Advice / Sanity Check
02-03-2023, 01:25 AM
#11
Super Moderator
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,945
Originally Posted by todd1200
Personally, I’d think about giving it some more time before jumping. Commuting is no fun and commuting while junior is especially difficult, but isn’t FedEx one of the most commuter friendly airline jobs?
Kids are only young once, but I’d think your projected earnings at FedEx would allow you to take a lot more time off and probably spend more time at home, even when factoring in the commute.
Kids are only young once, but I’d think your projected earnings at FedEx would allow you to take a lot more time off and probably spend more time at home, even when factoring in the commute.
You’d be able to focus on phase 2 however by renting an Airbnb in Breckenridge and luring your kids away from Spring break Daytona for a week skiing with their parents.
02-03-2023, 04:43 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2022
Posts: 30
I moved from AUS (commuting to DFW) to BOS and chose B6 for similar reasons as you. I wanted to live in base since my wife and I are starting a family and maximize my time home. Her whole family lives in MA so that helps a bunch too. I'm a junior 190 FO (90ish%) sitting reserve and haven't been called in 30ish days. Ive even gotten a handful of the days I wanted off in my first few bids. Living in base makes this a completely different job and worth it in my opinion.
02-03-2023, 04:52 AM
#13
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 31
Bro - Pick your family and Kids first , they will be there for you , your job not matter what job , even an astronaut job is still a job. I would come to B6 and bid reserve if you can live in BOS , Become a coach in their team or do other meaningful stuff and enjoy your life. When you go fly - u are rested and all the stuff at home with the wife and family should be warm and fuzzy. You will really enjoy flying and not be burnt out commuting. I took a big pay cut to come here, I really love it , Most of the people I fly with are super nice and chill. I don't fly much compared to my old corporate gig , but I have more time to work out , eat healthy and spend time with the kids and my parents. Reserve in base can be great if you can live in one our bases.
02-03-2023, 06:37 AM
#14
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 58
OP, feel free to DM, but here's my take as another mil pilot...
There's a bar in the training center. The only other place I know of like that is WN. They're planning to build a rooftop bar on the next expansion. The reason I bring this up is not because alcohol is important, but because it sets a certain tone. First day I showed up, I found my buddy drinking with the CFO. Lots of stories of the CEO spending time there too. Like the individuals or not, it doesn't matter. Where else are you going to have a drink with company leadership and ask a couple of hard (yet polite!) questions face-to-face? Between that, the interview process, and the training atmosphere, it was immediately clear how laid back the company is. For me, that's important. I don't want the pomp and circumstance or the triple breasted suit and hat. I've been flying in a bag for years and I live somewhere with an extremely casual atmosphere. Nor am I interested in some of these companies that are essentially run like military 2.0. Yeah, we have our problems, but what a lot of keyboard warriors tend to overlook is that pilots at all these other companies b¡tch too. Yup, I hear all about 10-14 day trips to China flying nights and being confined to a hotel surrounded by barbed wire. Thankfully for you guys it sounds like that's ending, but the point is everyone has their own issues and I get to hear about it every month from my other-airline pals over drill weekend.
I've flown enough over the ocean for the military to have checked that box and know that I don't really care for it. Not at the cost of QOL or maintaining some semblance of normal sleep. I've got a handful of BOS friends who bid long call and brag about how they might get used once a month. They log more hours on Call of Duty or their J-3 Cubs than they do in the actual jet. They love it. Because of the hiring rate, I went from 100% to 80% at my base in less than six months. People say "money can't buy happiness," but the truth is more nuanced. A baseline level of money can most definitely contribute to happiness, however, after a certain point, money has nothing to do with happiness. I think we can all agree that it doesn't matter what airline you go to, you're going to find that baseline level and then some. For me, the NB pay here is so close to everywhere else that I don't spend time thinking about how someone else may have been paid $4 more per hour for the same work. It doesn't fučking matter. I've got decades ahead of me with B6, the pay is going to ebb and flow. Not to mention that you've got guys making 200-300% on the regular (that's because we have ops issues, which is another discussion...but money to be had just the same). We have new contract negotiations right around the corner which could only make the pilot group's financial situation better, not worse. I drive to work. Yeah, traffic sucks some days, but it's going to be the same traffic for any airline that hires me. If I go somewhere else, who knows how long I'd have to sit reserve and commute. I got home-based day one here. If you're looking for BOS, high chance of that happening.
