Driving 2:30-3:00 each way is not rational.

That is like living in Orlando and being based in Miami, that’s not “living in base”.

I suspect you would be surprised by just how many people regularly drive 2.5-3 hours to their domicile. And consider it easy.

And for the record, the average American spends over 4 hours a week commuting. So 5-6 hours per week is by no means an outlier, which was your original assertion.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/study-states-with-the-longest-and-shortest-commutes.html

Getting back on topic, to the OP: Go to Delta. I've yet to meet an American pilot who is happy there. That kind of low morale can really taint a career.

My drive to JFK is in that range (sometimes longer.)

It beats commuting by plane (or living in NYC.)

I have no complaints.

Or just don't work for an airline with huge junior domiciles in the lovely NE. My commute is a 10 minute uber ride door to door (15 with traffic) and I live at the beach.

Boom.

I count "living in base" as being able to comfortably sit reserve at home (ie unwashed and unshaven), and able to jump on pop-up premium trips with less than two hours notice. Also do local trips without wasting $ on a hotel.

Commuting by car (one - three hours) is not living in base, but it sure beats almost any commute by air. If for no other reason than you can ALWAYS go home at the end of a trip, your car never, ever leaves without you if you're late.

Driving longer than three hours would get real old real fast, unless you're in the middle of nowhere and do it all on cruise control. Also problematic for early shows, at some point you'd be leaving for work shortly after your bedtime.

I love my airline. Too each his own. Boom.

If I was offered the ability to drive 3 hours to work, I'd take it in a heartbeat. And I have a pretty good air commute as far as air commutes go.

Lemme guess......Hoboken? Mr Booker said it's a real nice place to live....

Since you interviewed at both carriers, which one felt more like “home?” Did one feel more like a better fit for you than the other?

I’d figure the answer out to that first and then consider the commute situation. I’m probably in the extreme minority when I say commuting does have its advantages in some situations. The biggest is if you know your family would be happier somewhere other than the base(s) your airline has. For some families it’s best not to uproot and move to base. I also believe 2-3 drive isn’t bad at all if you ultimately choose Delta. That can give you some “me” time before and after work.

Good luck with your decision.


GP