SWA vs UPS
 

Looking for real-time perspective. Six month new hire @ WN living in base on the east coast vs 5X commuting to ANC? Good/Bad/Indifferent? Opinions please?

Why would anyone want to commute to anc? Live in base!

Where do you want to live? What airline has bases there?

Commuting sucks. I’d avoid it if possible.

Seniority and career earnings will be far better at Brown. Living in base is less relevant when the company positions you for trips. ANC is temporary if you want it to be.

I presume your screenname indicates previous experience you believe would get you sent to 747 ANC vs. a light twin in the lower 48?

Your commute to ANC wouldn’t be long in the grand scheme of your career.. short term pain, long term gain.

My buddies at LUV bust their balls... great company, but, jeezus... y’all work too hard.

I work 11 days next month. This is the easiest job I've ever had. I'd rather spend time at home vs sitting in a hotel for 40 hrs.

Prepare the measuring tape

Live in base if at all possible. I'd choose UPS over southwest but if you are set on living in a Southwest base, then I'd work there. I recently moved to base and life is SO much better. I had a pretty easy commute (SMF-PHX). 1.5hr flight, 10 flights a day, almost never in the jumpseat. I would leave my house on average 5 hours prior to show time and i would get home on average 5 hours after release. 10 hours a week x 50 weeks a year=500 hours just going to and from work. Add in a few times we diverted on the last leg of the trip and had to spend the night. Living in base 7 miles from the airport I leave 30 mins prior to show and get home about 20 minutes after release. Career earnings are lower at Southwest but living in base will give you more opportunity for last minute premium trips.

Viper - only 10 hrs commuting per trip is decent. I know of 12-14 hr increases per trip. That's why living in base has a huge value. Leave at 3 PM? Commuter leaves their house at 0800-1000. A local is golfing, playing tennis, sleeping in, mowing the lawn, gym, etc. Trip ends at noon? A full afternoon at home. Hardly counts as a day of work. A commuter might be home for dinner.