Crash Pad Life

[jhoneycu]

Any advice on finding a crash pad? I am new to this and need a pad near JFK. I am not a crewmember, but rather an engineer who needs to commute to JFK from CLT for about 6 months. I will be spending 4 nights a week (working 2nd shift Sun - Wed) and would like to have my own bed. Any information would be great.

 

[CRJ puppy]

Sounds like something your company should be paying you for.

 

[jhoneycu]

I currently work for US Airways and will be taking the job with JetBlue. Since it is my choice to commute it is on me to cover it. Any info on finding a pad would be nice.

 

[av8tor4239]

The majority of stories on this thread are about "true" crashpads, where you have many people living in one room!

I have been commuting on and off reserve, and here is what I have found to be the best. It is a little more expensive, but well worth the cost.

I rent a room from a friend in a burb of atlanta. I pay 15 bucks per day that I am here. I average between 100-400 per month depending on my schedule, but here is the kicker. The house I use has two big screen TV's, Cable and HD Satelite, Highspeed wireless internet, I have my own room, my owen King Bed, and my own bathroom. I have full use of the all the rooms and the kitchen, and I can even park my car in the garage. I help with the chores and pay my "rent" when I can.. Plus there is no lease!

If you are in a FLOP HOUSE, I reccomend you be paitent and network to find a situation where you do not have to live in dorm. It is worth the extra 5-10 bucks a day.

 

[Fly2Scuba]

Only if you're really ambitious

I commute to EWR and sleep either in
a) the hotel on an overnight from a hopeful assignment
b) an extra hotel that crew scheduling ended up not using in EWR (rare)
c) the crewroom
d) 2-3 times a month I pay for a hotel room

Otherwise, I bought a Continental Presidents Club membership ($425 annual) that has showers, wireless, tv room, snacks, and booze (after reserve shift is done). Just hang out there all day if no call or the airport has a free shuttle bus that runs out to the local mall. I keep my own blankets in the crew room along with a small camp pillow and head phones with soothing sounds help block out the overnight cleaners. And to cut down on food expenses I bring trail mix, home made protein bars, cereal, sports drink powder, etc. to compliment the morning bagels/muffins and cheese/crackers in the clubs. Fun times.

 

[Lexy]

I always thought you had to show a ticket for the same day of travel to use the Presiden'ts Club. Did they change it recently? Areyou still not allowed to wear your uniform in there? I had thought of doing that a few years ago, but after I heard about all of the restrictions, I didn't do it.

I commute to EWR and sleep either in
a) the hotel on an overnight from a hopeful assignment
b) an extra hotel that crew scheduling ended up not using in EWR (rare)
c) the crewroom
d) 2-3 times a month I pay for a hotel room

Otherwise, I bought a Continental Presidents Club membership ($425 annual) that has showers, wireless, tv room, snacks, and booze (after reserve shift is done). Just hang out there all day if no call or the airport has a free shuttle bus that runs out to the local mall. I keep my own blankets in the crew room along with a small camp pillow and head phones with soothing sounds help block out the overnight cleaners. And to cut down on food expenses I bring trail mix, home made protein bars, cereal, sports drink powder, etc. to compliment the morning bagels/muffins and cheese/crackers in the clubs. Fun times.

 

[Fly2Scuba]

I always thought you had to show a ticket for the same day of travel to use the Presiden'ts Club. Did they change it recently? Areyou still not allowed to wear your uniform in there? I had thought of doing that a few years ago, but after I heard about all of the restrictions, I didn't do it.

No ticket requirements; only restriction is that you have to be out of uniform and hide the badge. Changing shirts or covering the pilot shirt with a light jacket accomplishes this. Same rules apply to the NWA Worldclub which the Continental membership allows access to. Delta Crown Room Lounge is also available; though they require a boarding pass. Once again, if you're ambitious, you could buy a refundable non-rev ticket on Delta, get a boarding pass at the ticket counter or gate, not show up during boarding thus never reliquishing your ticket and refund later. Problem solved! Also the President Club membership allows you to bring in 2 guests.