Commute to a line or sit RSV
02-17-2009, 05:44 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Jan 2008
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Commute to a line or sit RSV
Recently I've been considering a base transfer but want to ask the advice of some of you who may have also been in this situation. I drive about 1 hour 40 mins one way to my base every week for work. I've been on reserve for quite a while, and while I can sit reserve at home, being on call constantly with min days off is starting to get really old really fast. I can hold a line in any of our bases other than the one I'm at. I'm considering commuting for the purpose of holding a line.
I would be commuting to the New York area, but it’s only a 1 hour 20 min flight and there are approx. 13 flights a day. I would be holding 16 days off a month with a line if I did this, as opposed to 11 days off a month sitting reserve. While I know you can't put a price on driving to work, never knowing what they are going to do with me and sitting at home wondering when I'll get "the call" is getting really old. I only get used a few days a week which is nice, but only making min guarantee with minimal per diem is also a hindrance. So what do you guys think? Which is better, commuting to a line or sitting at home on reserve?
I would be commuting to the New York area, but it’s only a 1 hour 20 min flight and there are approx. 13 flights a day. I would be holding 16 days off a month with a line if I did this, as opposed to 11 days off a month sitting reserve. While I know you can't put a price on driving to work, never knowing what they are going to do with me and sitting at home wondering when I'll get "the call" is getting really old. I only get used a few days a week which is nice, but only making min guarantee with minimal per diem is also a hindrance. So what do you guys think? Which is better, commuting to a line or sitting at home on reserve?
02-17-2009, 05:51 AM
#2
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Joined APC: Jul 2006
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Everything else aside, I think the change of pace would be refreshing.
As far as commuting goes, its not for everyone. I personally don't mind it, but others cannot tolerate it. So, I guess what I am getting at is you will have to see for yourself.
As far as commuting goes, its not for everyone. I personally don't mind it, but others cannot tolerate it. So, I guess what I am getting at is you will have to see for yourself.
02-17-2009, 05:54 AM
#3
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Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: UH-60, AS-350, C-550
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I would watch it for a couple months before switching. Sounds like a good sked in NY, but make sure you could hold it consistently. Even a short commute takes a huge amount of time and frustration. Personally, I would stay on reserve, but the money can be an important issue. Each person's situation is different. I commuted the whole time I flew 121 (family reasons), and sweated out each trip - riding my own company with 2-4 JS's per aircraft. I had a two leg trip, though. Not sure where you're living, but how about driving into NY? At least it makes a good back up.
Good luck.
Good luck.
02-17-2009, 05:55 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Port of Indecision and Southwest of Disorder
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Originally Posted by JetBlast77
Recently I've been considering a base transfer but want to ask the advice of some of you who may have also been in this situation. I drive about 1 hour 40 mins one way to my base every week for work. I've been on reserve for quite a while, and while I can sit reserve at home, being on call constantly with min days off is starting to get really old really fast. I can hold a line in any of our bases other than the one I'm at. I'm considering commuting for the purpose of holding a line.
I would be commuting to the New York area, but it’s only a 1 hour 20 min flight and there are approx. 13 flights a day. I would be holding 16 days off a month with a line if I did this, as opposed to 11 days off a month sitting reserve. While I know you can't put a price on driving to work, never knowing what they are going to do with me and sitting at home wondering when I'll get "the call" is getting really old. I only get used a few days a week which is nice, but only making min guarantee with minimal per diem is also a hindrance. So what do you guys think? Which is better, commuting to a line or sitting at home on reserve?
I would be commuting to the New York area, but it’s only a 1 hour 20 min flight and there are approx. 13 flights a day. I would be holding 16 days off a month with a line if I did this, as opposed to 11 days off a month sitting reserve. While I know you can't put a price on driving to work, never knowing what they are going to do with me and sitting at home wondering when I'll get "the call" is getting really old. I only get used a few days a week which is nice, but only making min guarantee with minimal per diem is also a hindrance. So what do you guys think? Which is better, commuting to a line or sitting at home on reserve?
I commuted to DTW from MSP for about a year and a half, it wasn't too bad because there are so many flights. There will be those days when it's tough to get anywhere, but having a line and not being on call was worth it to me. Piece of mind brotha, good luck!
02-17-2009, 06:18 AM
#5
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Regular lines can go away
Originally Posted by JetBlast77
I can hold a line in any of our bases other than the one I'm at. I'm considering commuting for the purpose of holding a line.
02-17-2009, 06:37 AM
#6
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Originally Posted by tomgoodman
One note of caution: Commuting to a position near the bottom of the regular lineholders can be risky. A slight reduction in the schedule (or a few senior guys bidding in on top of you) can suddenly have you commuting to reserve. It might be a long time before you can bid out of that bad spot.
02-17-2009, 06:47 AM
#7
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Position: Lav
Posts: 992
Are you stuck where you live? Move to a base and that will solve all your problems. Made my life 10,0000 times better. Nothing like waking up an hour before show time and having nothing but a short drive home after a long a$$ 4 day!
02-17-2009, 07:31 AM
#8
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I commute to New York for reserve. I also have about an hour long flight and they have plenty all day long.
It really depends on where you sit on the reserve list. In what order you'll be called, if you can proffer and whether or not you would have to sit ready reserve at the airport.
Often times I find myself having to commute in the night before reserve starts. That adds just one more night away from home. Also with only 11 days off I have been stuck because of weather or because a trip ends late and I miss a day off and sometimes I only get two days off at a time.
Depending on whether or not money is an issue, a line would definitely get you more each pay check.
I would not recommend commuting on reserve but I'm a little biased because I don't want to do it any more haha.
It really depends on where you sit on the reserve list. In what order you'll be called, if you can proffer and whether or not you would have to sit ready reserve at the airport.
Often times I find myself having to commute in the night before reserve starts. That adds just one more night away from home. Also with only 11 days off I have been stuck because of weather or because a trip ends late and I miss a day off and sometimes I only get two days off at a time.
Depending on whether or not money is an issue, a line would definitely get you more each pay check.
I would not recommend commuting on reserve but I'm a little biased because I don't want to do it any more haha.
02-17-2009, 07:37 AM
#9
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Posts: 661
I appreciate all the comments. The issue is, the base I'm at is so senior, going to another base would put me at least 40 deep into the line holders. So the possibility of being bumped to reserve should I leave my home base is very slim.
02-17-2009, 07:39 AM
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: GALX
Posts: 66
I just had to make that decision myself. I chose RSV at home. About a year ago it wasn't such a big decision since there was a vacancy notice every few weeks. Now they are few and far between so you really have to think about the worst case. A line is cool but no matter what there will be about 200 bucks for a craspad in lga or nights sleeping in the crew room IF you can get a spot before everyone else. There is more $$ with a line but drivng home after a long day of wx and delays has some value to it.
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