Originally Posted by
dualinput
Let’s say all that was true and like most people you had a job that wasn’t airline pilot and your company transferred you, or to forward your career by changing companies (regional to major) you had to move. Then what?
I’ve commuted for 8 years of my career and lived in base for 7. I can’t even tell you what an amazing difference it is. And when I say live in base I mean within an hour drive. Every airline base has nice places to live within that distance. After a little bit you make new friends and maybe even new hobbies. I really love where we live in base but if my base closed I’d be moving without question. The amount of time with your family you gain is not even measurable the difference is so vast. Many will actually bid reserve in base and not count the days til they’re off of it.
Honest questions… Do you have a wife/husband that has a career? Do you have kids in school? Do your kids have grandparents who want to see them nearby? Does your spouse have their whole family and support system in the city you are thinking about moving them away from?
I’d love to live in base but don’t have the heart to yank my kids away from their friends and my wife away from her family just so I don’t have to catch a 1.5 hour flight to goto work. I’d love to be 25 again and let my lease run its course and move wherever I wanted but sometimes it isn’t that easy. I lived in base for 10 years with my previous airline and have commuted for 6 since I left. I get how nice it is driving to work but the pros don’t outweigh the cons in my situation. I also love where I live.
But sure, all things being equal, living in base is the best option. Being single with nothing tying you down is also a good option as a pilot.