Commuting? From someone who know nothing

[Checks]

Hello,

Thanks for clicking through. I am thinking of applying to some major airlines that would require me to commute from Ohio to Chicago. About an hour flight with lots of direct airline service thoughout the day. I could also drive in about 6 hours.

Would commuting this far even be worth it long term? I do have other aviation opportunities closer to home that would not require commuting. I'm I wrong to assume I would lose a 1/2 day prior to each trip and possibly a 1/2 day after each trip. 3-4 trips per month which turn into an extra 4 days not at home. This assumes the weather isnt all jacked up..it is the midwest.

I realize you guys/gals cant completely answer this question for me but I would be very interested in your thoughts on this type of commute. I am married and not moving for at least a few years.

This also assumes I would even get hired ( I have no illusions)

Thanks!

 

[General Lee]

Hello,

Thanks for clicking through. I am thinking of applying to some major airlines that would require me to commute from Ohio to Chicago. About an hour flight with lots of direct airline service thoughout the day. I could also drive in about 6 hours.

Would commuting this far even be worth it long term? I do have other aviation opportunities closer to home that would not require commuting. I'm I wrong to assume I would lose a 1/2 day prior to each trip and possibly a 1/2 day after each trip. 3-4 trips per month which turn into an extra 4 days not at home. This assumes the weather isnt all jacked up..it is the midwest.

I realize you guys/gals cant completely answer this question for me but I would be very interested in your thoughts on this type of commute. I am married and not moving for at least a few years.

This also assumes I would even get hired ( I have no illusions)

Thanks!

Usually you would get priority on your own airline. If you flew for UAL or AA and was based in ORD, you probably could get a jumpseat a few days prior and at least know you have a seat. If you go on another airline other than your own, you have to hope you get to the gate first and there aren't others waiting there from that particular airline that would have rights to that jumpseat on their airline. If you get there first before others that aren't employed there, then you probably will get to ask the Captain for it first. But, if the airline has Regional airlines flying for them, they get priority first, even if you got to the gate first. If you could jump on your own airline, that would help and make your life much easier.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[waveflyer]

A whole lot commute.
I've taken the advice of my mentors. Don't commute. It's a different career living in base.
So I've treated it like a suit job.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

If only it were that easy. Those who have been in the business long enough will experience furloughs, bankruptcies, base closures...All of which would necessitate a move if you insist upon living in base. Some pilots are divorced and commute so they can live where they can see their kids more frequently. Some have spouses who work and whose careers are not as portable. Some simply can't afford to live in domicile. And some have watched bases closes so many times they got tired of chasing them.

If you can live in base great, but if not there is a large community of commuters that try to help each other out. Best thing you can do is take a walk up the jetway before push, make sure no Jumpseaters are trying to get on and getting the stiff arm from the gate agent. If they are, help them out, they're just trying to get home or to work.

 

[freightdogfred]

If only it were that easy. Those who have been in the business long enough will experience furloughs, bankruptcies, base closures...All of which would necessitate a move if you insist upon living in base. Some pilots are divorced and commute so they can live where they can see their kids more frequently. Some have spouses who work and whose careers are not as portable. Some simply can't afford to live in domicile. And some have watched bases closes so many times they got tired of chasing them.

If you can live in base great, but if not there is a large community of commuters that try to help each other out. Best thing you can do is take a walk up the jetway before push, make sure no Jumpseaters are trying to get on and getting the stiff arm from the gate agent. If they are, help them out, they're just trying to get home or to work.

Right on. I wouldn't move across the street for an airline, but perhaps i'm a bit jaded. If you commute, you'll lose 2-3 days a month doing so. The choice is yours.

 

[Checks]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the information

 

[Ticker]

I wouldn't move across the street for an airline...

Amen to that!

 

[cbrown1]

Commuting sucks and honestly if you're gonna commute might as well not take the job. This job isn't worth it to commute, i'd rather have an 9-5 office job.

 

[Andy]

Disparaging remarks about Ohio aside, are you close to Louisville, KY? If so, you should probably be thinking brown in terms of career plans. That's one hub I don't think will move any time soon.

The alternative is to pick an airline with a hub where you want to live.

There are two types of commutes (I've done both): Those that suck and those that REALLY suck. The one you describe only sucks.

 

[Russ]

The only tactical advice I can provide is get to the gate early. I do a relatively easy commute that has a lot of commuters. I show up to the gate at least an hour early if the loads aren't promising. After I sign up for the JS, I watch others filter in, some within minutes of closing out the flight all expecting to get the JS.

