Commuting suggestions ORD-IAH
08-17-2014, 10:36 AM
#1
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Commuting suggestions ORD-IAH
In a few months I will need to do the ORD-IAH commute. Seeing how this morning's flight had 45 SA's, really not looking forward to it. I'm a regional pilot so I get SA5 on UA with an '08 hire date, so not all that high on the standby list. I know this is the commute from hell, and unfortunately SWA goes to HOU, which it is possible to get from HOU to IAH but just a real pain in the ass.
Just reaching out there to see if anyone has any suggestions on good 2-leggers for the commute, or if anyone has done it on FDX/UPS? Any other tips would be appreciated!
Just reaching out there to see if anyone has any suggestions on good 2-leggers for the commute, or if anyone has done it on FDX/UPS? Any other tips would be appreciated!
08-17-2014, 04:28 PM
#3
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When it was Continental and United, it wasn't too bad, I was an OAL commuting between the two - I always got on the first flight even when there were lots of other commuters listed.
There's always American with their E175s, or Spirit.
If you are looking at two leggers, you can also use American to the outstation, and then United/United Express to IAH. Don't just focus on United/United Express to the outstation solely.
There's always American with their E175s, or Spirit.
If you are looking at two leggers, you can also use American to the outstation, and then United/United Express to IAH. Don't just focus on United/United Express to the outstation solely.
08-17-2014, 04:47 PM
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Unfortunately I'm really out counting on AA or Spirit - as of right now, AA has 3 Eagle flights daily and Spirit 1, whereas UA has a TON. Seeing as how the vast majority of commuters are SA1 UA FA's (because UA/CO FA's still haven't merged seniority) I'm counting on the Spirit and AA flights to be just as full as well.
Are there any SWA pilots who can tell me, generally speaking, what the loads MDW-HOU are? Even though getting from HOU-IAH is a pain, I'd say that's likely comparable to a 2 legged, I'm just trying to make sure that MDW-HOU isn't screwed too so that I can count on that as an option.
Are there any SWA pilots who can tell me, generally speaking, what the loads MDW-HOU are? Even though getting from HOU-IAH is a pain, I'd say that's likely comparable to a 2 legged, I'm just trying to make sure that MDW-HOU isn't screwed too so that I can count on that as an option.
08-17-2014, 05:20 PM
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Don't count Spirit out. They are great for jumpseating, even when a flight is booked full they seem to have more no shows than other airlines. At least that has been my experience. They also let you list through their website (you will need your airline specific code) which will give you a good, fair or bad assessment and also show the number of non revs listed. It's not a perfect system but it will give more info to an offline pilot than most.
I don't do the MDW-HOU root that often so I can't really speak to normal loads, but a quick look at tomorrow's bookings looks like a decent chance at a cabin seat available on only 2 of the 7 non-stops.
I don't do the MDW-HOU root that often so I can't really speak to normal loads, but a quick look at tomorrow's bookings looks like a decent chance at a cabin seat available on only 2 of the 7 non-stops.
08-17-2014, 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by shoelu
Don't count Spirit out. They are great for jumpseating, even when a flight is booked full they seem to have more no shows than other airlines. At least that has been my experience. They also let you list through their website (you will need your airline specific code) which will give you a good, fair or bad assessment and also show the number of non revs listed. It's not a perfect system but it will give more info to an offline pilot than most.
I don't do the MDW-HOU root that often so I can't really speak to normal loads, but a quick look at tomorrow's bookings looks like a decent chance at a cabin seat available on only 2 of the 7 non-stops.
I don't do the MDW-HOU root that often so I can't really speak to normal loads, but a quick look at tomorrow's bookings looks like a decent chance at a cabin seat available on only 2 of the 7 non-stops.
If you can swallow the pill that its not United...
This is exactly correct. We have a much higher number of no shows that your average airline, we also won't likely be filling the empty seats to connect people who miss their flights.
Also the 319's have 2 jumseats, the 320's just one. But we can and do put offline pilot jumpseaters in the flight attendant jump.
08-17-2014, 07:56 PM
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It is a very easy commute. I lived in Chicago and did it for several years. You have 2 major airlines that are based out of ORD. There are not too many airports that have 2 major airlines based in 1 location. Just watch the WX in the winter. Don't worry about it. I remember having around 15 direct flights a day between the city pairs.
08-17-2014, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Pogey Bait
It is a very easy commute. I lived in Chicago and did it for several years. You have 2 major airlines that are based out of ORD. There are not too many airports that have 2 major airlines based in 1 location. Just watch the WX in the winter. Don't worry about it. I remember having around 15 direct flights a day between the city pairs.
08-18-2014, 04:24 AM
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Originally Posted by sawtooth500
Not anymore it's not! Like 90% of the flights are UA - tomorrow, first flight of the morning, oversold by 6, 44 SA's...
08-18-2014, 06:19 AM
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Orange/blue line
I used to have a girlfriend in Chicago and had to do what you're talking about sometimes. You're probably already aware, but to get from MDW to ORD, you can take the orange line from mdw and transfer to the blue line to get to ORD. Only costs like $2.50. I had to do that a few times to get where I was going. XNA worked well for me a few times when I had to two leg i to get from STL to IAH. If chicago has flights to XNA, you can take expressjet from XNA to IAH. I used to ride American connection (trans States) to XNA and then Expressjet from xna to IAH. I think passrider.com will put connections together on two separate carriers to help you get where you're going. SGF would probably be another good option if you're trying to two leg it. I hope that's helpful
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