Originally Posted by
QuagmireGiggity
How is the commute for an AA pilot compared to a regional pilot?
It always seems like there are more commuters at the mainlines compared to regionals. Many AA folks I've talked to seem to have an easier time manipulating their schedules for less commutes per month.
Some say they are able to move 4 three days into 2 6 days.
Provided a person can get off of reserve what are my chances of only making 3-4 commutes per month vs. what is usually 4-5 at my regional .
I'm sure a lot depends on equipment/base so I am talking about typical shorthaul and maybe some insight to when a person could hold long haul .
It all depends what the future airline does and what happens with the rest of the world. Meteor strike, China eats Taiwan, the Spratelys and sinks the Vinson and the Lincoln, Ebola Part III wipes out 900 million, ect, ect.
Barring the above, with a modest growing stable company and you are hired today, your commuting style will require you to become senior in the FO widebody seat and staying there. Narrowbody? The commute for a long time is probably the same as the Regionals. If you get senior to grab a schedule with decent turns, then you can drop and pick up to improve your schedule.
The wild card is PBS, who knows what will happen, nobody knows. Another wild card is future home basing and system wide trip trade and pick up. These are unknown also.
The good news is if things keep going ok, the retirements go hog wild at AA after 2020 or so. Seniority makes life easier.
The past is no predictor of the future. Narrowbody reserve was the norm for 15+ plus years. Now it's going more junior.