Originally Posted by
Grumble
Aside from what everyone else has said, toss that $700 down the drain in crash pads, hotels, commuting costs, eating, etc. 4x6 day trips is 24 days gone. How much can you enjoy Hawaii or being retired in 6 days per month. No F'ing way I would do that commute. Even as a senior guy. 6+ hours in a 737 Jumpseat on the tail end of a four day? Make it a red eye to boot? Then spend a day home recovering, one more day off, commute back again. Lather rinse repeat. CA taxes blow, no two ways about it. But there are areas around Pt. Mugu with lower prop taxes, nice areas, access to base, good beaches, drive to LAX etc. The other thing worth mentioning is that living in base, the income opportunity is significantly higher. Easily offsetting increased taxes.
As far as Denver, it was mentioned but bears repeating... Hub to hub legs will have 20-30 nonrevs all trying to commute to other bases, fighting for a handful of seats.
Shack.
I've been commuting for 4 months. I hate it. There is a total cost concept often overlooked, and that first red eye jumpseat home will make you forget about figuring out ways to maximize take home pay. Let's be real here, you're going to make enough to live and retire very comfortably from Ual pay alone. You're worrying about money that will become inheritance or the ex wife's take...in either case, it should be spent to improve YOUR quality of life first.
If I had the choice, and I do soon, I'd move to a west coast base to capitalize on seniority opportunities and trip mix. Hawaii and easy transcons are my preference. Plus, a red eye is a lot easier if you live on west coast time zone. As someone who has struggled with the CA taxation and politics reality as well, I have come to the conclusion that ultimately it provides the best blend of money and lifestyle.....and commuting really sucks, it cannot be emphasized enough. You'll see. It all sounds good and doable on paper, and it can be, but damn does it impact your life significantly. Once I qualify for the company paid move, I'm moving.