Originally Posted by
F15andMD11
So you and your wife love Destin? Of course you do, who doesn’t? BUT...and you’re not going to want to hear this...working for UA and flying out of VPS will not be easy! For DL pilots sure, but not us. You’re looking at a 2 leg commute to reserve. With the first leg on an RJ!
Connecting out of IAH to another hub (as with most hub to hub flts) will also be a stressful process. Flts are routinely full. IAH based, of course, would be ideal and you could score a base trade in your first year, as others have. Question, have you read up about life on reserve at UA? What you’re asking for will be an extended period of time on reserve.
Obviously you’re a mil dude. If you have a reserve job then you’re anchored. But if you’re retired...QOL may dictate a move. Your first year will not be easy, don’t get caught out of position!
Visiting the beach works for us.
F15, thanks for the detailed response. I know it will absolutely be a pain in the ass, at least for awhile. I didn't realize that hub to hub flying was so full, figured the planes were usually bigger and more flights are transiting - good to know though. Has anyone done regular commuting on other airlines? Delta has a ton of flights from this area, and some go from Atlanta to United hubs. May be a decent option or at least a good backup.
You're right, I am mil - retired now, and very happy to be on with United in October. Moving is definitely an option for us, but I'm trying to see how much of an option staying here is also. As almost everyone states, living in your base gives you substantial QOL improvements, always. If only United would open VPS as a base... I might get here in about 15 years.