Commuting on reserve

[Meiguy]

I was recently hired by Expressjet and was wondering if it is feasable to commute while on reserve. I understand that you really need a crash pad at your base so you can make the 2 hour call out. I would be commuting out of ATL going to either Houston or Newark. Just wanted some opinions on if it's worth trying to do this or not. I don't know a whole lot about how schedules work while on reserve, so for those currently doing this, whats a typical month like?. How much easier is it once you hold a line.

Thanks

 

[wil]

Years ago (pre9/11) when I was a 135 freight dog, I commuted to ATL on ASA and connected to IAH on Continental every Saturday for 10 months and never had a problem. Don't know Newark but as long as you have a crashpad wherever your base is you should be ok (if you give yourself time)
And, speaking as someone who once threw the dice on reserve and stayed
at home, don't do it!! I was a nervous wreck. I vowed never again! (I did get away with it though!!). Cheers, Wil

 

[FlynSuperD]

Reserve scheds are typically 4 or 5 on and 2 or 3 off. You will have 11 days off in a month. The reserve duty periods run for 15 hours
IAH - 0300-1800, 0600-2100, 0900-2400, 1200-0300, 1700-0800
EWR - 0330-1830, 0700-2200, 0900-2400, 1700-0800
CLE - 0400-1900, 0800-2300, 1130-0230
You will have the same callout period all month, the 1700-0800 usually go real senior if they use it at all. You have 15 minutes to call them back, then 2 hours till show once you talk with them.

I live in my hub, so I cant give any advice personally on commuting on reserve, but I know people who do it, and some like it, and some don't, sorry i cant be help on that one.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

Commuting while on reserve....well...$ucks.


I did it for a while and it was driving me absolutely crazy. I had very little time at home and when I was home, I was worrying about how to make it back to my domicile in time.

With that said, I believe that you'd be better off being based in IAH. Crashpads are numerous and cheap there and you won't have to deal with commuting to EWR, which can be tough in the winter due to their weather.

If at all possible, move to your domicile and take a trip back to ATL once in a while. Your quality of life will be better.

Of course, you also must consider how long you will be on reserve. I just got on with JB and will be commuting to JFK (while on reserve). But, I should have a line by Thanksgiving which will make my life much better.

Good luck with your decision.

Cheers!

GP

 

[Hosed COEX]

I must agree with Guppy Puppy. Commuting on reserve is no way to live. Many of XJT's junior reserve schedules mostly have periods of only 2 days off in a row. Meaning by the time you commute home, you have about enough time to pack, kiss your wife, and head back.

That being said, if you are single and don't have a real attachment to being at home, it isn't so bad. When I used to work for ACA I commuted from Las Vegas to Chicago. I was single then. Chicago was such a fun city that "living" there while on reserve didn't bother me at all. All sorts of fun.

However, when I was recalled to XJT I had to commute from Chicago to EWR for a while on reserve. I wasn't single. I absolutely hated my life - I was never home. I moved to CLE as soon as I got based there and I am much happier now.

Commuting in general is no good if you don't like being away from home, even when you hold a line. I would seriously consider moving to Houston - you will have a much better quality of life. However, if you are seriously attached to Atlanta, then definitely try to get based in IAH instead of EWR. Cheaper crashpads, and the weather will be more what you are used to. Plus, more growth going on right now in IAH. New hires who have been here for only three months are holding relief lines in IAH.

 

[Doogie]

Commuting on reserve..... While on probation...... Outside of Union protection..... Do you want to keep your job at Express?


If not thats fine just another spot open for me when I get the time to apply with them.

Sounds pretty stupid to me IMO

Good Luck
Doogie

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

I am also from ATL. When I got hired by CALEX five years ago my wife and I moved to IAH. It was probably the worst decision I ever made. Three and half years and a mortgage later we finally figured that we had enough of Houston. We moved back to Birmingham just over a year ago and will be moving back to ATL this time next year. We have been much happier now that we are back in the land of sweet tea, real BBQ, and the Auburn Tigers . Believe me, as a native Georgian, Houston blows. And, the rest of the bases go down hill from there.

The best advise I ever got was from a retired Pan Am pilot: pick were you want to live and stay there, because in this industry your base will change periodicaly and your airline might also, a few times.

Frats,

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

Commuting on reserve..... While on probation...... Outside of Union protection..... Do you want to keep your job at Express?


If not thats fine just another spot open for me when I get the time to apply with them.

Sounds pretty stupid to me IMO

Good Luck
Doogie

As a former ALPA Rep myself I think I can shed some light on this. In the last four or five years there has only been three pilots fired from CALEX. All of them were Captains. Only one has been for attendance issues and that was because the pilot refused to show up for work.

All in all, don't worry too much about it.

