BTSniper

For a Direct Entry Captain which of these two regionals do you think would be better quality of life for someone living in PDX?

As a Captain, which regional would get me based in PDX the soonest? Horizon or SkyWest?

Of the two, which one would be worse for the time spent commuting before getting PDX based? Imagine commuting from PDX to MFD at Horizon vs. PDX to DTW, DFW, MSP, ORD, ATL or IAH for SkyWest!

What makes either one better or worse than the other?

I don't need to hear about Delta or LCCs, I have been out of the industry for more than 10 years, I have 15-20 years left in this career. I like the idea of starting out again at a regional at 9 year captain salary, unless you all really think it is crazy to fly for the next 10-20 years making an average of $200/hr from day one as captain at a regional, driving to work.

I suppose if Alaska airlines was a goal, one would not apply to Horizon, and same goes for Delta or United applying at SkyWest.

Last question.... why does Skywest fly so much of Alaska/Horizon's routes? Does anyone imagine Horizon will pick up more of this flying and Skywest less? Is it beneficial for Alaska to have SkyWest or Horizon fly these routes?

Thanks

BT

Lileskimo

Go to Skywest. 20 years is Junior for a PDX captain at horizon. If you come to Horizon expect to be ANC based. Skywest has historically done more flying for Airgroup than Horizon and it will continue. Why? Who knows. Just know they will continue to outsource QX flying to OO and screw over their own people.

amcnd

You have asked this in the QX forum. From a OO prospective, we have a 12 year contract with Alaska. So no QX will not take over our routes as we own these aircraft. There will always be city pair swapping. Few QX FO’s ive talked to have not flown much. Under 200 a year. Bad timing for them. This very second i would do DEC at OO over QX. They have way to much of a back log in training and flying to go there right now. But that could change at any point.. And to the QX pilot post QX and OO flying is outsourced Alaska flying.. we are not just a sub contractor to the subcontractor…

BTSniper

Well crud!

So, it is a choice between commuting from PDX to ANC with Horizon or PDX to IAH, MSP or ATL with SkyWest?

I don't need hours, I have over 7500, I don't need 121 turbine PIC, I have over 1500. If I go to a regional, I expect to fly as captain but yes, forever on the bottom of the seniority list. I'm just looking for a good airline that might not require a commute or at least an easy short commute, west coast flying is a bonus, I'm not fond of those east coast 4am wake up calls.

Sounds like a PDX CA slot would be a long, long wait then at Horizon, even if getting in at the bottom of the seniority list aka. the plug? I don't care about gaining seniority at PDX, just curious how long it would take to get there. I'll happily sit reserve from home in PDX for a long time. It beets sitting reserve in a hotel while commuting.

How long would it take a new hire Captain to get "into" PDX at Horizon?

How long would it take a new hire Captain to get into PDX at SkyWest?

What about any of Horizon's other bases. Is ANC a certainty for a new hire CA? What about holding "any" of their other bases that are a short hop from PDX?

My challenge at getting on at anything other than a regional is lack of current flight time. I currently have 10 hours of recent time in the last year with a recent and current BFR and IPC.

Thoughts?

BT

BTSniper

In short.... Which airline (major, regional, LCC, ULCC, whatever) would have the best QOL for a pilot that lives in Oregon, has no desire to move, does not need to build time, has very few bills, and can start at 9-year captain pay ($179/hr) at a regional if need be?

Thanks

BT

TFAYD

It sounds like you need to get current - pass a recent 121 check ride - fly 100 hours and apply to a major or LCC …. 6 months tops at a regional

Utah

As fast as the seniority list is turning over, I wouldn't worry to much about what you can hold. 12-18 months from now you'll probably be at 50% on the overall seniority list. The pay raises haven't done much to stem attrition. We lose 5% of the captains every month.

If you want anything on the West Coast, you absolutely need to be on the ERJ.

DashAviator

If you're really serious about doing this, you need to apply to both Horizon and Skywest (and anyone else you're remotely interested in working for). The problem? Your lack of recent flying experience. Yes, it's a great time to be a pilot. Everyone is hiring. However, our training department (and probably Skywest's as well) has had a lot of issues with high-time pilots that have not flown in 10 or 12 years. You could be the exception, so please don't take it personally. Just understand that the long gap in your flight history is kind of a red flag to recruiters. Get hired by someone, get through training, and then evaluate your base options.

You also need to figure out how to manage your business and flying. Can you afford to take a 6-12 month break from your non-flying job?

LizzyBorden

Outsource QX flying? Since when does QX own any of the flying under AS code?