Hi,

Welcome to the boards. You will find here many a bitter pilot but I will try to answer your questions objectively. I am not a republic pilot but many of your questions arent Republic specific.

When ending a trip, do you always end up back at your domicile?

Do you have to bid on a trip in order to get back to your domicile?

Most companies have some sort of CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement, or in other words, a contract) with their management. This document will provide you with many protections and sets the game rules. I don't know of a single CBA that DOESNT require the company to return you to your assigned domicile at the end of a trip. Trips are designed to depart from and return to your domicile so whether you operate a flight back or they have to deadhead you, they will return you to your domicile. You don't have to worry about that.


I live within short call reserve of 2 of Republic's bases (PHL & DCA). Hoping to hold one of those after training. If not, how hard is it to jumpseat/commute? Will I be spending my days off commuting?

This is the biggest "make or break" item in our industry. There is only one good way to commute and that is NOT to. If you find yourself being a commuter you will at some point find yourself utilizing your off days - be it partial or an entire one - to get to/from work. How much OFF time will you sacrifice to your commute? That really depends on where you live vs your assigned domicile. For example, I live near three major airports and between the three there are over 25 flights a day to my domicile. That makes for a very easy commute and most times I can either take a very late flight on my last day off OR I can take a very very early flight on my first day of work and make it in on time. Coming home, the latest flight home leaves right before midnight so I rarely have to use an off day to make it home. But I am fortunate that my domicile and home have such flexibility. I know guys who were based on the east coast and lived in Oregon, California etc... One of them wouldnt even try going home unless he had 3 days off. It wasnt worth the flight to him because he only had few options and it would take a whole half a day to make it back one way!

Your mileage will vary but if you can avoid commuting, do so.

Feel free to post more questions, I will be happy to help out.