Thanks, really good to know. If I follow the dream, I plan on living in my base city. Are there usually a lot of single day trips to bid for?

 

It's kind of a progression throughout your career which ebbs & flows depending on many factors. Safe to say it typically gets better as you progress from regional on up and of course seniority within your airline.

When I was a junior regional guy, I was only spending 10 nights at home at times commuting to reserve. When I left my regional I was about 50% seniority in base driving to work with around 15-17 nights at home. Then went to legacy FO on a narrowbody with slightly fewer nights home while commuting. Now I'm switching planes (still commuting) flying international with the most nights I've ever had at home with a regular schedule.

Like others said, it can vary wildly within each airline, fleet type and of course along with seniority. It's a tough question to answer but down the road your significant other just might tell you go to back to work since you're home so much

 

Your "base" will change with each change in employer, with each bid...you're going to end up commuting somewhere, to do something.

You may end up moving repeatedly to keep up with the latest "base."

 

Haha, wouldn't say that (yet), really was just asking to get some more insight into the career and know the specifics before hand to know if I really want to pursue it. I know it was kind of common sense, but I wanted to wrap my head around the specifics (even though it varies). This was the major question for me. Thanks for the good information.

 

Day trips or “out and backs” typically go very senior. Usually senior pilots who live near the base.

GF

 

Remember that every job has its pros and cons. Being a happy airline pilot is about keeping that perspective. You could get a nonflying job that you hate and be home every night and grumpy. You could get another nonflying job that requires you to travel out of town Sunday-Thursday every week and go in to the office on Friday. The airline lifestyle (especially if you live in base) allows you a lot of flexibility (after a certain seniority level) and usually more days off than your next door neighbor who is making comparable pay.

 

Exactly. The guys holding turns frequently could bid n/b Captain or at least 777/787 FO. They choose less pay in order to fly turns.

 

That was likely me.

One hotel stay YTD and another coming up in a few weeks. Both will be actual “overnights” after day flying.

My “night” typically starts at 7pm, and I wake up 70 minutes prior to report which is generally happens between 0210-0330 for scheduled departure one hour later

Bottom line is I get to see my kids when they get home from school/sitter and have a family dinner, at the dinner table, with them and my wife practically every day.

I consider that better than a 1430 report with a 0030 duty-off, in which case Circadian rhythm is less disrupted but I’d not get to see my family nearly as much during the week.

My kids are young, that time matters to me, having the CHOICE is nice.

YMMV...

 

That sounds like a night at home that would be great for me. Thanks for the answer. By the way (since you went to Purdue I'm asking) I'm strongly considering Purdue, can you build a lot of time there?

 

I understand Purdue's aviation curriculum has changed since I graduated...but I would answer your question with "maybe", IF you obtain your CFI during/summer following your sophomore year and have two students each semester your junior and senior year.

Even with that you'd likely still be 200-300 hours short of R-ATP mins and have to build that time outside the university, either while as a student or as a new graduate.