Cons...We have too many internal apps and websites. I'd love for IT to get it together and put everything in one or two apps. Maybe that's asking too much, but look, a guy can dream. Mil leave paperwork process is slightly unstreamlined, though nobody has ever given me a problem or called the squadron to check up on me (*cough*Delta*cough*).
You have no bad choices in front of you. Do what makes you happy, be that staying where you're at or going elsewhere. What I always try to remind myself of is the guy in the squadron who is never happy. You know him. We all do. He's not happy in his current squadron, he's not happy in the next squadron...the dude just can't be happy. Strive not to be that guy, because it's an easy spiral to enter and one which will affect everyone in your proximity. Goodluck!
There's a bar in the training center. The only other place I know of like that is WN. They're planning to build a rooftop bar on the next expansion. The reason I bring this up is not because alcohol is important, but because it sets a certain tone. First day I showed up, I found my buddy drinking with the CFO. Lots of stories of the CEO spending time there too. Like the individuals or not, it doesn't matter. Where else are you going to have a drink with company leadership and ask a couple of hard (yet polite!) questions face-to-face? Between that, the interview process, and the training atmosphere, it was immediately clear how laid back the company is. For me, that's important. I don't want the pomp and circumstance or the triple breasted suit and hat. I've been flying in a bag for years and I live somewhere with an extremely casual atmosphere. Nor am I interested in some of these companies that are essentially run like military 2.0. Yeah, we have our problems, but what a lot of keyboard warriors tend to overlook is that pilots at all these other companies b¡tch too. Yup, I hear all about 10-14 day trips to China flying nights and being confined to a hotel surrounded by barbed wire. Thankfully for you guys it sounds like that's ending, but the point is everyone has their own issues and I get to hear about it every month from my other-airline pals over drill weekend.
I've flown enough over the ocean for the military to have checked that box and know that I don't really care for it. Not at the cost of QOL or maintaining some semblance of normal sleep. I've got a handful of BOS friends who bid long call and brag about how they might get used once a month. They log more hours on Call of Duty or their J-3 Cubs than they do in the actual jet. They love it. Because of the hiring rate, I went from 100% to 80% at my base in less than six months. People say "money can't buy happiness," but the truth is more nuanced. A baseline level of money can most definitely contribute to happiness, however, after a certain point, money has nothing to do with happiness. I think we can all agree that it doesn't matter what airline you go to, you're going to find that baseline level and then some. For me, the NB pay here is so close to everywhere else that I don't spend time thinking about how someone else may have been paid $4 more per hour for the same work. It doesn't fučking matter. I've got decades ahead of me with B6, the pay is going to ebb and flow. Not to mention that you've got guys making 200-300% on the regular (that's because we have ops issues, which is another discussion...but money to be had just the same). We have new contract negotiations right around the corner which could only make the pilot group's financial situation better, not worse. I drive to work. Yeah, traffic sucks some days, but it's going to be the same traffic for any airline that hires me. If I go somewhere else, who knows how long I'd have to sit reserve and commute. I got home-based day one here. If you're looking for BOS, high chance of that happening.
Cons...We have too many internal apps and websites. I'd love for IT to get it together and put everything in one or two apps. Maybe that's asking too much, but look, a guy can dream. Mil leave paperwork process is slightly unstreamlined, though nobody has ever given me a problem or called the squadron to check up on me (*cough*Delta*cough*).
You have no bad choices in front of you. Do what makes you happy, be that staying where you're at or going elsewhere. What I always try to remind myself of is the guy in the squadron who is never happy. You know him. We all do. He's not happy in his current squadron, he's not happy in the next squadron...the dude just can't be happy. Strive not to be that guy, because it's an easy spiral to enter and one which will affect everyone in your proximity. Goodluck!
