Considering jumping ship

[In_Thrust_We_Trust]

Good day all! I currently fly the RJ out of YVR. Like many others, I'm considering leaving the brand for something different. Better money, life style, etc.

I compiled a short list of burning questions, I realize that many, if not all, of them have already been asked and answered in the many threads on this page. But if I can save time and have them answered in one place, that would be nice, and maybe even save others time. Also if you think there is other info that you geel might be valuable, please do share!

Thanks in advance!!

Typical FO schedule, reserve types

Do they pay you during training, per diem, pay for hotel.

Commuting policy

Travel benifits

Extended health

Min credits/mo

Sick time allotment

Starting vacation allotment

[flying4dollars]

I don't have any skin in the game but I'd say with YVR base opening in October, unless you flow to AC and that is your career goal, make the move. You'll significantly improve your QoL including pay. Even if your goal is AC, still go to Porter. You may find a permanent home there (assuming they succeed) and chose never to come to AC. Or, down the road you can always apply.

Anyone at Jazz who doesn't have a course date guaranteed at AC should absolutely be applying to Porter. IMO.

[lowoleo22]

It really depends whether you meet the mins for the E2 or whether you will be applying for the Dash. Completely different answers.

[Chaxterium]

Good day all! I currently fly the RJ out of YVR. Like many others, I'm considering leaving the brand for something different. Better money, life style, etc.

I compiled a short list of burning questions, I realize that many, if not all, of them have already been asked and answered in the many threads on this page. But if I can save time and have them answered in one place, that would be nice, and maybe even save others time. Also if you think there is other info that you geel might be valuable, please do share!

Thanks in advance!!

Typical FO schedule, reserve types

Do they pay you during training, per diem, pay for hotel.

Commuting policy

Travel benifits

Extended health

Min credits/mo

Sick time allotment

Starting vacation allotment

Regarding the FO schedule, I can't speak to that too authoritatively. They're busy though. But each ground school contains more and more FOs so it's getting better. Seniority is rising quickly. Doesn't take more than a couple months to hold a flying block.

Reserves are either morning or afternoon. Two-hour callout.

Yes you're paid during training. Full salary. You will get per diems and a hotel if you go to Paris or Zurich but for the portion of your training that is in Toronto you will not get per diems and you will not get a hotel. However, if you are hired for the YUL, YOW, or YVR base then you will get per diems and a hotel.

The ground school is all in Toronto. A good portion of it is remote though. So you can be home. The 5 IPT sessions are all in Toronto and sim sessions 1-6 can either be in Toronto, Paris, or Zurich. You'll come back to Toronto for sims 7-9 and the PPC and LOFT.

We do have a commuting policy. From what I understand it could be better but it could also be worse.

The travel benefits are pretty good. Reciprocal jumpseats with a number of airlines. Health/Dental benefits are ok. Not great. Definitely room for improvement in that area. Same with retirement.

Min credit guarantee is 75. Overtime starts at 85. Ten sick days per year.

Starting vacation is two weeks I believe. Might be three. I honestly don't remember.

The E2 is a lot of fun to fly. You mentioned you flew the RJ but I'm not sure if you mean the CRJ or the ERJ. Either way you'll like it. It's a nice upgrade from the E1 and it's miles ahead of the CRJ.

[rigpiggy]

You know the press " it it bleeds, it leads"

[Flaps_30]

Is there a way of finding out more about the commuting policy?

[CaptDukeNukem]

Is there a way of finding out more about the commuting policy?

