What's happening at Horizon and Jets?
#3781
The last email I read about October vacancy bidding mentioned being short Q captains in Spokane. Idk if that’s just one of those “company propaganda” things but I thought it was contrary to the axiom of Spokane being hella senior.
Also, if we’re so short on Q captains, why do reserve times for new captains seem so much longer than reserve times for FOs?
Also, if we’re so short on Q captains, why do reserve times for new captains seem so much longer than reserve times for FOs?
#3782
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 268
Is there any common trends regarding upgrade failures on the Q? I know it’s a pretty rough experience going from jet FO to Q captain, but if you’re already a Q FO it shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ve flown with some captains on the Q that make it look a little too easy, if you know what I mean.
(1) Basic stick and rudder skills, especially during abnormal procedures (i.e., engine failures and zero flap landings). The Q400 is gawd-awful on one engine. A productive strategy is to use whatever control pressure it takes to hold the wings level, maintain a safe airspeed, and then work out what kind of failure you're dealing with.
(2) Lack of familiarity with the FMS. You'd think this wouldn't be a big issue, but many pilots (FO's and captains included) can't correctly program and use the FMS in a timely manner while dealing with other problems. Being good isn't good enough, you have to practice to the point where it's second nature.
(3) Lack of familiarity with flows. See (2) above.
(4) On the upgrade side: Lack of decision-making ability, or inability to prioritize / commit to a course of action. I noticed that when I went through upgrade IOE that there was almost no "instruction", the whole process seemed much more like a four-day line check.
#3783
I'm not a sim instructor, so I don't have much insight on Q400 upgrade training failures. Newer first officers tend to struggle with the following:
(1) Basic stick and rudder skills, especially during abnormal procedures (i.e., engine failures and zero flap landings). The Q400 is gawd-awful on one engine. A productive strategy is to use whatever control pressure it takes to hold the wings level, maintain a safe airspeed, and then work out what kind of failure you're dealing with.
(2) Lack of familiarity with the FMS. You'd think this wouldn't be a big issue, but many pilots (FO's and captains included) can't correctly program and use the FMS in a timely manner while dealing with other problems. Being good isn't good enough, you have to practice to the point where it's second nature.
(3) Lack of familiarity with flows. See (2) above.
(4) On the upgrade side: Lack of decision-making ability, or inability to prioritize / commit to a course of action. I noticed that when I went through upgrade IOE that there was almost no "instruction", the whole process seemed much more like a four-day line check.
(1) Basic stick and rudder skills, especially during abnormal procedures (i.e., engine failures and zero flap landings). The Q400 is gawd-awful on one engine. A productive strategy is to use whatever control pressure it takes to hold the wings level, maintain a safe airspeed, and then work out what kind of failure you're dealing with.
(2) Lack of familiarity with the FMS. You'd think this wouldn't be a big issue, but many pilots (FO's and captains included) can't correctly program and use the FMS in a timely manner while dealing with other problems. Being good isn't good enough, you have to practice to the point where it's second nature.
(3) Lack of familiarity with flows. See (2) above.
(4) On the upgrade side: Lack of decision-making ability, or inability to prioritize / commit to a course of action. I noticed that when I went through upgrade IOE that there was almost no "instruction", the whole process seemed much more like a four-day line check.
You need to know a LOT about Q400 systems and be able to apply that knowledge during emergency situations. You have to memorize a lot of numbers and hard values, whereas on the jet it's dumbed down to green = good, switches dark and auto even better!
The jet is just mindnumbingly easy to fly even when things are going very bad. The Q400 has a learning curve and 4 days of ground School and some cbts will not prepare you for captain MV.
#3785
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Position: Q400 Captain
Posts: 43
This is a true statement. During the last "Pilot Chat", our chief pilot indicated that we were overstaffed on all positions EXCEPT Q400 captains. There's a couple of upgrade classes going through in October, but this is only 8-10 pilots, which may not make much of a dent in the shortage.
I suspect we're short of Q400 captains in most of the bases. A quick look at our crew scheduling software shows about 50 open trips on the Q400 side. About 90% are coded as premium pay (150%). If you want the Portland base, then ask for it. As a reserve, you can expect to spend plenty of time deadheading to other bases to cover trips.
I'm a line holder, so I don't know how long people are spending on reserve in Portland. Best guess? One to two years, with a fair amount of flying.
I suspect we're short of Q400 captains in most of the bases. A quick look at our crew scheduling software shows about 50 open trips on the Q400 side. About 90% are coded as premium pay (150%). If you want the Portland base, then ask for it. As a reserve, you can expect to spend plenty of time deadheading to other bases to cover trips.
I'm a line holder, so I don't know how long people are spending on reserve in Portland. Best guess? One to two years, with a fair amount of flying.
#3787
#3788
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Position: B777, Right Side or Panda-side. Or Pandacide.
Posts: 119
#3789
Is there any common trends regarding upgrade failures on the Q? I know it’s a pretty rough experience going from jet FO to Q captain, but if you’re already a Q FO it shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ve flown with some captains on the Q that make it look a little too easy, if you know what I mean.
#3790
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Position: Q400 Captain
Posts: 43
If you’re able to hold a line or home/long call reserve on the Q, then there’s flying for you. My problem is that I haven’t been able to shake airport reserve, and we airport folks get called last. Other than that, things are fine, just know what might happen if you upgrade quickly.
P.S. Also, I came in from flying heavies. People hyped up the “deadly” Q400, but I found that if you study, chair fly, clear out ALL distractions (people in my life tried causing drama during upgrade, and were promptly ditched,) you’ll be fine. Ask questions, know your stuff, and you’ll be fine. Just like college....
....wait, I flunked out of college...
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