Vancouver Island WJer's

[GARRETT]

I was just wondering if any pilots on here live in or around Nanaimo. If so, how is it to commute to Calgary for work? Do you use the Victoria or Vancouver port system? I know it can be a real pain to get off the Island when the wx turns ugly.
Any feedback would be much appreciated

[WJ200]

We have about six guys commuting from Nanaimo. It really is a decent place to commute from. I think they use a variety of means to get to work depending on what is available. They use Jazz or Harbour Air to get to Vancouver. Sometimes they drive up to Comox or down to Victoria.

There are some rumours about us flying into Nanaimo within the next year so that could become an option as well.

[chief]

Hey "Garrett". I just flew with a guy who ported from cycd. ports out of comox. he said it was easier to travel to cyqq than yyj. Thought you were more interested in yqq?

[Realitychex]

I wouldn't hold your breath about WJ flying into YCD......

[GARRETT]

Thanks WJ200.
Chief, the wife my be able to get a transfer to YCD if a spot becomes available, that way we can keep all her benefits too.

[beaverguy]

I think there was talk of a once weekly flight from ycd down to Mexico.

[GARRETT]

YCD to Mexico might not be a bad idea. There are a lot of people that take the ferry over to YVR (usually the night before which requires a hotel stay) to catch their vacation charter, so a direct flight from YCD would probably be quite popular with the islanders.

[WJ700]

YCD to Mexico might not be a bad idea. There are a lot of people that take the ferry over to YVR (usually the night before which requires a hotel stay) to catch their vacation charter, so a direct flight from YCD would probably be quite popular with the islanders.

I think WestJet already has YYJ and YQQ Mexico flights. What is the runway like in YCD now? I haven't flown in there since 2000.

[stickontheice]

Personally I'd love to see us start service in Nanaimo. 6600' runway but you'd need RNP's especially for the missed approach segment off of Runway 16. If you're not from the island its easy to say well you have YJ and QQ. But it's a solid 90 minute drive to either airport. The ferry to Vancouver is expensive and of course the problem of parking your car while you're on vacation isn't cheap either.

80000 people live in Nanaimo itself, add in Qualicum, Parksville, Ladysmith, and Duncan and you have a good base to draw on. I think it would easily support a flight to Calgary or Edmonton. I think you'd find support for a flight to Mexico as well. I'd also love to see a service to Toronto and LAS from Comox too.