Any DFW Commuters?
12-05-2025 | 01:12 PM
#11
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SFO. Have flown with quite a few DFW WB commuters who choose it vice IAH. A couple of reasons for this - mostly flown by AA 321s with two jumpseats and most of the commuters are UAL guys. Because of the time change it’s easy to make a relatively early show time vs. the East Coast. And seniority in SFO is obviously excellent. Of course, one other reason that doesn’t apply here is that the WB flying out of SFO is so productive and IAH is so not that it makes the commute worthwhile. Worth trying out for a bit for future WB consideration before you move.
12-05-2025 | 01:24 PM
#12
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From: NOYB
It’s overblown, and the CP who built that rep is now the DEN CP. Just plan your commute smartly and the odds of being called on the carpet are almost nil. Case in point, today there were three flights to SFO scheduled to arrive before 1000. Problem is they were scheduled to depart within two minutes of each other, so if your primary goes down for MX during boarding there’s no realistic way to catch a backup to make a 1000 showtime. You would need to use the 0928 departure as your backup, which would make you legal for an 1120 showtime (or with an earlier showtime buy a ticket for one of the early flights). Probies who miss multiple commutes or trip assignments are the ones most likely to not get past probation regardless of base.
12-05-2025 | 02:13 PM
#13
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It’s overblown, and the CP who built that rep is now the DEN CP. Just plan your commute smartly and the odds of being called on the carpet are almost nil. Case in point, today there were three flights to SFO scheduled to arrive before 1000. Problem is they were scheduled to depart within two minutes of each other, so if your primary goes down for MX during boarding there’s no realistic way to catch a backup to make a 1000 showtime. You would need to use the 0928 departure as your backup, which would make you legal for an 1120 showtime (or with an earlier showtime buy a ticket for one of the early flights). Probies who miss multiple commutes or trip assignments are the ones most likely to not get past probation regardless of base.
12-05-2025 | 05:24 PM
#15
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Guppy Gear Slinger
Agreed. I commuted to IAH from my home in SFO for 5 months while a probie. Never had an issue, but was very very proactive and bought tickets to work many times. As long as you can drive it, I wouldn't worry about it.
12-05-2025 | 09:57 PM
#16
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Left Side of a Guppy
SFO. Have flown with quite a few DFW WB commuters who choose it vice IAH. A couple of reasons for this - mostly flown by AA 321s with two jumpseats and most of the commuters are UAL guys. Because of the time change it’s easy to make a relatively early show time vs. the East Coast. And seniority in SFO is obviously excellent. Of course, one other reason that doesn’t apply here is that the WB flying out of SFO is so productive and IAH is so not that it makes the commute worthwhile. Worth trying out for a bit for future WB consideration before you move.
12-06-2025 | 05:01 AM
#17
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From: Gear slinger
New hire on the guppy and I’ve got about 8 months in my lease left in DFW, after which, I plan on moving to domicile, but I’m not set on which one that will be.
For my probationary year, I’d like to set myself up for the most success and make the commute as easy as possible. I’ve heard that flights from DFW-IAH are brutally senior and it’ll end up being a drive almost every time.
Outside of driving to IAH, are there any recommendations for which base makes life easiest to commute from DFW?
For my probationary year, I’d like to set myself up for the most success and make the commute as easy as possible. I’ve heard that flights from DFW-IAH are brutally senior and it’ll end up being a drive almost every time.
Outside of driving to IAH, are there any recommendations for which base makes life easiest to commute from DFW?
You’ll be on long call for all but 6 days a month while on reserve until you can hold a line. Hang out within short call distance when required.
I really don’t recommend commuting on probation when you’re within driving distance to a base. Seems like the half the CPOs remind half wingers fairly regularly that the commuter clause of the contract doesn’t apply to them since they’re on probation (SFO, ORD, EWR come to mind). I have a buddy who had 6 backup flights (7 total) was told to plan better and still got a missed trip his first winter.
12-06-2025 | 11:18 AM
#18
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From: Aircraft & Seat: old & hard
Just for reference, the Spirit commuter policy:
O. Commuter Policy
1. A pilot commuting to duty shall plan for a minimum of two separate flights that will arrive at his domicile in advance of his normal report time. If the first flight is oversold, delayed, or canceled, or if the pilot is denied a jumpseat or boarding for any reason, he shall notify Crew Scheduling as soon as practical.
