Moving to unassigned base CLT before starting
 

Hello,

Question regarding the viability of moving to a base that I don’t expect to hold.

Right now I live in SE Florida, with family and many considerations tying me to life down here. I understand the brutality of commuting and the importance of planning for the longer term. Of all the regionals, the only place I would consider moving to is NC for the Charlotte base (the biggest factor in choosing PSA for me). I know FOs are almost all getting Dayton off the bat. I/we would never consider moving there or to most other bases and would rather figure out commuting (especially with job opportunities for my SO). Are there any benefits moving to CLT even with a probable Dayton assignment? Are there priority and availability options that make commuting from a domicile to another domicile easier than pure non-rev commuting from my current home in FL? How long are FOs expecting to wait before they can get CLT assignments?

PSA is a top contender for me but I guess never making it back to CLT would be a deal breaker. Any advice and guidance is much appreciated.

Move to CLT and have easyish, one leg often on your own metal, commutes to the outstation bases while you wait for the seniority to hold CLT, which shouldn’t be too long in the grand scheme of things.

All of our bases are 1 leg commutes and you most likely will hold CLT within the first 4 months on the line. You will be on reserve significantly longer in CLT. I know a lot of people who do exactly this in CLT.

to expand on previous replies -

• If you stay in SE FL then it will be a two leg commute to a place like DAY and most likely not on your own metal - which means you will not have a high priority in the listing
• commuting to an outstation like DAY from CLT will most likely be own your own metal(PSA) which means you will have the highest priority (based on check in time) over any other pilots including mainline

So, depending on what kind of schedule you can bid and hold and even SAP(trade) into it might even be better to hold a commutable line in an outstation vs sitting reserve in base - that all depends on you personally.

How much do you enjoy where you live? How much would you enjoy Charlotte? I was in the same situation. Moved my family from out west to Charlotte during indoc. I often think it may have been easier to stay where I was and two leg commute because we were close to family and really liked where we lived. Charlotte hasn't been my favorite place to live for several reasons, but that's all personal opinion. Also, I'm at 13 months on property and still won't have round 1 in CLT. Looking like 15+ right now.

Point is, if you have a family, take into account how much you would like living in Charlotte versus where you are now. I make the best of it, but I would face been just as happy to stay where I was and two leg commute to a line.

Do it.
Easy commute clt to anywhere

Except orf in the summer. Flights always full, 3-4 of your fellow pilots listed for the jump. Commuting to DAY for a line would probably be easier and similar time to a line.

Yikes man! sorry to hear that... My understanding is PSA is overstaffed now and reserves are taking way too long?

This answers all my questions. And to the rest of the commenters - thanks a bunch! I really appreciate the input.

NEVER move for an airline....

Or take financial advice from an airline pilot....

IMHO......

What about PIT? Heard that’s always been tough when you factor in people from US Airways who stayed. Eight or nine flights a day, mostly mainline with a couple PSA birds. Thanks

Easy to commute to any PSA base was what I meant. ("Well not ORF" is a fair point, though)

I would take this guys advice and don't take advice from him. Moving to base is the easiest way to increase QOL bigly

I have always commuted, I, as well as others don't mind it, we have our system down. Like anything you do the more you do it the better you get at it. Commuting to an outstation from CLT should not be an issue, commuting to a hub is a different story. DCA and PHL you will probably be on full main line flights. Of course there is always IAD and Scranton. I used to do 2 leg commutes to DAY, I really liked the crews and the flying there. Consider, when you upgrade you may be on reserve for a very long time in CLT, and that may mean lots or ready reserve. Not a big deal if you live a half hour away or less, but it could become old driving in to sit hot if your commute is an HR or more. I would write off other bases CVG and TYS both have great cost of living and are good places to live.