I got the call from the SWA Feb DB on 2/21 and am looking forward to my new career with an outstanding company. I have some questions about commuting for those experienced airline guys. This is all new to me coming off active duty Air Force, so here it goes.
I am living in Knoxville (TYS), so my choices are to drive to Nashville (BNA) or commute directly out of TYS. If I drive to BNA, it is about a 2 ½ hour drive, but I would commute on SWA which has direct flights to MDW (8 daily), BWI (8 daily), or MCO (4 daily). The other choice is to commute from TYS to ORD (9 daily direct) and take a train down to MDW, TYS to BWI (numerous connecting flights through CVG, CLT, or ATL), or TYS to MCO (2 direct flights) but it is on a commuter so the seats are probably full, especially in the summer.
What would be the domicile you would choose and would you make the drive to BNA or commute via aircraft from TYS (which is only 10 minutes from the house). I would like to hear from anyone with experience commuting, especially those that may live in Knoxville and work for SWA. I appreciate all your help and look forward to my new career with all you guys!!!

 

First off congrats

Second, I don't work for SWA but have done the commute thing for 15 of my 21 years in this business.

Generally speaking, I would attempt to bid the base with the most # of SWA nonstops from TYS (since you live close. Sounds like MDW has the most.
You do not want to rely on "Offline Jumpseats" (Non SWA) to get to work.
Offline Jumpseats are great for back ups but you are lower in the priority.
With SWA you have the ability to Jumpseat or pass ride.

More nonstops gives you more opportunities (more back ups to get to/from work) I have also done the 3 hour drive and then Jumpseat thing...........it will make for long days and nights, so I would commute out of TYS vice BNA.

Good Luck

 

RedEye, thanks for your response. However, the problem is SWA doesn't fly to TYS. If I want to fly on SWA, I have to go to BNA, which is a 2 1/2 hour drive. If I want to commute out of TYS, a 10 minute drive, then I have to commute "offline". So I guess the jist of my question is do I drive 2 1/2 hours to commute on my airline and get lots of direct flights, or do I commute offline and deal with that and connecting flights, but only a 10 minute drive?
Thanks again for the help!

 

Check out: www.passrider.com for flight options.

 

Good info on that website! Thanks for the link. Do either one of you, or anyone else know what you would do in my situation? Commute offline and only have a 10 min drive to airport or drive 2 1/2 hours to an airport that your airline services and have direct flights. According to the website Slice sent, it looks like trip times from TYS to BWI and MCO are about 3-4 hours (on an offline commute). If I drove 2 1/2 and then flew direct to BWI or MCO on my airline, it would be about 4-5 hours after all is said and done (on my airline though). What would y'all do in this situation?

 

Call in sick.

 

Does anyone know why Southwest isnt showing on site?

 

I think because they don't use SABRE or something close to it.

 

You might scope out which flights would be most appropriate for you to commute on and then call the carrier, tell them you're a SWA pilot and could they please give you some historicals on those flights as to load factors, etc. That might give you an idea if it's a viable option to always be relying on an off-line jumpseat.

 

Congrats Cody on your new gig!

Pure speculation but I read on another thread somewhere that BNA could be in the running to be a new domicile in the future. Keep your fingers crossed!

Are you a Volunteer? I graduated there in '93. My parents still live in the area (Wears Valley), but I'm living in Delaware now. You trying to get on with the 134th?