Commuting from YYC to YYZ

[Ddutch28]

Just looking to get a first hand take on those that commute from YYC to YYZ with Porter? How do you find it? Worth the hassle or best to avoid? Any info is greatly appreciated!

[Canadaflyer46]

Not sure about Porter but that’s a tough commute for WJ and AC. You will be miserable and hate your life. Not to be dramatic, but commuting sucks. YYC YYZ particularly so. If you’re gonna go to Porter just suck it up and move there.

[fixnfly]

I don't think the commute is that bad. There are far more people commuting from YYC to YVR. And because YYZ is such a long trip, there's not as many people commuting that way. WJ already primarily focuses on the west so jumpseats to YYZ are usually open. At AC, most guys/gals commute to YVR. I think the big thing is if you can combine your days off and reduce the amount of commutes back and forth, then it's not too bad. YYC in my opinion is a way more liveable and affordable city than YYZ. I know there's a couple guys from porter commuting from YYC to YYZ and they don't think it's too bad.

[itscavok]

Just wanna revisit this

Is that YYC to YYZ commute still doable and to hold half a decent schedule, even for a new FO ?

Heard of YYC people (commuters) leaving PD E2 to go to Encore because of how bad the commute is!?

[flieslikeachicken]

The easiest way to turn the best job into the worst job is to make it a commuting job.

[lowoleo22]

Just wanna revisit this

Is that YYC to YYZ commute still doable and to hold half a decent schedule, even for a new FO ?

Heard of YYC people (commuters) leaving PD E2 to go to Encore because of how bad the commute is!?

Porter is offering E2 pairings that begin and end in YYC and calling them 'satellite pairings'. They are included in the bid package so that YYC commuters can easily see and bid for them based on seniority. The first month these pairings will be awarded in is June, so no one has yet seen the results of their bid and cannot tell you whether as a new FO they are able to hold them.

If you do need to commute to YYZ, Porter offers a 'pilot commute' option for standby bookings that places you at the top of the standby list. You have first priority for the jump seat or any available seat on board above all other standbys. The only person that could bump you from being #1, is a higher seniority commuter. With these new satellite pairings that's less likely to happen. If you are on reserve, Porter offers a first night complimentary hotel room before a string of reserve days. That being said if you don't get called on the 1st day the other nights are your responsibility. If your trip home is interrupted for operational reasons they will also pay for a hotel room at the end of your reserve days if you miss your planned flight home. If you are a line holder, all nights away are your responsibility. And so is showing up to work on time regardless of whether that be YYC or YYZ.

[YYT_Dill]

Just curious how the "satellite" schedules are working out a couple months in? Commuting is not ideal for anyone but do these pairing help lessen the load by one or two commute trips per month?

Also, Porter is obviously hiring like crazy and I've heard there is a huge chunk from western Canada. Im wondering if there is pain to this or if its still possible to commute with somewhat resemblance of a home life.

Thanks

[flyinhigh]

The Satellite pairings are a flop. I’m not a YYC commuter and have a YYC satellite pairing at the end of the month (guess who’s not doing that).

Many YYZ non-commuters have been awarded these pairings which are creating chaos. Until a proper process is established for this I wouldn’t count on it. A perk yes, but do not rely on it.

In fact, it’s been operationally limiting so the number of pairings for Sept has significantly decreased.

[careerpilot?]

The Satellite pairings are a flop. I’m not a YYC commuter and have a YYC satellite pairing at the end of the month (guess who’s not doing that).

Many YYZ non-commuters have been awarded these pairings which are creating chaos. Until a proper process is established for this I wouldn’t count on it. A perk yes, but do not rely on it.

In fact, it’s been operationally limiting so the number of pairings for Sept has significantly decreased.

So, could this imply that there are not enough YYC based pilots to fill the bids? That could mean it would be a very viable option for a new hire, as no-one seems to want it?

The double edged sword of course being, the option could disappear altogether if there's not enough interest...

[flyinhigh]

The Satellite pairings are a flop. I’m not a YYC commuter and have a YYC satellite pairing at the end of the month (guess who’s not doing that).

