondering my options

Well, that was when DEN was open. It's like 14 yrs to get PDX jet CA, well over 20 to hold a decent line in the jet.

Ugrade Update
 

QX has decided to bypass a few FOs on the Q200 because FO staffing on the plane is already low. As a result, the most recent upgrade just went to the last FO hired before 9/11. If the company continues to bypass Q200 FOs, the next FO awarded upgrade may be a Feb. 2003 hire.

Why didn't they bypass KG then!?

You're not the only one wondering that. Soon I'm going to have to deal with KG.:(

That's OK because the airplane will probably not move because it'll be written up...

Or he will be too busy talking to the feds about weight and balance....

Once ya'll have ASAP up and running, you FOs might wanna self-disclose after every flight with KG, just to make sure...you never know when he's gonna rat you out! :rolleyes:

4 more people interviewed today and it looks like 3 went to the sim. You guys make flying with KG sound ever so glamerous.

Even I know who KG is, and I was only there for a very short time. Never had the pleasure of flying with the fellow.

You shouldn't have to deal with him in the RJ. You'll hear plenty of stories, though. He basically killed a CA's career by going to the feds over something that was 100% not the guy's fault (rampers gave him faulty W&B info) without ever telling the CA or the company until after the fact. The feds came down hard on the company as well and one result is the W&B verification procedure you'll learn in training. Sign up for the union online BB when you can, KG is active on there and you'll be absolutely amazed by the inanity of some of his posts. He always gets called out on it too but never quite catches on! :rolleyes:

That is straight up BS. The newhire class on OCT 31 is showing 12 in the
Q400. The CRJ instructor said there is a class of 5 Rj in DEC. If anyone cares.

They originally planned for 7 in the OCT 31 class but their staffing needs have changed drastically. They now need to hire 70 pilots from now until spring in all aircraft including the 200.

What, why would they be hiring for the 200? I would have thought that with those planes being phased out, they would have too many pilots for the 200 and would be training them on the 400. What changed?

Hey Senior Black listed,
My understanding is that there are a a fair amount of people leaving. I just talked to a friend that is leaving for another airline where he can upgrade in 6 months. He was also, upset cuz he was from Seattle and had to commute to PDX. Nice guy and I wish him the best.
70 people is just a ton for QX. I thought I was pretty lucky getting a spot in the last class with the low amount of hiring they are doing. The last class was a mid June class. Ok, hopefully it is 70 people I need the people below me.

I need them below me too!
70 people is a lot for Horizon, they are going to have a tough time finding 70. I guess they are just so short staffed on the 200 that they need to hire some people into it.

Oh and FL410 I found out that one of the people who made it to the sim with you is in the current Q400 class.

New minimums are 750 total and 50 multi

So 750/50 is official for all applicants, not just UND grads? I applied today online. They said that I don't meet current requirements. I have 960/370. Did that just happen today? I am a few months from my B.S. degree, could that be it?

I just went online and checked the job posting and it says 750/50. It applies to all applicants now. I don't think it has anything to do with you not having your degree since that is just a preference.

Are they running current 121 guys through the sim as well during the interview?

Yes everyone goes through the sim

I just called Horizon and the lady I talked to (Karen) said that the 750/50 is for UND grads and their minimums are still 1000/100.

Just heard that Horizon is coming to CWU for their direct hire program November 27th.

Yeah I talked with CWU and they are not sure how many people they can even get to interview. Horizon wants to hire a bunch form CWU. Talked with HR today and they are thinking that there is going to be a bunch of hiring soon.

Right now its 2 direct-hire candidates and 2 non direct-hire candidates that anxiously getting ready for the 27th.

A good buddy of mine just got Hired for the crj700 outa PDX, his Groundschool is starting mid december. I think they almost have everyone that they need.

Only 4 people, honestly that is pretty weak. CWU have to be kicking themselves on the turn out for the DH. When I was a freshman there everyone was bending over to get it. There are bunch of CWU grads that are just doing to off the street thing because it is easier to deal with instead of the all the paperwork for the DH. Good luck to all of them.

Good.. Maybe managment will open their eyes now. Only 7 from UND and now 5 from CWU.. For some strange reason they think they are still going to get and explosion of resumes like they use to. And now with places like Comair offering a signing bonus, you would have to be an idiot to come sign a training contract for a 6.5 year upgrade.

Is it back down to only 6.5, binty? ;)

Six-month FO I flew with is already bailing for SKW...

Ouch. Are they paying off the training bond or flippin' Art the bird?

Or is the company not making newhires sign the contract anymore?

No they are still doing the contract