2 Leg Commute (LGA-JFK)
 

With all the amount of new hires going to WB categories in NYC last year, I'm wondering if I prematurely discarded any category that does primarily JFK flying. My commute airport doesn't really have a viable direct flight plan so it would mean getting to LGA first and then getting to JFK. Does anyone here have experience doing that?

Delta reimburses up to $250 a month for commuters if you opt out of parking in JFK and LGA for Ubers and parking at your home airport. A Taxi is going to cost $40-$70 depending on time of day and 30 minutes to 1 hour. I do it somewhat frequently (3 times a month maybe) and it works out pretty well.

I don’t do it personally but I knew several in my lga crashpad who did that. There’s several cab companies that tailor to airline crews going between the airport for a reasonable fee.

It’s not impossible, but it’s another hour to deal with when you factor in traffic. Flown with many guys who land in JFK and will miss their planned commute home from LGA due to traffic etc.

I wouldn’t discard it at all. I do it all the time and don’t think it’s bad at all. No traffic, it’s about 15-20 minute ride, and with traffic about 45 minutes (rush hour). Also I find it’s actually a benefit having two airports close by to one another since there are more flight options to commute between American, delta, JB that go out of both airports. I bid later starts so it really isn’t a big sweat.

As someone else said you can reimburse all your trips. Typically will range between $20 (kew cab) or $35-50 normal cab/Uber.

Wouldn’t discard, some good flying out of JFK.

Voyager Car Service: 718-805-6666

JFK - Kew: $12
LGA - Kew: $15
JFK - LGA: $22

Cash only

But if you have another person making the same trip, the fare is split even (as long as you tell them at time of booking), so $22 total JFK-LGA would only be $11 each.

This. I wouldn’t view it as a 2-leg commute, as it doesn’t have all of the uncertainties and risks that come with doing a true 2-leg air commute. If you factor in 1 hour from the curb at LGA to the curb at JFK (or vice versa), then there will be very few times you’ll be disappointed.

There’s a thread pinned at the top here called “New York transportation advice”.

It contains much useful information.

Anecdotally: I did it for years (some NYC pilots have equipment that are responsible for EWR, LGA, & JFK); I don’t recommend it if you can avoid it.

You described about a third of the WB commuters in NYC. Asking "who commutes out of LGA?" is part of the crew brief for the westbound leg from Europe. You can almost always share a ride to LGA after block in. If you are in a hurry don't ask the FAs, because they have to wait until the plane is empty before leaving.

You guys wait for flight attendants?

IMO getting back and forth from JFK and LGA is easy peasy. Others have covered the cost aspect which IMO is extremely minimal for a job of this income level, especially when you factor in the relative seniority bump NYC gives you. I haven't done in in a few years, but there were tons of specialized crew cabs/vans and of course rideshares and even public transit (did that a couple times and won't again its just not worth the time it takes for the minor savings.

I look at LGA and JFK as true "co-terminals" whereas EWR is a cometely different base to me.

Thanks for all the replies! It's definitely going to make things harder to decide whether to get senior on my NB B or dip my toes into WB B once my seat lock is up.