YYC base WJ or commute to YVR AC

[Hysteria]

1) If upgrade times on NB at AC are much faster than at WJ, is it worth commuting via 1hr flights for NB flying out of YVR (I’m guessing junior = reserve) from YYC or YEG? To help with living expense, I have a place to stay since my brother lives in Abbotsford. For those that commute from YYC or YEG to YVR specifically for NB, how much more time away from home do you lose while junior as opposed to junior in base?

2) After hearing the term “socialized bidding,” I’m still learning about the extent. Does the quality of life at westjet in terms of scheduling for FOs exceed the QOL of FOs at big red?

Planning to commute to yvr under the premise of having more career earnings might be putting all eggs in one basket, no? I just figured there is an eventual new contract agreement.

I don’t think I’ll ever move outside of Alberta because I’d like to be able to afford a house in a few years.

Long time observer. Thanks for the insight over the years.

[Canadaflyer46]

IMHO if you’re not prepared to leave Alberta then WJ seems the natural choice. Bear in mind it currently takes 6 years to get off of reserve for a YYC FO to enjoy the ‘socialized bidding’.
Commuting to YVR for AC you’re going to spend up to 20 days away from home each month. The downside to WJ is that you likely won’t see the left seat for 15+ years. But if time at home is more important to you then an upgrade then WJ is the way to go if you’ve grown roots in Alberta.

[canadian_aviator_4]

Getting off reserve is far less than 6 years. I’ve heard closer to 1-2 years. Upgrades also I’ve heard less than 15 years. Obviously upgrades are much quicker at ac, however aviation is constantly in motion and upgrade times can change easily for the better or worse both at AC and westjet.

[daedalusx]

With the 1 AOC, Swoop integration and full rebid, as well as the eventual Sunwing integration, upgrade times for those already on WJ property will decrease for awhile. Plus the the MAX10 orders will also open up seats.
Commuting for reserve is always awful, financially taxing and demoralizing. If you get on at AC, even with a quick upgrade you’d be looking at a pretty bad schedule on the left seat for awhile. OTOH, if you want to do the wide body RP, it’s a good time to get in.
There’s no easy answers, depends on your family, career desires, etc.

[Canadaflyer46]

Getting off reserve is far less than 6 years. I’ve heard closer to 1-2 years. Upgrades also I’ve heard less than 15 years. Obviously upgrades are much quicker at ac, however aviation is constantly in motion and upgrade times can change easily for the better or worse both at AC and westjet.

That’s nice what you’ve ‘heard’. I was going off the actual pilot list in front of me for YYC. BOTL block holder was hired August 2017. Everyone junior to them is on reserve for YYC.
How about we stick to giving the poster factual information.

[canadian_aviator_4]

Thank you for the ‘factual information’. Any idea how long reserve is at AC?

[tailgunner]

YVR 737/320 FO positions were being held by new hires, or very recently hired. When those on the list are trained, likely a newly hired pilot would easily hold a block.
The issue is the training timeline. We are going flat out, but it always takes time to train the list.
AC definitely has more, and I would argue, better options when it comes to career choices. Some people hate the 777 because it only flies to 6-7 destinations out of YVR, while others love the fact that it only flies to a few destinations….
The beautiful thing is that you often have the ability to grab a position that best suits you and your circumstances, to a degree possible.
Cheers