I also understand that there is more "entitled" abuse of commuting these days. Way too many folks who think they'll try the last possible flight and then bang out if it doesn't work out. I always left myself one backup flight, maybe two on a holiday weekend. Never had an issue, not once.

If your car breaks, just get it towed and save the receipt. Nobody expects you to abandon it on the side of the road and uber to work. And I can change a flat tire in about three minutes flat, if that's a problem for you might want to practice in your driveway. And make sure the spare is inflated, the little ones lose air faster than the normal tires.

Nobody is going to be unreasonable (at OO or most other airlines) if life happens. Just don't be the guy who constantly abuses it, unlike many other jobs the whole operation comes to a screeching halt if you don't show up.

Things are much better for pilots now, 20 years ago at some airlines a probationary pilot would likely get fired for one missed commute or flat tire, so you had to plan to arrive plenty early.