Just curious about pilots 50 and over whether they are commuting anymore and if it is impacting their health.
Please share opinions and experiences.

 

It's all how you approach it. It means more days away from home. It's tough when you end up commuting off line on 50 seat RJs when you started out with commuting on your own air line.
I take it one commute and one leg at a time and don't try to cut it to the nub and it's not so bad.
That said, if you don't have to commute it's better to live in base. I would never commute to chase a particular seat or aircraft. I commute because I love where I am. I try not to stress about it and I don't push the limits. That can age you.
I will be happy when I can retire and not do it any more.

 

Oh man what a great question. I'm interested in the answers. I have family that's commuted for over 30 years seemingly stress free. I did it for eight and thought it was going to litterally kill me.

 

One issue I have is the inability to bring healthy food. I commute offline on AA and three bags -rollerboard, computer bag, and lunch box - gets the stink eye and I'm told to consolidate. I'm a writer on the side so I need the computer every other week. Since my rollerboard is taken nearly 95% of the time (even on an A321) I have to decide: computer bag or healthy food (not putting the computer in my rollerboard and checking it). The lunchbox gets left behind most times. On my own carrier I could bag drag like a Sherpa, no problem. On AA? Not a chance.

My health concern is commuting home after a redeye. Seattle to JFK. Cab to LGA. Flight to DFW. Uber home 12 miles. Total time of sustained wakefulness each time: roughly 27-30 hours.

Age is 47.

 

After a trip like that your gonna sleep anyway. Why not get some real sleep at crashpad/hotel and then fly home so youll be still awake to see your family? I used to use fedex to squeeze in that trip home but i was so tired i went straight to bed and slept till afternoon. I got the same results without killing myself by just staying the night in base and leaving in the morning.

 

FAA allows for commuting crew to carry 3 bags. I carry a large "kit" full of electronics, my headse, tablet and computer plus a cooler and my roll-a-board. Never had anyone say anything. I bring breakfast and lunch for the whole trip if I can.

 

Commuting has gone from a necessity due to base closing to folks chasing flying around. Never ceases to amaze me how many guys live in hub cities, but commute elsewhere for the 'prestige' of long haul. Fly all nt then commute at plus 50 years old? Eh better them then me. Driving to/from work and being done is priceless.

 

I'm in that category, and I commute with a LOT of guys that fit that bill.

That said, it is a one-leg, hourish flight.

None of us seem the worse for wear from it. There's several that I see regularly that are almost 65.

It was FAR more stressful a couple of decades ago when I was a new-hire, doing a double-leg (and sometimes triple) off-line commute, to sit reserve. (Driven by circumstances at the time more than choice).

Today, I could be on bigger equipment or add another stripe if I did that again....not interested.

Short answer: a short commute with frequent flights, to be senior in BES, is not bad...not bad at all.

 

I'm over 50, have commuted for almost 20 years (fairly long distance). I find it's pretty easy at FedEx, I mostly get deadheads on both ends if I can. Usually fly first class, so it's painless for the most part, getting confirmed tickets. It generally does not add additional time onto my trip. Sometimes I have to jumpseat into or out of Memphis, but we have direct flights to my home, so it's not too much of a hassle. If I had to go in/out a day early, I would not be happy being away from home for that extra time.

 

It's what you make of it and is managing expectations. I commute on a 3 hour mainline flight as both long call reserve and line holder. I honestly don't stress about it. It's helpful that I can reserve the Jumpseat, but I actually don't have to that often. Going to work, if I don't make it, I don't care, I'll go back home. Coming home I try to get home ASAP, but plan on the worst case of taking the late flight home.

I've heard your type of comments from a few Captains before. They are always from "anti-commuter" types who moved their families from their hometown when their base closed on them. It's usually some anacdotal completely subjective point they heard from their AME. "Be glad you don't commmute, it takes 10 years off these guys!" It's their way of feeling good about themselves for moving after a base closure.

As for after Red Eyes, most guys I fly with don't nap at all after red eyes (some very little before too). I try for a 5 hour nap before, then I sleep on the commute home and stay up until bed time. Let's face it, they are tough on the body no matter what you do.

I eat in moderation, and work out every day on the road. I actually feel better now then before I had this job. YMMV