Hello gang,

Moving into 121 from the 135/91 world. I've been offered a job that will make JFK my base, and I'm living between Lauderdale and Palm Beach. Anyone who does it full time care to chime in on your opinions? Is it a big deal? How do you ensure that you'll make it on time? Does it wear you out? Thanks for the perspectives guys.

 

Well depending on how far your willing to drive, You have FLL and MIA that will have flights in and out of JFK, BUT I find it really easy to get up to JFK from TPA.

It is what you make it, if you give yourself half a day to get there then you should be ok, unless your flying B6!!!

 

Thanks Bravo, sounds like its very do-able.

Anyone else, thoughts, advice?

 

G Pilot,

Welcome to the wonderful world of commuting. I have been doing it for roughly13 years and 4 past airlines. I even wrote an article on "the lifestyle" in the Dec issue of Airways magazine.

First off, are you able to commute on your own airline? This will make life easier right off the bat.

It is workable on other carriers. Invest in an OAG guide, or download all schedules to your palm on carriers you can use.

If you have time to research, goto the the specific airline websites, and look at on-time performance of specific flights. Looking at trends you can get a feel for which flights usually have seats open and which are always full.

Look for back-ups. Instead of taking B6, or DAL into JFK, you might find a seat available on our AA flight to LGA. Remember you can make it from LGA, and even EWR to JFK with transportation. ie bus, shuttle, or subway.

ON my best days I sit in first class on NWA and arrive 1 hout prior to my sign in. My worst days involve 2 legs with one through ORD and a night on the couch in ops. Make certain you keep an eye on the weather in NYC while you live in FL. Learn to look at how weather patterns in different regions effect traffic into the NE.

There will be a learning curve, you will meet some very nice people, you will also meet some with bad attitudes (from every airline) just remember they are the 2%.

Happy Commuting,

AAflyer

 

There is one aspect of commuting that is more important than showing up for your trip in time for sign in: FATIGUE.

Too many commuters cut themselves short on rest to make their commute work. I have flown with many a commuter who was obviously tired when we started the rotation. Was he "too tired"? I don't know, but why should anyone put the other crewmember in a position where he has to guess.

There is nothing wrong with commuting per se and many pilots do it for years successfully without cutting their rest short. However, starting your day commuting at 0400 for a day that won't end until 2300 is not smart. It never ceases to amaze me that guys who complain loud and long about how hard the company pushes them will push themselves even harder to commute.

If it isn't safe for the airline to schedule that way, it isn't safe for an individual to schedule himself that way.

If you commute, don't push the envelope. You owe yourself, your crew and your passengers a properly rested crewmember when you start your trip.

 

As a part 91 driver, I am curious as how you plan to j/s on 121 carriers?

 

Ask nicely. Just kidding, what I was saying is that I'm joining a 121 and will need to commute to JFK from FLL/PBI but my airline does not service JFK from South Florida.

Guys thanks for the points of views, let the good times roll.

 

I couldn't agree more. Some studies say that driving or flying tired is as dangerous (or more so) than being drunk. "Microsleep" on short final is not a great way to make friends.

Honestly, I don't know how the commuters do it. One of my biggest considerations on picking an employer was the fact that I could work there without commuting. I need my beauty rest.

And if you ever saw me, you'd know why...

 

You make it sound like you've never flown tired or even fatigued. I have yet to meet a pilot who hasn't done both.

I've been more tired doing a red-eye with proper rest than I've been doing the 4 am commute thing.

 

I'm confused by your post. Are you saying that because guys fly fatigued, it is okay to fly fatigued?

Or are you saying that you are so tired by red-eyes that commuting doesn't make a bad situation worse?

The point of my post was that anyone commuting should avoid putting himself in a situation where he starts his rotation fatigued. Commuting can be very stressful...especially if the commuter is "cutting it close".

I'm not sure why anyone would argue with that.