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Crew Base Nuances

Old 03-06-2022, 06:20 AM
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Default Crew Base Nuances

With the numerous amount of base choices for QS pilots, are there any differences between bases or groups of bases from an operational and company standpoint?
For current QS pilots, what research did you do about a base before selecting it?
Does the region you are based in affect tours?
Are there any differences between west coast, central, and east coast bases?

Thanks!
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Old 03-06-2022, 06:54 AM
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One of the best things about NJ is you live where you want. For now there’s still the 100 base system for new hires vs HBA for the majority of pilots. But many tend to live where they want, not for basing/work reasons. We do have busier bases called green bases that I believe allow for shorter tours on the CC schedules. I’ve always been 7/7 so perhaps someone else could expand.

There are some bases that are more remote that may up your chances of an after midnight, although some bases come with strings attached and they may not be available to new hires.

I’ve flown with CMH based pilots who have changed their base to another one nearby to after getting seat filler duties at FlightSafety.

Otherwise I don’t know if there’s many huge differences. I think east coast might be a little busier than west coast and obviously the big cities would be busier than the outlying airports. That may help you get to an airplane quicker and start making FDP.

There’s probably some other reasons, but NJ is never short on variables or unpredictability so personally I’d move where you want to live or be close to family.
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Old 03-06-2022, 07:59 AM
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I am at a Green Base, with all airline service you can think of, and have used that to be on the cc60/5. I've also been on the cc76 long tour, cc72 and the straight cc60.
I've been driven to numerous locations, driven myself, airline and flown QS tail to/from base. It's just needs of the company.
Start and end times have varied too. With 0400 show for an airline to ending at 2330 and everything in-between.
One key aspect of our basing system is the ability to change a base every 15 days. So if you live in an RV and love to travel then this is one cool side of the basing system.
Some bases have no parking for us, so you are figuring out where to park. Some have parking for zero cost.
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Old 03-06-2022, 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Sidewinder27 View Post

One key aspect of our basing system is the ability to change a base every 15 days.....
Small correction -- Crew Bases can be changed every 7 days now...

If you're changing a base prior to a training assignment, they still require 15 days...

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Old 03-06-2022, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by jetlag7 View Post
Small correction -- Crew Bases can be changed every 7 days now...

If you're changing a base prior to a training assignment, they still require 15 days...

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I missed that, 7 days now, so there ya have it. An NJA pilot can be like a nomad.
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Old 03-06-2022, 05:37 PM
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More of a curiosity question but does anyone have insight as to pilots living in Hawaii or Alaska or if there are? I noticed the list of 100 or so bases offered for new hires is all lower 48 airports, but I wasn’t sure if eventually that would be an option with the expanded base offerings. My wife and I are out in Hawaii a lot and I was just thinking if it would be possible, or would I just have to get myself to a lower 48 base for the start of my rotation. Just spitballing here and thinking (typing) out loud🤔
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Old 03-06-2022, 05:57 PM
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We do have pilot that live OCONUS but they make their own way to their crew base or HBA. Dummy tickets can help with their commutes back home.

Chances of HI/AK bases are essentially zero.
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Old 03-06-2022, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Flyfalcons View Post
We do have pilot that live OCONUS but they make their own way to their crew base or HBA. Dummy tickets can help with their commutes back home.

Chances of HI/AK bases are essentially zero.
Thanks for the insight Falcon. That’s what I kind of figured regarding getting yourself to your starting base, but the dummy tickets are in interesting option for commuting home. How does that process work?
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Old 03-06-2022, 07:57 PM
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West Coast Pilots sometimes get sent to the east coast on day 1, then are given an 0500 Eastern show, which of course is 0200 to their bodies. I was CLT based on light cabin jets so didn't get out west very often but loved it when I did since I was a "night owl".
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Old 03-07-2022, 05:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Mustangdrvr View Post
Thanks for the insight Falcon. That’s what I kind of figured regarding getting yourself to your starting base, but the dummy tickets are in interesting option for commuting home. How does that process work?
Dummy tickets are essentially alternate last day travel. You are technically required to end at the same base that you started at. The company claims this is because of some tax issue. If you want to end in another place or go home at a later time, you can get released from duty by the company. They will book you a "dummy ticket" that holds the price they would have paid for your airfare to get you home. You book your own ticket home on your personal credit card and get reimbursed up to 90% of the price they would have paid for your ticket, unless you go home the same day on a later flight which gets you up to 100% reimbursement, as long long the flight is the same price or cheaper.

Dummy tickets are not available to start a tour. You can change your base with at least 7 days notice, but you will not be able to start a tour from outside the lower 48 states. You can live wherever you want as long as you are at your base at the time they brief you to start. You are responsible for 100% of the cost to be in position on your day 1.

The company is able to get surprisingly good deals on airline flights and sometimes they get the best deal on those days you want to dummy ticket. I know of pills that had to pay over $500 more than the ticket the company found for them to get home. Holidays are typically pretty dicey to get a better price than the company. Also, if you happened to be close to home on your last day, they may book you a rental car or sedan service. The dummy ticket needs to be the same mode of transportation. If they book you a car and you want to fly somewhere else, you will pay the entire cost.
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