What at about BOI or BZN? Tripple digit growth towns. Should we have bases there too? I'll let those MBAs figure out our business plans while I fly airplanes from A to B.

 

I’m not an old man. I’m a mid-30’s new hire bringing a perspective to this conversation. Many of the posters on here seem way out of touch. And you probably think many of us new guys seem very entitled. Somewhere in the middle is reality. I’m not wrong and neither are you. But there’s no denying that for a lot of prospective new hires Delta’s based simply are not attractive. The industry is evolving like it or not. Positive space commuting or increasing bases to include more affordable mid-sized cities are real advantages Delta can capture.

 

I think this is true of every airline. I agree PSC and/or more pilot base options would absolutely be a great way for an airline to get an edge over their competitors when it comes to attracting new pilots. Younger people are less likely to “suck it up” and move to an unappealing base for the next 40 years. Just because the old man did it, doesn’t mean they will. Like it or not, that’s reality. So either adapt, or get left behind while clinging to outdated paradigms. Its in Delta’s long term interest to get the jump on this.

 

I can't imagine there is large percentage of pilots who are targeting an airline because of bases, without any regard to proximity of family/ease of commute from a city with family. There isn't a single base, at any airline, that I would willingly move to unless my family was there.



I certainly don't think you're entitled, but where are these "mid-sized/affordable" cities that you speak of?

 

A base in TX and a base in FL would be a good place to start. Relative to NYC, LAX, SEA, BOS, MSP, and SLC there are many more affordable places.

 

Shoot been here almost 6 years, would love to move to base (SLC) just can't afford it unless I want to massively down grade from what I have. Took the upgrade sooner than I would have liked to help offset the cost but still housing costs are staggering these days. I truly don't understand how people afford living these days.

 

Any of the big Texas metro areas. I would be living probably 1.5-2 hours drive away outside a smaller city.

MIA/FLL/MCO
Again, not in those cities but plenty of options in short call on the couch range.

Las Vegas is a go as well.

All of our hubs save Detroit have varying degrees of expensive for what you get housing to be within short call range.

MSP/ATL are more off the list because I was older when hired, but ATL isn't cheap anymore. I can't speak to MSP because it's a no go for my wife (nuclear winter with limited skiing) before even considering seniority.

The reality of real estate drives a lot of this. I can't afford to buy a house in my neighborhood here anymore and I comfortably bought the place when I was flying King Airs. But with current interest rates I'd need to basically buy whatever we get for the equity in this place plus maybe 200k at most. Maybe more or less depending on property tax rates and insurance costs.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

 

My dream airline was American, just because of their bases. I knew that commuting would cost me at least 3-4 more weeks a year away from home. But American wasn't hiring when I got hired at the Widget. I was still forced to commute for six years. Everything in life is a choice. If you want to live in Chicago, dont pick Delta.

 

Ha same. I couldn’t afford to buy the house I live in now. And I bought it on regional Captain wages. The reality of modern American life are lost on most Delta Captains. Homes are way more than they used to be and inflation has easily eaten away 20% of our purchasing power. Noticeable, but likely less impactful when you’re making $300,000+. But when you’re making $100,000 to $150,000 much more so.

 

Well you dodged a real bullet. I’d commute for Delta over living in base for American ANY DAY.