question for pilots on vancouver island commuting to YVR

[Anti-Ice]

I am considering moving to Vancouver island but I need to commute to YVR for my pilot job (705 airline type schedule) which consists of 3 or 4 pairings a month. I will only be able to commute on AC jumpseats(for flights) or the ferry. Can any commuting pilots currently living out there comment on how well this works?

I'm concerned in the poor weather season that it won't work out too well, and I will end up spending lots of cash on hotel rooms in Van/richmond. I see that there are many flights out of nanaimo and victoria daily...so i'm thinking it will work out.

Thx.

[middle marker]

From experience.
You will need a really nice friend who you can share a room with from time to time in Vancouver.

[North Shore]

Between Harbour Air, PASCO, and the ferry, I did ok a few winters ago. Nice to have a crash pad of some sort in VR just in case, tho. Not much stops the ferry, but if it's windy enough, then you'll lose the aeroplanes, too. Enjoy - island life rocks!

[Anti-Ice]

Thanks for the replies so far. I hadn't even considered the wind, but i now realize that would be an issue at times.

Regarding the friend with a place to crash...it might happen on occasion, however I'd be very interested in arranging a crash pad/ pilot flop house. For all you pilot types living/commuting in the area: if anyone knows of good accomodations for this scenario ie' rent by the night (or by the hour lol) please let me know!

Cheers.

[Topspin]

Thanks for the replies so far. I hadn't even considered the wind, but i now realize that would be an issue at times.

Regarding the friend with a place to crash...it might happen on occasion, however I'd be very interested in arranging a crash pad/ pilot flop house. For all you pilot types living/commuting in the area: if anyone knows of good accomodations for this scenario ie' rent by the night (or by the hour lol) please let me know!

Cheers.

I knew a recently retired rampy at AC that did it for 10 years. He was in Chemanis and flew out of YCD. If he couldn't get a seat, it's easy to get to the Tsawwasen ferry on public transit, horseshoe bay is a little bit tougher. The weather has to get really bad for the ferries to cancel, I've ridden them in 35 knot conditions.

[Invertago]

Some of the float operators will keep going when the ferries shut down... if you are into that sorta thing

[beaverbob]

in YPW I was busiest when the ferries were shut down. Great fun really.
BB

[Pirate Pilot]

My friend is an AC Jazz driver. A couple of years ago we picked him up at YVR, went for a nice dinner and then returned him to the south side to a dormitory kind of thing as he was flying back out in the AM. Is that building just for AC guys? Maybe inquire with your employer? Also, you could check with the Boundary Bay Flight Schools. They are housing all those students at discount rates all over the place....maybe there would be an extra bed on occasion?

[Cat Driver]

in YPW I was busiest when the ferries were shut down. Great fun really.
BB

You are risking being ripped by all the " experts " that think flying below 300 feet over the water in a float plane is unsafe Bob.

[beaverbob]

Its a good risk though, Cat
Bob

[Cat Driver]

Yeh, I agree.

It never ceases to amaze me how many experts there are who try and convince people they know better....I wonder if they have ever flown a float plane?

['79K20driver]

West Coast Air has a reciprocal jump seat agreement with AC. I believe several AC folks use them to get back and forth to the island from downtown Vancouver. Summer is busier but there are more flights (7am to 7pm). Winter could be trickier with weather and lack of flights but there is a lot more empty seats. The new transit line will make it pretty easy to get to and from the airport. I think they're saying about 25 minutes to the airport from Waterfront station...not bad! It could take you that long to get from the float plane docks at YVR to the terminal on some days! Cabbies will rip you for about 14 bucks too! I think there are shuttles though.

I like your idea. If I was in your shoes I'd definitely condsider living on the island.

[iflyforpie]

I worked with a guy a few years ago who would--without fail--cross the straight every week in Cherokee 140 from Nanaimo to Chilliwack and back.

