Currently a military pilot looking to make the transition to the airlines in a little less than 2 years. My wife is pretty set on moving back to Rochester, NY which is home and where family is for us both. Not sure there is a whole lot I can say that would convince her otherwise but you can bet I'll be trying over the next 2 years. I've been trying to learn as much as I can about the commuting life and it seems like a short term thing for most; Counting the days until they're done commuting. How viable would it be to live in Rochester and commute to NYC for instance for the entirtey of my airline career. It's not really what I want to do but it might just be something I have to suck up and do regardless. How bad is life going to suck and will it improve if I was to do this at a major?

 

People do it. Some commute east coast/HI, or east coast/Europe. I know people who commute west coast/south America. The gold-standard for a suckass commute is a two-leg transcon, you're talking about a one-leg regional intra-state commute.

Factors include how many daily flights, on which airlines, and which types of planes. Narrowbodies usually have more jumpseats, and less chance of weight restriction than RJ's. Also matters how many other commuters are on that route.

But NYC is a very junior base for many airlines, and in the grand scheme ROC isn't that far away. Any trains?

A quick search on passrider shows eight daily flights between ROC and the three NYC airports, with some mainline, that seems reasonable as a baseline.

Bottom line yes you can probably do it, and plenty of people do similar commutes. But it's always better to live in base if possible. Or live in a large/mid-size city with more options as opposed to a regional outstation.

In many cases the difference between commuting and living in base is the difference between a good job and a great job. A lot of folks commute, and there wouldn't be so many if was all that bad. Although it can be very bad, depending on specifics.

 

I think Rochester to JFK would be a pretty good commute. I have a similar commute to my midwestern base. Difference being you’ll accrue seniority fast in NYC and be able to bid commutable schedules faster…..depending on a few factors I suppose. When the shizz goes down and you know the commute is gonna be a disaster….6 hours of windshield therapy a few times a year wouldn’t be the end of the world. Being close to family (especially if you have young kids) and having a happy wife are pretty big pros.

 

I have commuted 5 years. I just looked and ROC to the nyc airports has plenty of service. Its not bad. Just live relatively close to the ROC airport. Dont let her also having you live an hour drive away from the ROC airport.

 

It depends on your perspective. Some people say commuting is the worst part of an otherwise great job. I say commuting is the best part of an otherwise great job. Commuting allows me to have the job I want AND live where I want. Are there parts of it that suck? Yep. Is the pain of commuting worth the benefit of allowing your kids to grow up near extended family? For many, yes. Biggest piece of advice I have is if you make the decision to commute, then choose to accept the pain (and benefits) of the commute and don't let it ruin your career. Don't be that guy who can't do anything but complain about your commute.

 

BUF is only an hour from ROC, so depending on where in the Rochester area you buy, that’s an easy option.

 

I greatly appreciate all of your replies! It definitely puts me at ease a bit knowing it's not an unrealistic commute and that a fair amount of pilots out there are doing much worse. As much as I'd like to be living where I'm based, I know it's probably an unrealistic goal while also trying to keep my family happy and my kid close to the rest of the family.

 

When you're on the road as much as we are, it's worth some sacrifice on your part to keep Mom and the kids near friends and family. Even in the mil she had a support network when you deployed.

Leave her in a strange town long enough, good chance you'll come home to an empty house someday.

 

Dont threaten me with a good time!

 

I don’t know about all ACMI but with some commuting is not required, they’ll fly you either to base or to the airplane.