PIT to EWR Commute Advice
 

Hello, EWR based United guy who drives to work from the Jersey Shore considering move back home to Pitt. I see eight flights per day each way with one mainline flight and the rest on Republic. The loads look tight. Can only commute to EWR, ORD and IAD are not possible.

Currently I am top 1/3 seniority as 320 FO with flexibility in scheduling. Any advice regarding the commute? It looks like it would be difficult when you consider weather and regional airline commuting. And yes, I have only driven to work throughout my relatively short airline career. I do hear it’s more fun commuting. 😂

Why is ORD not possible? I see a good mix of mainline and RJs. Just flew with a guy that commuted to ORD from PIT and he said the EWR commute sucked.

FWIW, I'm pretty sure the top 1/3 in EWR is not the top 1/3 in ORD.

It's schedule vs commute.

Family considerations are the reason. EWR seniority is much better than ORD.

Both my wife and I did it for a year each. Stressful. I was surprised at how many senior folks live around PIT. Had to drive twice. That sucked.

Both made the move to IAD and drove the 3+45. Easier and faster. No weather cancels and on our own schedule.

Appreciate the feedback. You’re confirming some of my PIT commute fears.

I commuted PIT-EWR for four years. I didn’t really think it was that bad. Senior pilots living in PIT doesn’t really mean anything because on the RJ it is first come, first served for the jumpseat. Afternoon thunderstorms in the summer, and winter snow storms require a little planning ahead. But it is totally manageable. If you get to the point where you need to drive from PIT you need to make a decision on whether driving 5.5 hours on both ends and collecting a paycheck is worth more than utilizing the commuter clause and losing the pay. Planning ahead, checking weather, loads, and flight statuses should be enough to prevent a driving situation. I wouldn’t consider PIT-EWR to be any more difficult of a commute than most other cities. However, everybody’s pain tolerance is different.

Offline commute with limited number of flights, former huge USAir base, which probably means other commuters, and no good alternatives for other means of transportation.

It might work most of the time, but be prepared to miss trips after making sure you’ve covered the “due diligence” part of commuting.

Actually sounds rather stressful to me, but if the family needs are greater just do it.

Is CLE 737 an option for you? Even short call should be driveable. As long as the base stays open.

We go to PIT a few times a year to see family. I showed my wife the Mt Lebanon area and she loved it. Add in how affordable PIT is with how great the Mt Lebanon school system is, and we are considering moving to the area. We might end up just relocating to Haddonfield, NJ as a more expensive alternative so I can drive to work.

I love the fact I have a job where this type of thing is even possible.

Thanks again for all the feedback. My wife and I appreciate reading the posts.