Commutable Regional From South Florida
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Position: A320
Posts: 170
I live in Orlando and surprised that it has always been easier and less stressful to commute farther like lax or SFO (yet longer) because of less commuters, so wasn't fighting anyone. Plus those cities out west have red eye flights home so I didn't have to get a hotel and could finish trips later. Now the downside is trying to sleep on the last leg home and being dead tired once u land. But then again it was so much less stressful than the commute to IAH/ORD/MSP or DEN. It's all depends on what you are willing to put your body through by commuting and what base would give you the best QOL. Sometimes trips are better or worse in different bases or whatever your pref. the commute and the stress of getting to/from can add so much stress always trying to fight to be ahead of others on the list. Anything out of Florida is a tough commute, you just have to have better backups when things go bad and be able to roll with the punches.
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2011
Position: Left seat
Posts: 273
I commuted out of MCO for two years to Newark, and never had a problem. Between United, then Continental, and Jetblue they had a flight every hour. Every once in a while i had to fly into LGA or JFK and take train over. Don't get me wrong, it still sucked. In the end i got fed up and went to fly with a home based company where they pay for my ticket now.
#25
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 58
Also wondering what you meant by trading for Miami trips at your job with Republic; would this mean that although you're DCA based you get to start from MIA?
How long do you think a new-hire at Republic would have to wait for a Miami base?
#26
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2015
Posts: 29
The evening flights are wide open on airways for me so i always get a seat. If I'm commuting same day I've had to ride in the jumpseat a couple times and haven't been bumped yet. We bid with FLICA and it has a trade board where people can trade or drop trips. You gotta keep an eye on it and you can do some work out of different bases of you want. New hires won't get Miami. Vacancies have been shut down for 3 consecutive months there otherwise I'd be in.
#27
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 58
I commuted out of MCO for two years to Newark, and never had a problem. Between United, then Continental, and Jetblue they had a flight every hour. Every once in a while i had to fly into LGA or JFK and take train over. Don't get me wrong, it still sucked. In the end i got fed up and went to fly with a home based company where they pay for my ticket now.
#28
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 58
I am a commuter, but not by choice. If I get lucky, I can commute non-stop, but that's getting harder every month. I think you're doing the right thing by looking carefully at the bases before making up your mind, although Snuff has a good point about moving for a regional base.
Another thing to consider- if your significant other isn't a crew member, good luck explaining why you have to leave home at noon today, when your trip doesn't start until noon tomorrow.
Another thing to consider- if your significant other isn't a crew member, good luck explaining why you have to leave home at noon today, when your trip doesn't start until noon tomorrow.
It was good to get her on the same page, thanks again.
#29
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 58
I attached a calendar for you to visualize how bad commuting could be for you. This is worst case scenario, but one you don't have control over, just have to get senior.
Keep in mind boarding priority for the different companies. If you go to PDT you could bump the number one captain who fly's the 777 out of DFW and made captain before you were born. Its first come first serve. Some carriers use seniority, and their family may be able to use it also to bump you.
Second, some commuter policy's state you need TWO flights with seats available.
As you can see only 4 days you can wake up and go to sleep in your bed. The rest of the month has to be somewhere else. Either a hotel on a trip, in a crash pad, a hotel at your cost, or on a cargo plane.
Lastly how long can you continue this? Some carriers have guys on reserve for several years.
Keep in mind boarding priority for the different companies. If you go to PDT you could bump the number one captain who fly's the 777 out of DFW and made captain before you were born. Its first come first serve. Some carriers use seniority, and their family may be able to use it also to bump you.
Second, some commuter policy's state you need TWO flights with seats available.
As you can see only 4 days you can wake up and go to sleep in your bed. The rest of the month has to be somewhere else. Either a hotel on a trip, in a crash pad, a hotel at your cost, or on a cargo plane.
Lastly how long can you continue this? Some carriers have guys on reserve for several years.
I guess the reserve issue is another item that needs attention in deciding what companies to target.
I will say this, it's pretty amazing to be able to have all these choices and have every regional out there with jobs available. Reserve, commuting, away from home, to some degree are just part of the industry that I have chosen to be involved in. But, important differences are there nonetheless.
Thanks again.
#30
You're doing the right thing by looking into the commuting lifestyle earlier, rather than later. I'd rather be on reserve in base with 12 days off, than commute to a line with 18 days off. Commuting has the single biggest effect on your QOL.
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