Packrat

Are you kidding. When AS got rid of the MD-80 the final flight was in September/October. Some guys didn't get to training until the following MARCH.

Seems like ops normal for the air group.

WhiteH2O

Does anyone know how far out the E175 classes are filled? Like if someone were to be hired today, when they could expect a class date?

DashAviator

No one's answered your question yet, so I'll take a crack at it. Due to the number of planned aircraft deliveries for next year, I doubt if you would have to wait very long for a class. We still need lots of pilots, both for the Dash and the Embraer. My guess? You could probably get a jet class by mid-March 2018.

Before you commit to the jet, you should consider some additional information:

(1) The bonus is higher for the Q400.

(2) There are five bases for the Q400 (not counting Anchorage) and only one base for the E175 (Seattle). Portland and Seattle are very expensive places to live. Boise, Medford, and Spokane are much cheaper.

(3) The jet trips are likely to be way better. Due to the volume of training, you may not fly very much. I suspect the Q400 first officers are flying more than the jet guys. In other words, if you want the hours, the Q400 might be the better choice.

As a general rule, Part 121 pilots don't fly as much as freight dogs or (most) flight instructors. My yearly totals run from a low of 660 hours to a high of 840 hours. You'll need 1000 hours of Part 121 time to upgrade. Some types of Part 135 flying or military flying can count toward this total. Expect to spend 2 - 3 years in the right seat.

(4) We're supposed to be getting rid of a bunch of Q400's next year, something like 25% of our Q400 fleet. Regardless of which airplane you choose, you'll likely be on reserve for most of next year.

Horizon management is weird in some ways, but they're generally pretty good about honoring your preferences as far as aircraft type and initial base.

Jonneaux

Congrats to you guys at QX. Your performance has been exceptional for at least the last month. OO is down to 4 CRJs covering QX flying. Quite the turnaround. KUDOS.

NorthRckB

Its not the guys at QX, it is the board of directors finally realizing they need to invest in QX. They have been putting a lot of money into the operation over the past 6 months. The whole reason this happened was because they wanted to be cheap when the market for pilots was going up.

snackysmores

To expand on that, I’ve literally done nothing different over the past few years when things started going downhill. There’s nothing I can do to speed up the operation when almost all PIC authority here has been removed when on the ground, and we’re restricted by time gates.

If we are late, it’s completely out of the flight crews control. But hey, at least they can avoid giving us performance payouts each quarter.

CurseURedBaron

Anybody familiar with the specifics of how the new bonuses are determined? It says “up to” 20k and 25k now. I assume you get more for previous 121 time and/or an appropriate type rating?

snackysmores

No types required. 25k for the Q and 20k for the jet. Half after OE and the other half after 1 year.

ASpilot2be

I thought it was 20k, and 10k.

snackysmores

Someone mentioned it went up a week or two ago, and looking at the recruiting website it looks like it did.