Regional Reserve and Commuting
 

I know everyone says commuting totally sucks, but if I took a regional job I'd probably have to do so for a few months till we're able to move. I don't really know anything about how it works and was hoping someone could just give me a basic overview of the process.

In particular, I'd like to know what it entails when you're on reserve - I assume you'd have to go sit at your base since you're on a short call out. Is that where crash pads come into the picture? How in the world does an impoverished new-hire FO pay for it? Maybe what little understanding I have about it is all messed up. I hear RJ dudes talking about this stuff all the time but I haven't quite cracked the code yet. Sure would appreciate it if someone would clue me in. :) Thanks.

SpatialD-

I'll start with the basics. When you commute, you ride space available. You may or may not be eligible to ride in the cockpit, depending on the agreements (CASS) your airline has with other airlines. Let's assume that the airline you work for is not part of the CASS system. This means you need a seat in the cabin. You will need to get listed on a particular flight ahead of time, and when you check in at the gate, you will be in line with bumped passengers, flight attendants, rampers, gate agents, management, other pilots, and pretty much anyone else who gets a paycheck from an airline. Sometimes you get on the first flight you try, other times you spend all day trying. Today when I checked in for my commuting flight home, I was number 41 on the standby list. Needless to say, I didn't get on that one. It largely depends on where you are commuting from and where you are going, and the frequency of flights between the two cities. Now repeat this cycle at least twice every time you want to go home.

The crash pad comes in when you finally get to your base. Because you never know what flight you will get on, you will often have to commute to your base the day before you work. You usually get what you pay for in a crash pad. If you want your own bed, you pay more. If you want your own room, you pay alot more. Most have a couple of beds per room, sometimes even a couple of bunk beds. Some have "hot beds", where you find an open bed and that's where you sleep. And don't forget, you will probably need a commuter car to get to the crash pad.

When you are on reserve, you usually have to be able to get to work in an hour or hour and a half (depending on the company) when scheduling calls. The regular reserve at the company I work for starts at 0800 and goes until 2200, but I have also heard of 24 hour reserve where you are on call for up to 6 days in a row (no time for beer). Some companies also utilize a "hot" or "ready" reserve, where you need to be at the airport all day in your uniform ready to go at the drop of a hat when scheduling calls.

Sound like fun yet? Hopefully this doesn't deter you from making a career move, but you should know what you're getting into. I think I could finally get a consensus on APC if I stated unequivocally that commuting sucks. On a junior schedule at a regional, you'll be lucky to get a string of more than a couple of days off in a row, so it gets tough. In my opinion, it's still better to live where you want to play, and not necessarily where you work. A lot of people make it work, but you have to decide if it will work for you.

Hope this helps, but don't lose sight of the big picture. GET THE JOB FIRST, then worry about the details. You will have to learn to be very flexible and resourceful at times in this industry.

Thanks. So to be very crystal clear, commuting without a crashpad - especially on reserve - just doesn't seem possible, would you agree? Don't see how I (or anyone) could make mortgage payments, plus crashpad rent and other bills on first year FO pay.

I hear ya about getting the job first - I'm just trying to figure out whether I should even bother with trying to get a regional gig, or take some other route with my career altogether. I appreciate your help.

You will pretty much need a crashpad, at least while you are on reserve. I know guys that have slept in the crew room at the airport, and showered at the airport gym, and done that for 2-3 months while they were on reserve to avoid paying for a crash pad, but I think that's absurd. Spring for the $150 or so a month and get a $500 car. If you aren't willing to do that much, you probably should think about an airline with a junior base in a town you want to live in, or a different profession.

Thanks. I guess $150/mo. might be doable. I was thinking it would cost a bit more. This has been helpful - now if I could just decide what to do! Like you said, I should probably just get hired first and then figure it all out :)

How would one go about getting a "crash pad". Do you share an apt with other pilots or how does this work for the short money you are talking about?

Hey,

Any guys/gals looking for a crash pad, check this out...it might help a little.

D

http://www.crewcommute.com/