First thing you need to understand is 11 days off is the minimum. So it's possible to have more days off than 11. Most of the hard lines do. Also, if you live in base and are on reserve, a lot of days and nights you are 'working', you're simply at home with your phone on. So when someone says they spend quite a bit of time at home, that's probably what they mean and as a commuter, I envy that.

Having said that, I was in your shoes up through last year. Maxed out on pay with basically regional captain pay. I came here knowing full well I'd be spending more time away from home than me or my family was accustomed too but given the fast movement in the industry, it would not only be worth it, given I have more than 20 years of flying still in front of me, I had to do it. The difference in potential income over my career is insane.

 

Being home only 11 days a month is a worst case scenario and you wouldn't be in that position forever. You'll move up the list, get off RSV and get more and more time off. And even when on RSV, while you're only off 11 days a month, there will be days you don't get used at all (can be rare depending on your base/equipment), or get called for just a quick day trip or 2 day, where you can go home after. Obviously being a commuter throws a huge kink into getting more time off. As a local line holder though, I'm only gone a max of 3 nights a week. Not horrible. And looking longterm to moving on to AA, the vast majority of trips that line holders do there are 3 day trips. Gone 2 nights a week isn't bad at all. But bottom line, there's no way around it. You will be gone in this career. You will miss important things at home that are out of your control. And I'm getting the vibe that its probably not going to be something you're willing to sacrifice your family for. Family is the most important thing in the world so there most definitely isn't anything wrong with that.

 

I would be a commuter and IAH doest have anything good right now. I hate even asking this but would MESA be better being in base vs commuting to DFW? I well aware of MESA so I don't need to be educated about them. I'm only thinking in term of commute vs not. I don't need their health insurance and 10k or so difference in pay doesn't make or break me since my better half has a good job. I feel all regional pilots should be paid more and giving in to MESA goes against all I stand for. If I do indeed take the leap I would like to be compensated fairly but I also don't mind a small cut if my home life would be better living in base.

 

No. There are only a couple of airlines that I would say aren't worth working for even if it means living in base. Mesa is one of them.

 

Disregard what Envoy pilots do and care for your peeps. Worry about the pilot stuff later after you've done your birthright duty.

 

So for the first 4-6 months you will be gone 10-11 days a month. It sucks. No bones about it. After that once you get some seniority you can get 14-16 days off per month. Day one you wake up and may be able to spend some time with the family and then you may get the evening on the last day. (Best case scenario).

 

How long does it normally take to hear back from the recruiter after completing the app?

 

Telling statement about the reputation of this site. Users that insult and use name calling should not be tolerated....but it continues.

 

It took one week, almost to the hour, from publishing the addendum to receiving an invite email. This was a few weeks ago.

 

I heard back the day after submitting my app.