Isn't it difficult to commute into/out of the same trips, ie AM or PM so one end not commutable? But at least it's a good commuter clause!

Basically there are two options:

You need 2 flights on any airline that get you there before your show time.

OR

You only need 1 Southwest flight that gets you there 1 hour before your show time.

From my experience, most trips are not commutable on one side of the trip, either the front end for an AM or the back end for a PM.

Most AMer's fly AM's saying the commute is easier. I disagree, I am a PM'er, and I feel the commute is easier.

Regardless, you must respect the commute no matter what airline you fly with and what schedule. For me if I get in at midnight, I will respect the commute by sleeping 6 or 7 hours then commute home. None of this sleep 3 hours then commute home at the first flight out. Makes for a bad commute and bad home life for that night.

You choose where you live and respect the commute.

CMH has several flight to LAS (or commute through MDW to LAS or OAK) a day to make your commute possible to the junior bases until you are senior enough to hold MDW and/or BWI.

Good luck with the interview process.

Here is the Commuter section out of SWAPA's current contract. You will see that 2 flights are required and that they can be SWA flights or off-line. Also it states that if the 2nd flight isn't needed if the 1st flight is SWA and is scheduled to arrive 1 hour prior to report.

P. COMMUTER RULES
The following sets forth the rules concerning a pilot who lives in a city other than his domicile:
1. A pilot who chooses to designate himself as a “commuter” must designate a city as a point of
commuter origination.
2. A pilot must attempt to commute on a minimum of two (2) consecutive scheduled flights on
Southwest or off-line from the designated city. If, because of flight cancellations, delays, lack
of available seating (cabin or jumpseat), or delays beyond the commuter’s control (diversion, etc.), the pilot will be unable to arrive prior to the scheduled report time, the Company will
be notified immediately. Alternatively, the second scheduled flight is not required if the
primary flight on Southwest is scheduled to arrive in domicile at least one (1) hour prior to
check-in.
a. The Company will work with the pilot to get him back on his trip as quickly and
efficiently as possible, or the pilot may be offered another assignment. If the pilot accepts
another assignment, the pay for the newly assigned pairing will serve as the original pay
calculation for any subsequent reassignment.
b. The pilot will not be paid for the scheduled TFP lost or deadhead to rejoin the original
(not newly assigned) pairing.
c. The pilot should be prepared to verify that he was present for the two (2) consecutive
flights.
d. The pilot will not be charged with a no-show, as long as he is in compliance with this
Section.
e. The pilot’s domicile Chief Pilot may be notified.
3. A pilot who can report to a Southwest city within a reasonable time may list that city (other
than domiciles) from which he is willing to fly. As a last resort (i.e. cancellation of a
scheduled flight because insufficient time will not allow the DOT, Reserve/POT/JA system
to cover the pairing from a domicile), a pilot will be called from the designated list and
offered a pairing in seniority order. If the pairing is still uncovered, Scheduling may call a
pilot in the geographical region without regards to seniority. If the pairing is accepted, the
pilot will be compensated for duty actually performed, including all rigs. For example, a pilot
who accepts a pairing from his designated city will be paid from that city and back to that
city.
4. A pilot scheduled to fly a pairing that begins with a deadhead will be allowed to commence
his duty from the airport that starts the flying portion.
a. If the actual flying portion of the pairing begins in the pilot’s designated commuter city,
the pilot must contact the Company prior to the scheduled report time. However, the call
must be made no more than twelve (12) hours prior to check-in.
b. If the actual flying portion of the pairing begins at a station other than the pilot’s
designated commuter city, the pilot must comply with Paragraph 2 of this Sub-Section.
The pilot must check in with the Company not later than the originally scheduled report
time. However, the call must be made no more than twelve (12) hours prior to check-in.
c. Non-commuters are normally required to check-in at the domicile by the scheduled report
time and take the scheduled deadhead(s). If a situation arises where a non-commuter is
not in the domicile and chooses to join the pairing at an outstation, the pilot will be
allowed to check-in with the Company not later than the originally scheduled report time.
However, the call must be made no more than twelve (12) hours prior to check-in.

Where does HOU fall in the SR vs JR base scale.

fbp

Somewhat senior. The last class hired before 2011 was in Sep 2008. So don't use the 2 years to move to the other bases. It will depend on future hiring.

This is where it is for April for FO's:

MCO May 08
DAL Jul 08
HOU Jul 08
BWI Sep 08
MDW Sep 08
OAK New hire
PHX New hire
LAS New hire


Captains are the following seniority:

DAL
HOU
MCO
PHX
LAS
OAK
MDW
BWI

Hows the commute in and out of PDX to a west coast base... OAK, LAS or PHX??

I commute SEA-OAK. The summers can be difficult because of Alaska cruises and summer travel. PDX is a bit less. There is Alaska and Horizon to jumpseat on.

Hows the Crashpad situation in the junior domiciles?

Also, how does the bidding and schedules work? Can anybody post a sample line for junior FO?

Thanks