Griever

High block trips are best. E.g. jet trips, but don't discount trips in the Q400. People say negative things about those trips, and they can have a few turds, but the jet currently goes to a few places with hotels that.... Leave something to be desired.

The Q can go to some places that have superb hotels. ALW, BLI, RNO, LAX, MRY are some of my favorites.

Griever

Don't pretend that commuting isn't a part of reality for pilots. Some are lucky enough to move into base, some have mixed obligations.

Don't demean others for choosing to commute, they're often looking out for their family's well being and comfort. I'd be a sorry fool for casting doubt on somebody sacrificing their time for their family like that. So would anyone else for making a baseless decision on such superficial information.

word302

An airline with a base in Colorado?

Griever

You beat me to it.

There's at least one carrier in Denver I'd never consider now that they've inherited our old VP of Contract Violations.

Rangi

True, for many reasons on top of the the two you threw out.

But that’s water under...

What chaps me is that Dave, Brad north, and their latest contingent of standard bearers straight up lied to us on multiple occasions. “E175s and growth in ANC!”straight out of Dave’s mouth most recently at our town hall in anc in august, but myriad times prior. For 9 months those of us in ANC have been running with our personal affairs on hold and with bated breath as we wonder which future to believe and what plans to make.

I understand it is my bad, and understand that businesses like AAG have absolutely no commitment to be honest to their employees. I get it, stock price matters, etc. And I also understand if one looks at the history of QX and takes the time to digest this entire thread, this duplicity and crass disregard for employees well being is the modus operandi for these guys.

No judgement on my end, QX is just what it is. I do hope it helps to further illuminate how these guys choose to do business with their employees. Some pilots may like businesss run this way and may thrive in this sort of environment.

I for one do not, I am done and am out.

Learned a fair bit from QX, most importantly, your employees are your most important customer. There are lots of airlines up here, many small enough to work that way, as QX did a long, long time ago before AAG arrived.

Best wishes to all who hold on!

mightyflyer

Good luck Rangi. It was never likely, but between this, the last 12 months, and the current arbitration decision at big bro, AS will never see an application from me!

snackysmores

4 Q400 upgrades for Dec, 0 jet.
Most junior CA: Q400 2/17 (MFR) , E175 7/16 (SEA)


Most junior by base:

PDX CA: 11/14
PDX FO: 8/17

SEA Q400 CA: 3/15
SEA Q400 FO: 5/17

SEA E175 CA: 7/16
SEA E175 FO: new hire

GEG CA: 1/15
GEG FO: 7/17

MFR CA: 2/17
MFR FO : new hire

ANC: Closing in March

Average training time: 3 months

Predictions: Q400 upgrades will remain available for anyone with 1000 hours 121 or applicable 135. The most junior twenty E175 Captains are very junior company wide and luckily were able to bid the jet during a period of growth, however they will remain on reserve for the next 20 years should they stay.

The company has indicated up to 13-15 Q400s will be parked in 2018 and replaced with E175s on a 1:1 ratio, with the fleet number at 60 by the end of 2018. This is what they SAY, what they DO may be very different as our management has effectively demonstrated every word that comes out of their mouths is a lie.

Jonneaux

That would probably be the only way that they could staff new 175's. You have to ask yourself about the economics of an airline with two fleets types of 30 planes each. It could happen.

snackysmores

If our training department doubled in capacity like they hope it will, and we get the additional E175 sims I think we could staff it. Our classes have been full since August, our problem is "sh!tters full!" in the training pipeline. Way too many people sitting around waiting for their next phase of training to start.

So unless Alaska can dangle a carrot in front of the training departments face (because as soon as someone gets promoted to instructor/LCA they leave) it's not going to happen.

If they gave us flow it would literally solve all of their problems. You can lead a horse to water (in this case our union has been doing that for the last 3 years)....

Packrat

Never going to happen. I asked the 2nd floor 25 years ago why we weren't taking guys from QX. My reasoning:

1. You have the pilot's personnel record
2. You have the pilot's attendance record
3. QX pilots are trained to the same standard as AS pilots
4. They are already involved in the "company culture"

Their answer: "We prefer to hire a variety of pilot backgrounds and we don't want to increase the training load at Horizon."

As a result, Horizon pilots jumped ship anyway, going to SWA, UAL, DAL etc.

It didn't make sense to me then and it doesn't make sense to me now.