Commuting
 

How's eveyrones commuting experiences do you think with the new work rules it'll be a non event (sort of) also anyone have an idea on base rumors? Current new hire just started living in new Mexico. I do know new Mexico isn't ever going to be a base but what about PHX, AZ? Or something along the lines in Dallas? Any insight grateful. Excited to be here may just move as well for ease of life

"New Mexico" covers quite a bit of ground. If you are in an Albuquerque suburb the commute to LAS would be a relatively short one although the frequency isn't great. If you are living in Clovis or Carrizoza it'd be fairly ugly. But if you are near an airport with reasonable service (and ABQ and El Paso Tx are the only ones that come to mind) that would at least be possible.

My 2¢, a big part of the remote base thing was an attempt to entice upgrades who weren’t otherwise wiling to commute. Since the new contract allows for forced upgrades I think the company is more likely to focus on beefing back up the coastal hubs that way rather than adding a bunch of inefficient satellites. We do have the Vegas option, though; not sure how convenient that is from NM.

I see so no rumors of new bases. I'm in ABQ so it's not terrible I suppose I'm also on the Airbus so Vegas isn't an option. That's why I'm praying for Phoenix or Dallas those are literally any the same time to commute to. Just trying to gauge the way the company is going since they opened Orlando and I believe Tampa?

we just opened new bases last year (MCO/TPA, and LAS). Phoenix was a base that was evaluated, but I’ve heard we just don’t have the gate space. DFW is American, and too close to Houston, so I don’t see that happening (hey, I could be wrong)

leadership has said no new bases until at least 2025, but maybe not even then.

if you’re desperate for Phoenix or Dallas, look into applying to AA.

Doesn’t matter who you work for commuting is a drain on your time and a stressor. If you can move, I’d move. Living in base you sort of get a seniority bump over people commuting who can’t do certain trips because of it. Your income could be higher too picking stuff up. I commuted for years in my 20s because of cost of living, when I stopped temporarily at first it blew my mind, I picked up a few hours to cover the difference.

This^^^

There is just no incentive for the company to open up more bases now. I'd say PHX and DFW are about as likely as Calgary and Edmonton.
If you think those two are your only options: Good News AA is hiring, and the fact you are already on property at a legacy should make application and interview a Slam Dunk

Don't commute. It sucks ass, and it's probably the worst at United with the seniority-based way we do it.

At AA and DAL you can reserve a jumpseat a week or two ahead of time, which locks in your ability to go to work if a seat is available. At UAL, you can get bumped up to an hour prior to the flight by someone senior. So you could be like me, thinking you're getting on a flight that you're listed on for a week, then senior dude shows up at the last minute, bumps you, and now you're screwed.

Obviously this gets better with seniority but it's not something I recommend signing yourself up for without understanding. Either live in base, or if you don't want to move, go work for AA.

Or you can buy a seat and live stress free with the new commuter policy instead of whining about being junior.

Oh yeah, just buy a ticket for every pairing the next 20-35 years of your life. What a great solution 🙄.

You're not very smart, are you? What I said was 100% factual. It's why I live in base and still work for UAL. Commuting on UAL didn't work for me.

The reality is you're not willing to move, this airline is worse. It has a worse commuter policy. If commuting doesn't bother you, it won't matter either way. If it does bother you, and you want predictability in JS availability, DAL and AA are better due to above stated reasons.