Driving to work - comfortable distance?
#12
I do 335 miles each way. It's a PITA.
The only reason I do it is that I'm 130 miles from the nearest airport to commute out of. Its a wash on time driving vs. going to the airport, waiting for a flight, etc...
I tolerate it so I can live where I want (family/friends/outdoors) but the commute is brutal. Every couple years I bid to a base where I can commute out of the airport that's 130 miles away so I can stop driving as much for a while.
The good thing is you always get there and it's pretty stress free. Just don't think about all the time your wasting
The only reason I do it is that I'm 130 miles from the nearest airport to commute out of. Its a wash on time driving vs. going to the airport, waiting for a flight, etc...
I tolerate it so I can live where I want (family/friends/outdoors) but the commute is brutal. Every couple years I bid to a base where I can commute out of the airport that's 130 miles away so I can stop driving as much for a while.
The good thing is you always get there and it's pretty stress free. Just don't think about all the time your wasting
#13
Runs with scissors
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Posts: 7,722
I only have to drive 85 miles to get to a 1hr. jumpseat ride to work, but with 4 kids at home, I like the "me" time my 2hr. drive allows, where I can listen to MY music, as loud or soft, as I want! But I would worry about falling asleep on the drive home after flying all day, if it were much longer than 2hrs, screaming the words to every Led Zeppelin song has saved my life many times!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN3AB...=RDcN3ABDzdLls
You 200+ mile guys must drink a lot of Red Bull!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN3AB...=RDcN3ABDzdLls
You 200+ mile guys must drink a lot of Red Bull!
#15
Runs with scissors
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Posts: 7,722
I was talking to one a few years back while the two of us were waiting in a long line to get groped, he said, "This is nuts, I'm going to recommend my company buy a private jet. I can't believe I have to waste hours of my time standing in these stupid lines while they search Grandma's underpants, baby diapers and wheel chairs!"
Time is money, and the TSA is great at wasting both.
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2009
Position: B737 F/O
Posts: 425
I'm just over 200 miles from base. When possible I fly (two easily accessible airports), but if due to flight schedules or loads things aren't looking good I'll drive. I do try to avoid driving during the winter, as a forecast for 'light snow' can turn into 'whiteout on a road that won't be salted for hours' fairly quickly as I get closer to base. Cost-wise, I figure that driving is cheaper than getting a hotel on both ends of a commute in base. Otherwise, the drive just saves me time and sanity, not money. That being said, it's an excellent option knowing that you can always get to work.
#18
220 miles from my driveway to the employee lot at my base. Under three hours all on interstate highway. I prefer it to flying because I can dictate my own schedule to arrive in base at a time convenient for me. The time required is just about a wash compared to jump seating when you consider showing at the local airport an hour before departure time, actual flight time etc. Having a car in base if you are on reserve or stuck between pairings: priceless. Also, many trips terminate in base long after the last available jump seat home, so I can drive rather than waiting til the following morning for the first flight out. The downside of course is 4 bucks a gallon for gas....
BTW, for the times I do jump seat to and from work, many thanks to the great men and women of SWA who have been unfailingly accommodating and welcoming.
BTW, for the times I do jump seat to and from work, many thanks to the great men and women of SWA who have been unfailingly accommodating and welcoming.
I'm in the same boat...I have a 210 mile commute to Newark. I try to get 4 day. Trips that start after 10am. Having my car with me allows me to return to Newark on the later arrivals without having to spend the night before going home. There have been many nights on day four where driving home may not have been the wisest move. I will sometimes trade into an early morning departure if it's a good trip. I will drive in the morning of the trip...leaving home at 2-3am. I only do this when my flight is one leg to the hotel. I've never felt tired on these and having the sun shine tricks your body into being awake.
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Posts: 5,886
Put it to you this way at a previous job with FR... it took me longer to walk to the crew room than to put the key in the ignition, let the car warm up for 2 minutes then drive to the car park.
At my current it takes the hotel van all of 5 minutes to get me directly to the crew room.
Although when I come home my block off it does take me about 2:45 to get home... but at least I'm home for 3 weeks.
Ah the life... unlimited cognac and fresh breadsticks.
At my current it takes the hotel van all of 5 minutes to get me directly to the crew room.
Although when I come home my block off it does take me about 2:45 to get home... but at least I'm home for 3 weeks.
Ah the life... unlimited cognac and fresh breadsticks.
#20
260 miles each way. Would take it any day over the jumpseat.
As others have said, having your vehicle waiting for you when you're ready to go home is priceless. No more "I need to hustle over to terminal 3, last flight leaves in 5 minutes. You mind taking my bag to the crew room?
As others have said, having your vehicle waiting for you when you're ready to go home is priceless. No more "I need to hustle over to terminal 3, last flight leaves in 5 minutes. You mind taking my bag to the crew room?
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