Sounds unlikely. Why would Delta pilots live in Atlanta?

This is true...

At one point this past summer there was a month where only one line captain in the entire system got a line that did not get adjusted down to 11 days off by the time the finals were out.

With the opening of CLT line credit for some lines has improved from 11 days off @ 75hrs a month slightly (seen 11 days off with mid 80s) but pay is so low that after taxes/deductions the difference in pay is negligible.

If you’re considering PDT be prepared that trips credit a modified minimum day average of 4hrs/day. There are no high credit trips to swap into to make more money like you read folks doing at other companies with schedule flexibility. Plan on 16hrs credit per 4 day, 11 days off and 75hrs credit total per month and you won’t be disappointed.

For select people who live in base, or were hired in 2015/16 and will be on property the advertised 5 years to flow, PDT is/was a decent choice. Flow at Piedmont did not increase this past year the way it did at Envoy and PSA is approximately 10 years for new hires... aka so long It’s recommended as a non factor in consideration.

For commuters, life at PDT is rough.

Coming from the military PDT will be a QOL improvement however:

Don’t come to PDT expecting a quick flow
Don’t come to PDT expecting any flexibility in lines/credit.
Don’t come to PDT expecting massive growth.
Don’t come to PDT expecting an aircraft that isn’t the erj145.
Don’t come to PDT expecting a pay increase just around the corner.

As long as expectations are mangaged and one can drive to work a person will have an easier time at PDT. I would not recommend PDT for commuters when so many other options out there offer schedule flexibility.

Can you expand on this? Talking about junior manning or having to call in for release? Is it still not better to have a 2 hr drive vs. hoping for a commutable trip with a flight home same day?

It looks like the Republic bases that are a one-leg commute are DCA and EWR — but with just a couple of flights a day from SAV which limits my options. The PSA SAP would be great for scheduling but that takes awhile to kick in, and might not even be around by the time I’d be eligible for it?

Republic looks good and they’re one leg commutes, but with just a couple of flights a day each — how decent is Republic’s scheduling that it would be reasonably commutable on either or both ends without having to burn days off just getting to the base?

Yes and Republic has good work rules—but would you take with the one leg commute over driving to CAE or ATL or CAE?

I appreciate all the insight and know these x vs y comparisons are annoying and impossible to answer fully, but the reality is that with no 121 experience and no obvious options (if I lived in a larger city and was a 20 minute drive from a base that wasn’t going anywhere), I need the perspectives to make an educated decision. Thanks.

What are these other airlines that have 16 days off? I really don’t even care about the additional credit, and would definitely commute if it was feasible to do so and have that amount of time at home.

I’m pretty sure besides Piedmont, at most airlines you’ll be able to get 16-18 days off once you’re off reserve. There may only be 1-2 others that you’ll be stuck with 11-12 days off.

It’s not everything, but why wouldn’t you care about the extra credit if you’re getting the same days off? If all else is equal why not go to the place that gets you 2k-3k more a month.

At Republic I’ve averaged 16 days off since I’ve held a line. Had as many as 19 days off, and as little as 14 (14 was my own fault, picked up a red flag trip for the $$$$ and burned a couple off days). I don’t typically pick stuff up though.

The higher your daily credit is, the more days off you can achieve. So you might not get the cushy 2 leg days with 18hr overnights, but I did 16-18 days off all last year and averaged 70hr block with 90+hr of credit. If you want those lower credit, easier days... there are plenty of those to be had.

If you are commuting to a hub base (DCA, LGA, EWR, etc...) it’s easier to same-day commute before and after trips. Outstation base trips are rarely commutable on both ends.


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16 days off commuting on one or both ends can easily shave 3-6 days off a month.

When you drive to work you can wake up in your own bed the first day of a trip and get lay down in your own bed on the last day of the trip and not worry about Wx/mx cancellations or getting bumped from a Jumpseat or having too low priority non rev to get a seat delaying when you can get home from work.