Leaving United for Alaska… Change my mind…
11-21-2022, 10:55 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2019
Posts: 791
Originally Posted by flight81
Short version… United is great. Love it. I will ALWAYS have to commute however.
At Alaska I can drive to either PDX or SEA in under 2 hours, and I ain’t ever moving from where I am. I already have the 737 type, and am only 8 months on property. Is it worth it to leave United?
At Alaska I can drive to either PDX or SEA in under 2 hours, and I ain’t ever moving from where I am. I already have the 737 type, and am only 8 months on property. Is it worth it to leave United?
11-22-2022, 01:15 AM
#14
New Hire
Joined APC: Mar 2020
Posts: 6
I realize many people detest commuting…
So this may be a minority opinion
But my experience has been the opposite of the other posters. My family stays where we want to be, while I just follow the flying/equipment where it suits me.
I’ve been commuting to UA for 23 years now.
I would have it no other way, as my family is deeply rooted where my wife and I grew up. And it’s a 3.5 hour flight for me to get to work.
Since I started flying international, I find it even easier: with rare exception, these trips are always commutable.
and I don’t fly more than 3 trips a month
So the pleasure is worth the pain, in my opinion
good luck !
So this may be a minority opinion
But my experience has been the opposite of the other posters. My family stays where we want to be, while I just follow the flying/equipment where it suits me.
I’ve been commuting to UA for 23 years now.
I would have it no other way, as my family is deeply rooted where my wife and I grew up. And it’s a 3.5 hour flight for me to get to work.
Since I started flying international, I find it even easier: with rare exception, these trips are always commutable.
and I don’t fly more than 3 trips a month
So the pleasure is worth the pain, in my opinion
good luck !
11-22-2022, 01:30 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2020
Posts: 175
I don’t commute. I did it for a very short period of time and won’t do it again. It’s time of your life that you’ll never get back and there is an opportunity cost that comes with it. I’d go Alaska based on what you said.
11-22-2022, 02:11 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2022
Posts: 856
Originally Posted by flight81
Short version… United is great. Love it. I will ALWAYS have to commute however.
At Alaska I can drive to either PDX or SEA in under 2 hours, and I ain’t ever moving from where I am. I already have the 737 type, and am only 8 months on property. Is it worth it to leave United?
At Alaska I can drive to either PDX or SEA in under 2 hours, and I ain’t ever moving from where I am. I already have the 737 type, and am only 8 months on property. Is it worth it to leave United?
Do you (or will you) have small children?
11-22-2022, 05:03 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Posts: 392
Pilots are funny. We basically put ourselves in completely avoidable situations that cause us to wonder if flying a 737 for the rest of our career is a good move.
My advice to OP: Move to base. Have a happy life with a variety of flying.
My advice to OP: Move to base. Have a happy life with a variety of flying.
11-22-2022, 05:16 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: 737
Posts: 126
Originally Posted by Brickfire
How old are you?
Do you (or will you) have small children?
Do you (or will you) have small children?
11-22-2022, 05:57 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2018
Posts: 446
Originally Posted by symbian simian;[url=tel:3535692
3535692[/url]]I did the math, and I commute. But it does cost. It’s not the Uber to the hotel, or the hotel. Every time I go to work, it’s about 10 to 15 hours extra compared to living in base, so 3 hours of pay (rigs). At least 150 hours of pay per year, before you take into account premium/day trips you could do easily if you live in base. You do the math. Is it worth moving your family to make $30K more? I would rather live where I want to. But you definitely have to accept the lifestyle. And that is not for everyone.
11-22-2022, 06:19 AM
#20
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,232
Originally Posted by flight81
Im 41. I have small kids already. They are already used to me being gone. I did the commuting to a regional for more than a few years. I’m never moving from where I am. I won’t move to an United base. I don’t really care about what I fly. On paper Alaska is the logical move, I just don’t know what the new Alaska has. And who knows what we’ll get at United.
The usual mantra for people in your shoes is "go to DAL", but I'm sure you know that and have a reason.
It might have been worth commuting, it terms of both QOL and money, to escape from the old AS contract, but that's probably not the case any longer. Especially if you have a long drive just to get to an airport from which you could commute from.
AS is not a top-tier job, but it's a pretty good gig for a home-town airline. Better than most white collar jobs IMO.
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