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Advice for a potential PHX commuter

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Advice for a potential PHX commuter

Old 02-05-2020, 09:14 PM
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Default Advice for a potential PHX commuter

Hi folks. Potential new hire here living in PHX. I’m native to the CLT area but moved out here for instructing... fell in love... you know the drill. Every thing you’re not supposed to do.

That being said, I’m partial to the Phoenix area now. Not really liking my options for the PHX based regionals. I see PSA and RAH as the biggest “bang for my buck.” My parents still live in CLT (locals who will never leave), and have graciously offered for me to use my childhood bedroom as a crash pad when needed. I’ve stashed enough away in savings to survive until upgrade (current citation jet flight instructor with loads of student debt). Like I said... everything you’re NOT supposed to do.

That being said, how realistic is commuting from Phoenix? I’ve heard urban legends of several folks who do it from here. However, I haven’t been able to speak to anyone personally. Any help, advice, tips and tricks to commuting would be appreciated. I realize CLT is unrealistic for a new hire out of training. I guess another question would be... how does reserve bidding work? Do you bid short call separate from long call? Trying to figure out how predictable I could make my commute. With the amount of flights back and forth to CLT, I’d almost rather commute to CLT for LCR than two leg it to a more junior base, even if it means I fly more.

Thanks in advance for all the help! I love the culture this pilot group seems to have, and I’m grateful for anything I can get.
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Old 02-06-2020, 02:14 AM
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Originally Posted by CJPilot1 View Post
Hi folks. Potential new hire here living in PHX. I’m native to the CLT area but moved out here for instructing... fell in love... you know the drill. Every thing you’re not supposed to do.

That being said, I’m partial to the Phoenix area now. Not really liking my options for the PHX based regionals. I see PSA and RAH as the biggest “bang for my buck.” My parents still live in CLT (locals who will never leave), and have graciously offered for me to use my childhood bedroom as a crash pad when needed. I’ve stashed enough away in savings to survive until upgrade (current citation jet flight instructor with loads of student debt). Like I said... everything you’re NOT supposed to do.

That being said, how realistic is commuting from Phoenix? I’ve heard urban legends of several folks who do it from here. However, I haven’t been able to speak to anyone personally. Any help, advice, tips and tricks to commuting would be appreciated. I realize CLT is unrealistic for a new hire out of training. I guess another question would be... how does reserve bidding work? Do you bid short call separate from long call? Trying to figure out how predictable I could make my commute. With the amount of flights back and forth to CLT, I’d almost rather commute to CLT for LCR than two leg it to a more junior base, even if it means I fly more.

Thanks in advance for all the help! I love the culture this pilot group seems to have, and I’m grateful for anything I can get.

just sent you a PM with my number.....I’ve done worse commutes.
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Old 02-06-2020, 05:20 AM
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Originally Posted by CJPilot1 View Post
Hi folks. Potential new hire here living in PHX. I’m native to the CLT area but moved out here for instructing... fell in love... you know the drill. Every thing you’re not supposed to do.

That being said, I’m partial to the Phoenix area now. Not really liking my options for the PHX based regionals. I see PSA and RAH as the biggest “bang for my buck.” My parents still live in CLT (locals who will never leave), and have graciously offered for me to use my childhood bedroom as a crash pad when needed. I’ve stashed enough away in savings to survive until upgrade (current citation jet flight instructor with loads of student debt). Like I said... everything you’re NOT supposed to do.

That being said, how realistic is commuting from Phoenix? I’ve heard urban legends of several folks who do it from here. However, I haven’t been able to speak to anyone personally. Any help, advice, tips and tricks to commuting would be appreciated. I realize CLT is unrealistic for a new hire out of training. I guess another question would be... how does reserve bidding work? Do you bid short call separate from long call? Trying to figure out how predictable I could make my commute. With the amount of flights back and forth to CLT, I’d almost rather commute to CLT for LCR than two leg it to a more junior base, even if it means I fly more.

Thanks in advance for all the help! I love the culture this pilot group seems to have, and I’m grateful for anything I can get.
Hub to Hub has some of the worst loads I have ever seen. Can't speak for PHX-CLT but I have (on multiple days) seen DFW-MIA with essentiall hourly flights and the entire day have -40 available seats and 100 non revs listed.

