Winnipeg Porting vs Commuting
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Winnipeg Porting vs Commuting
I am considering applying to WJ in the next year or so, and I would really like some input on experiences of others in porting out of Winnipeg. Is commuting a better option? With either option, how do FO's working out of Winnipeg fare wrt time off and scheduling? I value my time at home, but I also am more than willing to work within the system, just want to go into this well informed. Hoping for some opinions...
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slob driver
- Rank 3
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 6:01 pm
Re: Winnipeg Porting vs Commuting
I am an f/o in the ywg port.
It's not really a port versus commuting question. If You live in ywg, you're a commuter. However, by joining the port, you have an opportunity to start and end pairings out of your port, and also receive the travel credit when traveling to start and end work in yyc from your port.
Because of the higher number of f/o's living here versus captains, it is less likely that your will start and end your pairing out of ywg, unless you're willing to sacrifice specific days off to get port flying.
My first bid every month will be ywg overnights. This leads me to usually get 3/4 of my overnights at home each month. I also bid pm check-ins and check-outs early enough so that I don't have to overnight in yyc on my own dime. I usually have to stay in yyc maybe 1 night per month (training months not included). On average, using this technique, I am away from home 2-4 nights per month. Not including months where vacation falls, I work between 14-16 days per month.
Any other questions, let me know
It's not really a port versus commuting question. If You live in ywg, you're a commuter. However, by joining the port, you have an opportunity to start and end pairings out of your port, and also receive the travel credit when traveling to start and end work in yyc from your port.
Because of the higher number of f/o's living here versus captains, it is less likely that your will start and end your pairing out of ywg, unless you're willing to sacrifice specific days off to get port flying.
My first bid every month will be ywg overnights. This leads me to usually get 3/4 of my overnights at home each month. I also bid pm check-ins and check-outs early enough so that I don't have to overnight in yyc on my own dime. I usually have to stay in yyc maybe 1 night per month (training months not included). On average, using this technique, I am away from home 2-4 nights per month. Not including months where vacation falls, I work between 14-16 days per month.
Any other questions, let me know
Re: Winnipeg Porting vs Commuting
The port status is flexible as well. If you don't like it, you can opt out with a bit of notice, you're not stuck in it for long if you don't like it. The bidding option is limited within the port... if I need days off, I will bid them and then request overnights at home and fly from YYC. Some months that is better than single days from my port anyway. Either way, living away from Calgary for certain cities allows you to be home more than if you actually lived where you're based (can't speak for anywhere other the YVR specifically). The flexibility is great with ability to modify your schedule with ease, and drop or pick up legs to operate to or from your pairing. I've noticed the first leg and last leg drops work quite well for YWG FO's from my own experience of getting a fresh one on the last leg of the pairing that goes past YWG.
My only wish would be to see the ability to bid a few days off from a port without sacrificing all your flying from the port. That seems a common issue within a lot of the ports. I've never worked anywhere you can have such extensive options with your schedule from day 1 of employment. There is another thread here (Moncton commuting?) that a Toronto FO posted some well written and realistic negatives about his situation that would be good to read as well.
My only wish would be to see the ability to bid a few days off from a port without sacrificing all your flying from the port. That seems a common issue within a lot of the ports. I've never worked anywhere you can have such extensive options with your schedule from day 1 of employment. There is another thread here (Moncton commuting?) that a Toronto FO posted some well written and realistic negatives about his situation that would be good to read as well.
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highlander
- Rank 4
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:53 pm
Re: Winnipeg Porting vs Commuting
A few things that you should understand:
1) As a YWG'er you would want to enroll in the port because under a new policy porters can commute to and from YYC and no cost.
2) Once you are enrolled in the port there is no guarantee that each month you will get port flying. Some months i have all ports, some months I have no ports and some months it's a mix.
3) Port flying just like YYC flying will sometimes have 1,2,3,4 5 day pairings. Bid wisely.
4) The number of port pairirngs will be determined based on the lowest crew position. We have some 30 f/o's to 8 or 9 captains. So if 3 captains are on vacation there won't be much flying and you may have 30 f/o's vying for those pairings.
First and foremost we are commuters based in YYC. I never forget that.
I also bid YWG layovers but not at #1. I find I bid them lower- but normally get them. There has been the odd time when I have not but the beauty is you can drop the pairings and pick others up.
1) As a YWG'er you would want to enroll in the port because under a new policy porters can commute to and from YYC and no cost.
2) Once you are enrolled in the port there is no guarantee that each month you will get port flying. Some months i have all ports, some months I have no ports and some months it's a mix.
3) Port flying just like YYC flying will sometimes have 1,2,3,4 5 day pairings. Bid wisely.
4) The number of port pairirngs will be determined based on the lowest crew position. We have some 30 f/o's to 8 or 9 captains. So if 3 captains are on vacation there won't be much flying and you may have 30 f/o's vying for those pairings.
First and foremost we are commuters based in YYC. I never forget that.
I also bid YWG layovers but not at #1. I find I bid them lower- but normally get them. There has been the odd time when I have not but the beauty is you can drop the pairings and pick others up.
