Motorcycle commute
 

I've been considering commuting to work on my motorcycle for a while now, but I haven't delved into the practical aspects of it. Interestingly, I don't believe I've ever come across a motorcycle in the parking lots.

If you have experience with this, particularly around the NYC airports, would you be willing to share? Your insights would be much appreciated.

Flew with a guy in LAX who did it. He would strap his luggage works to the back of the bike. Hardest part he said was the leather, the rain, and the heat.

I probably wouldn't do any sort of long commute in a big metro area... if you already ride you know that kind of traffic is very fatiguing.

And if you do it long enough you're likely to get hit in rush hour traffic. Really not worth the career risk, or even six months on STD.

Anymore I only ride when and where it's fun and safe. And dry.

Did he carry his helmet and other safety gear on the trip with him?


Understood, Dad...

I'm aware of the details involved in riding a motorcycle, so thank you for that. My inquiry is specifically about the practical aspects of incorporating it into the life of an airline pilot, from those who’ve done it.

Can’t speak for NYC but the ORD employee lot for my airline has quite a few motorcycles and specific parking for them. Like others have said I think the biggest impediment besides the usual risk is storing all your protective gear and getting your luggage there. I’m not sure I’d leave expensive gear even in the crew room and bringing it on a trip is going to be massively inconvenient.

In a past life I knew a guy who rode his motorcycle to EWR and parked it somewhere by the bike racks at Terminal C. Worked out great for him, but he only bid one or two-day trips so he basically just had a backpack with him.

In theory you might be able to come up with a decent mounting system for a framed bag and something meant for a top box. That to me seems the trickiest part. Saddlebags for a flight kit? :D

where does your helmet and riding gear go once you get to the airport? what if it is raining? does your suitcase get wet? 5-day trip? etc

If you have never come across a motorcycle in the parking lots, maybe that is a "clue"

Imo at least at my airline and my base it’s theoretically possible it’s just a huge pain in the ass. You can keep a crappy spare bag in the crew room racks to toss your gear into so it doesn’t get stolen, keep a poncho and some covers with you for your bag, etc etc, it’s just at some point you’re spending kind of an insane amount of effort just to be able to commute via motorcycle.

I flew with a guy that would carry a small / soft bag on the Motorcycle. He would leave the overnight bag in the crew room and swap out the items that needed from home. Once he got to the airpot, he would change and leave his gear in the crew room.