It’s helpful information either way, but from conversations with AA pilots in passing who are BOS based, most want to be there and plan to be there until retirement. Not saying it won’t speed up but they said to expect long upgrade times as a result (longer than 5 years for sure)

 

The key to sitting LCL out of base is to 'APU' (aggressively pick up) open trips that start late the next day. You can do this starting at 0945 base time the day prior. Assuming that there's an open trip that matches your "silo" (the number of days you have left on reserve), or is 1 less than your silo, if nobody senior to you wants the trip, then you can snag it at 0945 the day prior.

I used to sit LCL reserve at my home (SFO) while I was based in IAH, and that's what I did. I'd look for trips that started as late as possible on the following day. That would give me *plenty* of notice. I didn't do this if the Houston weather was acting the fool, because even with 8 nonstops a day, one lousy Houston summertime storm system could bring everything to a grinding halt. But BOS to EWR is a much shorter commute, obviously, and you could also go into JFK or LGA and just deal with the Uber cost, if there was no other option.

Keep in mind that in some bases, LCL goes senior (I'm not sure about EWR...it definitely goes senior in my current base of SFO). And also keep in mind that upgrade is nowhere near as short as it was for a very few, very lucky people hired in late '23 -- early '24. We have literally thousands of senior FOs who delayed upgrade while the new contract was put in place...then the music stopped in summer 2024 and they haven't been able to upgrade. That said, EWR 737 is (I think) our second most junior BES (SFO 737 being the most junior), so your seniority progression will be pretty darn good.

 

APU seems like the way to do it. I’ve heard of similar strategies. Just curious though, would the commuter clause cover me for commuting into LGA or JFK? The NK commuter clause specifically says “base” which excludes JFK (since NK is combining EWR and LGA).

 

Yeah idk, I’ve always been a pure numbers guy. I doubt anyone you asked made an effort to do some research before giving an honest answer. I’m showing 50/122 BOS CA’s retiring in 5y (40%)—91/122 retiring in 10y (75%). The upgrade times should theoretically be less than 5 years if hired today.

Jr. upgrade times at AA should remain around 2.5y for at least a few more years due to mandatory retirements and A/C orders. BOS is a senior base—a 5y NB upgrade time is very senior at AA. Every other base—including PHX Airbus—has current upgrade times under 4 years.

 

You’re probably right… most people seem to generalize and not have the full data during small talk at the gate. But that’s helpful… 5 years is faster than expected

 

Yes, you can commute to satellite airports. You obviously have to figure the time in to show.

Of course, no one is ever going to ask unless you miss a trip which for the vast majority is very rare. You can also buy tickets here (positive space counts too) and only have 1 flight.

 

Why is a career of commuting (UA) more palatable than waiting 10 years for BOS 330 (DL) or 10-15 yr upgrade at AA (during which you could be a BOS FO)? Only one of those options has no light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Because we have vastly better snack boxes here at UAL, of course...

J/K, I think the OP is just looking at options. If he wants the fastest upgrade, UA will likely be the best option. Would I sign up for a lifetime of commuting for a faster upgrade? Definitely not. But everyone has different priorities...

 

I am gathering information at the moment. But yes the reality is I want to live in a base at some point and not commute for the next 30 years. Progression will happen just depends at what pace and how far up you get. I wouldn’t take United just for quick upgrade but it’s nice to know it’s an option.

 

You'll only have to commute until the JetBlue merger