Hello, I have a few questions regarding crash pads...


1.) how widely available are crash pads?
2.) is it usually a mix of pilots from all the airlines in one crash pad, or does it vary?
3.) let's say you pay for your own bed...do a lot of crash pads limit how many nights you stay there?
4) instead of paying rent, do some single guys (and gals) live in a crash pad full time? Paying $200 a month for rent isn't a bad deal.

Thanks

 

1. Depends on the base
2. Depends on the owner
3. Depends on the owner
4. Depends on the owner

But seriously, I run a pad in Chicago. Each has their own bed, and I don't count how many nights people stay there, but it's specifically stated that they can't live there full time. I've had united/aa/mesa/xjt people there in the past, Idc who they work for.

 

Most crash pads will have a limit on the number of nights per month. Over the limit, and you pay more.

 

Have never heard of that. There is such a thing as 'over staying' but there are no hard limits. Just one of those things that someone in the pad will probably say something about if it happens. I know I was in a pad (own beds in shared rooms) where one guy was going through a particularly bad divorce and he was there on a lot of his days off. Didn't blame the guy for not wanting to go home and everyone just kind of left it alone. Only lasted for a couple of months. Then we had another guy who treated it like a hotel room, bringing girls over to stay the night and what have you. Funny the first time it happens. A pain in the ass when you plan to get up at 0430. Definitely awkward for everyone involved. After a few of those, there was a talking to. These things tend to self-police.

All that said, your mileage will vary depending on the setup, owner,
roommates,etc.

Edit: I have heard of some pads charging reserves more vs. lineholders since you'd conceivably be around more when on call and not used.

 

I've been in 6 different crashpads in 6 different domiciles, not a single one had this policy.

In 2 of them, there was a situation that freezingflyboy describes, a guy needed a place to stay for a few months. In both cases, the owner just charged him a little more as well as had him take on some collateral duties. Like cleaning up, taking out the trash, etc.

 

On the flip side, if you want to spend a little more, you may run into someone who lives in base and is willing to rent you a private room in his house. Or, maybe go in on a 3 bedroom apartment with two other pilots.

Depends on what your appetite for BS is vs. your wallet.