Any info on the September class? Size, date, possible bases?

 

just got the call! Sounds like a class of 10-15. Home study starts on the 7th of September. Not sure of bases. Northeast sounds unlikely though.

 

Heard about a runway incursion at KBOS the other day...any one have more info?

 

Hi to all. This is my first time posting. I'm looking for opinions on commuting. I'm married, with kids (10 and 11) and live near South Bend, IN. My wife flies for ExpressJet out or ORD and her normal schedule is about 4 on and 3 off. I've worked as a flight attendant for Delta for 20 years, and am used to a commute like I used to do from MCO to NYC. So I'm used to some nasty commuting. My question to you is: is it realistic to think I can work for Cape Air and commute from SBN when my wife works 4 out of every 7 days and I am a dad? ANY opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Really, I have to ask who is raising the kids. Not too be an A$$ but who is going to watch your children when you are both required to be at work?

 

Well, we do. Right now she'll work Wed thru Sat and I'll work Sun thru Tues. Her schedule is flexible and can be reduced to a 3 day workweek rather than 4. I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to work a schedule at Cape Air that allows me to be gone 3 - 4 days a week.

 

I'll take a shot....it's not impossible, but would be tough. First, the bases at Cape are the outstations, especially for the junior pilots, and there are very very few overnights (generally only if there are cancellations for example) so you would have to find a place to live in base. Second, the tough part is the commuting on your days off; a lot of the schedules are 4 on 3 off, and because you would be commuting to outstations it would be tough to be home for those 3 days without spending a chunk of them commuting to/from work. There are some schedules that could work better, and you could also try swapping some days with other pilots to make it work better, but it would still be tough. Again, not impossible, just tough. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the response Speedbird. Some follow-up questions if you, or someone else could... I assume you mention it's outstation flying because that would mean that it's another additional leg per commute. Most of the bases I've been subject to in my airline career have crashpads available. Is that the case for these outstations? Or is it more akin to finding and furnishing an apartment. I understand that after a season, or a year, one may be able to be a part time pilot. Does that generally mean you work only a certain season of the year? And I understand that the Midwest routes are pretty junior (good for me) and after the initial base assignment, I should be able to bid the Midwest assignment. Again, thanks for helping me find out whether or not it's a reasonable position to pursue.

 

Yeah, the additional leg would be the problem (only 9 seats available in these planes, would require some careful planning). Also some of the places aren't the kind of towns/cities that would have the typical crashpads...a lot of folks generally move in base, even if just temporary until the next bid period. As far as part time flying goes, I believe the company would like you to work full time for a year after attaining your ATP (or 6 months if you already have that when hired). PT pilots are typically based in HYA or BOS and have to be available 3 days per month (maybe someone else can chime in if I'm rusty with the PT requirements). I don't know a whole lot about the midwest routes, looking at the base awards for the winter those bases seem to be spread out as far as seniority goes.

I'm probably making it sound a little discouraging, but there have been people that commute, even with the 4/3 schedules, so it's entirely possible but as I'm sure you know it can be an adventure getting to work, especially with those multi-leg trips. I've only been with Cape since Nov but so far still loving the flying, it's a cool company to work for even if the base situation is a little different but if you could make it work it could be a lot of fun. Maybe some of the others out there have some different perspectives that might help.

 

Is there a company policy against commuting on day 1 and day (last) of your work schedule?

For example:
Day 1 - Show at (random) 10am until (random again) 9p
Day 2 - 7am-9p
Day 3 - Same
Day 4 - 7a - say noon(?)

I think I've heard a few of the Northern New York schedules (ART maybe?) are built something like that (this is all just a WAG).

If so, and you could find something to commute early day 1 (meaning enough flights to make it reasonably possible) to be in position at 10am, is there a company policy that would prohibit that or is it just a matter of making sure you're rested, safe and legal to fly?

-mini