Frats,

 

[Doogie]

As a former ALPA Rep myself I think I can shed some light on this. In the last four or five years there has only been three pilots fired from CALEX. All of them were Captains. Only one has been for attendance issues and that was because the pilot refused to show up for work.

All in all, don't worry too much about it.

Frats,

Wow who wouldn't want to show up for work flyin an RJ!?!?!

To each his own

Doogie

 

[chperplt]

Wow who wouldn't want to show up for work flyin an RJ!?!?!

Dude,

After the initial woody goes away, an RJ is just another airplane.. Once you start flying for a living, you'll have your days when the last thing you want to see is an airplane.

 

[Doogie]

Dude,

After the initial woody goes away, an RJ is just another airplane.. Once you start flying for a living, you'll have your days when the last thing you want to see is an airplane.

Common don't tell me that!!!!

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

Common don't tell me that!!!!

It's just a job dude, nothing more. And, a pretty lousy one at that.

Frats,

 

[Smacktard]

Commuting on reserve..... While on probation...... Outside of Union protection..... Do you want to keep your job at Express?

If not thats fine just another spot open for me when I get the time to apply with them.

Sounds pretty stupid to me IMO

Someone hasn't had their reality check. Just wait until it's you. You'll be on here asking the same questions.

As for commuting out of Atl on Coex and Continental, I did it for 8 months ATL-CLE. I had 3 or 4 close calls, but I would attribute that to one or two Coex captains that used the jumpseat to reinforce their own agenda...in fact, one bitch in particular comes to mind...S.B. Houston shouldn't be that bad, Newark might be problematic because of factors out of your control...weather, flow control etc. Go to skyguideonline.com and put in ATL-HOU, here's every conceivable way of getting to HOU out of ATL thru the noon hour...


6:00am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 7:08amContinental Airlines
2:08 hrs. Snack3312*
ERJNon-Stop
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sa7:20am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 8:22amContinental Airlines
2:02 hrs. Snack1621
738Non-Stop
W,Su7:30am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 10:39amDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:09 hrs. 1059 / 4151*
738Dallas (DFW)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sa8:15am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 12:04pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:49 hrs. 4381* / 2863*
CR7Austin (AUS)
M,Tu,W,Su8:21am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 9:39amDelta Air Lines
2:18 hrs. 4357*
CR7Non-Stop
Daily8:26am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 9:34amDelta Air Lines
2:08 hrs. 0239
738Non-Stop
Daily8:35am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 12:06pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:31 hrs. 4673* / 3061*
CRJShreveport (SHV)
M,Tu,W,Th,F8:43am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 11:53amAmerican Airlines / American Airlines
4:10 hrs. 2027 / 3797*
M80Dallas (DFW)
M,Tu,W,Th,F8:43am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 12:18pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:35 hrs. 1495 / 2846*
732San Antonio (SAT)
W8:43am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 12:36pmAmerican Airlines / American Airlines
4:53 hrs. 2027 / 0506
M80Dallas (DFW)
Daily8:43am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:44pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
6:01 hrs. 1495 / 3385*
732San Antonio (SAT)
Tu,W,Su8:44am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 12:46pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
5:02 hrs. 1299 / 6306*
757Dallas (DFW)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sa8:44am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 12:52pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
5:08 hrs. 1299 / 4234*
757Dallas (DFW)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sa9:15am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 10:30amAirtran
2:15 hrs. 0293
717Non-Stop
Daily9:25am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 12:52pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:27 hrs. 1463 / 4234*
M80Dallas (DFW)
Daily9:25am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 2:40pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
6:15 hrs. 1463 / 4515*
M80Dallas (DFW)
Daily9:45am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 2:28pmAmerican Airlines / American Airlines
5:43 hrs. 1245 / 3689*
M80Dallas (DFW)
M,Tu,W,Th,F9:51am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 11:15amDelta Air Lines
2:24 hrs. 4178*
CRJNon-Stop
Daily9:52am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 12:52pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:00 hrs. 0612 / 4234*
738Dallas (DFW)
Daily9:52am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 2:31pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
5:39 hrs. 0612 / 6347*
738Dallas (DFW)
Daily9:52am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 2:40pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
5:48 hrs. 0612 / 4515*
738Dallas (DFW)
Daily9:55am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 11:05amDelta Air Lines
2:10 hrs. 0493
732Non-Stop
Daily10:01am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:50pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:49 hrs. 4148* / 3017*
CRJFayetteville (XNA)
M,W,Sa,Su10:01am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 2:50pmNorthwest Airlines / Northwest Airlines
5:49 hrs. 8887* / 7318*
M80Memphis (MEM)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sa10:05am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:44pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:39 hrs. 1197 / 3385*
M80San Antonio (SAT)
Tu,W,Su10:05am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 2:45pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
5:40 hrs. 1197 / 3050*
M80San Antonio (SAT)
Tu,W10:06am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:36pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:30 hrs. 1177 / 3171*
738Birmingham (BHM)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Su10:06am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:36pmContinental Airlines / Continental Airlines
4:30 hrs. 4340* / 2090*
738Birmingham (BHM)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Su10:06am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:36pmNorthwest Airlines / Northwest Airlines
4:30 hrs. 9059* / 5170*
738Birmingham (BHM)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Su10:10am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:30pmNorthwest Airlines / Northwest Airlines
4:20 hrs. 9250* / 7492*
M80Nashville (BNA)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Su10:25am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:50pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:25 hrs. 4415* / 3268*
CR7Pensacola (PNS)
Tu,W10:25am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:50pmNorthwest Airlines / Northwest Airlines
4:25 hrs. 9599* / 5583*
CR7Pensacola (PNS)
Tu,W11:20am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (HOU) 12:23pmDelta Air Lines
2:03 hrs. 0765
738Non-Stop
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Su11:22am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 12:24pmDelta Air Lines
2:02 hrs. 1194
M80Non-Stop
Daily11:22am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (EFD) 1:59pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
3:37 hrs. 1194 / 2678*
M80Houston (IAH)
Tu,W,Th,F,Sa,Su11:23am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 2:31pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:08 hrs. 1561 / 6347*
767Dallas (DFW)
Daily11:23am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 2:45pmNorthwest Airlines / Northwest Airlines
4:22 hrs. 9719* / 5227*
767Dallas (DFW)
M,W11:27am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 12:35pmContinental Airlines
2:08 hrs. Snack2873*
ERJNon-Stop
M,W,Th,F,Su11:27am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (EFD) 1:59pmContinental Airlines / Continental Airlines
3:32 hrs. Snack2873* / 2936*
ERJHouston (IAH)
W,Th,F,Su11:28am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 2:37pmContinental Airlines / Continental Airlines
4:09 hrs. 4213* / 0443
732Tulsa (TUL)
Tu,W11:28am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 2:37pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
4:09 hrs. 1481 / 2831*
732Tulsa (TUL)
Tu,W11:31am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 4:22pmNorthwest Airlines / Northwest Airlines
5:51 hrs. 8868* / 5517*
M80Saint Louis (STL)
Daily11:34am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:50pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
3:16 hrs. 0621 / 3268*
M80Pensacola (PNS)
Tu,W11:34am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 1:50pmNorthwest Airlines / Northwest Airlines
3:16 hrs. 9205* / 5583*
M80Pensacola (PNS)
Tu,W11:48am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 4:50pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
6:02 hrs. 4427* / 2856*
CRJFayetteville (XNA)
M,Tu,W,Th,F,Su11:57am Depart Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Houston (IAH) 4:50pmDelta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines
5:53 hrs. 1817 / 2900*
732San Antonio (SAT)
W