Many YYZ non-commuters have been awarded these pairings which are creating chaos. Until a proper process is established for this I wouldn’t count on it. A perk yes, but do not rely on it.

In fact, it’s been operationally limiting so the number of pairings for Sept has significantly decreased.

So, could this imply that there are not enough YYC based pilots to fill the bids? That could mean it would be a very viable option for a new hire, as no-one seems to want it?

The double edged sword of course being, the option could disappear altogether if there's not enough interest...

On the contrary. There are alot of YYC commuters (we do not have a YYC base). It is the way the bid runs which is based on seniority so anyone can bid and get awarded. Problem is when the system fills you schedule, unless you specifically anti bid the pairing #, it will say here you go.

[careerpilot?]

The Satellite pairings are a flop. I’m not a YYC commuter and have a YYC satellite pairing at the end of the month (guess who’s not doing that).

Many YYZ non-commuters have been awarded these pairings which are creating chaos. Until a proper process is established for this I wouldn’t count on it. A perk yes, but do not rely on it.

In fact, it’s been operationally limiting so the number of pairings for Sept has significantly decreased.

So, could this imply that there are not enough YYC based pilots to fill the bids? That could mean it would be a very viable option for a new hire, as no-one seems to want it?

The double edged sword of course being, the option could disappear altogether if there's not enough interest...

On the contrary. There are alot of YYC commuters (we do not have a YYC base). It is the way the bid runs which is based on seniority so anyone can bid and get awarded. Problem is when the system fills you schedule, unless you specifically anti bid the pairing #, it will say here you go.

Hmm. Maybe I just don't understand the seniority bidding process well enough, but why would someone who isn't a commuter from YYC bid for it? And if enough YYC commuters exist that want and do bid for it, wouldn't that fill up the available spots so that it doesn't need to go to those who did not bid for it?

[cdnavater]

So, could this imply that there are not enough YYC based pilots to fill the bids? That could mean it would be a very viable option for a new hire, as no-one seems to want it?

The double edged sword of course being, the option could disappear altogether if there's not enough interest...

On the contrary. There are alot of YYC commuters (we do not have a YYC base). It is the way the bid runs which is based on seniority so anyone can bid and get awarded. Problem is when the system fills you schedule, unless you specifically anti bid the pairing #, it will say here you go.

Hmm. Maybe I just don't understand the seniority bidding process well enough, but why would someone who isn't a commuter from YYC bid for it? And if enough YYC commuters exist that want and do bid for it, wouldn't that fill up the available spots so that it doesn't need to go to those who did not bid for it?

It sounds like the system that builds the schedule will fill a more senior schedule with these pairings unless they specifically bid to avoid them.
If a senior pilot says he wants four day pairings on specific days and that’s all that is available, the software will award that to a non YYC commuter who is (edit) senior.
However, this seems like a PITA, how does a non YYC commuter get to YYC to start a pairing built out of there? It sounds like they should have a LOU allowing only YYC pilots to bid on those but in a seniority system, that is difficult to pull flying for pilots that are not on a base and only let them bid for them, it’s why Jazz has never done the “port” system.

[careerpilot?]

On the contrary. There are alot of YYC commuters (we do not have a YYC base). It is the way the bid runs which is based on seniority so anyone can bid and get awarded. Problem is when the system fills you schedule, unless you specifically anti bid the pairing #, it will say here you go.

Hmm. Maybe I just don't understand the seniority bidding process well enough, but why would someone who isn't a commuter from YYC bid for it? And if enough YYC commuters exist that want and do bid for it, wouldn't that fill up the available spots so that it doesn't need to go to those who did not bid for it?

It sounds like the system that builds the schedule will fill a more senior schedule with these pairings unless they specifically bid to avoid them.
If a senior pilot says he wants four day pairings on specific days and that’s all that is available, the software will award that to a non YYC commuter who is junior.
However, this seems like a PITA, how does a non YYC commuter get to YYC to start a pairing built out of there? It sounds like they should have a LOU allowing only YYC pilots to bid on those but in a seniority system, that is difficult to pull flying for pilots that are not on a base and only let them bid for them, it’s why Jazz has never done the “port” system.

I think I have a lot to learn about how airline scheduling works. It's complicated!