New to 121 ops...
 

I have an interview at Republic this Thursday, and I am seeking some advice. When ending a trip, do you always end up back at your domicile? Do you have to bid on a trip in order to get back to your domicile? I live within short call reserve of 2 of Republic's bases (PHL & DCA). Hoping to hold one of those after training. If not, how hard is it to jumpseat/commute? Will I be spending my days off commuting? I am also interested in seeing a Republic pilot's schedule, if possible. Thanks for the help. I'll get the hang of this eventually.

I'm at RAH. I'll PM you.

Hi,

Welcome to the boards. You will find here many a bitter pilot but I will try to answer your questions objectively. I am not a republic pilot but many of your questions arent Republic specific.

When ending a trip, do you always end up back at your domicile?

Do you have to bid on a trip in order to get back to your domicile?

Most companies have some sort of CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement, or in other words, a contract) with their management. This document will provide you with many protections and sets the game rules. I don't know of a single CBA that DOESNT require the company to return you to your assigned domicile at the end of a trip. Trips are designed to depart from and return to your domicile so whether you operate a flight back or they have to deadhead you, they will return you to your domicile. You don't have to worry about that.


I live within short call reserve of 2 of Republic's bases (PHL & DCA). Hoping to hold one of those after training. If not, how hard is it to jumpseat/commute? Will I be spending my days off commuting?

This is the biggest "make or break" item in our industry. There is only one good way to commute and that is NOT to. If you find yourself being a commuter you will at some point find yourself utilizing your off days - be it partial or an entire one - to get to/from work. How much OFF time will you sacrifice to your commute? That really depends on where you live vs your assigned domicile. For example, I live near three major airports and between the three there are over 25 flights a day to my domicile. That makes for a very easy commute and most times I can either take a very late flight on my last day off OR I can take a very very early flight on my first day of work and make it in on time. Coming home, the latest flight home leaves right before midnight so I rarely have to use an off day to make it home. But I am fortunate that my domicile and home have such flexibility. I know guys who were based on the east coast and lived in Oregon, California etc... One of them wouldnt even try going home unless he had 3 days off. It wasnt worth the flight to him because he only had few options and it would take a whole half a day to make it back one way!

Your mileage will vary but if you can avoid commuting, do so.

Feel free to post more questions, I will be happy to help out.

For what it's worth, PSA just announced in the last few days that they are opening a DCA pilot base in March.

And here come the PSA people. Always have to bring stuff up unrelated to the op's question.

Actually, it is related. He/she said he/she was interested in DCA and PSA is opening a DCA base and that's all he said.

Your comment might have some merit if he/she was giving him/her the old sales pitch but he/she didn't.

Chill out dude/dudette :cool:

When talking about not commuting, it's worth discussion all airlines that service the bases in not commuting distance, especially for those new to learning about the industry. When I was first doing research on the 121 side of aviation I didn't realize one company had a base 10 minutes from my house until someone kindly pointed that out on an online forum.

Piedmont has a PHL base as well.

Get over yourself.