I have plenty of PIC (last 6+ years CVG CA) so it came down to QOL and $. After factoring in a crash pad and loss of $ from using the commuter clause the money will be close enough after taxes that QOL most definately wins out.
Crash pad $300
Commute Clause (5hr/m x $71) $355
Not having to commute to JFK - PRICELESS!
BTW: Unless mgt runs a shuttle (which I don't see happening) you can double that commute clause loss.
Not saying commuting doesn't suck but here are the facts.
Crash pad in JFK $175 low end and $250 on the high end. Have yet to see a $300 crash pad in NYC in over two years of being based in JFK.
New York is one of the easier commutes I have done and yes I do come through CVG. Last two weeks I have rode first class on DAL mainline as an off line jumpseater. If times get hard you can two leg to any of the NYC airports from most anywhere in the country. It is not that bad, just plan ahead.
I'm not saying that when the displacement takes place CVG won't be a hard place to commute out of (I hope not as I go through CVG). It will not be like you think where you will be missing 5 plus hours of work a month. Not everybody being displaced lives in CVG.
Sorry for everyone at Comair as I spent a long time there in a past life. Keep you heads up as better times are ahead.