chanandlerbong

Hi all,

I'm contemplating leaving a major cargo carrier (probably obvious which one based on my post history), and I'm sure some would call my crazy for it. I have apps in at UAL and AA based on what's going to be a rough 5+ years (barring any very dramatic changes in events) as a commuter on reserve.

The details that matter: I am married with young children. I'd like to see my family more than 5 days a month (only a slight exaggeration). I was anticipating more new hires below me when I chose between where I am now and a legacy carrier, but that has not come to fruition. I'm going to be 97-99% for a while. 81% in 5 years, but those are projections purely based on retirements. We'd still need to do some solid hiring to improve things to get more folks junior to me.

We live within 70-90 mins of BOS, and I'm from Mass originally. I originally avoided AA at the time based on some BOS-specific advice I received, but I'm beginning to question a lot of the advice I've received over the last 5 years...

Obviously with BOS, I'm considering B6 now too. It seems like a lot of guys leave B6 for a legacy when they can, which (as best I can tell) comes down to pay and contract. For BOS dwellers, though (or anyone where B6 is best based on your location), does living in-base override some of these concerns?

I think it'd take a bit to get to BOS with AA, and then 73 only, which at this point..whatever. That's fine and not the priority. With UAL, it'd be a 1 hr flight or 4 hr (ish) drive to EWR. I turned down a CJO with DAL a few months back, so that door is likely shut for now.

If it helps...mil fighter background, all mins and requirements met. I only have one former coworker with B6, but he likes it.

I sincerely appreciate any advice you have to offer.

RJDriver900

I've been commuting since I've been here a little over a year now. Soon will be moving to a base close to where I live. Everyone says living in base is the dream at any major. I've overall been happy here. That isn't to say that we don't have things that need to be worked on. Currently though I have no desire to apply to a legacy and keep commuting. If you live in base in Boston and bid reserve it seems like these days not many people are being used and are going a good bit before flying. Most people I've flown with who are Boston based live 1-3 hours away and drive in and seem happy.

Since I got hired at the end of 2021 I'm sitting around 82% seniority company wide and that's with a decent amount of people beneath me jumping to legacies. Everyone's perspective is going to be different. I try not to get caught up in the grass is greener mentality. Hopefully when we start on a JCBA if spirit goes through we can get some good gains on the things in our contract that need to be fixed. That being said for now though I can see me staying put here for the next 30-35 years.

Bluedriver

It's a bummer you turned down DL. They will likely open a BOS base at some point for the A321.

Otterbox

1) DAL CJO turn down doesn’t mean door shut forever these days, as long as you weren’t a total jerk about it and have a reasonable explanation when they ask in interview 2.0.

2) If you want Widebody flying/lifestyle, UAL EWR for the win. Plenty of UAL pilots live in RI etc and make the drive.

3) AA vs JetBlue for the BOS base? I’d probably go JetBlue as long as I didn’t have any ambitions to leave. JetBlue Management continues to be a Mickey Mouse show, and AA is a dumpster fire. Living in base and ignoring the work drama as long as the paycheck clears is best for your sanity.

4) You wouldn’t be the first Boston boy to leave FedEx for AA.

Flyby1206

All we can do is go with the info we have today. Yes, DL might open a BOS base, AA might grow their BOS base, but B6 already has a big BOS base and it is a significant focus of the company as a whole vs some small outstation base at a legacy.

Driving to work is a completely different job and with little kids the time at home is precious. I would jump to B6 and bid reserve to maximize your time at home. Being local you will have opportunities for extra flying on days off, and/or more productive trips vs being a commuter somewhere else. Additionally, the upgrade times in BOS for B6 are 5-6yrs for the A320/220, 2-3yrs for the E190 (although the fleet is being retired). You will likely miss out on the Widebody flying opportunities that legacies offer in their bigger hubs, but "bigger plane, bigger suitcase" rule is a consideration there.

chanandlerbong

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it. Yes, DAL would have been a better choice in hindsight, but I chose FDX based on what was the best decision at the time. Circumstances (not just the job related stuff I mentioned; parents and in-law related, to include a death in the family) changed the calculus. We really tried to get ourselves excited about the idea of living in Memphis...I'll stop myself there.

A few other questions:

- NH pay is low, but do you start year 1 pay after your sim check? Or do you need to complete your OE?

- How long to hold BOS? If assigned to NHs, that's great.

- How is the flexibility with picking up trips? I do want to be home, but living in base also allows the flexibility to work more when the time is right. Picking up trips isn't as easy as it sounds where I am currently.

- Anything you wish you knew before starting at B6, that you typically share with people who are interested? I've found that the devil is in the details...

RJDriver900

You are on new hire pay for 6 weeks or LOE whichever sooner then it kicks in to 1st year FO pay. After LOE it's 80 a month guarantee until IOE completion.

Boston is usually available in every class drop to new hires (If you go to the class drops page on here you can usually see what aircraft and bases are offered to each class.) If you don't get Boston for some reason when you finish LOE you can submit monthly base trades to transfer with someone who wants out (seniority based).

I'm a commuter so someone in base would have to comment with trip flexibility as an in base pilot. But being on reserve and a line holder (on the 190) I've been able to drop, swap and get what days I want off.

As for anything I wish I knew beforehand not really in my experience of being here a year. Training could have delays but it seems they worked out most of that since I went through. I honestly don't have any major issues. I'm more of a QOL person to FWIW.

Duchess

Did you run the QRH?

Hawk1G

Ouch…DAL will likely open BOS later this year. B6 BOS was a great experience for me personally. Had I lived locally I would have stayed with B6 for the remainder of my career.

Best of luck!!

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.