I apologize for the bad formatting. I copy pasted, but I’m not gonna put spaces everywhere for the sake of avcanada. lol

4.3.7 Pilot Commuting Policy and Program (Revised)
All Pilots who wish to commute by air from their domicile to their assigned base under the allowances outlined in the following Commuting Policy must be enrolled in the Commuting Program. Any Pilots who wish to commute outside of the Commuting Program may do so; however, these pilots will not be granted the following permissions and will continue to be responsible for meeting all of the requirements for duty, including the 2-hour reserve call-out when applicable.
1. PilotsmustenrollintheCommutingProgramusingtheCommutingProgram Application Form found on my:porter under the Flight Crew tab. The application form will be considered valid upon acknowledgement via email from the Flight Operations Administrator. In addition, new-hire commuting pilots may apply for early access to the RJP program as outlined in Section 5.2.9.
2. CommutingbetweenthePilot’sassignedCrewBaseandanyPorterdestinationis permitted.
3. APilotshallberesponsibleformeetingalloftherequirementsforduty, including the 2-hour reserve call-out when applicable.
4. Pilotsshouldweartheiruniformforanytraveloccurringonthesameday they are scheduled to report.
5. PilotsenrolledintheCommutingProgramwillhaveaccesstoaCommutingPilot tab when using their online Staff Travel benefits on flyporter.com. Use of this Commuting Pilot tab will be regularly monitored in order to prevent misuse.

6. PilotsontheCommutingPilotListwillberequiredtopaystandardStandbyStaff Travel fees, however, their priority will lie above that of Leisure Standby and Jumpseat travel employees, regardless of seniority (except among other commuting Pilots).
7. PilotsmaylistthemselvesonbothCommutingPilottravelandJumpseattravel when listing themselves for flights. This offers the opportunity to waive any fees should the Pilot receive confirmation that there is indeed space available to use Jumpseat travel.
a. NormalStaffTravelruleswillapplyintermsofcancellationandrefundif Jumpseat travel is used in place of Commuting Pilot travel. A Porter pilot or cabin crew member traveling on a RJP fare has priority for the flight deck observer seat over a non-Porter employee traveling on a Standby fare.
8. Pilotscommutingfromanycityareexpectedtoarriveintimetoreportfortheir pairing as scheduled. If they are unable to arrive on time, they will be removed from the pairing, lose the associated credit and have those hours subtracted from their MMG. These crew members will be given priority to pick up Open Time to make up the lost hours. If a Pilot is not able to get on the flights they are attempting to list themselves on, they must contact Crew Scheduling immediately.
9. Commutingpilotswhoselastflightisdelayedforcircumstancesoutsideoftheir control and subsequently are unable to commute home, will be eligible for a hotel room (subject to availability). Crew must request a hotel room and provide the flight number for the original flight they were to commute home on.
10. If a Pilot does not do their due diligence in order to arrive at Home Base within the guidelines of this policy, they may be removed from the Commuting Program.
11. Pilots will not receive SOB (Sched or Better) for portions of a pairing they cannot make.
12. The Commuting Pilot tab option may only be used during the following circumstances. Travel outside of these circumstances using the commuting tab will result in removal from the Commuting Program and access to the tab will be

disabled:
a. traveltotheirHomeBasepriortoscheduledreport; b. traveltodomicilefollowingduty.
4.3.7.1 Commuter Hotel - Trip Disruption (NEW)
Upon request, Crew Members on the porter Pilot Commuting Program will be provided a hotel room at their home base under the following circumstances:
1. Commutingpilotswhoarereassignedorhavepairingsmodifiedbythecompany and subsequently are unable to commute home as planned at the end of their pairing.
2. CommutingPilotswhohavehadtheirpairingmodifiedresultinginanovernightat home base within the original checkin and check out of the Crew Members pairing.
3. CommutingPilotswhohavehadbeendisplacedofftheirpairingfortrainingand placed on reassignment at their home base.

[twa22]

Wow, you can possibly get a hotel if your flight is delayed causing you to miss the last flight home? That's a pretty solid deal, makes commuting a little less stressful. Obviously this commuting policy is applicable only to porter flights i'm guessing?

[CaptDukeNukem]

Wow, you can possibly get a hotel if your flight is delayed causing you to miss the last flight home? That's a pretty solid deal, makes commuting a little less stressful. Obviously this commuting policy is applicable only to porter flights i'm guessing?

