Horizon

robofos said:
Can anyone confirm if the upgrade time here is still 2 years? The last mention of it on this thread is May, and I don't know if that was even accurate then. I am thinking of applying here, but only know the cons of this place (low pay, days with 6 legs) Is reserve time short at least? How have things been here?
Click to expand...
In all honesty, if you washed out of 175 IOE, the Q400 will steal your lunch money, make love to your significant other, and kick your dog...it's not for everyone. (Not trying to deter you from your dreams, but the Q400 is immensely complex, as is our operating environment).
 
I started the upgrade process in mid November, and was hired in January of '14 (as were the other people in my upgrade class), so it's not quite at the 2 year mark yet.

Also, what SurferLucas said about the Q400 is 100% true. Horizon has taken an already complex airplane, added extra stuff to increase the complexity (the CATIII and RNP capabilities), then decided to over-proceduralize the heck out of the entire operation, all while flying legs that average under 60 minutes.
 
It will be interesting to see how they're going to do many more upgrades going forward. Horizon can't hire new FOs (rumor is they got six for the entire month of November), existing FOs and captains are jumping to other airlines at a pretty good clip, and they want to add 13 new aircraft in 2017. It's pretty apparent Horizon can barely staff the flying they currently have, so I wouldn't be surprised if deliveries are delayed, upgrade classes are cancelled, and flying is shuffled over to OO in order to pressure the pilot group into accepting a crummy new LOA that raises first-year pay and does little else.
 
ChristheCFII said:
It will be interesting to see how they're going to do many more upgrades going forward. Horizon can't hire new FOs (rumor is they got six for the entire month of November), existing FOs and captains are jumping to other airlines at a pretty good clip, and they want to add 13 new aircraft in 2017. It's pretty apparent Horizon can barely staff the flying they currently have, so I wouldn't be surprised if deliveries are delayed, upgrade classes are cancelled, and flying is shuffled over to OO in order to pressure the pilot group into accepting a crummy new LOA that raises first-year pay and does little else.
Click to expand...
I think you'll see the Q400's sent out to pasture before you see them cancel/delay aircraft...the 175 is the only card the company has left to try and convince people to come to QX (even said they think the 175 will help draw people here).

I also think you'll see more and more of what's been happening lately, with the removal of crews from their original trips and sent on other flights to keep the operation going. Interesting times, and none of which are going to make people want to come to QX in the future.

Sadly, this once proud airline is finding itself in the old "Pan Am-esq" unable to adapt to the changing world around it...instead of raising the bar above what AA's regionals are offering, we're going to double down on threats and general attacks on the current flight crews.
 
SurferLucas said:
I think you'll see the Q400's sent out to pasture before you see them cancel/delay aircraft...the 175 is the only card the company has left to try and convince people to come to QX (even said they think the 175 will help draw people here).

I also think you'll see more and more of what's been happening lately, with the removal of crews from their original trips and sent on other flights to keep the operation going. Interesting times, and none of which are going to make people want to come to QX in the future.

Sadly, this once proud airline is finding itself in the old "Pan Am-esq" unable to adapt to the changing world around it...instead of raising the bar above what AA's regionals are offering, we're going to double down on threats and general attacks on the current flight crews.
Click to expand...

That is really sad man. I was looking forward to working for this company ever since I started flying, but 95% of my friends there told me to not go and I listened.. I would have been happy to fly the q400 if QX would have raised the bar to compete with others as far as compensation. I really hope the QX guys get what they deserve in the future!
 
SurferLucas said:
I think you'll see the Q400's sent out to pasture before you see them cancel/delay aircraft...the 175 is the only card the company has left to try and convince people to come to QX (even said they think the 175 will help draw people here).

I also think you'll see more and more of what's been happening lately, with the removal of crews from their original trips and sent on other flights to keep the operation going. Interesting times, and none of which are going to make people want to come to QX in the future.

Sadly, this once proud airline is finding itself in the old "Pan Am-esq" unable to adapt to the changing world around it...instead of raising the bar above what AA's regionals are offering, we're going to double down on threats and general attacks on the current flight crews.
Click to expand...
$90k a year and commutable from Juneau and I'm in.
 
