Originally Posted by
bambamaf91
I see a lot on Jr and Sr bases but not much on Houston. I'm a new hire and should start in Jan 16. I don't understand this world yet and I'm trying to figure out the best basing options for a commute from Omaha, NE. I'm thinking whatever aircraft gets me to ORD the quickest with EWR as base is my best option but if I have a choice and Houston in there would that be an easier commute until I can bid ORD?
Thoughts and comments appreciated.
As an OMA commuter getting IAH to start with doesn't look like a bad deal. It looks like they are running 4 flights a day during the week right now to IAH. Hotels are cheap in IAH.....on the order of $55 a night total. Anything you can do to avoid a 2 leg commute helps. One nice thing about OMA going to IAH is that if you can't get on a direct flight, you can go west through DEN or east through ORD to get down there. Good options when one of the hubs is getting slammed by weather. I suppose you could even take SWA to Hobby if you were in a pinch. I believe there is some kind of shuttle service between HOU and IAH if you were to get in that situation.
Ultimately ORD will of course be the shorter commute time with more frequency between UAL, AAL, and SWA to Midway. Also, it looks like the last flight home to OMA from ORD right now is at 10:30 PM. That will save you some extra nights on the road when you get in late on that last day. Way down the road, DEN will be a good option also. I know one OMA commuter that switched from ORD to DEN several years ago and prefers that commute. Fewer RJs, SWA, and a one hour time advantage for getting to work.
Good luck.