Not trying to be too much of a Debbie Downer, I think that would be a cool option only for mainline pilots, not regional pilots. Why add such a cushy perk to what should be a temporary job? The more that can be done to finish off the regionals, the better. Yes, I'm a commuter and regularly enjoy the pure hell that it is.

Or, the airlines could create a system that would allow us to actually reserve the jumpseat, similar to FedEx. First come, first serve. When you get your line awarded for the next month, you just have to go and reserve the jumpseat for your flights to and from home for the whole next month.

There could be a stipulation or two to prevent abuse. For example, be required to register a home airport, and only have the ability to reserve the jumpseat between your home airport and wherever you're based.

Something like that. Just throwing ideas around.

This is why we have 117 rest. To stop fatigued pilots flying like the colgan
crash. When both pilots sign the release they are saying they are rested and fit for flight. They cannot and will not DH you on a flight that violates FARs. Pilots have been fighting for better rest for years, trying to get away from reduced rest.

The solution is to pay people enough to live in base and provide an unlimited commuter policy. That would mean 6 figure pay for first year pilots in NYC, LAX, and SFO bases so pilots can actually move their families to those bases. For those that still can't move, the high pay rate should mean that even if you miss a bunch of trips due to the commuter policy, you will still make a living wage.

Lastly, openly admitting that you routinely arrange your commute such that you get between 0 and 4 hours of sleep before a full duty day is pretty dang stupid.[/QUOTE]

I respect your other points, but I wouldn't call it stupid. It's the reality of it and I stand by it. It gives me the most time at home and allows me to truly enjoy what I do. There are several folks out there that always ride all night long for those morning shows.

If companies want to continue staffing regional flying, they will have to think outside the box. If they are going to drag their heels on pay, schedules/days off, etc...this is one area they need to attempt a look at. What regionals have offered over the past few years is unprecedented, now they need to offer more than ever.

Umm, what? You frequently and willingly get less then 4 hours of sleep? And are happy to do it? :eek: Great attitude you've got there...It worries me that with that judgment you are a Captain of a transport category aircraft.

I love what I do plain and simple. So I get a little less sleep once a week or so...not like I don't have that 18 hour overnight coming at me in TRI or ELM to rest up. If I told you how often I slept in my prior career you would really worry then. It is all relative...

I don't think there is any way around part 117 if the company moves you from home, even just to "commute". It's a dirty secret in our industry that was briefly pierced on the Colgan crash. Pilots commute across the country then start a full duty day.

If the company did move you, you would lose days off. How do you get around that? Although any deadhead after your shift is counted as duty and not flight duty, the same cannot be said with the beginning of your duty period.

It seems far easier and cheaper to purchase commuter hotels. Alternately, you could see more outstation basing such as at airlines like Allegiant.

Great, fatigue, possibly related to commuting, is part of an NTSB major accident report. And we have here another regional pilot admitting he does exactly what the accident crew did--show up fatigued after an all night flight into the domicile. We await the headlines.

Take some responsibility for showing up rested and fit for duty, Lving4spd. Hopefully, your next admission isn't related to your avatar.

GF

I do accept full responsibility for my actions, and thank you for your concern? My obligation lies with my pasengers and crew alone, and I don't report to fly if I don't feel fit to do so. When and if I am fatigued I will declare myself as such. Thankfully, that is solely my own personal call to make. Are we clear?