NYC locals
 

Considering NYC because of the huge seniority bump I would see in my category. I would only do it as a local. Does anyone here make the drive in from northern NJ? I'm looking to hold 1- and 2-days.

Thanks for your time and input.

All depends on when you were hired?

There're folks who live in Philly that drive to work when they're based in NYC. The turnpike is normally pretty reliable, it's the river crossings that will get you. Luckily no one likes to fly out of EWR because of the tough mass transit situation to get EWR since few people have cars. There will be times where it'll be faster for you to park your car in Jersey and then take mass transit in because the bridges and tunnels are blocked, but those situations are pretty unpredictable, like a presidential visit. At any rate - my experience was it took about 90 minutes to get from exit 7 off the NJ Turnpike to LGA pretty reliably.

There are lots of guys doing it. Some from as far as Philly. Most do not seem to mind. Tolls add up but less then crash pads and cabs. If you choose you can earn a lot of extra money living close to NY. Greenslips are easy to come by if your local.

I'd take the train instead of drive depending on time of day. Normal commute hrs plan on an hr or more to cross the river. Plus tolls each way probably $40 a trip. If you want to live in NYC get rid of the car.
From someone who lives in NYC

I am in Doylestown, Bucks County PA, and have driven my whole career to the NYC airports(10 here and 6 at other companies). It can be a PITA to drive, but it beats an airplane commute. Normally, it takes 1:15 to EWR, 1:55 to LGA or JFK for me. Except at rush hour, that can add another 30 to 60 minutes to LGA or JFK. If I am driving to JFK or LGA, I usually leave 3.5 hours prior and then don't sweat it....usually I am there early enough to catch a quick catnap if i choose to.

Taxes are much cheaper in PA than NJ, for what I consider to be a nicer place to live, schools are fantastic,
...disclaimer: I am biased cause I from PA.

NYC is junior, so you will enjoy a bit of artificial seniority. EWR goes very junior cause most commuters hate it as its a PITA to get to if you aren't driving.

Hope it helps.

If you do drive, is there an employee parking lot at all three NYC airports? And does Delta pick up that tab?

Yes and yes. They'll try to talk you into just expensing long-term parking at EWR. But if you'll be flying out of there a lot, tell them they'd be better off springing for the pass.

Oh, and avoid LGA for the next 3-5 years.

Thanks for all your kind replies. I'm about #9200 and looking at it, I'd be in the top 10 on the 320 in NYC.

My goal is to do 3 turns per week, which I could certainly hold. The question is whether the drive would just be too much. 1.5 hrs or under I'm ok with.

I mention northern NJ because I'd like to raise my kids as close to the ocean as possible. A guy can dream, can't he?

Thanks again for your input.

My brother-in-law and I (we're both DL pilots) are considering moving our families to Doylestown. I'm surprised at your commute times. I figured at least 3 hours to JFK.

My BIL is moving to the 320B and I hope to bid the 717A with a move to the NYC domicile. I know things change, but for now, both jets have a good number of trips out of EWR. That and the 34-hour ABE overnights.