Changing Bases

[Green Onions]

I know there are 2 bids a year that you can bid a new base or aircraft, I have also heard that you can trade bases with someone on your aircraft type. Is there any other way to change bases? What if someone quits from a base or there is a standing vacancy.... can you be awarded that base in any way?

[TopperHarley]

Yeah that's happened before. Just make sure you're standing bid is always what you want in case they are all of a sudden short in a base and decide to award it to someone.

Base trades are usually the quickest way to go about it, but it can be difficult to find someone who wants to trade with you, not to mention all the signatures you need to get.

[Dark Helmet]

Topper is correct regarding vacancy awards

As for base trades, You no longer need the signatures. Any base trades agreed by both pilots and the company will be posted on the monthly bid package for a period of 3 months (I think) for everyone to review. If nobody objects after that period then the trade will go through.

[Poppy]

Does anyone know what the open bases are at the moment?

[Green Onions]

Heard 3 RJ and 8 Dash for Nov 15 class..... dont know what bases.

[Mig29]

If you get a transfer actioned for say, January, and you work till 31st of December (scheduled) is coming obliged to give you some time off inbetween for the transfer?? Or are you expected to be there next day??

Thanks

[flyinhigh]

your effective day would be the 1st, so depending on your seniority in said base you may end up working the first.

[Mig29]

really? So how are you physically suppose to be flying in YYC (day before) and then fly out that same day to say YHZ to work a pairing the next morning??? It would be impossible?
unless your pairing started late PM...

[Lateralus]

your effective day would be the 1st, so depending on your seniority in said base you may end up working the first.

Not sure if that was true, when I switched bases two years ago, I was given "unable to fly" on my line for the first 2-3 days of the month at new base. This was 2 years ago now and if something has changed with it in the new contract you will get a few days to switch. They can not possibly expect you to move across the country in 1 night between the last and first of the month.

[flyinhigh]

Well unfortunately that is the seniority system that we live in today.

There are a few options though, with our new contract we have Preferred Days Off(PDO's) that you can bid, you get 4 a year but can only bid 2 together at a time, and only 2 a month. So if you are transfering bases, I would use my PDO's for the 1st and 2nd to basically guarantee them off. That said again its seniority, if someone senior bids for those same days as a pdo you may not get them.

Of course you could always talk to your manager, in this case your usually more than accomidating, also there is the 160 hour sick bank you can use.

Are you looking at coming to Jazz?

[QKDH8]

Actually flyinhigh, a quick look in the contract reveals you DO get days off starting at a new base, regardless of seniority.

Have a look at section 21 (MOVING) of the contract:

"...entitled to no less than two (2) Travel Days Off (TDO) following his last actual working Day at his Previously Awarded Base. If required, 2 TDO’s shall be preplanned by Crew Planning to ensure a minimum of 2 days off prior to the first duty at his new base."

There is also a provision in there for 1 extra day off for every 750 km over 1000 km between bases. So if you were moving YVR - YHZ you'd probably end up with a week or more off.

In the the old contract you were UTF for at least the first 2 days of the month you were moving bases.

[TopperHarley]

There is probably differences in the contract though when it comes to a "forced move" and a "voluntary move" (such as a base trade or transfer through a bid).

When I base-traded from YUL to YYZ, I worked May 29, had the 30th off, and then was flying June 1. But that was under the old contract back in 2008.

[QKDH8]

There is probably differences in the contract though when it comes to a "forced move" and a "voluntary move" (such as a base trade or transfer through a bid).

When I base-traded from YUL to YYZ, I worked May 29, had the 30th off, and then was flying June 1. But that was under the old contract back in 2008.

Actually there isn't a difference with regards to days off, only what expenses the company covers. That section applies to both voluntary and involuntary moves. You are also entitled to a pos space ticket for you and your spouse to the new base, and 7 consecutive days off of duty at some point before or after your move, when you choose to take it. (I think you have to advise crew planning before hand). Again, the reference is Section 21 of the new contract, it's all there.

In regards to your base transfer in 2008 that must have been an oversight. The old contract says:

"The following will be applied to the moving provisions of Section 21-2 (VOLUNTARY MOVE) and 21-3 (INVOLUNTARY MOVE).
.01 TIME OFF
(a) No Pilot who is authorized to change Base in accordance with this Section will be required to commence duties at his new Base with less than two (2) Days free from duty since the last actual working Day at his previous Base."

I also moved bases back in 2008 and was awarded the first 2 days of the month UTF, without talking to anyone. I think under the new contract it shows up as TDO. There are lots of examples in the last few months bid packages. Everyone moving into YYZ is a voluntary move, and no one is working on the first day of the month, they all have TDOs.

[flyinhigh]

My bad, I misunderstood. I thought it was just in regards to swapping for commuting.

When you move it is definately different, If I was swapping bases from YYZ to YYC as a commuter I wouldn't get anytime. At least that was my understanding when I was thinking of changing.

[COMETer]

How many Captains and FOs are left at the YHZ base? I've heard it is quite senior on the Captain side and hard to get, but there are occasional FO slots that open up?

Also, would they ever open up YYT as a base? There are enough aircraft overnighting there, it might make sense, especially with the St. Johns weather.

COMETer

PS - A shame it can't be the size it was in the Air Nova and Air Atlantic days.

[mattedfred]

Unfortunately YHZ is not an RJ base so I suspect it wouldn't interest you.

[flyinhigh]

And you'll see a base in ywg/yxe waaaay before yyt.

[yulcommuter]

I am based in YUL and am trying to get back to YYC. I am on the Dash. Is anyone interested in a base swap??

[flyinhigh]

hey YUL, just wait for the 2 weeks for the bid to come out. Unless you can find someone quicker. Good thing is your looking to change at the right time of year.