Amazing views up front!
On my trip back to Vancouver from Nanaimo the captain kindly allowed be to fly with him in the cockpit. How often do you get to say “I’m flying shotgun”? I got to chat with the captain during the flight and got beautiful panoramic views of the Georgia Straight. Once you start flying across, you can’t go back on BC Ferries.
The pilot told me that living in Vancouver was so expensive that he moved his family out to Nanaimo. It didn’t really impact his job since he flew seaplanes between the two destinations anyways. His major cost savings was rent and a Compass monthly pass. There were also regulars on the flight that commuted via seaplane to and from downtown Vancouver. More on the calculations below.
Nanaimo’s only around 15-20 minutes away by seaplane, but more than an hour away by ferry. Not to mention the hour long drive to the ferry pier from downtown. Yes, the seaplane is a lot more expensive but it also saves a lot of time, consider the following one-way information from Vancouver Waterfront Station to Nanaimo’s Bastion:
Whizzing right by sea traffic
Seaplane
Cost: $87.1 (yes, there are $69 fares, but let’s be real, you’re not going to fly from Vancouver to Nanaimo at 5:50pm)
Time: 10 minute walk to the seaplane terminal + 20 minutes for checkin + 15 minute flight + 5 minute walk = 50 minutes
Ferry
Cost: $4.20 for 2 zones to Horseshoe Bay + $17.20 foot passenger + $2.50 BC Transit at Departure Bay = $23.90
Time: 5 minute walk to 257 bus stop + 5 minute wait for bus + 35 minute ride on 257 + 15 minute to buy ticket and get on + 95 minute crossing + 20 minutes to catch bus + 15 minute ride = 190 minutes
Commuting to Vancouver by Seaplane!?
Listening in to the radio
In order to live in Nanaimo and work in Vancouver, the only practical way is to commute by seaplane, but the seaplane is expensive. The captain told me that people found it cheaper to fly five days a week than to pay for the expensive rent in Vancouver. Let’s find out if it’s worth it for a couple with 3 children who work in downtown Vancouver (assuming an average of 20 work days a month):
Living in Downtown Vancouver:
Cost: $97 1-zone Compass monthly pass + $7000 3 bedroom flat in Yaletown + $200 for breakfast = $7297
Time: 15 minutes to change and shower + 15 minutes for breakfast + 30 minutes to get the kids ready + 15 minutes to get to the office = 75 minutes
Commuting from Downtown Nanaimo:
Cost: $2000 3 bedroom flat 10 minutes away from the seaplane terminal + $3484 for 20 round trips on seaplane = $5484
Time: 15 minutes to change and shower + 30 minutes to get the kids ready + 50 minute flight with breakfast = 95 minutes
Nanaimo also has a lower crime rate, a stronger sense of community, fewer traffic incidents, and a more natural living environment. The seaplane also provides complimentary pastries and coffee so you can have breakfast while you wait for your flight, another cost and time saving. Of course, you could live in Surrey or Coquitlam for about $2000, but then it takes more than two hours to wake up and get to work with a tedious commute by the poorly designed SkyTrain. So yes, one could conceivably live in Nanaimo, work in Vancouver, and save on rent.
