Pilot Lifestyles

[JBHewlett]

Hey folks,

I have a question for you. I live in Murray Kentucky. I don't know if any of you know where that is or not, but its a small town in far western Kentucky, that has a population of about 18,000 people in perminant residence. The population shoots up about 9 to 10,000 when MSU is in session. I am willing to bet that some of you are from small towns as well. I personally love this little town.

There is a senior airline pilot that lives here. He has lived here many, many years. He just drives to BNA and jump seats to Cleveland where he is based.

My dad sat next to a 767 pilot on a flight who lived in the town of Fayettville TN. He too, drove to BNA and jump seated to Chicago to go work.

There is yet another airline pilot that flies one of Northwest Airlines asia routes. He is based in Minnesota. He is a resident of a small town called "Water Valley". I mean this place is tiny and out in the middle of no where, south of Mayfield Ky.

I find this interesting yet comforting that these people can live in a small, non crime infested town and still fly for the Airlines. Is this sort of thing fairly common to people of the airline industry?

Thanks,
J.

 

[JBHewlett]

No

No

 

[CL600Pilot]

Fairly common? Yes Is it practical? If you're at a major or are a very very senior commuter pilot then yes - otherwise probably not.

When I was at a regional I lived in Cincy and was based in upstate NY - I typically flew 4 or 5 on and 2 off(sometimes 3 off if I was really really lucky that month). On my 2 days off if I was lucky and my commute options weren't full then I averaged 24 to 30 hours at home. What a life huh?? Alot of pilots commute but it's rough unless you have a really good schedule.


CL

 

[Flyer7SA]

Been there

Murray - stopped there for gas once when coming back from Fulton, MO. Neat little airport.

~flyer7sa

 

[501261]

I think if you want to be upwardly mobile in this industry you need to be able to move. You need to be able to move to BFE if there is a job. Eventually you will be successful or senior enough to live where you want to live, but commuting while on reserve will eventually drive you out of aviation! And who knows? Once you move out of Podunk, (JJ) you might not want to move back.

 

[Fast8945]

I met a pilot at the security checkpoint in SJT that just moved out there from HOU. He had a nice piece of land with a landing strip. and worked for eagle



(the only airline that flys to SJT)

 

[Vik]

I'm not an airline pilot but the day I sign on with a major, I'm moving the heck out of Southern California.

Pollution (including sound pollution), traffic (there is rarely a drive where I don't encounter at least some stop and go), crowded public areas and crime are all present here in some form or another. I live in a city where the mean salary is $85k/yr yet we have domestic distrubances up the ying yang and cops at all odd hours keeping neighbors and couples from killing each other.

Ridiculous.

I am outta here. I don't care if it means I have to add an extra 4 hours to each end of my trip to make it back home.

California is also one of the worst states in which to raise kids.

I know quite a few airline pilots that commute by jumpseating. I am not surprised nor do I blame them.

 

[jetexas]

...Newark - EWR - sEWeR

If you ever plan to be a an airline pilot AND have a family or a permanent address to yourself, you almost have to commute at one point in your career. Bases open and close (especially at regionals) As you upgrade to captain, change equipment, etc, your base can change
Or..you can stay single and move from base to base and city to city like a gypsy (gypsies have more possesions than many regional pilots by the way).

 

[mckpickle]

...Newark - EWR - sEWeR


Or..you can stay single and move from base to base and city to city like a gypsy (gypsies have more possesions than many regional pilots by the way).

not to mention self respect!

 

[bobbysamd]

Commuting

You're talking about an airline pilot who commutes. Commuting from where you live to where you are domiciled is extremely common. Pilots who do so mostly have it down to a science.

Whether it is for you is up to you. I don't think I would have commuted. I don't think I could have stood the stress of wondering if I could make it in to work on time. I am sure most pilots commute in the day before they report to work, so that kills a day off. Unless you are very senior and work very few days per month, you will lose quite a few days off by commuting.

Maybe an exception would have been if I worked for a regional that flew into the big hub where I live. Then, it might have been easier because of less distance to travel. But, commuting two-thousand miles to work, especially during busy travel periods, would not have been for me.

