Taking this out on or denying a UAL pilot is just silly. This came from the bean counters not the pilots... As flightcrew we have to look out for each other because god knows management isn't.

 

Dear United Mainline,

Please quit checking commuting crewmembers' bags to baggage claim. That's really not cool.

 

I understand your point. But in the first 5 years I was at the regional, I went through 5 base closures, as well as a CA displacement, followed by a furlough. That would entail a move EVERY year that first 5 years on average. The longest I was in a base was 2 years, the shortest was 2 months in one, then 4 months in another. I made OK money as an RJ FO, enough to buy a home. So although I can't stand commuting, trying to actually progress somewhat in life, own a home, maybe have a family, it's just easier to stay in place. Or rather, it's just LESS of a pain in the a$$.

 

How dare you use your actual life experience to contradict someone else's vague generalization of a regional pilot.

 

************************************

 

True. I guess I could add that when starting over after the furlough would have entailed the SIXTH move to what was at the time the crappiest/least desirable base. But only for 5-6 months. Then I could hold the base that had a better (less crappy) commute. That would have made the SEVENTH move before even hitting 6 years is this career.

West Coast opening would have made EIGHT, when it closed about a year and a half after, going through base closure number SIX would have made the NINTH move. That would have been at the 8 year point.

"Commuting is a choice", B.S., often it's a choice made for you.

 

Really!!? Ok, hope you have a "commuter policy", for the commute going the other way = HOME. Instead of acting like an out of touch, my sh1t dont stink a$$ clown, try to show some understanding for your fellow constituents. They didnt "sign up" for this bullish/t, it was forced on them. Until your attitude changes toward the unfortunate misfortune of other pilots (especially the already beat down regional pilot) --- here's to many more years of denied drop trips

 

We used to request the jumpseat ticket at American since they charge there folks a segment fee too....but last year the blocked the jumpseat in sabre to not unlock until all seats in the back were full or a supervisor/load agent had to assign it now.

 

Let's look at some bases available to regional pilots: IAD, JFK, LGA, DCA, EWR, and BOS. None are places I would want to live on a junior CA salary let alone an FO's pay.

I chose my employer because I could live in base, in a nice location, and survive on $21k (in 2007). Since then, my base has closed. I could move to another base, or I could commute. Let's do the math...

Commute: $2-3k/year for a crashpad + a few hundred for antacid tablets for jumpseating, live in a city that was virtually uneffected by the recession, where I am happy

Moving: Maybe break even on the move (as this is a forced move), live a cold place where I have lived before and hated, and pay 7% in state income tax.

The income tax will more than cover the cost of a crashpad, so financially, it is a wash. I'll lose a couple days per month to traveling, but I won't need an engine heater in my car nine months of the year.

 

Lighten up Francis.