ImSoSuss

You're right, Miami doesn't have a high cost of living. Charlotte or Dallas are just as expensive (rolls eyes).

Seems like I touched a nerve. How about you learn to live within your means.

Bmaggiori

Making 300 to 400k/yr and this person cannot keep his finances adjusted, the problem is the person and not where he lives

Commuter56

Out of Miami what is the seniority to hold a decent line as a NB CA and for a WB FO? Also what does a WB line usually look like? I'm pushing 50 so I'll never be a WB CA, but looks like I could still retire around 40%, so hopefully haven't totally missed the boat. Thanks.

thrust

How do you define “decent”?

Commuter56

I don't know, maybe the ability to get some days off if you need them. Be able to choose some destinations you like. But since I was ambiguous I will rephrase. What seniority level can you consistently hold a line as either a NB CA or WB FO?

thrust

That’s still tough to answer, as bidding behavior changes throughout the year. In August, junior MIA 737 CA lineholders were Fall 2018 hires, junior MIA 320 CA lineholders were Fall 2015 hires, junior MIA 787 FO lineholders were Fall 2016 hires, junior MIA 777 FO lineholders were Winter 2018 hires. Many currently bid reserve rather than be a junior lineholder, TBD if that continues with the potential changes to reserve. As an extremely junior lineholder you probably aren’t getting much say in your days off or destinations, though.

TankerDriver

Just like anywhere else, there are different levels of the "Miami lifestyle". If you're not a professional sports/Hollywood movie star, real estate tycoon, CEO, drug lord, etc., you're not going to live the Sonny Crocket/Rico Tubbs "Miami lifestyle". Cops don't drive Testarossa's down there and neither should airline pilots. You can, however, get a decent place in the $3,000-5,000 rent range and the rest of the costs of living in Miami really aren't that bad. Restaurants are cheap. Groceries are cheap. Mass transit is excellent. Remember, the majority of people who live in Miami are nearly living in poverty. You don't need the 911 Turbo S. Settle for the 5-year old base Carrera . You don't need the 45 foot Whaler. If you can't live on $300k+ a year in Miami or anywhere else in this country, you're doing something drastically wrong.

AA717driver

I did two years of SC in MIA from Naples. 2.5 hour drive to the front door. I only got one short notice callout and that was to PBI. It took over three hours and I never heard a word about it.

If 75, 95 or the TP are shut down, you and 25 other people are going to be late for sign in. Scheduling knows this stuff. You can only do what you can do. You certainly can’t change the laws of physics.

SSlow

Assuming you are wanting to participate in the local dating market and live it up as a bachelor, here are my suggestions:

1) Be pulling in around $200k plus

2) Hit the gym and get in shape before you move here. South Florida fitness culture is insane and most successful dudes are under 15% body fat.

3) In order of relevance - Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and then Brickell/Downtown for places to live.

4) Spanish is a borderline must

5) Las Olas in FLL is a decent option if you want to be around liberal white people from NY/NJ, but overall it is a poorer imitation of Miami at the same rent prices.

This is very much a come correct or don't come at all kind of place. South Florida is a different kind of beast, and odds are high you'll end up severely frustrated if you aren't prepared for it.

Vogglr

Currently doing the MCO-MIA commute and it's killing me. D2WP always filled (skill issue, I know) and all 73s on the route so D2WA isn't super helpful. I end up having to go 6+ hours early just to get on a flight or driving.

I am withheld from my next bid status and base (that I will be moving to) so just trying to fill the gap between now and then. Considering MBE-ing to DFW while I wait to be released just for ease of being able to reserve the primary JS. Seems of the flights I've tested, about 90% have the primary JS still avail even one day before whereas MCO-MIA is 95% have both primary and alternate reserved.

The drive to MIA isn't horrible but the traffic on the turnpike and 95 coming south can be a disaster meaning I leave way earlier than necessary. It would probably take less time to commute to DFW in general.

Can any DFW based 737 folks speak to commutability on trips? We have a lot of late starts in MIA which has been great. Not sure how DFW compares.
I'd be about 55% seniority.

Anyone doing the MCO-DFW commute instead of MIA?
Is this a reasonable idea or am I just in a rut from a couple of bad commutes?