SetMCT

I wouldn’t consider commuting to reserve. Not at PSA.

MtnFlying

https://www.crewmatescrashpads.com/

https://blockedinncrashpads.com/

No affiliation with any, but have seen these posted in various threads on APC...

ZeroTT

First thing I would say is the length of the flight really isn't an issue. the issue is a flight that is timed so your arrival is reasonable and compliant.


"Commute to reserve" can mean a lot of things.


On one end, you have the idea of "if they call me with a flight, I will go to my local airport and fly to my base". That is impossible for the bulk of PSA reserve (2 hour callout) and challenging in most situations for long call (12 hours) which is a very small number of lines.


The next would be trying to commute on the day of your reserve. NY-DC with frequent service might be workable. You need two flights that get you to base in time.


The final definition, what most people use, is you commute the day before, sleep in your crash pad, and wake up in base. People do that all the time and it sucks. The problem isn't the length of the commute, the problem is "I have 0500 reserve on Thursday and there latest flight I can take is noon, so I'm gonna leave my house for the airport at 10:30 am to be ready for work 19 hours later. And then when my reserve day is over I'm going to go sleep at my crash pad. And then I could get up at 0400 to get the first flight out or if I want to sleep to a decent hour, I'll be on the 11am flight home.


LGA-DCA might be doable.

KelvinHelmholtz

Why don’t you go to Endeavor or Republic and be NY based?

airlinenewhire

Thanks for this information! I assume when you are hired, you only fly on AA flights as a benefit, not united or delta or etc. flights? in that case, seems like there are lots of AA flights from LGA-DCA starting 7am and ending 5pm everyday, mostly every 1 hr. DCA-LGA flights continue until 10pm the latest. All I'd have to do is get dressed and walk 5 min and im at the terminal. So I dont think it would be a problem.

Honestly, looking at the Republic APC page, nothing sticks out to me that makes me want to work there. Endeavor could've been an option had they had a flow to delta. Supposedly they have it now, just not signed. But too little, too late. I'm not chasing a flow, but I appreciate that its there for "insurance" since a legacy is my goal. Also 4 years to upgrade to captain according to their website, long class dates, etc. I think I will be happy at PSA to be honest. Like others said, it might be tough in the beginning, but I can pull through.

moonraker9

Do yourself a huge and best favor and go to an airline that is based where you live, especially if you're right there in NYC. Thank me later.

Commuting can be stressful and is like a separate job, checking loads, spending time away from home on your days off when your trip ends late or starts early. It's not worth it especially if you live in a major base like NYC.

ZeroTT

You will quickly be able to ride free on any airline, but there is a complex pecking order for how seats are allocated. Your best options will be on PSA > AA flights (mainline and other regionals) > all others

Approach1260

This is the right answer.

I really can't emphasize how much worse it is to have to commute instead of living in base, especially if you're looking at a place like PSA where the reserve rules are generally considered the worst in the industry.

daOldMan

If you think PSA's are the worst in the industry, then don't go to AA! Much worse.

Approach1260

Worst rules for the pay I should clarify. The more you pay me, the more headache I'll put up with.