2whites2reds

Hey all,

Going to be interviewing for OO soon. I'm trying to get an understanding of how far away from base I can live by car commute. I would like to end up in California eventually (family and friends, etc.) but due to the high cost of housing living close to the airport would be challenging. But since I'd be going on 4 day trips, I wouldn't mind a longer drive to the airport if it meant lower rent/larger apartment. Realistically, how far of a drive from the airport can you get away with as a skywest pilot?

Thanks for your input!

Utah

I know a lot of people that drive up to two hours.

The other factor is traffic. I've seen a 50 mile drive in southern California take 3:15. And you need to be in the parking lot well before showtime. There were people driving in from Santa Barbara and San Diego for LAX if they couldn't get on a commute.

Mine is currently around 45 minutes and that's acceptable to me to fly locals and split duties. I know others that have less than 20 minutes and only want 2-4 day trips..

There's no limit by work rule, but if you are on reserve you'll need to be able to make the 2 hour call out to be inside security.

TenaciousB

3-4 hours is not uncommon in CA. Keep in mind even the shortest commute by non-revving would typically take at least that long from your house to your base, even if you got on the first flight you tried for.

And plus, driving you won’t have to worry about loads.

11and11

You do realize that as a new pilot/reserve pilot you won’t have the luxury of knowing your schedule, right? You could fly four day trips, but definitely plan on day trips too. You could be easily driving to the airport almost every day. Be safe and live close to your base.

rickair7777

It depends.

If you're planning on being on reserve you need to be two hours away, in traffic. At a larger base (LAX, SFO), you need to be at the parking lot at about the 1:40 mark at the latest, and that's pushing it. You can (used to be able to anyway) check in on your phone. Probably safe to do that on the parking bus but it's risky to do it while still driving, if you get in a wreck or break down they will consider that you lied when you checked in.

Report time is normally one hour before departure (technically inside security, but not really enforced), show at the plane :45 prior. You can get away with :30 prior at the plane. But a reserve can get burned two ways...

1) The flight is already delayed for crew, and is fully loaded with crew and pax minus you and the CA has everything ready. If you're not at the plane at 2:15 after the call, it gets awkward.

2) Your first leg is a deadhead, and they are holding it for your arrival. That will become painful if you are not at the gate 2:15 after the phone call. This is worst case, and if the DHD leaves without you, you're in big trouble.

They are reasonable, if you have unusual traffic/road closures or the car breaks down it's no big deal. But if you make a habit of being painfully late due to normal traffic on your route they won't put up with that.

The smaller (maintenance bases) typically have employee parking lots a short walk from the terminal. At those if you get to the parking lot within two hours, safe to check in as you set your parking brake. Should take less than 15 minutes to get to the plane from your car.

If you're running late, DON'T check in until your car is parked. Again if something happens, that's lying which is really the one way to get fired at SKW (or most other airlines). CS will call you ten minutes after the missed check-in, just fess up and tell them when you'll be there. They typically won't document a late show as long as the plane leaves on time and you have margin of error for that. Again the bogey man in the closet for reserve show times is a deadhead... they might or might not wait for you.

If you're planning on getting off reserve quickly and just sucking it up until you hold a line, then you can drive as far as you want. I did five yours briefly at one point but that was too long and would not have done long term. 2-3 hour drive is pretty reasonable, but driving for hours in bad traffic is fatiguing. Also consider early show and later finishes... can you wake up at 0100 for a 0430 show? Good with starting your drive home at 2355? That depends on your personal tolerance, and also on the type of flying... a long, multi-leg day would suck if you had to get up at 0100 to drive in. When driving home late at night, if you're nodding off STOP, pull over and take a nap, or get a hotel. Had a classmate fall asleep and die on the drive home after a very long day.

herewego

Rickair usually has good advice, but a couple of his statements need correction.
You need to be through security 45 minutes prior to departure and at the plane 35 minutes prior.
Your showtime as a reserve is through KCM/security 2 hours after the call.
Checking in on your phone there will be a statement about " not on a company computer, I certify i am through security ". KCM has a time stamp of when you scan through that I'm pretty sure the company has access to.
His statements about lying and the company reaction are correct . They will tolerate unforeseen problems, but will come down hard on lying, to the point of telling you you're not what the company needs for an employee.

rickair7777

I'm sure this is correct, I think it changed at one point and my memory may be vague on that. At one point different fleets and even certain major partners had different report times.

People do it all the time, and they will never bother to check unless there's a significant delay or cancellation. Be certain of your timeline before you check in. Safest thing of course is to comply with the letter of the law, and just wait for them to call you, there won't be repercussions if the flight goes out on time.

word302

Unfortunately our "attendance policy" is going downhill in a hurry.