Originally Posted by Al Czervik (Post 2437224)

You’re doing it wrong. That’s why he didn’t answer your question. Book the primary Jumpseat on the flight you want to take and then get on that flight with your reserved seat. PERIOD!!!!

Originally Posted by Sam York (Post 2437229)

If the first CXs for Mx or other reasons then you have the JS on the filled second flight.

Yeah I must have been "doing it wrong" because it worked for me the 4 years I commuted.

Originally Posted by Sam York (Post 2437157)

This is how it was done in my commuting years. I don't think it's changed I the last 10 years since I've had to commute.

Originally Posted by EMBFlyer (Post 2437230)

Despite this being American Airlines, things HAVE changed in the last 10 years.

Originally Posted by Sam York (Post 2437229)

If the first flight CXs for Mx or other reasons then you have the JS on the NOW FULL second flight.

Yeah I must have been "doing it wrong" because it worked for me the years I had to commuted.

Originally Posted by Sam York (Post 2437035)

Not an STL guy but you'll be commuting with plenty of Tway guys. Most go to either DFW or ORD unless they take the CA positions in LGA or MIA.

As far as commuting goes in general some basic rules that apply reguardless of where you are going to commute to/from.

1. One leg commutes are always better vs 2 legs.
2. Leave yourself a backup. Meaning 2 flights. Reserve the JS on your backup flight. If you get on your first call and CX your JS reserveaion.
3. In dicy conditions leave a day early or plan on driving if feasible. For example STL to ORD very drivable. It may just be better to suck it up and get there sacrificing a few hours at home in return for knowing you don't have to rush when all the flights CX or are filled.
4. Spend a little more for a nice crash pad if you know you're going to be based at that location for the duration. Especially if you will be on reserve. Some older guys will join up (say 3 or 4 that have the same or approximate retirement years) and buy a 2 bedroom condo. 2 to a bedroom (own bed) and a living area are much much better than 10 sharing a cheap crash pad. But to each his/her own. When it's time to retire they sell the condo and crashpad car(s). You may spend a little more i the long run but your commuting stress especially on reserve or if you can't get home will be way less.

It's been 10 years since I've had to commute. Commuting is an art form in itself. Some can't do it at all and some do it their whole career. You have to feel out what works for you.

Good luck

Originally Posted by TransWorld (Post 2437123)

STL was kept as a Base when AA bought TWA in 2001. The unofficial reason was for the St. Louis based TWA pilots to be able to continue to fly the MD-80s without commuting.

As those legacy TWA pilots have retired, the base has shrunk.

What will happen in the future? Will STL be kept as a base? Will it continue to shrink as more legacy TWA pilots retire or will they backfill with newer pilots? I don't know but I am not too optimistic about newer pilots holding STL. Of course, plans could change totally and I could be completely wrong.

What will happen when the MD-80s are retired in the next couple of years? My guess is they will be replaced with 737s.

What about living in STL and commuting? Most flights out are to DFW and ORD. There are a number of them each day. Basically STL acts like a mini hub (some would argue with that) with PAX being funneled into DFW and ORD. Loads vary. Usually there are seats.

I don't see that many pilots getting a jump in and out. Mostly the senior captains that now flying larger aircraft. I know several captains who are 60+ who could upgrade. They have said commuting for a few years of larger pay just was not worth it. If they had been 50, that would have been a whole different story.

The reality of the SLI (Seniority List Integration) was such that the top half of the TWA pilots were offset downward by several years, compared to their legacy AA pilots. The junior large group of pilots were stapled to the bottom, below the most recently (as of 2001) hired LAA pilots.

As a result, only a few from STL are able to hold wide body captain slots. In the next decade I doubt there will be that many more.

Originally Posted by Sam York (Post 2437229)

If the first flight CXs for Mx or other reasons then you have the JS on the NOW FULL second flight.

Yeah I must have been "doing it wrong" because it worked for me the years I had to commuted.

Originally Posted by Sam York (Post 2437157)

I didn't say to reserve the JS on 2 flights. What part of "Reserve the JS on your backup flight" didn't you understand? Please explain to me where that implies reserving the JS on both flights.

List (as in nonrev) on 2 flights. On your second flight, your backup, reserve the JS (if possible). If you get on the first flight CX the JS reservation.

This is how it was done in my commuting years. I don't think it's changed I the last 10 years since I've had to commute.

Originally Posted by Mover (Post 2437398)

We have a commuter policy. You do not need a backup.