I've done both commutes for a while and I thought DTW was way easier. The flights are full between both but there are so many more between DTW-MSP. MEM flights start late and end early so it is much harder to get to work or home on the same day. DTW wins on hotels but MEM has Beale St. Good luck.

 

I would agree....DTW much easier. the more 757 and A320/19 flights make it better with the jumpseat options

 

I had good luck using OMA as a bridge airport to MSP as well. My experience domicile in DTW and living in MSP is doable, but its tough. Good luck and fly safe.

 

DTW is easier than MEM and the comment about MEM flight times is dead on. However, the cost of living is lowest in Memphis. Your commute may be worse, but you can live better and closer to the airport in Memphis (Germantown, Southaven, and Olive Branch are good choices). Detroit is cheaper than Minneapolis as well, but you would probably want to live well outside the city near Toledo or Ann Arbor to avoid getting shot. I commuted out of MEM for two months and was hardly ever able to commute and work on the same day (now I'm based in MEM and only commute 8 miles). I typically got bumped off of at least one or two flights per trip for NWA pilots. FedEx is a great way to commute to and from MEM, but make sure you know your commuter policies. If you have some kind of call in honest policy, even though FedEx is a positive space jumpseat, if that flight cancels and you don't have another way to get there, you'll be hit with a "no show". If your policy is similar to ours (Mesaba), you have to be listed on NWA, Pinnacle, Compass, or Mesaba flights in order to call in honest. You can use the crew bus in Memphis to get to FedEx, but the only way at DTW is by taxi, which costs $17 if my memory is correct. I was never able to find a shuttle there.

BTW, if you're considering Memphis for Beale St, just move to New Orleans and frequent the French Quarter and Bourbon Street (commute through Houston or Atlanta from there on NWA). Beale isn't all that great by comparison.

 

I would have to agree with the above post. The cost of living in Memphis is probably some of the lowest in the country right now. I just bought a home there on the edge of the city for 108,000. Not bad for a home that has only been lived in for about 12 months / 2 car garage / all brick/ 3 bed /2 bath. The fireplace had never even been used .

So I don't make the commute from MSP-MEM anymore but I did for about 7 or 8 months until MEM opened in April. I only had to spend the night because of a missed commute out of MSP 1 time though. I think the key is bidding correctly while being smart about utilizing ALL your options on the commute. The fedex flight seems to always have seats and leaves around 2130 if I remember correctly.
As far as FedEx cnx'ing I would say that is always going to be less likely than the pax flights.


To the original poster however, congrats on the new job, god luck on the decision of domicile, and of course welcome on board the wild ride of the 121 coaster

 

Thank you! I am looking forward to it all, wild ride included.

 

This is the way to go right here. The benefit is that Fed-ex will CONFIRM your seat 24 hours in advance. So you KNOW you have a ride a day before hand, leaving plenty of time to find a different path if Fed-Ex is full...but that barely ever happens. Works pretty good. Only downside is you commute at night.

 

Didnt see it said but Fed-Ex does have Limited flight operations on Sunday and Monday.

 

Actually, I think they've got a late morning and late evening each way. Too lazy to check the schedule right now.

 

How likely would it be to get MSP right away? Or how long could I expect to wait. It looks like I may be somewhere between #275 & #290. Where could I expect to live right after training? How senior is MSP?

Thanks again for all the great info guys. :-)