Commuting out of DEN
 

Generally speaking, how difficult is it to commute out of Denver?

Depends on where you're going.

Depends on the time, day, where you are going, what time do you have to be there by, who you fly for and how junior you are. Many variables!

To/Fr EWR...? I've been monitoring loads a bit but I guess I'm just wondering if there are a lot of crew members (jumpseaters in particular) on UAL equipment. Thanks!

Commuting out of DEN
 

Don't commute to Chicago, one of the worst routes in the country DEN-ORD

I don't know about DEN-EWR but generally speaking in the past 6 months that I've commuted to/from DEN it hasn't been too bad. I mainly do DEN-JAX or DEN-MCO. Sometimes I have to go to CLT or ATL to/from DEN and those haven't been too bad either.

DEN-EWR seems rough. Looks like there are only a few direct flights per day. All mainline though.

DEN has the highest load factor in the United system. I commute out of DEN and sit in the jumpseat about 50-60% of the time.

Buddy in my class lived near DEN and the commute to EWR was so bad he moved his family cross country and swapped to CLE.

Commuting is miserable on an easy route with multiple flights a day. Don't give up what little quality of life you have to try and commute on a route with limited options.

I commute out of Denver, its pretty bad anywhere i go. ORD, and IAH are atrocious, with multiple jumpseaters and oversold flights.

Commuting everywhere sucks now. Looking at the list for my flight right now. Oversold. 32 on Standby, 6 pilots. Wtff??? It's like this every time. I don't understand where all these non rev people come from.

Edit. Bonus- now weight restricted. Fantastic. WAJ

We have a lot of guys living in DEN trying to commute to ORD and they have all basically given up. Now they commute to MDW and ride the train for 1.5 hours up to ORD.

Some try a two legger thru Sioux Falls.

DEN-ORD is a hellish commute.

Everything sucks

How is Denver to SFO?

Domicile to domicile is usually a bad commute... This city pair is at least 2 airlines domicile and SFO is used quite a bit as an alternative if one cannot get into OAK..

Did it the other way around from SFO or OAK to DEN for almost a year. Wasn't bad at all. Lots of flights out of both airports but I usually came in the day before and had to ride the jump about half the time. Sucks either way but compared to my previous commute it was great! Just don't forget OAK. It's pretty easy to get from OAK to SFO if you are familiar with BART and have some time. SJC is also an option but Caltrain doesn't run that often.

Thanks for the info. Currently working as a CFI and doesn't seem like any regionals based on the west coast are hiring. I've been eyeing Republic since they have a DEN base.

Everyone started out with zero hours and limited knowledge of the aviation industry, so don't take this personally.

You DEFINITELY need to research this a lot more!!

1) RAH is abysmal to work for;
2) The DEN base is now 3 to 5 airplanes and will probably close;
3) You have zero control over your certificate, base or aircraft.

If you can survive RAH, the odds of you getting DEN are like 1 in 100,000...

Serious question: how likely would it be that you would even hold DEN? I'd be willing to bet not likely at all. DEN is a very popular place to live, hence those airlines with domiciles there tend to go very senior. Sorry to **** on your parade, but it seems likely that despite RAH having a DEN base, you'd be out east with the majority of their pilots.

EDIT - FWIW, even though I never technically "commuted" out of DEN, I did visit often when dating a girl out there while I was based out east. EVERY single time I was in the j/s leaving DEN. Every. Single. Time. It would've taken only one jumpseater with higher priority and I would've been SOL.

Good information, thanks. Starting to look around since I'm just getting to 1,500. Haven't applied anywhere yet.

I commute between DEN and bay area in California. I'm still new on the line, but in the last 6 months its been exactly 3 times I did not make it on the first flight I tried for in either direction (full, United JS'ers bumped me; full, FAA inspector bumped me, and mechanical), in either direction. Summer is coming soon though and weight could be an issue

Frequently in the JS going to or from SFO. Other airports not as bad.

The "Greatest little airline" in DEN is having trouble hiring anyone, FWIW... though it may take some time to hold DEN. I got lucky, somehow.