02-03-2023, 09:21 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Position: fifi whisperer
Posts: 1,255
Originally Posted by GrayFlyer
OP, feel free to DM, but here's my take as another mil pilot...
There's a bar in the training center. The only other place I know of like that is WN. They're planning to build a rooftop bar on the next expansion. The reason I bring this up is not because alcohol is important, but because it sets a certain tone. First day I showed up, I found my buddy drinking with the CFO. Lots of stories of the CEO spending time there too. Like the individuals or not, it doesn't matter. Where else are you going to have a drink with company leadership and ask a couple of hard (yet polite!) questions face-to-face? Between that, the interview process, and the training atmosphere, it was immediately clear how laid back the company is. For me, that's important. I don't want the pomp and circumstance or the triple breasted suit and hat. I've been flying in a bag for years and I live somewhere with an extremely casual atmosphere. Nor am I interested in some of these companies that are essentially run like military 2.0. Yeah, we have our problems, but what a lot of keyboard warriors tend to overlook is that pilots at all these other companies b¡tch too. Yup, I hear all about 10-14 day trips to China flying nights and being confined to a hotel surrounded by barbed wire. Thankfully for you guys it sounds like that's ending, but the point is everyone has their own issues and I get to hear about it every month from my other-airline pals over drill weekend.
I've flown enough over the ocean for the military to have checked that box and know that I don't really care for it. Not at the cost of QOL or maintaining some semblance of normal sleep. I've got a handful of BOS friends who bid long call and brag about how they might get used once a month. They log more hours on Call of Duty or their J-3 Cubs than they do in the actual jet. They love it. Because of the hiring rate, I went from 100% to 80% at my base in less than six months. People say "money can't buy happiness," but the truth is more nuanced. A baseline level of money can most definitely contribute to happiness, however, after a certain point, money has nothing to do with happiness. I think we can all agree that it doesn't matter what airline you go to, you're going to find that baseline level and then some. For me, the NB pay here is so close to everywhere else that I don't spend time thinking about how someone else may have been paid $4 more per hour for the same work. It doesn't fučking matter. I've got decades ahead of me with B6, the pay is going to ebb and flow. Not to mention that you've got guys making 200-300% on the regular (that's because we have ops issues, which is another discussion...but money to be had just the same). We have new contract negotiations right around the corner which could only make the pilot group's financial situation better, not worse. I drive to work. Yeah, traffic sucks some days, but it's going to be the same traffic for any airline that hires me. If I go somewhere else, who knows how long I'd have to sit reserve and commute. I got home-based day one here. If you're looking for BOS, high chance of that happening.
Cons...We have too many internal apps and websites. I'd love for IT to get it together and put everything in one or two apps. Maybe that's asking too much, but look, a guy can dream. Mil leave paperwork process is slightly unstreamlined, though nobody has ever given me a problem or called the squadron to check up on me (*cough*Delta*cough*).
You have no bad choices in front of you. Do what makes you happy, be that staying where you're at or going elsewhere. What I always try to remind myself of is the guy in the squadron who is never happy. You know him. We all do. He's not happy in his current squadron, he's not happy in the next squadron...the dude just can't be happy. Strive not to be that guy, because it's an easy spiral to enter and one which will affect everyone in your proximity. Goodluck!
There's a bar in the training center. The only other place I know of like that is WN. They're planning to build a rooftop bar on the next expansion. The reason I bring this up is not because alcohol is important, but because it sets a certain tone. First day I showed up, I found my buddy drinking with the CFO. Lots of stories of the CEO spending time there too. Like the individuals or not, it doesn't matter. Where else are you going to have a drink with company leadership and ask a couple of hard (yet polite!) questions face-to-face? Between that, the interview process, and the training atmosphere, it was immediately clear how laid back the company is. For me, that's important. I don't want the pomp and circumstance or the triple breasted suit and hat. I've been flying in a bag for years and I live somewhere with an extremely casual atmosphere. Nor am I interested in some of these companies that are essentially run like military 2.0. Yeah, we have our problems, but what a lot of keyboard warriors tend to overlook is that pilots at all these other companies b¡tch too. Yup, I hear all about 10-14 day trips to China flying nights and being confined to a hotel surrounded by barbed wire. Thankfully for you guys it sounds like that's ending, but the point is everyone has their own issues and I get to hear about it every month from my other-airline pals over drill weekend.
