Commuting and one more question

[Alin10123]

Hey guys,
I tried to search for this topic but too many random topics came up. I talked with a pilot before and he was telling me that when he first was hired, he had to commute. Anyways... my CFI and i were having a discussion one day about new hires.

Since we all know that new hires with the regionals will almost always be on reserve for a little while. Is it possible to commute while you are a newhire on reserve?

For example, if a regional that wanted to hire me had a domicile in Orlando, since i live in Atlanta could i possibly commute there? Orlando isn't that far from here. It's like a 1 hour flight if that. I wouldn't mind heading out there the night before either or getting a temporary crashpad or something for my reserve shifts.

What have some of you guys done? Or if you have wife and kids? I'm sure you can't just pack up everything and move to the new domicile. I know that the guy i talked with that flies for a regional didn't move. He just commuted.

Also... on another note. I was looking at the pilot payscales for different airlines. For example if i was a 4th year 1st officer and got upgraded to captain. Would my pay as a captin start as a 5th year? or 1st year? I'm thinking it's 1st year becuase everyone has to be upgraded in order to be captain. But i just want to make sure.

thanks in advance.

 

[GogglesPisano]

90% of airline could care less whether you live in domicile or commute -- as long as you show up for work when you're supposed to (or, if on reserve, you don't say "but how can I get to work in 2 hours -- I'm still in Atlanta" when they call you.)

If you're single and have the resources, I suggest moving to your domicile (if it sounds like a permanent domicile, some airlines change them with the season.) Commuting hits hard, both financially and in terms of quality of life. Some airlines actually charge you to jumpseat, others actually charge you to non-rev in the back and don't let you jumpseat unless all seats in the back are full.

Crashpads generally suck. Think of the filthiest college dorm room imaginable and then throw a can of garbage on it. A lot of people prefer cheap hotel rooms 3 or 4 times a month (word to the wise -- if the weather hits you may not be able to find one.) You can also try Pricelining hotels in more expensive cities -- but you can't cancel Priceline reservations or choose the actual hotel.

Pay scale longevity begins on your date of hire. Very few people see 1st year captain pay except for the smaller commuters (and possibly JB Embraer pilots.) To answer your specific question, your pay would go to 5th year captain.

Good luck ... and hang on, it's a rough ride.

 

[Alin10123]

90% of airline could care less whether you live in domicile or commute -- as long as you show up for work when you're supposed to (or, if on reserve, you don't say "but how can I get to work in 2 hours -- I'm still in Atlanta" when they call you.)

If you're single and have the resources, I suggest moving to your domicile (if it sounds like a permanent domicile, some airlines change them with the season.) Commuting hits hard, both financially and in terms of quality of life. Some airlines actually charge you to jumpseat, others actually charge you to non-rev in the back and don't let you jumpseat unless all seats in the back are full.

Crashpads generally suck. Think of the filthiest college dorm room imaginable and then throw a can of garbage on it. A lot of people prefer cheap hotel rooms 3 or 4 times a month (word to the wise -- if the weather hits you may not be able to find one.) You can also try Pricelining hotels in more expensive cities -- but you can't cancel Priceline reservations or choose the actual hotel.

Pay scale longevity begins on your date of hire. Very few people see 1st year captain pay except for the smaller commuters (and possibly JB Embraer pilots.) To answer your specific question, your pay would go to 5th year captain.

Good luck ... and hang on, it's a rough ride.

I dont mind the time to commute in the beggining for the # of months that i'm on reserve. If i find an airline that has a domicile in Dallas or whatever, i can always stay at a relatives house. Or even in NY i have relatives and i'm sure i could crash over there a few times a month. Worse case scenario i find a cheap hotel. Moving is not really an option since i have the "lady" and she is doing ok with her career now and moving ot her would be out of the question. I dont mind having to pay my dues in the beggining though. I understand that commuting would take away a whole day off both at the beggining and end of my shift. But if that's what has got to be done, that's what has to be done.

For example, if my domicile is somewhere else other than Atlanta, can i go ahead and be at my domicile right as my reserve shift starts? I might try doing that. That might be easier than trying to be somewhere within 2 hours.

thanks for your input, any other suggestions or comments from other members would be appreciated as well.

thanks

 

[indianboy7]

For example, if my domicile is somewhere else other than Atlanta, can i go ahead and be at my domicile right as my reserve shift starts? I might try doing that. That might be easier than trying to be somewhere within 2 hours.

thanks for your input, any other suggestions or comments from other members would be appreciated as well.

thanks

That's what you would need to do...but keep in mind that flights get full, delayed, cancelled, or any combination of those.....so if you plan on only one flight that gets to your base *right* at your reserve start time, you could end up really really screwed if they call you, and you're still stuck in ATL waiting for the next flight.............keep in mind too, that Florida markets, especially this time of year, are extremely saturated........

 

[Alin10123]

That's what you would need to do...but keep in mind that flights get full, delayed, cancelled, or any combination of those.....so if you plan on only one flight that gets to your base *right* at your reserve start time, you could end up really really screwed if they call you, and you're still stuck in ATL waiting for the next flight.............keep in mind too, that Florida markets, especially this time of year, are extremely saturated........

Well... i still have a little bit of time before any of this is going to happen to me. I hope i'll be ok by then. I'm barely to my PPL written test. lol

 

[indianboy7]

Well... i still have a little bit of time before any of this is going to happen to me. I hope i'll be ok by then. I'm barely to my PPL written test. lol

ahh...well then i'd say enjoy the ride and don't worry about that stuff right now......you never know where you'll be by then......imp: :beer: