Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Airline Pilot Forums > Major
How far would you drive? >

How far would you drive?

Search
Notices
Major Legacy, National, and LCC

How far would you drive?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-30-2023, 10:14 PM
  #21  
Gets Weekends Off
 
madmax757's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: seated - facing forward
Posts: 995
Default

Originally Posted by ugleeual View Post
Stay where you are… look away.
Can we clarify about the driving commute times. Are we talking leaving your house to the parking lot, or including walk / bus from parking lot to KCM / TSA to gate?
madmax757 is offline  
Old 06-30-2023, 10:38 PM
  #22  
Gets Weekend Reserve
 
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,615
Default

4-5 hour drive each way? Naw.... get yourself one of these instead:

RJSAviator76 is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 03:07 AM
  #23  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joachim's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 746
Default

Where in this country is within 5 hours away from a major hub and also 5 hours from any Fedex, UPS, or pax destination?
Joachim is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 03:28 AM
  #24  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Oct 2021
Posts: 678
Default

I've started driving 4-5 hours to my base vs an online commute. Door to door, its about the same amount of time, and my personal stress level is way lower not having to worry about getting a seat. It doesn't hurt that I have a nice comfortable car, and it has an "autopilot" that reduces a lot of workload. I've also broken up the drive with a stop for a meal, or a quick walk around a rest area to get the blood moving again. I'll probably fly from time to time, especially in the winter when loads are lower and there aren't flocks of thunderstorms that shut down the NYC area.
Pilot4000 is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:48 AM
  #25  
Tu-144 VV-A14 KR860 Typed
 
Ice Bear's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2022
Posts: 94
Default

I once met a FA who drove two hours just to start a two-leg commute 😱 She lived in some remote part of Washington state and had been doing it for years. Worst commute I've ever heard of.
Ice Bear is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 12:14 PM
  #26  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 681
Default

Originally Posted by Pilot4000 View Post
I've started driving 4-5 hours to my base vs an online commute. Door to door, its about the same amount of time, and my personal stress level is way lower not having to worry about getting a seat. It doesn't hurt that I have a nice comfortable car, and it has an "autopilot" that reduces a lot of workload. I've also broken up the drive with a stop for a meal, or a quick walk around a rest area to get the blood moving again. I'll probably fly from time to time, especially in the winter when loads are lower and there aren't flocks of thunderstorms that shut down the NYC area.
Honestly, if I had a schedule that allowed doing the drive 2-3x per month, a 4+ hour drive really doesn’t sound as bad as commuting via jumpseats. Sure, seniority and getting decent trips will also help immensely, but I wouldn’t just rule it out as a viable option. But, as others have said, I guess it depends on the person.
turbojet28 is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 12:23 PM
  #27  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Apr 2023
Posts: 208
Default

Have you thought about obtaining a light single to make the commute? There are obviously heavy costs to that, but it would sure make the commute bearable.
Njflyguy is offline  
Old 07-02-2023, 02:13 PM
  #28  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: B737 FO
Posts: 664
Default

Originally Posted by Ice Bear View Post
I once met a FA who drove two hours just to start a two-leg commute 😱 She lived in some remote part of Washington state and had been doing it for years. Worst commute I've ever heard of.
Yikes!

"Once you get used to it, it's really not that bad!"


To the OP: Can you give us some more info? Like roughly what does your Corp gig pay? How much of a $ shortfall do you feel you have? How much time left do you have? Are you willing to do ULCCs? You say your QOL is great, what does that mean to you?

It could be you have unrealistic expectations for the pay/QOL differences between Corp and the airline world.

I have a few acquaintances that fly Corp and what they laud as good QOL sounds horrid to me, while what I consider good QOL sounds equally terrible to them.
BlueSkies is offline  
Old 07-02-2023, 03:41 PM
  #29  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Swakid8's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,427
Default

I currently do a 3.5 to 5 commute by car (traffic depended). My limit is about 4 hours with traffic then it gets real annoying. It’s rough coming back on a Long Haul flight too. It’s has been less stressful then trying to commute by air plus it’s nice having car in base so that I can head to my family’s place in base as well.

The key that makes it better is to stick my work days together and days off together to minimize driving. Last month was brutal being on reserve and not having the coverage really remake my schedule as desired.

But if I had to choose, option 1. I refuse to drive long distances to take a commute flight. You would be in base with option by the time you drive to the commute airport, park, go through security, wait to get cleared for a seat, board, taxi, fly, land, and finally deplane….
Swakid8 is offline  
Old 07-02-2023, 03:45 PM
  #30  
Disinterested Third Party
 
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,026
Default

Fly for an ACMI operator with home basing.

Problem solved.
JohnBurke is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
3niner56M
Major
11
06-19-2023 03:56 AM
79K10
Southwest
77
08-14-2021 04:50 PM
sherpster
United
25
03-23-2017 02:49 AM
Buford
Major
22
10-15-2016 10:19 AM
The Juice
Regional
7
05-02-2008 04:28 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Your Privacy Choices