That said

1) crash pad at Mom's place is a HUGE benefit. Free, comfy, private, laundry, etc. That goes a long way
2) hub to hub can offer some really weird commute options other than the obvious CLT-PHX direct (e.g United to Houston then United or AA to PHX. Or AA CLT-OKC-PHX)
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Old 02-06-2020, 06:35 AM
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Originally Posted by ZeroTT View Post
Hub to Hub has some of the worst loads I have ever seen. Can't speak for PHX-CLT but I have (on multiple days) seen DFW-MIA with essentiall hourly flights and the entire day have -40 available seats and 100 non revs listed.

That said

1) crash pad at Mom's place is a HUGE benefit. Free, comfy, private, laundry, etc. That goes a long way
2) hub to hub can offer some really weird commute options other than the obvious CLT-PHX direct (e.g United to Houston then United or AA to PHX. Or AA CLT-OKC-PHX)
i will say, PHX-CLT is tough and tricky commute because the loads change hourly it seems. I’ve make the trek to phx a few times and I’ve always had to add a stop in the middle like CLT-MCO-PHX, PHX-AUS-CLT, or my favorite PHX-IAH-CLT a few times.
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Old 02-06-2020, 06:37 AM
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I dug a little more. AA has reasonable one-stop CLT-PHX options connecting through

DEN
MCI
STL
OKC
SAT
AUS
IAH
PIT
LAS
IND
MSP
OMA
MKE
DTW
MCO/TPA/MIA
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Old 02-06-2020, 07:18 AM
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It looks like this time of year there are 8 direct flights on AA from PHX - CLT. Loads don’t look to crazy for a Friday (2/7). But YMMV during the higher travel seasons.

But as stated above when commuting hub to hub there are usually some viable stops that can be made at connecting “out stations”.

I commute from SMF to DCA. Usually through DFW but sometimes through PHX. I’ve only had to use the commuter clause twice last year (once related to weather and another time due to mainline AA jumpseaters bumping me
off).
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Old 02-06-2020, 06:24 PM
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Wow, thanks for all the replies! Definitely seems do-able.

As for my other question, how does SCR vs LCR work at PSA? I know it’s a 2 vs 12 hour callout, and LCR is utilized more. My question is about the bidding process. I know at some airlines you’re awarded SCR or LCR at what seems like randomness. So at PSA do you bid them separately? What seems to go more senior?
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Old 02-06-2020, 09:23 PM
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Just out of curiosity why is your heart set only on PSA and YX? The commute may be doable but it might be miserable after a while, especially when commuting to reserve. I did it across country for a year and hated it with a passion. Basically say goodbye to time off at home until you hold a line.

Last edited by N1CEandEZ; 02-06-2020 at 09:34 PM.
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Old 02-07-2020, 01:50 AM
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Originally Posted by N1CEandEZ View Post
Just out of curiosity why is your heart set only on PSA and YX? The commute may be doable but it might be miserable after a while, especially when commuting to reserve. I did it across country for a year and hated it with a passion. Basically say goodbye to time off at home until you hold a line.
Among other things, it comes down to money and work rules. I’m also short a college degree at the moment. I’ll have it done within the next year, but I’d like a flow to have in my back pocket just in case. I’m mainly set on PSA for those reasons. Jumpseat priority is another biggie, for PSA anyways. Not to mention the fact that if I really get tired of commuting there’s nothing *major * stopping me from moving back home to Charlotte. I’d just really prefer not to at the moment.
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Old 02-07-2020, 03:48 AM
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[QUOTE=CJPilot1;2972358
As for my other question, how does SCR vs LCR work at PSA? So at PSA do you bid them separately? What seems to go more senior?[/QUOTE]

Lines you bid have LCR or SCR specified. (I've never seen a mixed line. Dunno if that's practice or contractual.) LCR is essentially used to fill up whatever is left in open time a couple days before. 12 hour callout is quite rare. LCR goes senior to SCR and there aren't many of them. I think the contract says one LCR line for every 7 SCR line. With current progression, you might spend a months or two on LCR.
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