ORD Based Pilots
 

Could some ORD based pilots, preferably ones who live in base, please message me? I just have a few questions. Thank you for your time.

Would be nice if this was public, there's a whole lot of us hoping to learn the ins and outs of that base.

I was based there like 4 years ago. Here’s what I remember/know now. Should be able to hold ORD reasonably quickly, possibly right away out of training, but slower to move up in seniority then other bases (subject to change as we run upgrades and open new bases). We fly out of the International gates, so can be a pain on commuters if you need to haul ass to the C gates, or any gates honestly (we can’t use the inter-terminal bus, only the train and bus outside security). Crash pads are cheap and plentiful (I recommend the Brick Pad). Easy to get to and from ORD on the blue line (we get 50% discount, was $2.50 each way in 2016). I found ORD to have some of the best trips in the system, but that’s obviously a matter of opinion. If you have a specific question I will try to answer. I’m sure someone else would chime in if i don’t know.

4 years is a long time for fresh info. Here is the latest and greatest. CHI is great if you live in base. Commuting can be a pain, but that goes for any commuting. We are at terminal 5. The stupid train has been out of service for 3 years now. It's busses that run people between terminals. Who knows when the trains will operate again?!?
As far as seniority in base, it's very senior at the top end. To hold CHI CA, it's +5 years. There's a glut of 20+ super senior FO's that don't seem to be in any hurry to upgrade or move out of CHI. Probably not going to change.
Trip wise, who knows what's going to happen in the future but as of March bid packet, mostly 3 day and 2 day trips. 4 days are a thing of the past. Day trips are a hellva lot more tolerable now that we can park in the terminal 5 lot.
Reserve life is great for those that live in base. If you want to commute in and sit in a crashpad without flying, it'll be the 7th ring of hell.
Good group of captain's to fly with makes it that much more enjoyable to come to work.

Good to know. Thank you, this is very much appreciated.

Would you happen to know what the typical show time for ORD trips?

Right now, the ORD schedule is largely based on gate availability at (mostly international) terminal 5 and the trips reflect that. It's a lot of 0500-0700 morning shows. There are a handful of 1400-1500 shows and 2000-2100 shows for PHX and LAS redeye turns.

If you’re ORD-based you’re going to need to get used to very early shows and very late release times. Tons of 0530-06:00 starts and 2300-0000 finishes

Thanks for the info. Are any of the bases considered more or less commutable in comparison to ORD.

what's the sequence look like legs-wise?