I've flown enough over the ocean for the military to have checked that box and know that I don't really care for it. Not at the cost of QOL or maintaining some semblance of normal sleep. I've got a handful of BOS friends who bid long call and brag about how they might get used once a month. They log more hours on Call of Duty or their J-3 Cubs than they do in the actual jet. They love it. Because of the hiring rate, I went from 100% to 80% at my base in less than six months. People say "money can't buy happiness," but the truth is more nuanced. A baseline level of money can most definitely contribute to happiness, however, after a certain point, money has nothing to do with happiness. I think we can all agree that it doesn't matter what airline you go to, you're going to find that baseline level and then some. For me, the NB pay here is so close to everywhere else that I don't spend time thinking about how someone else may have been paid $4 more per hour for the same work. It doesn't fučking matter. I've got decades ahead of me with B6, the pay is going to ebb and flow. Not to mention that you've got guys making 200-300% on the regular (that's because we have ops issues, which is another discussion...but money to be had just the same). We have new contract negotiations right around the corner which could only make the pilot group's financial situation better, not worse. I drive to work. Yeah, traffic sucks some days, but it's going to be the same traffic for any airline that hires me. If I go somewhere else, who knows how long I'd have to sit reserve and commute. I got home-based day one here. If you're looking for BOS, high chance of that happening.
Cons...We have too many internal apps and websites. I'd love for IT to get it together and put everything in one or two apps. Maybe that's asking too much, but look, a guy can dream. Mil leave paperwork process is slightly unstreamlined, though nobody has ever given me a problem or called the squadron to check up on me (*cough*Delta*cough*).
You have no bad choices in front of you. Do what makes you happy, be that staying where you're at or going elsewhere. What I always try to remind myself of is the guy in the squadron who is never happy. You know him. We all do. He's not happy in his current squadron, he's not happy in the next squadron...the dude just can't be happy. Strive not to be that guy, because it's an easy spiral to enter and one which will affect everyone in your proximity. Goodluck!
this is great advice. Thanks for taking the time to answer the OPs question so accurately.
02-03-2023, 09:50 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: CA
Posts: 1,211
Originally Posted by Refing
Bro - Pick your family and Kids first , they will be there for you , your job not matter what job , even an astronaut job is still a job. I would come to B6 and bid reserve if you can live in BOS , Become a coach in their team or do other meaningful stuff and enjoy your life. When you go fly - u are rested and all the stuff at home with the wife and family should be warm and fuzzy. You will really enjoy flying and not be burnt out commuting. I took a big pay cut to come here, I really love it , Most of the people I fly with are super nice and chill. I don't fly much compared to my old corporate gig , but I have more time to work out , eat healthy and spend time with the kids and my parents. Reserve in base can be great if you can live in one our bases.
02-04-2023, 08:20 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2012
Position: 190 captain and “Pro-pilot”
Posts: 2,918
Definitely go for family first. If you want Bos you know JetBlue has a major base there that will never close unless the airline is gone. Could you say that for AA or the possibility of a Delta base. JetBlue is a good place, it could be great if management just valued the operation and employees more. However it is most definitely a relaxed pilot group which imho is great.
good luck.
good luck.
02-04-2023, 07:19 PM
#18
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 61
BOS B6 is significantly bigger than AA with much better flying opportunities than AA and much better than what DL could muster IF they opened a tiny BOS base. There’s no comparison in schedules. If you want to be based in BOS and drive to work, B6 is the answer, hands down.
02-04-2023, 07:24 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,097
Originally Posted by V2500
BOS B6 is significantly bigger than AA with much better flying opportunities than AA and much better than what DL could muster IF they opened a tiny BOS base. There’s no comparison in schedules. If you want to be based in BOS and drive to work, B6 is the answer, hands down.
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