Others have said it. There is no one right answer for everyone. Having a family or not makes a huge difference. Liking where you live or looking for a change. In my case I'm fortunate to live near two major airports that have lots of airlines to choose from. I'll go to one of those airlines and leave my family where it is. If/when I go to a major airline, we will look at potentially moving the family then, but that is a long way out. For now, we are counting on me being eventually able to hold a base right by our home and not having to deal with a commute.

I think commuting is an additional factor among others that causes the abnormally high divorce rate in this industry. Living in base you still face being gone a lot but commuting increases the time away from family significantly. Although communing at times may be necessary for certain people I think the data would indicate that a long-term commute or for an entire career would not result in good things.

Living in base opens up a whole new world of trips and day off combinations.

I commuted and lived in base with Comair in the early 2000's. After moving to base the only real stress of getting to work disappeared. 1,2,and 3 day trips became an option, no more delays that caused me to miss the last flight home.

IMO if you can eliminate as many stresses as possible this career will be that much better.

I didn't take some great corporate jobs because it would require moving the wife n kids out of warm South Florida. My wife HATES cold weather. I'd rather deal with commuting and dealing with the cold weather vs. moving and making the family's life miserable. So lucky me 121 is heading in the right direction for now, so here I am. Commuting isn't fun but at least the family is happy. That's what matters to me.

6 years doing this and a base closure and reopening I back this. It's 15k a year as an fo of pay If you have a home obligation. Add in variety of trips and driving in for a 5 hour turn at 200% for 10hr pay. Also 11am finish and a turn being done 4pm or saying oh I have to commute I don't want to be done 10pm every single week of your life. Fuk dat.

This is my third year and third base. If I would have moved initially like I thought I was going to, I would have been commuting after 6 months anyways. I've done a 4 hour commute and a 1.5 hour commute. While commuting can be stressful, I'd much rather be able to come home and spend my days off in the mountains than stuck in some major city hating life and everyone else around me. I guess it really depends on if you have roots and enjoy your lifestyle where you're at currently. If you feel your life is easily transportable to a new city, you're probably better off moving to not deal with a commute. Just remember regionals shuffle flying constantly, so sooner or later your base may close.

How's the commute from DFW-PHL? Anyone?
Thanks,

Thank you for this contribution. I would love not to commute, but this rang true to me. Having my family with me in a new city would never feel like home so I would feel perpetually at work. Commuting sounds rough, but I will focus on making it my decompress time so when I get home and I can truly be home and 100% present for the family.

Commuting can be rough, but I would say moving god knows how many times would be a living hell. For example Republic closes bases every other week, regionals shift around, bases downsize. I do the ATL-MSP commute and yes it isn't fun. Probably one of he worst commutes in the country (LGA is up there though). Two legs most of the time actually, but I still would hate to move to MSP for a job I know I will only have for a few years. Home is Atlanta and I know that one day I will be back there. And say I get on with United and decided Denver is where I want to go, heck I'd move there even if I couldn't hold it for a while because I know that eventually I will be able to and that beats the hassle of it all. My .02.

The only guys that I know that commute are single guys with no life or guys with ugly wives. And those that have family that you don't want to uproot, you'll never see them and aren't doing them any favors anyways. And yes if you have an issue with moving your family go to a regional that has a base in a big city not an outstation and then wonder why you have to move your family 8 months later when Dayton closes.