Commuting for a regional
 

A lot of people say don't do it... but with the way things are now with the potential for advancement why not do it?

I always thought it was don't move for a regional. Confusing.. Moving sounds more permanent of a decision one shouldn't make for a regional.. Yo no sé...

Lots of regional pilots commute, and lots do not commute. It is a personal choice. I would strongly recommend living in base, but if you are going to commute, avoid two leg commutes. If you live in a city that is a destination for your regional, even better because you can bid overnights at home. Also, if your regional serves the city or town that you live in, that can be an advantage because many (but not all) regionals allow jumpseat priority for pilots of their own company.

We moved to a base when I worked for regional. That lasted 2 years, and I wanted to moved back to where we are from and commute. It's nice not having to commute but after a trip I went home, it still didn't feel like I was "home" if that makes sense. Commuting sucks but it's a price to pay to live where I really wanted.

Do not commute for a regional
 

The regionals don’t pay enough to make the suffering worth while. I did a two leg commute to reserve and IT SUCKED!!!!
The way to survive the regional life is to have a quality of life and that only happens if you live in base, this is especially true as a first and second year FO. When the whipsaw starts at the regional you belong to the QOL life gets difficult so being in base makes it survivable.

I do a one leg commute. Everyone says to avoid a commut, but I really can't complain one bit about it (and that's considering the Mouse lives here). Housing is way more affordable where I livein Florida, and I could never see myself making a big move for a Regional. In my case, I live an hour from a major airport (MCO). And while there aren't a ton of direct flights (4) to my base in IAD, I do have the option to fly to DCA and take the subway. YMMV

When I commuted for Comair to JFK or DTW, it was a 1-legger from MCO. Lots of fairly full flights, so it had the potential of going bad often. Got fairly lucky most of the time. I was senior enough to bid schedules that allowed same-day commuting on both ends...that was the key!! Once on a while, I'd have to go up the night before & fight for a lounger or spot on a couch. That sucked!
I'm REALLY enjoying my :15 positive space commute to my current gig!!

Ultimately it is going to come down to your situation, I moved for my first regional that I was a single guy, no wife no kids. If it's your dream to move somewhere where you want to be based go ahead ultimately it is your life. Is much nicer to live in base then to commute. Just make sure that if your family they are OK with it.

I'm not moving my family for a regional that could close a base at the drop of a hat. I knew going into this career that I was going to commute, and it's been fine for the most part. It sucks, sure, but it is what you make of it.

^this^ BTDT