Non GUM base trip pick ups.
 

GUM based pilots are prohibited from picking up trips from any other base or flying trips in the mainland. Recently there were trips that went HNL to SFO or LAX but never continued into the states. Also, non GUM based pilots can not pick up GUM trips. You could bid the 777 out of SFO and get trips that pass through GUM to HKG or take the plane to China and deadhead to GUM to get a feel for the island. With a new contract presumably coming soon this limitation could possibly change but it's unlikely.

What are the chances of getting Guam as a new hire FO for 2023?

Is the staffing in the island enough or is there an rotational need for new hires to be based there?

Because it’s such a small base, the vacancies tend to be a little more sporadic so seeing it in new hire classes- while not unheard of- is not necessarily common. The last vacancy closed with all GUM seats filled & the junior FO not quite at new hire seniority.

Having said that, the abundance of movement stateside has a way of luring guys back for upgrade or WB flying, so there has usually been some GUM action on our recent vacancy bids, especially in the right seat. Your best bet if that’s what you’re after is to bid anything 737 then put in a standing bid for GUM FO at 100%. Within a year is no guarantee, but probably not an unreasonable expectation.

Also good to note that if you have kids, not only the private schools are expensive and may not live up to your standards, limited healthcare options, and you will also need to prepare your family for nature such as this:

https://www.guampdn.com/news/typhoon...ed64baa4c.html

https://www.nytimes.com/article/trop...awar-guam.html

So coming as a new hire, single or just as a couple seems to be easy. But adding kids into the mix will be tricky. Of course to each his own. Good luck

https://www.reddit.com/r/guam/commen...ld_improve_on/

Sounds like the island isn’t for you.

Lots of very satisfied pilots out there w/ families & I’d say it’s roughly a 50/50 split between homeschooling & private schools. (Never knew anyone to use the public school system.) It’s true private schools aren’t cheap, but there are multiple options & most are able to find one that works well for their kids- though it’s not uncommon for families to move stateside for the high school years.

Typhoons happen. Like earthquakes in CA, tornadoes in the Midwest, hurricanes in FL. Most places have storm shutters & WX tracking is good enough that you get a few days to prepare. There are worse things than playing Monopoly w/ your kids by candlelight once every few years.

Healthcare can be tricky. If you’re generally healthy & just need a decent primary care guy you won’t notice a difference, but if you have any medical conditions that require special treatment, educate yourself about the availability of providers. It can be hit & miss. I have known people to just fly off island every time they needed to see their specialist but that obviously depends on how frequently you need care & not everyone’s comfortable w/ that kind of arrangement.

Commute from Japan
 

Hello!

Does anyone with experience being based in Guam think it would be feasible to live/commute from Tokyo, Japan? I just received a CJO from United and plan on moving and living in base, based on what I drop. But I would jump at the chance to live in Japan once I can hold a line in Guam. I appreciate the help!

Short answer yes, very possible to commute from NRT to a line or RSV. (You can compress your RSV schedule to have all your off days in a single block if you prefer.) You wouldn’t be the first to make that commute.

whether you have the right to live in Japan as a resident (not tourist) is another story

You can be a “tourist” in JP for up to 180 days per year visa free, so once you subtract your working days, it’s probably not an issue to spend your days off there. If you have a really efficient work schedule you might end up needing to take an international vacation once in a while to keep it legal.

Is it possible to jumpseat (upfront) between Guam and Saipan? Both US territories, but both separate gov/customs. Thanks.