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What's happening at Horizon and Jets?

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What's happening at Horizon and Jets?

Old 09-24-2019, 04:43 PM
  #3781  
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Originally Posted by MedSledDriver View Post
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?
They need them in Spokane even more is my understanding. But they will give any base to a Q upgrade and work out the flying to use them from that base. They only had one more captain bidding for October than pairing lines so.... I'm not worried about lack of flying. That's for sure.
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Old 09-24-2019, 05:27 PM
  #3782  
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Originally Posted by MedSledDriver View Post
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.
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.
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Old 09-24-2019, 06:12 PM
  #3783  
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Originally Posted by DashAviator View Post
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.
I'll add that the jet holds your hand and tells you/prompts you when you are about to screw something up. The Q400 does not. At all.

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.
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Old 09-24-2019, 08:51 PM
  #3784  
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Default Thanks for your insight

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Thanks all of you.
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Old 09-28-2019, 08:01 PM
  #3785  
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Originally Posted by DashAviator View Post
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’m at 1.5 years as a Q400 quick upgrade, on airport reserve in PDX. Be warned you don’t fly a whole lot on airport reserve. I’ve averaged 15 hours a month up to this point.
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Old 09-29-2019, 04:53 PM
  #3786  
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What clb2vnav sez is in direct contradiction to the other comments. Or are we at a turning point for Q captain flying?
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Old 09-29-2019, 06:52 PM
  #3787  
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Originally Posted by Stinger6 View Post
What clb2vnav sez is in direct contradiction to the other comments. Or are we at a turning point for Q captain flying?
I’m just over two years (27 months) and have a line as a PDX Q capt, but barley scrapping by with one
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Old 09-30-2019, 05:46 AM
  #3788  
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Originally Posted by Stinger6 View Post
What clb2vnav sez is in direct contradiction to the other comments. Or are we at a turning point for Q captain flying?
Maybe that sounds snotty. Lemme try again:

Sounds like clb2vnav had a rough experience, but maybe the numbers are shifting?
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Old 09-30-2019, 07:01 AM
  #3789  
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Originally Posted by MedSledDriver View Post
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.
From 2014ish to 2017 the average upgrade time was about 2.5-3 years. So you had plenty of time to learn the Q and her quirks/isms... Today you can upgrade much faster than that. Simply put, people upgrading on it just don't have enough time to experience the things that will you "get you" on the line or on a check ride. And the jet guys have none at all when they come over.
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Old 09-30-2019, 01:35 PM
  #3790  
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Originally Posted by Stinger6 View Post
Maybe that sounds snotty. Lemme try again:

Sounds like clb2vnav had a rough experience, but maybe the numbers are shifting?
Mah feelings!!!!!! You’re good mayne!

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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