Either you’re a company man…

or we found the person that’s living in base and it’s miserable with the decision.

 

Bingo… likely part of the rapidly diminishing old guard.

 

You often can't put a real value on lots of intangibles. In a vacuum, sure, leaving at 6a and not getting home until the evening day 4 looks to be a lot of time away from home. At the regionals, I lived in base and that's exactly what my schedule was anyways. People who choose not to commute often use that excuse as the reason to uproot their families. It works for many and that's great. But it's frustrating to us when people who made that decision often paint their decisions as the superior one and talk down to those that didn't. "You lose out on millions over a career! You spend so much time away from your family just to get to work!! You sacrifice so much!"

All of that is only part of a very complex equation and it's not as easy as money or time. I would never live in ATL or SLC because doing it is selfish of me. While they might see me a few more hours a week if I'm driving to work versus flying, I strip my spouse and kids away from their family and friends and jobs and favorite places 24/7/365.

 

Commuting is a choice but the policy must be changed or enforced. It should be based on one flight on a company branded airplane, and if that flight through no fault of the pilot doesn't arrive on time there is no penalty but no compensation. If you choose to give yourself a back up, then it is positive space and should the company not provide that, then you are removed for company convenience.

 

Living in base is a choice. If it wasn't then all the major air lines would mandate that as a condition of hire you were required to move to one of their bases. They don't do that do they. For a reason.

You obviously haven't been at a base that was shutdown.

My contract mantra is and always has been - what's best for the pilot group as a whole. I think PSC is a bridge too far. Most agree with that who've posted here, but we do need to vastly improve our commuter language and perhaps get some lift from the company on this in some form (reduced FCFL, priority for commuting to work on the non-rev list etc).

PTC is the bomb dontcha know......

 

The idea of living in base “because it’s the right thing to do” is very outdated. I know several people who live in one city and fly to another for work. Engineers, doctors, military work from home (with TDYs). It’s a real thing in 2025. Biggest reasons are family and locality desirability. Expecting everyone to live “where they’re told” (PTC) is so two generations ago and doesn’t align with the behavior of younger generations. Just posting my observations.

Dont some fourth floor types commute from outside ATL? If they do, I wonder what that benefit looks like. Not saying line employers should be entitled to that, but genuinely curious.

 

Indeed there are. And they have PS.

 

As usual, tennis hits the nail on the head.

As an aside, I suspect there is a statistically significant difference in pilots' feelings on PS between pre and post-covid hires, since we had PSC during Covid. Of course, during most of the time PSC was in effect (as extended by the Government PSP money), middle seats were open, and so it literally was zero difference in cost to the company (other than 200ish pounds of weight). I'm sure ALPA would love to point to the stats from the early part of that period as proof PSC is low cost, while the company would like to point to the stats from the tail end when the opened up middle seats and revenge travel started in the Spring of '22.

My point is that commuters who experienced PSC during Covid had a tangible experience that likely drives a higher desire for the predictability and stress-relief PSC provides. Those who don't commute, or or weren't part of that period likely have a lower desire for it.

I've lived both lives, and the number one reason I'll never commute again is the stress that came from the commute, particularly making it home after a trip. But while I'm sympathetic, I'm with tennis that I don't think I'm willing to pay the quid the company wants to get it. But I totally respect those who do.

 

I wouldn’t call it a drive by, although I guess it is ego feeding to accuse as such when it is pointed out to you that your entire post is wrong. The reality is that there is not the time or the inclination in my life to visit or participate in the site very much. I browse through when I have time and respond when I wish. Pretty much respect everyone’s opinions and mostly just point out inconsistencies.

You’ve now backed off all of your input to make it more palatable. Not sure why you are thankful I’m not involved, as I think we have a pretty damn good product, but I’ll point out a couple of things:

1) you aren’t nearly as thankful as I am
2) all of the rest of the exact same people who brought you our current agreement are still heavily involved, so you may want to prepare for more disappointment

 

This is a great concept I can get behind.