CC268

Currently a Part 135 charter pilot and have my technical interview with SkyWest on Friday (was a SkyWest Cadet back in November 2019). Trying to weigh pros and cons of CRJ vs ERJ. Never had to commute, so I am totally new to it. Looks like PHX is very senior, so I'm not sure I should be basing any decisions off of that. BOI is very attractive (the wife and I have talked about moving there), but I'm curious as to what the commute would be like from PHX to BOI in the meantime? Not after the quickest upgrade, etc. Leaning towards ERJ, but quite frankly I don't care all that much (with the exception that BOI is ERJ only). Any feedback would greatly appreciated.

SkychickenFO

I'm guessing you live in PHX now based on your post (correct me if I'm wrong)...BOI is a mx base so expect early start and/or late finishes (not good for commuting). PHX is a moving target in terms of seniority and it has swung from understaffed to overstaffed and back the last few months. I doubt it would take you more than a year to hold it on the CRJ but that's assuming the growth continues down there and AA's plans don't change and the new AA ERJs don't move in and take CRJ flying there (above my pay grade). If you want to live in BOI try for the ERJ, it's not the most commutable base at OO.

Hope that helps a bit

CC268

Great feedback, thanks! Yes I live in PHX now. Born and raised here.

CC268

What would be some of the easier bases to commute to from PHX on the ERJ side of things?

SkychickenFO

DEN and LAX probably..I'm not on the ERJ but pretty sure that's at least somewhat accurate

LAXtoDEN

I believe you have DL, UA, AS, and potentially AA flight benefits out of LAX. Is Denver only UA on the ERJ? If that’s the case he/she would probably be better being based out of LAX.

CC268

Makes sense. CRJ might be the conservative choice for me honestly. At least I could hold PHX at some point and commute to DEN, etc

Y2323

How much time would you expect to get LAX out of training? As of current scenario

amcnd

by fall AA 175’s have a 80% chance of LAX im guessing thats 20 AC or 200 more FO’s needed there

MadDog80

Commuting on paper sounds wonderful. For whatever reason it's even used as a selling point of airline pilot life. "What other job can you live in whatever city you want?" Then... You find out about 6 months down the road just how bad you ****ed up as the excitement of "the jet" and the job start to fade and the reality of spending the better part of a week away from home at a time sets in as you battle for the second and last jumpseat home on an Airbus a day after your trip already ended and you've been trying to get home for the past 15 hours. Regionals are hostile to commuters, it's an on your record occurrence every time you're late to work and people have and will continue to be fired here for it. There's no set number either. Just whenever the company decides you're a reliability problem, you're gone. Trips mostly aren't commutable on both sides. You'll have to be in the top 30% which at the rate things are moving is 2years minimum as an F/O and 8 years as a captain. Commuting WILL crush your soul. Some commutes are easier than others but most of them are hell. We're last priority on everything but our own metal. Don't say I didn't warn you. Choose the CRJ stay in PHX and don't upgrade until you can hold PHX. otherwise... Best of luck and RIP to your QOL.