[bcflyer]

I commuted for a few years from the island (YYJ - YVR) If you're thinking of using a jumpseat agreement with AC make sure you have a backup plan. While there are alot of flights going back and forth, the vast majority of them are full, they are sometimes weight restricted and there are a whole bunch of AC and Jazz employees commuting, all of whom will be in front of you priority wise. Add to that the occasional cancellation due to mechanical or weather related problems and it can be a tough commute sometimes. Having said that, if you are flexible as to what time of the day you travel you can definitly make it work. (if going YYJ-YVR try travelling later on in the day or early evening.. YVR-YYJ early in the day works best)

[Carrier]

Quote: “It could take you that long to get from the float plane docks at YVR to the terminal on some days!”

Is there no form of quick, easy and free public transport between the different parts of the airport? Major airports have this!

As examples, Mrs C and I have used the free inter-terminal bus at London Heathrow, the free Maglev at Birmingham International and the inter-terminal bus service at Paris Charles de Gaulle. What’s the problem with Vancouver, particularly with the Winter Olympics due in less than a year? If this is allowed to continue during the Winter Olympics it will again give the impression of Canada being a backward and ignorant country. One is left with the impression that those in charge of YVR and Vancouver’s public transport are guilty of dereliction of duty.

Note that YVR is not the only Canadian major airport with this deficiency. Has anyone in Calgary used the C-Train to travel from downtown Calgary to the main terminal or the two main hangar complexes at each side of the south end of Runway 34? Has anyone there used the C-Train to travel between the main YYC terminal and the hangar complexes? Has anyone in Toronto used the subway or tram service to travel between the YYZ terminals, from one of them to downtown Toronto or similarly to YTZ? Has anyone in Edmonton used the LRT for similar travel at YEG and YXD?

Where’s Canada’s commitment to using clean electric public transport instead of cars?

Prompt action should be taken to remedy this omission, particularly in Vancouver with the Winter Olympics due next year.

['79K20driver]

I agree. Public transit to and from the south side needs improvement. I think there is a bus that runs in the morning and late afternoon. It requires a transfer at Airport Station to get to the main terminal though. So with wait times, a transfer and a crummy schedule the bus is hardly convenient. If I were commuting I think I'd go through downtown, especially when the Canada-Line is up and running. There are way more flights and transit to the airport's main teminal is (will) be better.

[60N30W]

"Note that YVR is not the only Canadian major airport with this deficiency. Has anyone in Calgary used the C-Train to travel from downtown Calgary to the main terminal or the two main hangar complexes at each side of the south end of Runway 34? Has anyone there used the C-Train to travel between the main YYC terminal and the hangar complexes? Has anyone in Toronto used the subway or tram service to travel between the YYZ terminals, from one of them to downtown Toronto or similarly to YTZ? Has anyone in Edmonton used the LRT for similar travel at YEG and YXD?

Where’s Canada’s commitment to using clean electric public transport instead of cars?"

Carrier
,
Not sure where you are getting your info but it is going to take a few more years before you can take the C-Train to YYC, right now you can take it to within a couple of KM of the terminal and then maybe a city bus goes the rest of the way, or jump in a cab. Don't think it will ever make it to the hangars on the south side.

As far as Edmonton, ETS is getting ready to open the south extension from the Uof A hospital to the south campus and in about a year it will open to Southgate and the southend of 111st near the old Heritage mall, that leaves about 25 km to YEG. There is a plan to get to the airport one day, just keep in mind it took about 17 years to cross the river, the LRT first opened in 1978, so it will be a few years till it gets out to YEG. As far as YXD the LRT goes no where near it right now, however there is a plan for a line to NAIT, but by the time it is build YXD might be closed down.

As for YYZ you can get close on the subway and then there are express buses that run to the airport, just announced plans for another subway line that will include the airport, but that too is a few years away.

Montreal is planning a rapid transit line to the airport.

We in Canada are a few years behind the rest of the world in introducing rapid transit to airports, hey even the LRT in Newcastle goes to the airport!

Regards,

60N30W

[tdawe]

If your going be living in Victoria you can consider Helijet, as they also have a reciprocal jump seat agreement with AC. That is of course assuming your willing to climb into a real flying machine... (let the jokes about repelling the earth begin) In the shorter daylight of the winter they'll give you a few more chances to get home.

If you don't work for AC there's quite a few others we offer deals to, more then I know to list.. You can drop me a PM if you want me to ask our pass bureau..