Majors with Best Commuter Policies
 

Which major airlines have the best policies for commuters?

I have my apps in with carriers where I could be home based, however, I am opening up to the idea of the commuting if the airline has solid policies.

A non-comprehensive list of things I'd be looking for:

• Ability to reserve the jumpseat(s)
• Positive space options
• Commuter hotel options
• Full reimbursement of airport parking fees

I know elements of these exist at the regional carriers and can only assume the majors have similar or even better policies, clauses, etc. Which majors are the most commuter friendly?

At Delta:

Can reserve the JS on own metal (not regional affiliates) a certain number of days in advance depending on the need (to work, from work, personal). If JS is reserved TO work and you are subsequently bumped by FAA or line check, you get positive space on same flight. This does not apply trying to get home.

You are required to give yourself 2 flights to get to base before report. If your backup flight is a Delta flight and it is at least 2 hours after your primary flight, you will get positive space on your backup if you miss your primary. The 2 hours isn't totally a hard rule but you can't cut it close since you may be bumping a revenue passenger if your backup is full.

No commuter hotels, however if during your trip due to delays or cancellations you end up with a domicile layover you will get a hotel provided by the company (lineholder only, not if on reserve, as you are immediately released from the rest of the trip if on reserve)

Parking is only provided in any Delta pilot or FA domicile. No reimbursement for any other airports.

I'm pretty sure AA has the best commuter policy. You can reserve the Jumpseat a week out on own metal. There is no requirement to have a backup flight to use the commuter policy. AA will pay for parking at your home airport. I think there are some restrictions, but when I commuted it was covered.

The requirement to have a backup fit at Delta is if you are non-revving to work, so that if you miss that fit, skeds can put you positive space on the next flight. If you have the JS reserved, there is not a requirement to have a backup plan but caveat emptor....

SWA... If using offline then need 2 flights, the second one must arrive at least 1 hour prior to report. Only need one flight anytime before report time if non-reving on company. We’re not able to reserve JS.

At AA it doesn’t matter if you are commuting on company flights, by horse and carriage, or via hot air balloon. No backup ever required and if you can’t get to work for whatever reason just call and say you need to use the commuter clause. It’s a pretty good system.

If you “abuse” the policy which isn’t defined the company can force you to document availability on your planned commutes.

I didn’t know that. So if I have the jumpseat reserved on a flight that is scheduled to arrive, say, an hour and a half before sign in, and a weather delay causes me to get to base after sign in, I’m covered? That’s good to know.

Reread the contract and FOM. In all cases a backup is required.

It’s also incorrect.

This is not correct. Review CBA 5.P.2.

At WN, a pilot must have two flight opportunities (online OR offline) to arrive before scheduled report time. Alternatively, if solely traveling online, one flight is enough IF you are scheduled to arrive one hour prior to report.

We cannot reserve the jumpseat; it is first come-first served starting at one hour prior to departure. No seniority is involved.