ViperGuy69

Looking for advice on commuting from OKC. Hoping to get hired this summer and eventually want to get based at DFW. But unless I can snag the S80/DFW, it looks like most new hires are going to LGA/PHL/LAX/MIA. Like most commuters, I'd be hoping to hold a line as quick as possible and bid for an aircraft/base that is more "commuter friendly".

All I know so far is:

OKC-LAX: 2x non-stops per day, longer time on reserve than LGA or PHL, no idea on other commuter factors like report/finish times, length of trips, etc.

OKC-LGA: 2-hop via DFW, hold a line faster than LAX/MIA, early report times/late finish times, serve 3 airports, crashpads are expensive.

OKC-PHL: 2-hop via DFW, hold a line fairly quickly (E190), better/cheaper crashpads, no idea on commutable lines.

OKC-MIA: 2-hop via DFW, lots of commuters competing for jumpseats, serve 3 airports, longer time on reserve than LGA or PHL, no idea on crashpads or commutable lines.

I've heard commuting to reserve sucks, and 2-hop commuting to reserve REALLY sucks. And of course the big question: how long until I could hold DFW? I've heard anything from 1 yr to 2 yrs. Hoping that time shrinks with all the retirements/hiring in the next year.

Thanks for the help!

viper548

You probably won't have PHX as an option in training but line holder goes very junior there. The junior trips are 4 day trips that start with a redeye. Depending what time the last flight to OKC is, they may be commutable on both ends. Hotels in PHX are $50-60 except for the 6 weeks spring training is going on.

ViperGuy69

Thanks Viper. I didn't think about other bases like PHX or CLT becoming available after INDOC.

How many of those 4-day trips do you fly per month?

UPTme

Something to consider for the 190...

I used to bid DH trips on one or both ends. Often times day 1 was just a DH to MSY, MSP, BOS or wherever. They'll positive space you from anywhere to get there (1 leg from a hub, you've got to get yourself to the hub). A 4 day trip becomes a 3 day trip, essentially.

Lots of DH on front and back end. I was a 2 leg commuter to PHL and that helped soften the pain.

viper548

4. They pay between 20:40-23:00. Some months they are rollover trips (part in one month, part in the next month.) I also have pretty good success trading trips around to get days off I want. As a reserve you're pretty much stuck with the schedule you get. It's possible to trade but I haven't been successful in the last year.

viking767

Moving to base will save you a LOT of time and headaches over a career span. Unless you have pressing reasons to stay in OKC, a lifetime of commuting vs. not commuting is a life changer...
I commuted to LGA as a new hire, but after 4 months of that been living in base since.

AAmi65yet

Years of AA reserve vs lineholder in months at DL, UA, SW, Fedex
hmmm...

Sliceback

Guys trying to make informed decisions and don’t need BS thrown at them.

E190 is roughly 4 months to line holder in PHL. Hiring 730 and right now 730 from the bottom will put you in the top 50% on the 190 in PHL.

Depending upon base 320/737 line holder is within a year. In some bid statuses it’s around six months.

Ask any new hire with a year LOS what base they’re in and if they can hold a line in their base or any other base.

Commuting from OKC, other than to DFW, is gonna be a bear. CLT has two flights. One main line and one RJ. AM and 1300(?) departure.

Clint

Thank you for a kinder response than I would have given.

I'm a new hire sponsor and I have had multiple guys come off OE and straight into a line. Most were in LGA, one was in PHX. PHL 190 is very quick to a line like Sliceback said.

Sliceback

Based on hiring, and based on how many guys leave to other bid statuses as their new hire lock-in expires in the upcoming year, there's the possibility that an E190 new hire might be in the top 50% a year after they're hired.

Light years away from spending years on reserve.