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

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.

I have always commuted at least 2 legs. Over 5 years now and no regrets. There is no substitute for living where you want. If you have a solid home life then it shouldn't ever be an issue. My wife and I enjoy where this adventure leads us...of course we are never having kids though...ever.

maybe it's just me, but I thought having kids requires some co-habitation - and isn't that the antonym for 2leg commutes for a regional reserve;-D

[QUOTE=MidLife;2295350]maybe it's just me, but I thought having kids requires some co-habitation - and isn't that the antonym for 2leg commutes for a regional reserve;-D[/QUO

Lol its not that bad. I bid trips that start late and end early so I can do same day commutes. Plenty of time for co-habitation 😈

Useful little book for relationships and commuters.

https://www.amazon.com/First-Class-M...ct_top?ie=UTF8

Sven is on his fourth wife - so bit of an expert ;-D




JK