What city do you live in? Live in base.

Denver. Do you think there are enough Denver based options that I could avoid commuting?

Yes. You may have to commute initially but there are definitely options. Things are ALWAYS changing.

I got hired at a regional a year and a half ago and I commuted for two months before getting Denver. Several friends got hired at the same airline a few months after me and they got Denver before even finishing training. A few months later, guys aren't getting Denver until a few months out of training. It's always changing and timing is everything but you just gotta go with the flow and make the best of it.

Just so you know. I spent roughly 220 days in a hotel last year. Seems you are really on the fence about being away a lot. and that number is just for work. With commuting. I could add on another 25-30 days to that. So you're looking about 250 days away from home. As a rough estimate. But I would say that's pretty accurate. Also if you live in Denver. Try and get on with Skywest. You might only need to commute for a few monthes maybe before you can get Denver. Then just drive to work.

Everyone's situation will vary. In the last 12 months I've had about 200 working days and spent 156 nights in hotels on trips (including commute related nights).
I don't drop or pickup trips for the most part. Credit low 90s each month.
I feel that although improvements can always be made, I do enjoy my job and believe I have fairly good QOL.

Life is good here at the regionals. With the bar set low in regards to expectations, anything more is gravy.

Denver can be a tough place to live if you're a pilot. There are a bunch of options, but they're pretty senior typically. Skywest would be a good option for you right now, but the landscape is going to change drastically in a few years when you get through training and have the time.

I'm a little younger than you, but took the leap into this as a second career back in 2011. I also live in Denver. Feel free to PM me if you want some more info about the path I took.

I have been with the airlines a long time and the number one rule for me; Don't commute!
Commuted for 6-7 months when I first got hired , then decided to live in base. Best decision I ever made.

Yes...........it is.

Except at envoy, our new hires are making more, but everyone else is stagnant, our bonuses make up for what we lose in credit hrs a month, right now most lines are 75ish hrs. Unfortunately for a family, our insurance went up roughly $1400 this yr, so I guess we are losing money.

Envoy 4 days (that's all we have on the crj), range from 11-18 hrs, a normal trip is
4-5-4-3(legs), or a 4 day where you have a 30hr layover for day 3, then a 5 am report with 5 legs on day 4, and you credit 15-17 for one those doozies.