SWA commute from Denver

[dashocho]

Welcome!!!!!! My 2 cents. Don't do OAK. Hotels cost a lot, and you'll need a car for crash pads. Plus you have to give the great state of CA disability too(really pissed me off!). MDW is your shrot term best bet, no car needed, cheap crash pads, senority will go up the fastest. PHX, you'll need a car again for the crash pads, plus summer sucks!!!! If I was in your shoes, I'd go MDW in the summer get some seniority but keep an eye on PHX and where you sit. Then I'd go to PHX for the winter and stay based in better places based on weather. MDW is not fun during the winter. I'd rather drive in PHX that walk in the snow in MDW. Last, KEEP THE WIFE HAPPY!!!!!! Maybe someday DEN will become a domicile. If that happens, you'll see me up there with you!!!! Congrats again!!!

 

[psysicx]

Can't military pilots work as much or as little as they want?

 

[canyonblue737]

Advice solicited from those who have been there....

Starting SWA training in 3 weeks, so don't even know if I'll have a choice of home bases. I live in COS, so will be commuting out of DIA. Wondering if anyone out there does something like this, and what they've learned.

My thoughts: probably starting direct to Oakland soon, but how's the crashpad situation there? MDW has about 12 direct flights per day (SWA, UAL, Frontier) plus I hear the pads are a close walk, and not through the ghetto. PHX probably way too senior for a newbie, and BWI's a long way from the Rockies. Want to avoid the "move" option if I can; wifey's got a good job and I like the reserve unit I'm in out here.

Thanks in advance.

knowing folks who commute from denver (at least 80+ pilots/flight attendants) it seems the best (ie. easiest) cities to go to are MDW and PHX. right now MDW is quite a bit more junior but even PHX won't take long to hold (under a year). OAK may come first but no one gets a crash pad out there unless you plan to commute to there forever since they all require a car to get too... instead there are many low cost hotels that work with SWA crews. I think OAK first till you can hold MDW, then PHX if that appeals to you once you have the seniority.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

don't bother getting on my jumpseat

Every pilot group has it's 10%....In my past, I've flown with guys like this "tool." My way of dealing with them was to just irritate them until they blew up.....Gosh that was fun !!!

Tejas

 

[dojetdriver]

Every pilot group has it's 10%....In my past, I've flown with guys like this "tool." My way of dealing with them was to just irritate them until they blew up.....Gosh that was fun !!!

Tejas

I like your style, works for me to. I like when they finally blow up after irritating them. You just look at them and say, "I was just messing with you man, lighten up." Works great everytime.

 

[M3pilot]

You can always buy a lot of tickets on F9 just to make sure you make it there! J/K - It's just that you're in our kitchen that's all. Happy for you man - love to help ya out when possible. I will tell you that our flights are pretty full on those destinations, but we'll probably be adding more as well.

Again, congrats.

M3

 

[psysicx]

Is a crashpad necessary? Can't he drop his reserve days and pick up lines? And America West flies to COS directly to Phx.

 

[mach zero]

Most junior lines are not commutable both ends. You need a crashpad in MDW.

 

[mach zero]

Also, the odds of successfully dropping all reserve pairnings are slim...especially in MDW which is predominately a commuter base.

 

[psysicx]

Wouldn't he be commuting only 2 or 3 times a month and a hotel cheaper? Once he is off reserve?

 

[D'Angelo]

Got UHAUL? I hear its pretty cheap to rent a UHAUL these days

 

[guccistyle]

don't bother getting on my jumpseat

Can someone get this tool a beer so he can chill out. It sounds like he needs a friend. (I can't imagine why he doesn't have any...?)

Guch

 

[Andy]

RTMCC, I haven't jumpseated in a while (been furloughed; now doing AF Reserve stuff), but my kids and -ex live in DEN, so I'm familiar with getting in & out of there.
I don't believe in commuting, but it's definitely do-able. I'd favor MDW over OAK due to the larger number of available seats in close proximity.
With OAK, you've got SFO as a backup airport. Having flown out of SFO, I can tell you that's one heckuva crapshoot; a little bit of fog & you're looking at big delays and cancellations.
If you choose MDW, you can use ORD, and use STL, MKC, MSP, and DTW as backups for connecting flights. If you get to one of the alternate cities, you can always rent a car one way to make sure that you get there on time (been there, done that).
And don't forget the ID90s; I'd have one available for every airline that goes to MDW/ORD. They're refundable if you don't use them.

When I got hired by my first airline (a 121 sched charter), I had to do a double commute. It was difficult, but due to proper planning, I was never late.
Commuting will likely not be a lifetime choice for you, unless you need more time away from the family.

Good luck to you and have a great career.

 

[knelson]

Any estimates of how many classes behind you it would take to get MDW? PHX? HOU? Thanks for any info. Also, is OAK where everyone is still going out of training or are there a few making other JR. bases still? It's finally time to start thinking of these little details!!!

 

[Ty Webb]

Don't let these guys scare you. Commuting isn't that bad. I've been commuting for 4 and a half years and haven't gotten older, fatter or balder, for crying out loud . . . well, maybe older, but only 4.5 years older.

Commuting is a small price to pay to live where you want. I work for a different airline, but I can't believe that after a year you won't be holding lines that are commutable on both ends . . . Good luck.

 

[rtmcc74]

Great feedback on all fronts, guys. I appreciate everyone's POV, and have a lot to think about before I finish training. For the time being, I think staying in COS (where the wife has a job that makes more than I do) and trying the commute is the plan; we'll re-evaluate in a year or so. For those of you who have been here, I'm sure you know the draw of this place.
TJ, we'll see you in 3 weeks. To the rest of the SWA guys, I'll be the new guy who will probably walk down the wrong jetway. To all others, thanks again for a great discussion. Good luck to all!

Guch- take notes, you'll be here soon!