What I'm trying to figure out is if I could commute to LA, then do like a 2, 3, or 4 day trip, and then commute back to Atlanta. It seems like Spirit (despite the lower pay) is a better option for myself...but just thought I'd ask on here in case I was wrong.

It's not lower pay, when you consider the soft time differences. And the cost of a divorce for being gone 20 days per month.

Good luck with that when your line has 12 or 13 days off and isn't commutable.

You have a valid question. Alaska is not a commuter friendly airline. It is also not a good career airline; what once was is no longer as management has dug a little too deep for that extra ounce of gold and instead triggered an ancient land mine. All management are greedy and arrogant but these guys are at the next level or two. I thought I'd never say this but Spirit offers a better career than the eskimo.

You'd probably make more at Spirit and would be a lot happier at home. Our work rules and contract are near the bottom of the industry.

I flew with a 2019 AS hire who commuted from ATL. He left for United in 2021.

There is no point coming to Alaska if you live on the east coast. Voluntarily choosing to come here for a 30+ yr career as a permanent east coast commuter? IHMO, go for the big 3 legacy airlines.

Also, nothing at Spirit is guaranteed. Who knows whether it will be jetBlue or Frontier? No guarantee that ATL survives as a pilot base going forward, depending on the final outcome. Same for the likes of ORD, DFW, even DTW. It all remains to be seen.

If you're an ATL guy, make a hard effort for Delta.

That is a spineless, nauseating attitude. Dear God have some respect for yourself man.

A little perspective for you then. I bid in the top 10 in SFO (as an FO) and am an East Coast commuter. On a "good" month I spend 8 nights in my own bed. I do hold lines with 13-15 days off but it is very common to only have 1 or 2 days off between trip pairings, not enough time to go home. I can upgrade (have been by passing it for quite a while) but that would mean sitting on reserve and getting home 2 or maybe 3 nights a month, no thanks. With nearly 10 years seniority I have my apps out at the big 4 and am starting to think about jumping to another "tier 2" airline just for quality of life.

As for pay, I am on 10 year pay, a good friend of mine is on 6 year pay at Spirit and consistently makes more while flying much less than me.

Good luck and keep banging on Delta's door until they open it for you!

Stay in ATL with either NK or DL. It’s a no-brainer. Both represent more choices. Not commuting is cheaper than alimony.

$$$

do NOT come here you’ll be happier at spirit. Better work rules better flexibility and competent management. All things Alaska does not have commuting is a special type of hell here