To AC Pilots

[SplitS]

Just finished jumping thru all of the hoops and Im starting at AC on the next groundschool.

Im wondering about the pros and cons about choosing Toronto as a base vs. Montreal (which is home). I was told there was more opportunity in YYZ vs. YUL careerwise. Are there any of you based in either and how do you guys see it? YYZ is very expensive (got a family) and Im not too familiar with it - will career progression really be that much faster to make living in YYZ worth it?

What are your thoughts?

[Motto Pilot]

Congrats with the job, SplitS. Personally, I would take the base at home and get used to the company and you are still building seniority just as well. You can always make the move at a later date because the bids are awarded on seniority and not base seniority.

Sorry, a but off the topic, but how long did it take for them to get back to you after the interview?

[q400]

I agree splitS. Being at home is more important than a few numbers, and you can always make that move later. But it is a personal choice... thats just my opinion.

See ya on the 16th...

[F-16]

Many older and wiser pilots have given me the advice....

"location, location, location." If you can live where you want to live, you will be happier, have a better lifestyle, etc.

You can always go back to T.O. - Sure it's the biggest base, with the most advancement, but that isn't always as appealing.

Montreal to Toronto doesn't seem like it would be that bad of a commute - but I could be wrong, so if you can get YUL it might not be bad to stick it out for the first year or two, and then look at making the move, depending on what you can hold.

Just a reminder, commuting for reserve isn't always that much fun - but it is doable if you must for a brief while.

Congrats, and welcome on board.

[Jaques Strappe]

Congrats on getting hired.

If you bid the YUL base the selection of available flying will not be nearly as good as Toronto. As you move up the list it will take longer in YUL to realise actual seniority on the aircraft, so you could be half way up the list in YUL and have a shittier schedule than the guy near the bottom in YYZ.

Having said all that, YYZ is a disfunctional airport to say the least and Toronto, well it is either downtown or out of town unless you like to live in an ocean of suburbia where you need to paint your garage door flourecent pink so you don't drive into the wrong driveway.

If Montreal is your home, I would go there unless you want to explore Toronto to get a better appreciation for the Belle-Provence.

[SplitS]

Thanks for the input guys - no decision made yet though....

[TFE731]

Still undecided

[balls]

Thanks for the input guys - no decision made yet though....

Don't worry about rushing into any moves for the first two years, so that is probably 2, maybe 3, bids down the road for you. You have a year or more to make a decision of any sort. You have a decade or two or three ahead of you.

Pick home. For you, pick YUL if that is available. Enjoy some home time with less pressure, cus you'll be flying your ass off on reserve trying to get your bearings about a new company and lots of new aspects to your job. Commuting will make your life less enjoyable, and an added complication and pressure you do not need to take on.

The upheaval for you and your family will be far less at home. [There is obviously stress on the entire family when you move, change jobs, schools, friends.] When the dust starts to settle you can make some more informed decisions as a family (whatever size) on what you want to do, rather than guessing from your current, less informed situation.

YYZ will always be open. [added] and typos edited

[babybus]

Excellent advice from Balls....couldn't agree more

[niko]

Like most people said, pick UL for now and later, go to YZ and commute from UL. It's really no big deal.

[SplitS]

Yeah I have to agree wuth balls. Ive decided to go with YUL. Havent thought of being YYZ based and commuting after but thats a good idea too but not for now...

Cheers boys