Horizon Upgrade Time?
11-24-2006 | 09:37 PM
#12
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From: 737 Right
I didn't intend for this thread to become a discussion on contract negotiations, but since some current Horizon pilots are watching, let me ask you a question:
Let's say a person was to receive 3 job offers at about the same time: 1) Ameriflight on the Navajo (with probable upgrade to BE-99 in a year), 2) Skywest FO on the EMB-120, or 3) Dash-8 FO for Horizon. Theoretically all out of PDX.
Based on your experiences with Horizon and knowledge of these other companies, which would you be most likely to choose?
Let's say a person was to receive 3 job offers at about the same time: 1) Ameriflight on the Navajo (with probable upgrade to BE-99 in a year), 2) Skywest FO on the EMB-120, or 3) Dash-8 FO for Horizon. Theoretically all out of PDX.
Based on your experiences with Horizon and knowledge of these other companies, which would you be most likely to choose?
11-24-2006 | 10:44 PM
#13
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From: 737 FO
If you're looking for a quick upgrade, then I would probably go to SkyWest. Maybe not as quick as Ameriflight, but a better company with more options in the long run.
If you just want to be in Portland, I would choose Horizon. Portland base at SkyWest is not very big and your chances of getting there are probably much lower than at Horizon. At Horizon, by the middle of 2007 the only base choices will be SEA or PDX with PDX being the largest. But you should be prepared for slow upgrade time. However, the crews are great!........well, most of them.
If you just want to be in Portland, I would choose Horizon. Portland base at SkyWest is not very big and your chances of getting there are probably much lower than at Horizon. At Horizon, by the middle of 2007 the only base choices will be SEA or PDX with PDX being the largest. But you should be prepared for slow upgrade time. However, the crews are great!........well, most of them.
11-25-2006 | 05:49 AM
#14
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From: 737NG CA
The name of the game in this business is "get in the left seat as fast as you can!" You need that PIC time to get to the next step. The only problem with Horizon is the job is so good, guys get stuck in the right seat for too long. Every day you spend at a regional is one less day at your major airline.
Last edited by Velocipede; 11-25-2006 at 08:40 AM.
11-25-2006 | 07:33 AM
#15
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From: Corporate Pilot
Upgrade
The name of the game in this business is "get in the left seat as fast as you can!" YOu need that PIC time to get to the next step. The only problem with Horizon is the job is so good, guys get stuck in the right seat for too long. Every day you spend at a regional is one less day at your major airline.
In addition to the majors a 36 year old Horizon dash 8 captain looks like a failure sitting next to a 28 year old RJ captain from Mesa. Not good.
SkyHigh
11-25-2006 | 08:05 AM
#16
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From: 737 Right
The name of the game in this business is "get in the left seat as fast as you can!" YOu need that PIC time to get to the next step. The only problem with Horizon is the job is so good, guys get stuck in the right seat for too long. Every day you spend at a regional is one less day at your major airline.
Anyhow, I guess I'm wondering that if I really want to be based in PDX or SEA, Horizon might be a good choice. I have an interview coming up, so I will go to that. If offered the job, I will then be faced with the scenario I've mentioned above.
11-25-2006 | 08:48 AM
#17
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From: 737NG CA
Get yourself a job with UPS or FedEx, make big bucks, live in Portland and commute to Ontario or Anchorage. To do that, you've got to get as much turbine PIC time as fast as you can. Every year you waste in the right seat at QX so you can live in Portland is a year you give up in the left seat of a purple or brown widebody making in excess of $200K a year.
Do the math.
11-25-2006 | 10:40 AM
#18
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From: 737 Right
Point well taken. Ameriflight was my first choice to begin with. My primary concern with AMF is the lack of crew experience when it's time to start applying for majors (and, well, salary before making it to the larger turboprops).
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