Originally Posted by
chrisreedrules
Despite the undying rumors of a FL base, it isn't going to happen. AAG isn't going to pay for PSA to become certified for doing the flying that a FL base makes sense for (Caribbean etc). Geographically speaking, if you aren't also doing Carribean flying from a FL base, then you are severely limiting your market/income potential. And MIA isn't that desirable as a base unless you live in PR or south Florida. It's a tough commute and it's really expensive to live down there.
I'm not harping for a Florida base. I'm just offering the observation/opinion that putting a pilot base in ORD will NOT attract more pilots to PSA! If anything, it'll result in the LOSS of pilots. IMHO, PSA would attract more new hire pilots by putting a base in Nashville, Cleveland, or Charleston, SC than they will by putting a base in Chicago.
The bases in DAY, TYS, and CVG work really well for the pilots who live (near) there. If PSA closes any of those bases, you'll see a mass exodus of pilots who no longer have a reason to stay at PSA. Captains AND F/O's.
I live in one of those bases. And I have NO applications in at any other airline. If PSA closes my base and requires me to commute to another base, I'll have no reason to stay with PSA. Apps will be filed with every LCC, Major, and Cargo Airline the very same day that PSA announces the closure of my base. Why would I commute for PSA pay when I could just as easily commute for LCC/Major/Cargo pay?