I commute from an outstation with three flights a day to the hub. The flight is just under two hours and driving is not an option as it would take twelve hours. The flights are fairly full but there's never any competition for the jumpseat. One of the problems I've ran into is weight restrictions on Skywest 200s, but even then it's usually never a problem. It works out well because there's always an early flight (6AM) headed into work and a later flight (8PM) coming back home.

The other problem is having a plan B, which involves two legs and adds a lot of time to the commute. 95% of the time I get on the first flight and make it in with 4-5 hours to spare. Some guys chance it on one flight that gets them in an hour or less before show time, but then you have to burn a sick call if that doesn't work. It really depends on how ballsy you're feeling that day. The ONE time I went without a plan B it ended up being a full flight with a check airman in the jumpseat. Go figure!