Millennial

I can't believe the replies that I'm reading here. Commuting sucks. Anyone who says otherwise has never driven to work. Commuting from one AA hub to another is worse. Doing that across the country multiple times per month to sit SCR would be a level of hell I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. So the big-brain solution is to include a second leg through an outstation? It's great you have a free crashpad in CLT. What happens who you get assigned ORF and are stuck there for 9 months? Do you think doing PHX-MKE-CLT-ORF sounds like a good time? (Feel free to replace MKE with any other outstation)

You need to either move back east or go to Mesa or SkyWest. Since you are happy where you live and have two airlines that have domiciles that are drive-able for your situation, doing this commute because we seem like a cool bunch of people to work with is nuts. Finishing your degree will get rid of the major reason to go somewhere for the flow, and living in domicile will let you pick up flying for extra money, or bid non-commutable lines for more schedule flexibility.

Swakid8

He could always do Fed Ex and UPS PHX-MEM-ORF or PHX-SDF-ORF lol. With that being said, it the commute painful. I agree if you really want to stay in PHX, you should definitely consider Mesa or Skywest. But you can make it work if ya dead set on on us.

Tiger Pilot

Go where you want to go. I’ve been commuting cross country now for a year and a half. It sucks at times sure. But only you can make the choice of which is better for you: living where you want or living in base. Also, don’t move for a regional, unless being a lifer is your goal.

I commute once a week from SMF-DFW (sometimes PHX)-DCA and back. It’s true commuting to reserve is a special kind of hell. But it’s not forever. I’ve been with PSA for 3 years, I’ve been a RD1 CA for the past 6 months. Once my seniority can hold a line in TYS or CLT I’ll likely change. Or if that mythical DFW base opens then life will be great.

You do you man. If the commute is worth trying for you, then go for it.

Duck Sausage

Don’t do it. I’ve done it 4 years and I’ve reached a breaking point multiple times and had people encouraging me to keep going. I’m close to my final breaking point and I’m a senior lineholder left seat.

rdneckpilot

I know people that do it. I don’t know how they manage. To a line it would be better but to reserve I can’t even imagine having to deal with that commute. I live in Charlotte and commute to SCR in Norfolk. I’m home about 7-8 days per month fully off and not worried about work.

I don’t see how it’s possible to not lose more days off having to do multi leg commute from west coast.

ultimately it’s your decision. If you elect to work at PSA and commute from the west coast please don’t complain about your schedule after you get on the line. It’s annoying when people do that ...

prwest

How long before you can hold a reserve line in CLT?

CJPilot1

Hey guys,
Once again, thank you for all the replies! I’ve got some things to think about and consider for sure. Whether it be shoot for Skywest and remain in Phoenix, commute to an outstation, followed by CLT, get ****ed off and then just move back home; or just move back and save myself the pain...

I appreciate all the insight. I’ve gotten replies from several folks who say I’ll be fine as long as I understand, to the guys who say it’s hell and to stay far away from commuting.

I’m one of those guys who loves the job a bit more than I should. With my current job I often do back of the clock flying... long flights, and long days. Not to mention I’m already in Charlotte 3-4 times a month on my own time... combined it makes me think that it wouldn’t be anything a whole lot more than what I’m used to.

Will time prove me wrong? Probably. But I definitely have some things to chew on with all of your inputs.

thanks again!

CJPilot1

from what I understand short call is about 6mos right now, and long call is about 8.

Dixie320

If I were you, I would move to a PSA domicile, make your life easy, then flow to American and move to Phoenix.

ZeroTT

I don’t think either of those is true, and importantly that relationship is impossible.

1) Although in the recent past it has sometimes taken 6-12 months to hold Charlotte as an FO that is not currently true. Very junior people (probably still in ioe) have gotten it on the last two awards

2) There’s a big difference in all bases between the most junior short call and most Junior long call line. No base that takes 6 months to hold would have 8month guys holding long. With cvg closing There are some modest changes to the system for March, hard to know with the actual number will be going forward