Charleston, SC Commuting Feasibility
 

APC, finally jumping into the fray. Hoping to connect with the vast amount of knowledge and experience floating around here. Looking to see if there are any Charleston, SC commuters out there, and what their experiences are with the commute to EWR or DC (MCO would be an ~5.5hr drive door to lot). A move into a base unfortunately isn't currently feasible for the wife's career.

TIA!!

I think you’re better off going to DAL (ATL) or AAL (CLT). Unless you have some deep desire to be at UAL those commutes would be easier because those are much easier drives. I see AA has 6 NB jets a day from CHS to CLT. DL has 7 flights a day, 6 NB and 1 757. Those are a lot of good commute options. Standard advice always applies. Don’t commute if you can avoid it, but in your situation make it as easy as possible.

CHS Commute
 

Ill bite...current regional pilot with a United CJO. FWIW I have been commuting from CHS to EWR for over a year now. There are about 4 United folks that I run into from time to time at the airport who commute to EWR from CHS. Only 2x did I not get on my 1st flight choice but have got on the second flight. Only times I havn't got on and used my commuter clause is due to a WX event. There used to be about 5 flights a day (early Summer) but there are currently 4 a day. Also about 4 a day EWR to CHS. The 2 hop CHS DCA EWR is also an option. Think its on American but havnt used that option. All direct flights are spread out thru the day. Just waiting for a United training date now but plan on doing the same commute till I can get enough $$$ to get my house ready to rent out then bid base I want and stay there.

The above probably makes sense if you’re staying in CHS forever. If wife can move eventually it’s a different story.

But if you currently have a united cjo and nothing else, take it

This^^. The question really doesn’t matter if you don’t have any other offers on the table. However, if you do have DL, take that. The challenge at UA isn’t the commute itself, it’s what you are commuting to. If you are a young person that may be assigned a WB FO position out of the gate, it will be challenging commuting from a small airport to global reserve because of the nature of our reserve system that you may have to endure for a long time.

Spouses are like pancakes, first one is a throw away. Be wary of a spouse career backing you into a corner because let’s face it, half of marriages end in divorce. 85% of airline pilot first marriages end in divorce. Civilians typically can move and change jobs with same or higher pay, we are married to our airlines forever. And if you’re the one that makes more money, drive the ship pal.

Typically yes. Common exceptions - doctor/dentist can't move until during training. They'll generally be making WB captain pay before age 40. Lawyer with an established practice will take a big pay hit to move.

DC based and I’m not a commuter but I do vacation down in CHS often enough to have a sense of at least the flight options available. Plus I just flew with a CHS commuter and we discussed the commute. He was using American from DCA to get home.

While CHS-IAD may not have the volume of flights as ATL or CLT, once you factor in flights to DCA/BWI it actually equals or even exceeds those two hubs. Yes you then have to get from one airport to another with BWI being the most restrictive (but it is doable to do it via public transportation the whole way) and yes its relying on other airlines but there are options. And unless one is on the 767/777/787 all three airports are options to begin a trip. So one doesn't always have to commute to/from IAD.

IAD-CHS has also gotten better on aircraft types as well. Used to be nothing but 50 seaters. Now its a mix of mainline (usually Airbus so 2 jumpseats) and 50 or 70 seaters. 3-4 flights a day. Low season sees one airbus and two 50 seaters. Those 50 seaters become 76 seaters during times of greater demand.

I loved the comment. "And if you're the one that makes more money, drive the ship pal." And she said, "And since you're the one that made the most money cough it up in alimony cause you about to join the 85% ers" ;)

Now I know why I'm in the 15% after 30 years here. Neither one of us drives our ship. We simply agree whom to hire to drive it for us while we play and do things.

This is the proper recipe for divorce right here.