SurferLucas said:
In all honesty, if you washed out of 175 IOE, the Q400 will steal your lunch money, make love to your significant other, and kick your dog...it's not for everyone. (Not trying to deter you from your dreams, but the Q400 is immensely complex, as is our operating environment).
Click to expand...
No joke. My gf just went through new hire ground, and was showing me some of the engine fail procedures/cat 3 stuff yall do
I was scratching my head thinking "baby dash don't do that"

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
bimmerphile said:
No joke. My gf just went through new hire ground, and was showing me some of the engine fail procedures/cat 3 stuff yall do
I was scratching my head thinking "baby dash don't do that"

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
That's funny. I seem to remember, vaguely, that the Colgan engine fail procedures for the 400 were almost identical to those at C5. Wonder what Horizon does that's so different.
 
milleR said:
That's funny. I seem to remember, vaguely, that the Colgan engine fail procedures for the 400 were almost identical to those at C5. Wonder what Horizon does that's so different.
Click to expand...
Just more complex specials with the terrain they operate in constantly

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
I never said or thought the Q400 would be easier. I wouldn't even consider it a slower airplane as everyone is below 250kts below 10,000ft, and that's where I was having difficulty. I was just looking at my last option at staying in the Pac NW. Will they be sending new hires to the E175?
 
robofos said:
I never said or thought the Q400 would be easier. I wouldn't even consider it a slower airplane as everyone is below 250kts below 10,000ft, and that's where I was having difficulty. I was just looking at my last option at staying in the Pac NW. Will they be sending new hires to the E175?
Click to expand...
Some, but they will still need to hire into the Q400 as well. Keep in mind that unless you want to defer upgrade for many years, or they decide to completely retire the Q400 fleet, you will eventually fly it as a captain.
 
Robofos,
I'd take a long term view when looking at a potential employer. Compensation isn't terrible compared to other airlines. Yes, we are right now flying a 76 seat turboprop and you'll do 6 legs. Horizon is going through a transition in many ways over the next year or two. The company will fundamentally change how it does business. Examples are 35 day bids to monthly bids, PBS (good or bad, depends on where you stack on the list), 24 pay checks a year, E-175 on boarding, good chance to expand flying on the west coast and mid-continent and guessing AK to lower 48 as well.
I'd take a hard look at pay beyond first year and the bonuses. The "bonus" can be reduced or stopped at a moments notice. Flow programs can stop and reverse, and pay scales can always freeze. All this happened in the recent (2 years ago) past where upgrade times pushed 12 years at Horizon and 8ish years at SkyWest (not real sure since I don't work for them, just what I remember). For what it is, it isn't bad. What we have on the horizon looks pretty decent if you are willing to get through some transition first.

Pdxcfi
 
pdxcfi said:
The "bonus" can be reduced or stopped at a moments notice.
Click to expand...

It really can't, and there is no reason to think it would be in the next few years either.

pdxcfi said:
What we have on the horizon looks pretty decent if you are willing to get through some transition first.
Click to expand...

That may be true but between now and the time that transition is finished, someone could get a job at another regional, make $20-30,000 more first year, upgrade in a year, and start interviewing at LCCs. Like you said, you should look at the long term, and the industry is cyclic, so it's best to ride the wave now while it lasts.
 
Thanks for that, PDX CFI. I just sent in my application today. I figured if I can make it the first year, it gets a lot better by year 2. The pay is pretty much the same at that point with other regionals. I would like to stay in the NW and Horizon is my last chance at making that work. I don't care if its the E175 or Q400, I'm just hoping I can afford to live and get some time while I'm doing it.
 
robofos said:
Thanks for that, PDX CFI. I just sent in my application today. I figured if I can make it the first year, it gets a lot better by year 2. The pay is pretty much the same at that point with other regionals. I would like to stay in the NW and Horizon is my last chance at making that work. I don't care if its the E175 or Q400, I'm just hoping I can afford to live and get some time while I'm doing it.
Click to expand...
Be sure to mention that you'd be happy flying the Q in the interview. I think you'll get the job; they love people who are willing to work for less to live in the NW.
Once on property you'll experience a fantastic training department that will give you all the support you need if you show them you're trying.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WS
"...I think you'll get the job; they love people who are willing to work for less to live in the NW."

I'm sure they do!

They just called me back for an interview. I applied less than 24 hours ago. We'll see how it goes on the 28th.
 
robofos said:
Thanks for that, PDX CFI. I just sent in my application today. I figured if I can make it the first year, it gets a lot better by year 2. The pay is pretty much the same at that point with other regionals. I would like to stay in the NW and Horizon is my last chance at making that work. I don't care if its the E175 or Q400, I'm just hoping I can afford to live and get some time while I'm doing it.
Click to expand...

Have you applied to Pen Air? They have a base in PDX although they have bases outside the Northwest as well. They were willing to interview me after I washed out.
 
thevideographer said:
How is Penair these days? I actually looked at going there a couple years ago. Seems like they are expanding a lot into the lower 48 - are there plans for more planes/types or new hiring incentives?
Click to expand...
Things are OK. We are very very busy. I fly 80 to 90 hours per month. If you live in Portland it's awesome because there are lines where you're home every night. We are expanding and there is hope for a new fleet type. We have a nice bonus for FOs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top