IAD/DCA base
 

Hey guys and gals, I'm really excited to start class in August! My wife and I are really interested in moving to Virginia for the D.C. base, however, I don't know anyone based there that can give any insight. So I am hoping some of you could help to give a general overall feel for the base and surrounding area.

Some questions at the top of my head I can think of: Do most of the trips originate in IAD? How is the trip mix in the different aircraft categories, are you happy with the pairings?

As for living in Virginia, I'm willing to drive up to an hour and want to be more in the country in a smaller community as opposed to the city. Any recommendations on areas good for families? (i.e. Good community, schools, healthcare, family activities?)

Thank you for your time and help!

I am not based in DCA/IAD/BWI, but you will have to support all three airports. Most of the flying is out of IAD, but if you get the Guppy, you could be flying out of DCA or BWI.

Welcome to UAL!

Getting DC based as a New Hire is extremely unlikely as we haven’t had any unfilled openings here recently. So plan on commuting initially till you can get a lateral.

All the narrowbody aircraft cover IAD/DCA/BWI with the majority of the flying done out of IAD (since that’s the hub) with DCA usually next and then BWI on order of amount of flying on the 737/320.

For example in August on the Airbus the Trip start breakdown is 175 IAD, 54 DCA, and 39 BWI. It fluctuates month to month but IAD is always to majority of flying.

Within a hour from IAD gets you a lot of options in Virginia, and northern Maryland. I’m a city guy so will let others recommend specific towns but some popular places seem to be Herndon, Leesburg, Warrenton, and Winchester in Virginia. Frederick and the I-270 corridor in Maryland are also options.

Good luck and again welcome to United.

Welcome to the jungle!

Reston, Brambleton, and or Manassas. But you'll be hating life, if you have to cover for DCA or BWI during rush hour. My personal opinion is living a long the metro line within the beltway.

Derek,

We just went through the process of filtering the NOVA (Northern VA) options. What we did was layout a priority list (schools, houses, commute - wife works). Ended up staying put but the list helped us zero in schools, then communities. Food for thought.

Cheers,
Biff

If you want some really crappy public schools with way over priced real estate, take a look at Annapolis.

Many guys live west of Dulles and are happy with the commute.

PG, you need to move out of Nap town.

Metro out to IAD will be open in the next year... so that will make the commute out to DCA for NB flights much more agreeable... I’d recommend looking from IAD To the West... cheaper further you go.

Come down towards Richmond, certain areas have good schools and cost of living is much, much lower. Drive time is 1:45 to IAD best case, 2:30 is usually the max except weekends during the summer. I’ve only seen over 3 hours once, the night before thanksgiving with a wintry mix occurring.

You can get a nice, big house under $400K. My house is smaller but I think it’s nice, about $250K.

My wife wants me to move, as well. You’re not the only Psycho around here.

That's some really good enough, thanks for all the input! As far as quality of trips is concerned, are they decent out of the D.C. bases?

I wouldn't choose where to live based upon the quality of the trips. That can change at a moment's notice. Think quality of life.

Good variety of aircraft and trips to choose from... we like it here in NOVA.

I’ve been based in DCA for 3 years. Good trips on the 737 with most of the flying out of Dulles. I fly with lots of guys who live west of Dulles in Warrenton, Culpeper, Front Royal, and Winchester. Those are all pretty rural but have all the “big box” stores nearby for convenience. Front Royal and Winchester are in the shannodoah valley and the area is quite pretty.

We've had it as well, love downtown but the county is falling apart. Central MD is perfect for BWI, DCA, and IAD. See Caroll County or Frederick County

Well looks like I have a good start for homework. Thank you once again everyone for the input I was looking for!

I know it is always changing, but what is the fleet size difference between the 737 and the Airbus in IAD/DCa/BWI?

Living in Delaware works great for me. Cheap...good schools...low taxes. Best gun laws in area.

C17D

Hey! There's at least ONE pretty good public school in Annapolis! ;)

Meh, arguable.

Canoe U!................

That big dish has fried too many brain cells and impaired your judgment.....

Hey all,

I have a CJO at United and hoping to start in the fall sometime. My family and I are looking to move to northern VA and hoping to get some advice on potential areas to put down some roots. We have young children so schools are a top priority. Any information on good family friendly neighborhoods in the area would be great.

Thanks!

The Bus used to be a good size (180+ per seat) but then the Guppy came and took a lot of the flying so the Bus currently is around 90 Captains. The Guppy is around 230 Captains. (Numbers off of memory so not exact).

But sizes can come and go based on the latest needs of network planning.

Congrats on your CJO! Check out the Willowsford community 20 minutes west of Dulles. It is a beautiful community, great pools, fitness center, farm stand, easy commute, great schools, lots of activities. lots of young families

Look Ashburn VA and west towards Winchester VA. Also look SW of IAD to Culpepper VA.

I have lived in the city of Fairfax for 11 years. Great city, great schools and halfway between IAD and DCA. Can be a bit pricey but we think it’s worth it. Just my two cents. Good luck, I hope to be in your shoes next June.

Just don't buy a new car

Uh, why..?

FxCo takes a scalpel to your rectum in as they reach deep inside for your tax hit. A large scalpel.

Born and raised there. Left LONG ago. N VA Still has a lot to offer but at a significant price.

Thanks for the replies. It seems that Northern Virginia has gotten even more expensive since the Amazon HQ2 announcement. Good advice on the tax burden also. We'll check out the areas and make a decision soon.

Also, how soon can a new hire bid out of of SFO and get IAD?

For a frame of reference, I’m an April hire on the 737. I live in the DC area, based in SFO. I’m not here yet. Hopefully, there’s some movement on the next vacancy bid. Guys who started last December were getting it in indoc. Timing is everything.


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We’re up in Gettysburg PA. Lots of bang for the buck. Schools ok if you’re kids are in AP classes. 1.5 hours to IAD and BWI. A bit longer to DCA during rush hour.

Personal prop tax in VA is steep

True... but you get what you pay for. Loudoun County (NoVA) has some of the best schools in the country and is a really nice place to live.

Any recommendations on where to rent for a few years? Plan to finish on a NB, so option to bid all 3 airports is appealing. Kids are grown/out of house and will be buying the retirement house elsewhere.

DC proper would be nice

Pentagon Row. Great location. Great restaurants and bars. Metro is right there. Easy access to all 3 airports. Easy access to DC. That’s where I’d live if you know it’s only for a few years.