It's not bad at all! I'm SJU based and the biggest issue I have is that I don't have a car. If I did, I'd probably enjoy it a lot more. I'm probably going to be trying to get a used beater for a few hundred bucks if I come down in the winter again (which I probably will). The bus system in PR is pretty bad; it's never on time and doesn't go where you want half the time.

That said, you can rent a car or catch a bus to go sightseeing on your off days if you'd like. Some people hop over to the BVI or USVI and enjoy their time off over there. If nothing else, you can go lay on the beach or just jumpseat home. A couple friends of mine just got SCUBA certified, and I just got a refresher since I hadn't been diving in 12 years. We're planning a dive trip to the BVI next month.

The pay is good, it's nice and warm, and the women are caliente. Can't beat it.

To answer your question about year-round Caribbean basing, the Caribbean stays quite senior in the summer it seems. Last summer's bid had 2 SJU lines (we're currently at 40!), 2 STT lines, 5 STX lines, 2 PSE lines, and 2 MAZ lines. Most of the guys who stay down here year-round are senior with families.

 

Thanks Night; I was hoping for a response like that . I'm sorry to hear they're overstaffed. I know how frustrating that is as we keep hiring more instructors, yet we have few students at the flight school I work at. I currently have 750tt/30 multi, and I plan to instruct for a few more months as I promised some students I would finish them up. By this summer I should have over 1000tt and close to 100 multi, so I'd still be shooting for an f.o. position. Do they seem to cap the number of f.o.'s they hire? And about how many flight hours are you averaging each week? Finally, one more off-topic question: do get much wind down there? I am fond of a particular water sport that requires much . Sorry to ask so many questions, but your input is much appreciated.

 

Are you guys still in the dark about the hiring situation? I just got an email from Cape Air saying to fill out an application for 402 Captain...

 

That makes two of us....What is the likely hood of getting a BWI base??

 

Still very much in the dark. If they sent you an app, great. Honestly the company doesn't really keep us line pilots in the know. Maybe there's something in the works we don't know about that's going to require more pilots! Always a possibility.

Actually... Discussions focus on increase of regional air flight - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

BWI isn't currently a base, but that could always change. Currently it's just Lancaster, PA and Hagerstown, MD as pilot bases, flying in and out of BWI each day.

 

Not sure about the number of FOs but I know the FOs that are down here are racking up hours much faster than most of the CAs. They just hop on random flights as they wish and log the time. *shrugs* As a CA I work a 4 on/3 off schedule and get about 10 hours of flight time per week. Told you we were overstaffed...

Yes, there's usually a breeze going on down here. This region is huge on sailing.

 

Never mind....

 

Mass. firm eyed for regional air service - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Not sure if this is old news or not...

So it seems like you guys are expanding into the PIT market. Is the current hiring to staff these flights? Would this mean opening up a PIT base if there is more expansion here?

 

We are not currently hiring right now. Pilot recruitment always takes applications due to the high turnover at cape. That high turnover is gone due to the state of the industry. The lancaster/Hagerstown to bwi bases are full and the pitts stuff is brand new negotiations. Negotiations take forever and it doesn't mean well get it. Cape is always in negotiations to fly all over. I'm guessing they won't even think about hiring until the summer season comes and goes. If you're interested, fill out the app and wait. My 2 cents

 

It seems as if this is the kind of expansion Cape Air is looking into. Every one of our last 16 new destinations has been a EAS-type route (with state or Fed money). But if there isn't money from somewhere to subsidize the route, I'd be surprised if we added any new service. The revenue in IND wasn't enough without the subsidy to keep flying.

If there were to be a subsidized route awarded, I'd guess the outstation would be the domicile. People want to fly to the hub early and home late - it makes connections easier.