100percentshots

I know some pros, but what are the cons of a GUM base and why not everyone wants to move their family there?

detpilot

Are you a military retiree? If you don't have base access, gas is $5.18 a gallon today. Food is expensive. Have kids? Hope you can afford the private school here, public and charter schools are... Let's just say not great. Those are a few reasons.

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hummingbear

People tend to overstate a lot of the cost issues. Yes, gas is expensive but it’s a small island so you drive a lot less. Cost of school is a big factor, though, especially as you get into the high school years. Basically you have homeschool (a lot of families do this) or suck it up & pay a lot ($600-$2K monthly per kid) for private school.

Generally, it’s far away, pretty remote, and just generally a much different lifestyle. A lot of people just aren’t interested in moving that far away from friends & family, or are very comfortable living in the US suburbs & not interested in the change. If you’re not really excited about water access & island life, you’ll likely get bored- especially now while travel around the region is so restricted.

Although the scheduling flexibility is really great, the flying itself isn’t the best in the system. Limited destinations & lots of all-night flying. Can be harder on some than others. (Flying is still very restricted due to CIVID, so it’s hard to know how it will be rebuilt once Asia opens back up for travel.)

Lastly, it’s a three year commitment for a paid move both ways & a lot of people just don’t feel they can commit to that timeline. Moving back can also prevent some challenges if you are not planning to return within 200 miles of a pilot base.

The positives are real, IMO, but not for everyone. Good thing, too, since it’s such a small base.

TwOtter

Would commuting Guam from Saipan be reasonable for someone on the junior side? Interested in a "normal" schedule (4 & 3) and not taking advantage of blocking large groups of days together. Either having a crash pad or apartment on Guam and more of a "home" in the CNMI.

I'm interested in the CNMI's lower tax rates and the reduced costs of private schools (in addition to home school) on Saipan vs the costs on Guam. Curious if anyone out there thinks it would be do able? Anyone think the PM flights to Saipan will come back?

What routes tend to go more senior? Japan, island hopper, ChuuK (Truk)? How about more junior?

Any chance catching a ride on MAC sense there is some sort of relationship between United and MAC (mail)? Any Jump seat with APA (not to Saipan)?

Thanks!

sikiy

Reviving this thread as I am looking at GUM as a new hire.

I see the new vacancy bid that was released today has no GUM spots available. I've heard people say that if you want GUM then to ask for it on day one of BI. If there is no vacancy however, is it even possible for them to give a new hire GUM? Just trying to plan on if I should start looking at houses in one of the other bases if Guam is impossible at this point.

ThumbsUp

Not possible. It has to be offered to those on the SL first. I’m simplifying things a little, but if it’s not available under an unexpired vacancy, it won’t be available to new hires. If Guam is your goal, though, just bid the 737 somewhere where you like and it’ll be an option eventually.

Dave Fitzgerald

Eventually, meaning shortly. Bids have been happening regularly, and a good chance you can have a lateral to Guam before you finish IOE.

100percentshots

Can someone elaborate on the scheduling flexibility? Am I allowed to sell flights or sell reserve to make my roster more compact to commute? How does this work? My ex airline allows me to proffer my flights, earn a bit less but more days off.

worstpilotever

You can try to drop trips, but this is staffing and seniority dependent. Lets say you want to drop a 3 day trip, and the company has decided that they have enough reserves to be "in the green" by two on those days. Great, you say, I can drop my trip. But, 2 people senior to you also want to drop trips that overlap those same 3 days. Those two will be able to drop the trip, but you will not. In theory you can drop reserve days if the coverage is acceptable, but I have not heard of anyone actually doing it.

FL001

Reviving this thread. How is Guam flying now that most of Asia is opening up? I didn’t see any Guam vacancies on the last massive bid?