What's your source on that one? We're supposed to be next in line for UA flying but seems like XJT would be getting any IAH 175 flying.

MSP or ORD?
 

Forgive me if this subject has already been tackled a few times, but could someone give me some insight on what's a better choice for quick upgrades and QOL- MSP or ORD? Would most likely live in base, but commuting could also be an option.

Any of the east coast bases are going to be similar when it comes to upgrade times.
DTW-ORD-MSP-ATL and even DFW will be the most junior, there has not been much movement into ATL in a very long time.

ORD is the biggest domicile, with travel benefits on DL, UA and AA (As well as DFW).
Any of the other ones will only be UA and DL.
Im in ORD and i fly mostly on AA 700.
QOL is going to be different from person to person.
Depending on where you live you might not be able to get to a certain domicile in time for a show time. Or get home after a trip. And now you just lost two days off. Best is to live in base.

When i started at OO, i was based in DTW and living just outside West Palm beach i hated my commute. I could fly over to Europe faster and easier than getting home to Florida.

Then you need to look at what you want to achieve, fly a lot/little. Upgrade fast or enjoy days off.
Do you have family commitments (wife/husband/kids), perhaps you are a single parent in need to do locals or standups. Then ORD is a horrible base as that goes really senior.

What are locals and standups?

Thanks! As of now, it seems more beneficial get as much flying done as possible to get to the upgrade and eventually minimums for advancement. However, I would still like to have time at home for a family so I definitely see the point for getting a good schedule and living in base. Any thoughts on commuting while on reserve? I know it has the reputation of being one of the seven deadly sins, but is a 1 leg commute to somewhere like ORD as difficult as some make it out to be?

At OO we have trips that are:
1. 4 days long (My favorite...)
2. 3 days long
3. 2 days long
4. 1 day long (aka local)
5. Standups, these trips are the last flight out at night and the first one back in the morning. Usually they pay really well, but they in-fridge on your sleeping pattern. Usually you will do 3-5 in a row and by the end you turn pumpkin...

If you are a single parent you could do locals, drop kid of at school and then fly for 4-6 hours and pick the kid up, as long as you have a plan if you get stuck...
And standups, you will go to work around 8pm and be back home around 7am

I commute for reserve, i am one of few who prefer to be reserve over a line holder. Since, i believe at my seniority i can get a more flexible schedule as a reservist.
Yesterday, was my last day of my reserve bucket and i didn't feel like working, so i put myself on "Call first - No" and went to the movies...
And will get paid for it since i already broke guarantee...

That sounds cold.

Damn autocorrect...

I definitely wouldn’t count on dropping your kid off, flying for 6 hours and picking him up. Even if you are very senior the timing would be almost impossible. But, locals bring you back to base the same day, so you are at least sleeping in your own bed. They typically go very senior though.