 

[enigma]

There are so many variables in this equation it's hard to come to a definitive answer. BTW, JetTexas is pretty much right on. Progression during your career almost guarantees a mobile lifestyle. Even during good times, a pilot makes frequent moves in order to take advantage of the opportunity for advancement.
During harder times, the instability is forced by such things as base closures, etc.
One way to help negate the effects of that instability on our families is to leave them in a stable situation; and become a gypsey ourselves as it relates to bases. The obvious drawback is that we lose time at home due to the commute.
Commuting works best when one can ride on his own carrier. It's hardest on us who must commute "offline". As in everything else in this job, seniority is golden. Seniority is the tool that allows for a non ulcer inducing commute. The senior guys are able to bid the commutable lines, and seniority is used to decide who gets the seat when there are more butts than seats.
I guess that the short answer to your question is that the industry is presently in such a state of change, there is no definitive answer. On one hand, there are more commuters due to circumstance, while on the other there are fewer commuters of convienience.
Personally, I have had less trouble getting to work post 9/11 than pre. NWA actually added to the number of JS'ers that they would put on a flight. Additionally, it seems that there are fewer company JS'ers on the AA and DL flights that I take.
regards
8N

 

[jetexas]

Does anyone understand why most majors will only take one offline jumpseater even if there are many empty seats in the back? It makes no sense to me.

 

[enigma]

Does anyone understand why most majors will only take one offline jumpseater even if there are many empty seats in the back? It makes no sense to me.

It's a labor vs management issue. It wasn't that long ago that DAL pilots didn't have the privilge at all. Management uses it as a negotiation tool, ie, if you want that you must give up something and gaining an extra seat for non-company pilots is not high on the list.

regards
8N

 

[JBHewlett]

Hey Vik

Move to Murray Kentucky, trust me it is very much the opposite of you current location. Most Kentucky rumors are extremely overly exagerrated, or just plain untrue all together. People are kind and friendly. Crime is very low. Its clean here. There is a nice University here, so it is a prosperous little town with a comforting atmosphere (I guess I might be a little partial since I was born here, but hey I love it, and not many people can say that about their little home in rural america). Come hang out with the folks at KCEY!

J.

 

[TurboS7]

Looks to me that you need to be a pilot for UPS-your destiny.

 

[JBHewlett]

UPS

UPS or FedEx would be Peachy!

J.

 

[mckpickle]

dude can i borrow your car and pull into your driveway?

 

[mckpickle]

Re: Hey Vik

Move to Murray Kentucky, trust me it is very much the opposite of you current location. Most Kentucky rumors are extremely overly exagerrated, or just plain untrue all together. People are kind and friendly. Crime is very low. Its clean here. There is a nice University here, so it is a prosperous little town with a comforting atmosphere (I guess I might be a little partial since I was born here, but hey I love it, and not many people can say that about their little home in rural america). Come hang out with the folks at KCEY!

J.

Sooooooooooooo your saying no banjos???

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Personally, I'd get away from the big city of Murray and either go to Fancy Farm, Pottsville, Beulah, Tobacco, or Future City. Did Monkey's Eyebrow and Possum Trot fall off the map?
Murray State University "Racers"...."Harvard without shoes"

Since I'm not in the biz, can't offer advice regarding commuting. However, having lived in several states and towns (small and big), I'd say the quality of life is better in a small town and usually your costs of living is less. But to each their own. Ideally, live in a small town but be close enough to a big city for the purposes of employment and entertainment.
And if anyone can clue me in on the virtues of Orlando I'm all ears! "Welcome to Orlando, please wait" should be the motto here. No offense to any Orlando lovers.

 

[Rvrrat]

Outta SoCal

Vik,
My better half just surpassed the 30 yr mark with PacBell, depending on what happens in the next year with my employer we're outta here too. You know you've been here too long when... A; the cop-copters don't bother you at o-dark-ugly & B; the pop-pop-pop of 9mm from across the river doesn't catch your ear either.