Originally Posted by
Nextlife
I'm sure everyone would answer this question their own way, but as an experienced 121 guy, would you do the same thing if you lived in the base that would put you to at #24 of #25 and let you sit reserve at home?
No base would put me "at home"
The best I could do would be a 1hr flight, and that base was not available.
What I was faced with for my choice was a 3.25 hr average one way commute flight, with 25ish direct flights per day, or a 6.5 hr average one way commute flight with only 3 direct flights per day, one being a red eye! (otherwise it is a 2 leg deal).
I was going to have to live in a crashpad, and travel in the day before, either way.
At the end of the day, with the situation I was given, my thought process went like this..... "The commute is going to suck either way, though one is definitely worse than the other. I would rather have the 24 numbers. After all, worst case scenario I can likely improve the commute in 1 year ish, best case scenario I can improve the commute before I even have do it"
Given your scenario though, of being able to get the exact base I wanted from day 1 and living there, in exchange for 24 numbers.........
I would have taken the home base, and kept my fingers crossed for the future.
In fact I probably would even have taken the closest base at 1hr commute and 25ish flights, in exchange for those numbers too, if I had that choice.
Unfortunately I didn't have that luxury.
Originally Posted by
Nextlife
Essentially, are those seniority numbers better than getting a first domicile where you already (or want to) live?
That question will truly never be answered until it is too late.
All you can do is weigh the pro's and cons of the individual situation and choices presented, make the decision, and then hope for the best. Once the decision is made, it is out of your hands and up to fate.