Hey all,

I've got an interview scheduled about a month out and I'm scrambling to get a good idea of what QOL would be like for someone commuting from EUG to any of the domiciles. I'd love to hear from anyone who's actively doing this or has in the past.

With a little seniority is commuting same day realistic at all? Or are most trips starting at 0530?

How hard is it to get Portland as a base? Seems like Seattle isn't hard to hold? I’d think you could just drive to PDX and fly to SEA, or probably drive all the way the SEA if you had a line? How long do you think the drive to SEA would take with normal traffic? You might spend 2hrs sitting in PDX, waiting for flow into SEA...

StarChecker:

Eugene is quite do-able, we have numerous pilots and flight attendants commuting out of there. The best option is to drive. Your best bet for a base would be Portland or Medford. You could easily get either as a new-hire.

I expect you'd have to do a few months of reserve, so plan on having a crash pad until you can hold a regular line (or long-call reserve). Long-call would be a great deal for a junior guy that commutes, as you get 12 hours to report for duty. Portland traffic is a pain in the backside, so early morning OR early afternoon shows would be preferable.

The drive to PDX is 2 hours without traffic and about 5 1/2 to SEA in ideal conditions.

I've heard that SEA is fairly easy to get. From what I could tell searching online it appears there is an early AM flight(pre 0600 departure time) to PDX and SEA out of EUG and another flight that leaves a bit later around 0730 or so for SEA. I was told you have to list on two flights.

I'm wondering if there are a reasonable number of trips that start late enough to make commuting from EUG somewhat comfortable. I would just move if I could but I've got roots set too deep in EUG with kids etc.

Ok, that does make sense. I imagine there may even be some EUG overnights as a possibility now and then? Perhaps EUG wouldn't be too bad. Obviously living in base is preferred but you have to do what you have to do.

Thanks for the suggestion Dash

I have several friends that make the drive to PDX, it is much preferred over trying to make the short flight. several ppl i know spent one or two months in Medford before getting PDX. Long call would be ideal. Cant say how common a true 2 hr call out is but it would only be make-able during mid morning to mid afternoon, and then in the evening after say 630. I had a buddy who would drive to Albany and spend half a day there with buddies. Maybe find a friend or family member in Salem or Portland to hang with for a few days while on reserve. Or chance it from home.

Thanks for the info on the drive times. It would be good to know how long you’d be on reserve too. Sounds like Horizon is a bit longer than others. I’m betting you’ll need a crash pad and drive to keep your sanity while on reserve.

More good suggestions. I do have some family and friends up there. I'm already feeling more at ease about the idea.

If I remember correctly the Q is the only type in PDX but that's actually what I want to fly anyway. I've been flying corporate jets for a long time and I'm looking for a change and challenge. Well, the change was forced upon me with a layoff but change is good sometimes.

There are lots of Eugene overnights. I checked the schedule for September, and 60 of the 273 trips have at least one Eugene layover.

That right there is gold. Thanks for looking that up, truly appreciated. An overnight now and then at home is worth a lot.