Originally Posted by
BIueSideUp
I'm getting close to my mins and looking for a regional to start my 121 career with. Obviously, with the current environment a qualified pilot has their choice with the regionals. Originally I was planning on commuting (2hr drive to ORD hopefully followed by a one-leg commute anywhere), but the further I look, I see everyone says move to base if possible. Commuter policy could be the make or break for me on airline choice. A crash pad is not on my list of options right now, but if it comes down to it, I'll make it work. Some regionals are trying to eliminate crash pads by giving four hotels a month. Is this enough to merit a commute without a crash pad. I'm having a hard time deciding what the best course of action is here. Any serious advice on this would be well-appreciated.
A commuter policy does not cancel out the suck that is commuting, it may take the edge off financially, but it is still a reduction in quality of life spending 4-8 days just traveling to work in a month!
Or put another way, with or without a commuter policy, commuting still sucks. If you move to base your quality of life is instantly better.
To further illustrate, many people feel strongly about not commuting where they-
1.) Pick an airline based on where they live
2.) Move to base
3.) Stay reserve or don't upgrade just to stay in base
4.) Stay their entire career at a regional because of a base
If you are married with kids, living in base may be more important than money.
If you are single or just married and insane, you can commute and chase flows and fast upgrades, less quality of life arguably but nothing is perfect.