 

[Baronman]

Generally speaking most folks who live in base live happy, normal lives. I highly suggest it.

 

[Southern Cross]

I had a commute that was similar to what you describe. My experience was that with that distance, it was usually better to drive.

Why - say your trip completes at 1430 but the first available flight home isn't until 1730. Throw a couple of commuters into the mix vying for the same flight and now you might be waiting for a couple of more hours. You could potentially be home before setting foot on your commute flight. This, of course, varies with your schedule and the level of service to your home airport. The same would apply for the commute to work. Set the drive up so you get to work around show time instead of having to commute in several hours early or even the night before. The ability to make the drive give you an extra option.

Anyway you slice it though commuting sucks. If you have other aviation options at home that mesh with your long term goals, they should warrant serious consideration.

 

[Checks]

I could try corporate or netjets but the pay is vastly different. I'll stick with trying to get on with a really good part91 operation or a dtw domicile airline. Thanks!

 

[180ToTheMarker]

I could try corporate or netjets but the pay is vastly different. I'll stick with trying to get on with a really good part91 operation or a dtw domicile airline. Thanks!

Don't get discouraged though. Commuting sucks however I do it because I love where I live. To me, its worth it. Everyone's different.

 

[waveflyer]

If only it were that easy. Those who have been in the business long enough will experience furloughs, bankruptcies, base closures...All of which would necessitate a move if you insist upon living in base. Some pilots are divorced and commute so they can live where they can see their kids more frequently. Some have spouses who work and whose careers are not as portable. Some simply can't afford to live in domicile. And some have watched bases closes so many times they got tired of chasing them.

If you can live in base great, but if not there is a large community of commuters that try to help each other out. Best thing you can do is take a walk up the jetway before push, make sure no Jumpseaters are trying to get on and getting the stiff arm from the gate agent. If they are, help them out, they're just trying to get home or to work.

Oh I've had to commute, and life happens. I don't tend to understand the people that continually choose it though. But no truer words spoken- everyone's different. I have a business and a home life I love- and haven't done more than a two day in 3 years -
Others may have the same great home life and just aren't bothered by a commute as much as me-

A big plus one ! On furloughed again's walk up the jetway 5-10 prior!
As an FO, I still do this and even at SwA where it doesn't happen much, I've caught more commuters and travelers getting the stiff arm than you might think-

It is huge.
Well said

 

[Nindiri]

Overall, I think the gate agents at SWA are pretty good. I've commuted on SWA for years and still haven't met any problems. And even before I worked here, the crews were all friendly and pro-active to get me aboard.

Actually, I've had good luck with Delta, too.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Eagle in Dallas are about the only ones who tend to be... difficult. ;-)

 

[Crucianpilot]

Don't get discouraged though. Commuting sucks however I do it because I love where I live. To me, its worth it. Everyone's different.

United has a very good commuting policy so I don't sweat getting to work anymore. With that said, yes living in base is a whole lot easier. I've commuted almost all of my career because I like where I live. Hasn't dampened my love for my job.

 

[McNugent]

I'm a current commuter, and have done so off and on for the past 10 years. I recently transitioned to a major from the regionals and am no longer based where I live. While I absolutely love my new job, the commute has taken a toll. As a regional captain on reserve in base, I spent so much more time at home and my stress level was zero.

Take into account being on probation with a new airline and realize you'll have to be much more conservative for a while, which means more time away from home trying to get to work. The moral of the story? I love where I live, but I will be moving this year so I will (hopefully) never have to commute again.

 

[Tripower455]

I commuted on airplanes for 10 years, and have been driving 3 hours for the last 13+.

While both definitely suck, I'll take the drive over the jumpseat dance any day of the week.

I live in what many people consider a very desirable place, and it's not worth the commute, even the 3 hour drive.

If you can live with an giving an extra 4, potentially high stress days per month or so to your job for no pay, then go for it. If you're even questioning it, move to within a reasonable drive (not 3 hours!) to a base.

All that said, all of this advice is for when you get a long term job, like a major. There are other variables too, like quality of the job (regional vs. major) marital status, kids, home ownership etc. that fall into the decision matrix.

For example:

A single guy, renting an apartment, would be insane to commute for a regional gig.

The same guy, with a wife and family, living in his own home would be insane to move for a regional gig.