Airline Pilot Central Forums - Do you drive 2+ hours to work? Input needed.

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- - Do you drive 2+ hours to work? Input needed. (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/southwest/134471-do-you-drive-2-hours-work-input-needed.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptYoda (Post 3268668)

There are quite a few folks driving in excess of 2 hrs to get to work because they really like where they live for a variety of reasons. It all depends on how often you are going to do this on a monthly basis. If it's only 2-3 times a month it's probably manageable with proper planning (traffic, weather, time of day, the trip you have to fly on the drive day). Tolls, hotels (if/when needed) are the cost of doing business. It's finding that work/life balance. If you are after the money, then living in base (or really close) is the only way to go. It can be the real "cash cow" and can get addictive once you become a tournament player. I know of someone who is at 250TFP this month (with vacation and all). It isn't me.

Sometimes I work hard, sometimes I don’t, I have had my share of 150+ months though because it is so easy to do living in base. It is a nice option to have when there are some bills to pay. I think living 2+ hours away will make me more of a fly my line type of flyer.

I spent a year on the Delaware beaches so mostly no I-95, but it was 2.5 hours of country roads, Bay Bridge and then traffic starting in Annapolis. I discovered I quickly turned into a fly-the-line kind of guy and PMs worked better because AMs put me in rush hour going both directions (once took me 5.5 hours to get home)! Doing the drive once per week was definitely doable though, and 3 times per month was no sweat.

I drive 1:45 in northern AZ. Your key in the immediate will be reserve callout. I fly my line and PMs only.

I live 40 minutes from Denver and still fly my line. I’m a slacker and have better things to do then SWA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJSAviator76 (Post 3268661)

You'd be surprised at how many guys here commute by their own airplane. I've run into a number of guys who commute to MDW, DAL, HOU, OAK using their own planes. Not sure about BWI, but it doesn't mean there aren't any.

The one FBO at BWI is exceedingly expensive to park at. I would be surprised if there is anyone that flies their own airplane in there on a regular basis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HwkrPlt (Post 3269190)

The one FBO at BWI is exceedingly expensive to park at. I would be surprised if there is anyone that flies their own airplane in there on a regular basis.

Most FBOs are, but deals get made.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJSAviator76 (Post 3269274)

Most FBOs are, but deals get made.

Easier said than done with Signature.

BWI is not GA friendly in my experience. In a previous life, and without buying gas, I never got out of Signature at BWI for less than $1k. And that was in a machine with less than 12k gross weight. Landing fee, handling fee, security fee, parking fee, facility use fee, etc. They claim the MDOT imposes all the charges.

Besides, I don’t think commuting by personal plane is in the cards here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HwkrPlt (Post 3269278)

Easier said than done with Signature.

Their motto: "You can get better service, but you can't pay more!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote76 (Post 3269300)

I second BWI Signature's reputation. I've flown in and out of there a few times and avoid it as beset I can. I have never done it GA with BWI Signature though. There has to be someone at BWI who does it. Maybe they have some inside gouge.

What about Tipton just down the road? It's a 15-20 minute drive to the prison lot and having an airport car shuttling between the two might be an option.