Originally Posted by ancman

Only if you let it. I’ve commuted for most of my career. I rarely stress out over it anymore. If I can’t get to work, I use the commuter clause and forget about it. If I can’t get home right away, I don’t let that get to me either.

I try my best bidding-wise to avoid long duty periods right before or after commutes as well.

Originally Posted by highfarfast

Not all commutes are the same and some I'd say are worth it and some aren't, given there's a choice, but not everyone would make the same choice given the same data. And not all people are cut out to commute either. I have an easy commute and I also don't sweat the details going either way so I find it super easy. There's another guy that commutes out of the same city to the same airline as me and I swear he's gonna die an early death.

Originally Posted by myrkridia

You're bound to get a wide range of answers because, as you point out, worth is subjective.

I've been a commuter for two different airlines and lived in base for one of them. There's only one reason I commute or would recommend anyone commute: family. My wife and kids are happy where we live and I don't want to mess with that unless my wife is 100% on board with moving.

There are commuters who don't stress a whole lot about getting to work or getting back home. There's always another flight. On the other hand, some really let it get to them and it shows. The commute you describe doesn't sound too bad, you have options in a pinch.

Originally Posted by CBreezy

Thanks for a rational post. Too many people here are injecting way too much emotion into this, including one who is comparing commuting with cutting your leg off.

Commuting is a mindset and if you have a positive attitude, it really is just as doable as not commuting. It really wasn't even a decision for me. If I chose to move to base, I would be uprooting my family from our support system. We have family close and an established network of friends. There is nothing more selfish than moving your family to a place they know no one and spend half the month away from them...all so it's just a little easier to get to work and have slightly better trips.

Originally Posted by PRS Guitars

I agree, it's better not to commute, but you're wrong about the "best case" scenario...maybe you meant to say "worst case"? I'm not commuting on days off very often, maybe one or two days a year when I miss the last flight home. I can hold a commutable line though, and when sitting reserve at AA never have to commute out on my last day off because they can't give us a trip before noon on our first day.

Second, you did it for a month or two, it takes some time to adjust to it and learn the tricks of the trade. Yes better to live in base, also, try to live in a place you like, if you can.

Having conceded that not commuting is better, let me just add as a few others have said. It's not horrible, it's not the end of the world. I actually have very high QOL and am home a lot. I don't stress about it going to work or coming home, don't obsess about it...it just is what I do currently.

I tried moving to a base, unfortunately I really didn't like it there, so much so that I thought, "hell I'd rather commute than live in this city". We have other bases that I'd probably like, but rather than roll the dice on that and move the kids again...we went back to our old neighborhood. Maybe someday when the kids are grown, we'll try another base...maybe not.

Originally Posted by ancman

Commuting is over-dramatized by many, IMHO. I’ve lived in base and I’ve commuted. I’m much happier living where I want to live, and plan to continue commuting for the rest of my career.

I get more quality time at home than my neighbors with typical 9-5 jobs. I also spend more time at home than many pilots at my company who live in base. I try to bid layovers at home and trips that start/end with DHs. I drop/swap trips often, bunch them together, and ideally only have to commute to work 2 or 3 times per month.

Would I make more money from this job living in base? Absolutely. But even flying 80% of an average in-base pilot’s schedule provides more income than 95% of American jobs. I’m perfectly happy with that, especially when I can live wherever I choose.