For info (for other posters; I'm certain that
Mr Garrison is aware)
Given the same circumstances I would try basing in MEL. Can you get a QLink basing there?
For this to happen, he'd have to change companies from Sunstate to Eastern and go to the bottom of the Eastern Seniority list. The most junior Captain on the Q400 in MEL joined the company in late 2007. The most junior FO on the Q400 in MEL joined the company in October 2012. There is a long waiting list.
DIVOSH!