Yes you need to travel from a location that porter serves to your home base on porter flights. Some don’t like the policy, some do. I’m not trying to convince anyone it’s great or crap. This is what it written.

[Me262]

Wow, you can possibly get a hotel if your flight is delayed causing you to miss the last flight home? That's a pretty solid deal, makes commuting a little less stressful. Obviously this commuting policy is applicable only to porter flights i'm guessing?

Yes you need to travel from a location that porter serves to your home base on porter flights. Some don’t like the policy, some do. I’m not trying to convince anyone it’s great or crap. This is what it written.

So if your domicile is somehwere where porter isn't flying, you're SOL?

[CaptDukeNukem]

Wow, you can possibly get a hotel if your flight is delayed causing you to miss the last flight home? That's a pretty solid deal, makes commuting a little less stressful. Obviously this commuting policy is applicable only to porter flights i'm guessing?

Yes you need to travel from a location that porter serves to your home base on porter flights. Some don’t like the policy, some do. I’m not trying to convince anyone it’s great or crap. This is what it written.

So if your domicile is somehwere where porter isn't flying, you're SOL?

It’s clearly stated that you can live where you want but these provisions don’t apply if you don’t commute between cities that porter flies, Which makes absolute sense.

[Flaps_30]

This is great info and much appreciated Capt Nukem!

Quick question, lets say for example you get off duty at around 7 pm but the next Porter flight to your home city is not until much later or even the next day, is there a RJS with WJ or AC or even Flair that you would be able to try and grab a lift home on? If not, I'm assuming there is however ID90 and you could always try that if say WJ happened to have a flight leaving in the next hour or two and you could just hop on that?

[Timetoflyagain]

….yes, Porter has RJP with, among others, AirCanada, Westjet, AirTransat, Flair, United, American, JetBlue, so sure, hop on the first available….

[twa22]

Wow, you can possibly get a hotel if your flight is delayed causing you to miss the last flight home? That's a pretty solid deal, makes commuting a little less stressful. Obviously this commuting policy is applicable only to porter flights i'm guessing?

Yes you need to travel from a location that porter serves to your home base on porter flights. Some don’t like the policy, some do. I’m not trying to convince anyone it’s great or crap. This is what it written.

Yea like anything, there's always pros and cons. I was just thinking, the way it's written, it says you can get a hotel room, if the last flight you operated is delayed outside of your control and you miss a flight. But what if you're on time, but the last flight to get home is full? Same policy still apply or you're on your own

[Grey_Wolf]

But what if you're on time, but the last flight to get home is full? Same policy still apply or you're on your own

If there's no seat available for you, then you might just be out of luck. You check the next available flight, possibly on another carrier, and get home later than expected; or spend the night/money on a hotel.

I'm sure I'm not the only one to have stayed in crew rooms overnight to get on the first flight home the next day instead of paying outrageous hotel prices. (250$ for 6 hours ... nope!)

As for being delayed, there might have been a chance you would've made it on.

The idea of having a hotel provided is for those that operate late (2200-0100), landing a few hours before the airports 'curfew/quiet hours' and trying to get out before the wee hours of the morning. If you miss your flight, then there's no way home till the next morning.

[Flaps_30]

….yes, Porter has RJP with, among others, AirCanada, Westjet, AirTransat, Flair, United, American, JetBlue, so sure, hop on the first available….

And so if there’s room and you get a jump seat, are there any costs at all like AIF or anything like that or is it 100% free?

[twa22]

But what if you're on time, but the last flight to get home is full? Same policy still apply or you're on your own

If there's no seat available for you, then you might just be out of luck. You check the next available flight, possibly on another carrier, and get home later than expected; or spend the night/money on a hotel.

I'm sure I'm not the only one to have stayed in crew rooms overnight to get on the first flight home the next day instead of paying outrageous hotel prices. (250$ for 6 hours ... nope!)

As for being delayed, there might have been a chance you would've made it on.

