Hello all. Looking to get some perspective on a commute from CLT to SLC for work on the 73. I’ve heard rumors of an AE sometime in the summer with a strong possibility of being able to select ATL or NYC for a better/quicker/easier commute. I don’t live in the Charlotte area yet and my family and I are considering a pivot to SLC area for a year in order to make year one a bit easier.

Things at play for my personal situation are my wife will be around family in Charlotte, no close contacts in SLC. Her concern is having a support system when I’m not there for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas etc. I’d still be a commuter in NYC or ATL as well, but I feel like the pain is eased by proximity and number of flights available to those locations, as well as the possibility of a drive if needed to ATL.

What are some things I need to consider if we decide to move to SLC not being a member and on first year pay with school age kids? What are some things to consider if we stay with our plan to move to the CLT area? I don’t know what I don’t know. Thanks for any and all advice.

 

If you can stomach that awful commute for a few months, you should be able to get ATL fairly quickly. Current rumor is an AE this summer, and with ATL being perpetually understaffed you could probably transfer to ATL in the fall. CLT-ATL is as easy of a commute as it gets. Only downside is seniority once you upgrade to the left seat in ATL will be worse than most bases, NYC will give you the best seniority progression, and DTW would give you your next best and not a bad commute from CLT.

 

Unless you are exploring putting roots in SLC, I wouldn’t move out there temporarily. Embrace the suck for the 6-9 months (likely less) that you’ll have to commute. If your family has a support system in place in CLT, they’ll appreciate having it when you’re junior and your schedule sucks. You’ll be able to snag ATL or NYC easily on the next AE.

 

Have you ever been to SLC? I wouldn’t dismiss it without visiting. I personally love the SLC area with the mountains - although it has its worts like every place. You should do a long weekend in the area and check it out. I have always found CLT to be a bit boring, but having family in the area does help. Another benefit of SLC flying - you can bid the A220 and enjoy 21st century flying!

 

SLC: Pretty, but pricey. This includes rental markets.

Hiking in the Wasatch high country is going to start late this year due to all the snow. July...maybe?

Not the best place to move a family to if you're just going to test the waters for a year. Definitely rent if you go this option (if you can find a place).

Commuting sucks, but if the extended family actually enjoys helping momma, it's difficult to put a price on that sort of support network. Ditto if you need to look after aging parents. Only reason I'd ever consider a long term commute.

 

Little Freudian slip there?

 

In May both AA and DL have evening non-stop flights on A321's from CLT arriving around 9:30pm local SLC. Everything else will be a 2 leg commute. Coming home AA has a redeye getting in around 6am, DL has a noon flight getting in around 6pm. So yes, commuting CLT-SLC will suck.

I have a neighbor that's in his 1st year with DL. He was PSA in CLT prior and still lives here in a rental house. He bid LGA/JFK and got a line in a couple of months. They don't have family in CLT but do have in Virginia and they also have a 3 month old first child.

The pilot got a crashpad in NYC but after a month or so wasn't using it so just went to hotels. He is also considering SLC since he has a brother with a young child in LAS although that's not exactly local. His wife prefers to stay in CLT but he doesn't want to be a permanent commuter. I told him just go for ATL, as someone mentioned lots of flights and a 4hr drive as a backup. I have a feeling his wife will win this one.