Horizon Upgrade and Work Rules
 

Horizon guys and gals,
With Horizon's new minimums at 750/50, I am considering applying to Horizon. While I know they have a longer upgrade (about 6 years), I am interested in working for the best regional out there. And I like the idea of a west coast base.

It looks like the most junior captain is April 2001. Like most other airlines, was there a hiring freeze after 9/11? If so, how long was it until they resumed hiring? What does attrition look like? How many are they planning to hire?

Also, how are the work rules at Horizon? I know they have the best pay in the industry, but what are work rules like? Trip rig. Duty Rig. Deadhead. Min day guarantee. Days off. Anything else.
How are negotiations coming?

I wouldn't come here unless you are planning on flying a turbo-prop for a long time. Lots of rumors running around that horizon will be one fleet type soon. Q400 here I come!:( Another rumor being that the Air Group is gonna farm out the small jet flying (90-110seats). Definately some change coming and not for the best.

There was a hiring freeze after 9/11 that didn't resume until Spring 2003, so upgrade are dropping to a touch under 5 yrs for the 03 hires, and then rising again to over 6 yrs unless attrition or upgrades accelerate quite a bit above their current rates.

4:1 trip rig, 2:1 duty rig, 100% deadhead, 12 days off min (in 35 day bid). Mostly 4 day trips, I hear CRJ crews are even doing some 5 day trips now. Negotiations are more or less at a standstill because the company doesn't have much interest in correcting any of the crappier aspects of the contract and the union doesn't have any interest in giving up pay...and the pilot group isn't ****ed off enough to get things moving again.

Good place to work, I enjoyed my time there, but 3.5 yrs with no upgrade for another 3-4 was too long....

Pretty misleading info. there, except for the rigs.
Schedules depend ALOT on your airplane. In the jet, 1, 2, and 3 day trips are also very common. I have gone multiple bids in a row without an overnight. Also, it's 13 days off per bid, except for reserve. 14-18 days off/bid are normal in the jet for lineholders.

Oh, and there are NO 5 DAY TRIPS AT HORIZON. That's pure BS. What's the deal, FL250? I know you have enough friends left at QX to get the truth easily, so I can only assume you are propagandizing for the benefit of your new employer.

[quote=Fokker28;268813]Pretty misleading info. there, except for the rigs.
Schedules depend ALOT on your airplane. In the jet, 1, 2, and 3 day trips are also very common. I have gone multiple bids in a row without an overnight. Also, it's 13 days off per bid, except for reserve. 14-18 days off/bid are normal in the jet for lineholders.

Oh, and there are NO 5 DAY TRIPS AT HORIZON. That's pure BS. What's the deal, FL250? I know you have enough friends left at QX to get the truth easily, so I can only assume you are propagandizing for the benefit of your new employer.



There are 5 and 6 day trips at Horizon.

example: FCAMSOSEARNOACVSEA

or

HLNBTMSEAEUGSEA

This is common in the Q400. May not be as common in the RJ but there are 5 and 6 day trip at horizon.

The jet schedules are better. One thing that blows my mind is that most (don't jump on me) of the trips in the jet you get paid with the 4:1 TAFB. The Q400 thing I haven't heard of but there are a few cheap ones over the pond right now. Farming out the 90-110 seats, I guess you get what they pay for.
I personally like being at QX, yes a long upgrade, turbo props but I like the west coast and the destinations. If you want to upgrade and go somewhere else there is always, SkyWest.

HELLO? THOSE ARE TRIPS BASED IN SEATTLE, GENIUS! That is a pair of 3-day trips and a 3-day plus a 2-day. Good gravy, I knew we had some freakin' nuggets around, but you guys don't even know what constitutes a trip???

Wow. :eek:


I'll give you a hint: every time the line shows a release IN YOUR DOMICILE, well, that would be the END OF A TRIP.

Whatever. If i have to pay for 5 or 6 days of daycare, thats a 5 or 6 day trip. 2 three day trips slapped together is a 6 day trip regardless if it's a Seattle or portland trip..You are working 6 days in a row, whats the difference if you have a pair of three days and you are released in you domicile. Have you seen gas prices in Seattle.

No, not 'whatever'. Somebody out there is trying to decide how working at Horizon would fit their life. They deserve accurate information. Knowing that they will be home after no more than 3 nights away, maximum, could be important to them.

Those aren't 5 or 6 day trips. You are plainly and simply flat wrong.

As Fokker 28 said, your experience at QX will depend greatly on the aircraft you fly. CRJ pilots have it nice. Q200 guys are looking for the exit.

Q200 schedules usually are typically 5-7 legs a day, with 8 leg days not uncommon. Schedules for next bid are disgusting. Most lines are 13-14 days off, with lots of time away from base, and pretty much everything has a mix of AM and PM shows so nobody is happy.

Reserve rules are a joke. The company can switch you from AM to PM or vice versa at their pleasure. If you bid a home reserve line, they can switch your home days for airport reserve days in the final bid award. I was once awarded a home reserve line where 6 of my home days had been changed to airport.

Plan on 5-6 years to upgrade, so look somewhere else if you are planninng on making this hiring wave at the majors.

Work rules: 4:1 TAFB rig, 2:1 Duty rig, No daily guarantee except for single day trips which are guaranteed to 4 hours. Min. 13 days off as a lineholder, 12 off on reserve.

Benefits begin 90 days after date of hire. Health, dental, and vision are free for employee, and can be purchased for family. 10 percent 401(k) match is half in the funds you choose and half in AAG stock. Fully vested after 5 years.

Feel free to ask any other questions.