Originally Posted by
iaflyer
I live in base, and choose not to commute to a base with better trips. What are you going to ask the company for those who aren't commuters?
Here are some ideas:
Maybe a cab service from my house so I don't have to make the 30 minute drive back and forth.
Free hotel room in base once in a while for a night on the town with the spouse, with per diem of course
Special crew room for non-commuters so commuters don't use up all the chairs sleeping from their commute.
But seriously, there are people at this airline who don't commute. I imagine you're frustrated but by asking for special treatment, you're taking stuff away from those who live in base.
I don't commute because I am lucky enough or stupid enough to have moved from a former base. Some are not that lucky. I know a few guys that were told by their Mrs. You can move but you will be doing it as a single man. They commute.
I think the best thing we can do is make the commuting policy contractual, and if someone needs it every trip so be it.
Some of us may be forced out of base on this AE, and become involuntary commuters. You were once one, but the merger provided a base within driving distance of your house. That is like winning the lottery. Many are not that lucky, and therefore, it is my opinion that we as a pilot group need to do something for the commuters. I do not care how much you sugar coat a commute, it sucks. Hotel rooms, probably not, but a good commuter clause and a little better trip construction would go a long way.
Many should have thought of that and filled out the scheduling rotation construction survey.
BTW, if I get bumped on this AE, and end up in another base, I cannot move. My house has lost over 150K and value. I am stuck. I will be a commuter out of necessity. Making 4K more a month as a line holder in another base is reason enough to deal with the commute than to take a 1.5K a month paycut on lower equipment.