The idea of having a hotel provided is for those that operate late (2200-0100), landing a few hours before the airports 'curfew/quiet hours' and trying to get out before the wee hours of the morning. If you miss your flight, then there's no way home till the next morning.

Fair enough, at least there is a chance of getting a hotel room paid for (small chance, but better then not even having the option). I have yet to run into not getting on the last flight, but I wasn't far, so to your point, I too would be looking at the crew room instead of 250 for 6 hours in a hotel room

[Timetoflyagain]

….yes, Porter has RJP with, among others, AirCanada, Westjet, AirTransat, Flair, United, American, JetBlue, so sure, hop on the first available….

And so if there’s room and you get a jump seat, are there any costs at all like AIF or anything like that or is it 100% free?

If you are a commuter you pay the costs of commuting…jumpseat fees, staff travel etc…just like the non commuters pay their own freight to and from their home airport. Everyone gets a “Transportation Stipend” of $30/payperiod..use it on parking, commuting, GoTransit, rollerblades, bicycle tires..whatever. The commuting policy takes a bit..not all..of the pressure off those choosing to be a commuter.

[CaptDukeNukem]

….yes, Porter has RJP with, among others, AirCanada, Westjet, AirTransat, Flair, United, American, JetBlue, so sure, hop on the first available….

And so if there’s room and you get a jump seat, are there any costs at all like AIF or anything like that or is it 100% free?

If you work at porter, and book the jumpseat fare. Then it’s free. However, if there are multiple employees on a jumpseat fare then the most senior would get the free ticket. I believe commuting pilots have priority for this over non commuting employees.

[M. Essaie]

Pilots with a 'commuting pilot' ticket have priority over anyone else on the standby list except for another 'commuting pilot' ticket holder who is more senior. If you get stuck in Toronto there is a Porter rate at one of the Holiday Inns which I believe is $138.

[Flaps_30]

So if someone else that is more senior gets the free jump seat, approx whats the total cost to get a seat home leaving yyz? I assume to what city doesn't really matter? Or do you end up having to by a standby seat on ID90?

[Timetoflyagain]

So if someone else that is more senior gets the free jump seat, approx whats the total cost to get a seat home leaving yyz? I assume to what city doesn't really matter? Or do you end up having to by a standby seat on ID90?

1. Jumpseat on Porter is $0
2. Porter staff travel is $47 CAD. $0 ticket plus $47 AIF, security, gst etc etc
3. Jumpseat with AC/WJ is $11 USD
4. Staff travel with WJ is $54 USD

[Romain]

So if someone else that is more senior gets the free jump seat, approx whats the total cost to get a seat home leaving yyz? I assume to what city doesn't really matter? Or do you end up having to by a standby seat on ID90?

1. Jumpseat on Porter is $0
2. Porter staff travel is $47 CAD. $0 ticket plus $47 AIF, security, gst etc etc
3. Jumpseat with AC/WJ is $11 USD
4. Staff travel with WJ is $54 USD

If I understand well, a WJ pilot travelling with WJ would pay $54 and an AC pilot also travelling with WJ would only pay $11?

Doesn't make sense to me.

[Timetoflyagain]

So if someone else that is more senior gets the free jump seat, approx whats the total cost to get a seat home leaving yyz? I assume to what city doesn't really matter? Or do you end up having to by a standby seat on ID90?

1. Jumpseat on Porter is $0
2. Porter staff travel is $47 CAD. $0 ticket plus $47 AIF, security, gst etc etc
3. Jumpseat with AC/WJ is $11 USD
4. Staff travel with WJ is $54 USD

If I understand well, a WJ pilot travelling with WJ would pay $54 and an AC pilot also travelling with WJ would only pay $11?

..no..these are the rates/fares for Porter pilots flying on Porter or AC/WJ etc….
Flying on your own metal should always be cheaper..and with better priority.

[yowflyer23]

Question for the folks who left Jazz for the E2 at Porter… was it worth it? Would you make the same choice again?