 

[BritishGuy]

I know the guy (well he was my CFI at one point) that never turned up for work.....what a story!

 

[Thedude]

Dude,

After the initial woody goes away, an RJ is just another airplane.. Once you start flying for a living, you'll have your days when the last thing you want to see is an airplane.

If you only knew how true that is

 

[Rally]

I know the guy (well he was my CFI at one point) that never turned up for work.....what a story!

Well then do sure the story!

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Hey,
At my first airline job, the chief pilot came into ground school and explained a few things, reserve was one of them, "you are meat on a hook, remember that and you won't be disappointed". Build your senority stay a F/O, and bid to fly with a checkairman! Works for me I flew 6 days this month, and that was 5 too many! This is just a job, ok sometimes, suks a$$ at other times.
"hehe he said meat on a hook"
Good luck, your life will rollercoaster up and down like nothing you have ever experienced!
PBR

 

[patriotflier]

Doogie.....The grass is always greener on the other side.....especially when you have been working towards a goal most of your life.....Relality is your gone from your homa a lot, miss holidays/birthdays/aniversaries/child being born, and then most companies treat us pilots like $hit. So there is the reality!
It is like eating your favorite food for the rest of your life every day. It just becomes something you have to do to survive...Same with flying it is awesome abut it just becomes a job and a way to survive.

The flying is awesome...no question about it....99% of the pilots you fly with are pretty cool. Aad it is pretty neat to get paid to fly. But just remember how much you enjoy flying becasue the rest pretty much sux!


As for commuting in and out of ATL! Stay away from EWR!!!!! IAH is ok....but the best advice I can give you is to try it out and find out if it is something you like or dislike. Then you will know if you can handle commuting with what is going on in your life individually. Some guys absolutely love to commute while others like me will never do it again if I can at all possibly avoid it.

 

[moscowcfi]

Comair pilots, how is the commute from Chicago to Cinci? How about from Springfield, IL. Are there any (many) flights?