Exactly!! Nobody wants to move out of a 2% mortgage into a 7% mortgage. Housing prices are still elevated and have to fall considerably before lateral housing moves are possible with similar payments.

Even if financially equivalent, moving to base won't ever be a consideration for a large portion of the pilot group because of outside influences that are a higher priority than Delta. The current industry staffing crisis requires that airlines and air lines cater to commuting employees. You can't keep the airline running without commuters, it's a fact. If the commute hassle becomes too great, they lose a significant portion of the workforce. If commuting becomes too difficult, new hires will look for employment closer to home. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the larger population in TX, FL and IL favor airlines with large bases in those states. NYC and LAX are a draw. The only way Delta remains competitive for new hires in a non-commuting world is with bases in TX and FL.

Employing commuters is a choice and the company knows it.