Originally Posted by
Eauxtey
Just hired and have a training date. I am retiring from the military and would like to move to DFW area. Looking at trying to get to Atlanta or Memphis (driving would be a option in a pinch for MEM). How hard would it be for me to commute from DFW. I understand the quality of life issue about being in the same area as your base but due to family constraints, that is not the best option for me. Appreciate any info or recommendations.
Congrats!
I have flown quite a few trips in and out of DFW over the years and with in-laws living there I have lived the experience of the non-rev and XCM personally. I'm going to be a bit more straight up about the commute, I don't think it's the best idea as a newhire. Not that being a newhire or on probation is that big of a deal, but starting from ground zero (willing to move) I would suggest exploring some more options. DFW used to be Delta's second largest base and it's a highly desireable place to live. With Delta's employee refugees still living there (again, can't blame them) and senior fNWA pilots commuting up from there it can get real dicey.
System load factors have increased over the years (89% average lately) and some high-frequency routes like yours leave many non-revs standing at the gate. Many times I have seen 30 plus non-revs standing around for an AA flight from DFW to LAX on a flight that had no available seats to begin with. It is my understanding that DFW to ATL can be similar. The problem with DFW to MSP or DTW is the RJ (CRJ-900 isn't an issue in and of itself, it's the fact that it's offline commuting). Several years ago the 320 had multiple flights to DFW with a couple DC9s. The last time I had to travel to DFW as a non-rev, mainline only had one flight for that day. I finally made the flight in an RJ only because of a passenger misconnect.
To me, offline commuting is not something I have had to deal with while commuting. It has been nice to book a jumpseat 5.5 days out and know that I will be going to work (positive space if you are bumped from the jumpseat). In three years I have yet to miss a flight to work or home (no call in honests either); granted many commutes were spent with two pilots in the jumpseat. Lately with the 757s and 73Ns taking over I have spent more time in the galley as it's a bit more spacious.
Equipment changes all the time, but with the DC-9s going to scrap and RJs now at mainline concourses, I can't imagine some routes will be getting any easier in the near future.
Just my 2 cents....