2. Crew Scheduling, at its discretion, shall take one of the following actions:.... longer, but basically: buy ticket/assign later trip/put on reserve/release without pay.
4. A pilot who keeps accurate records of his scheduled commuter flights and otherwise complies with the provisions of
this commuter policy shall not be subject to discipline for missing trip pairings due to denied boarding.
5. A pilot may use the commuter policy as necessary with no limitations.
Obviously almost everything is better at UA. But I think as responsible adults there should be no reason to even worry about the CP as a commuter.
O. Commuter Policy
1. A pilot commuting to duty shall plan for a minimum of two separate flights that will arrive at his domicile in advance of his normal report time. If the first flight is oversold, delayed, or canceled, or if the pilot is denied a jumpseat or boarding for any reason, he shall notify Crew Scheduling as soon as practical.
2. Crew Scheduling, at its discretion, shall take one of the following actions:.... longer, but basically: buy ticket/assign later trip/put on reserve/release without pay.
4. A pilot who keeps accurate records of his scheduled commuter flights and otherwise complies with the provisions of
this commuter policy shall not be subject to discipline for missing trip pairings due to denied boarding.
5. A pilot may use the commuter policy as necessary with no limitations.
Obviously almost everything is better at UA. But I think as responsible adults there should be no reason to even worry about the CP as a commuter.
12-06-2025 | 12:03 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Gear slinger
Just for reference, the Spirit commuter policy:
O. Commuter Policy
1. A pilot commuting to duty shall plan for a minimum of two separate flights that will arrive at his domicile in advance of his normal report time. If the first flight is oversold, delayed, or canceled, or if the pilot is denied a jumpseat or boarding for any reason, he shall notify Crew Scheduling as soon as practical.
2. Crew Scheduling, at its discretion, shall take one of the following actions:.... longer, but basically: buy ticket/assign later trip/put on reserve/release without pay.
4. A pilot who keeps accurate records of his scheduled commuter flights and otherwise complies with the provisions of
this commuter policy shall not be subject to discipline for missing trip pairings due to denied boarding.
5. A pilot may use the commuter policy as necessary with no limitations.
Obviously almost everything is better at UA. But I think as responsible adults there should be no reason to even worry about the CP as a commuter.
O. Commuter Policy
1. A pilot commuting to duty shall plan for a minimum of two separate flights that will arrive at his domicile in advance of his normal report time. If the first flight is oversold, delayed, or canceled, or if the pilot is denied a jumpseat or boarding for any reason, he shall notify Crew Scheduling as soon as practical.
2. Crew Scheduling, at its discretion, shall take one of the following actions:.... longer, but basically: buy ticket/assign later trip/put on reserve/release without pay.
4. A pilot who keeps accurate records of his scheduled commuter flights and otherwise complies with the provisions of
this commuter policy shall not be subject to discipline for missing trip pairings due to denied boarding.
5. A pilot may use the commuter policy as necessary with no limitations.
Obviously almost everything is better at UA. But I think as responsible adults there should be no reason to even worry about the CP as a commuter.
CPOs favorite part(s) of the UPA:
"Nothing in [the disciplinary section] shall be construed as extending the rights of [the disciplinary section] to a Pilot during his probationary period."
And
“Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent the Company from ending a Pilot’s employment during his period of probation regardless of his position on the Seniority List.”
For all intents and purposes, there is no commuter clause for probationary pilots at United.
That being said, it’s not difficult for most people to survive probation at United, and CPOs aren’t actively looking to terminate probationary pilots. However, it is managements opinion that they reserve the right to do so.
Last edited by Otterbox; 12-06-2025 at 12:41 PM.
12-06-2025 | 05:26 PM
#20
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Aircraft & Seat: old & hard
CPOs favorite part(s) of the UPA:
"Nothing in [the disciplinary section] shall be construed as extending the rights of [the disciplinary section] to a Pilot during his probationary period."
And
“Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent the Company from ending a Pilot’s employment during his period of probation regardless of his position on the Seniority List.”
For all intents and purposes, there is no commuter clause for probationary pilots at United.
That being said, it’s not difficult for most people to survive probation at United, and CPOs aren’t actively looking to terminate probationary pilots. However, it is managements opinion that they reserve the right to do so.
"Nothing in [the disciplinary section] shall be construed as extending the rights of [the disciplinary section] to a Pilot during his probationary period."
And
“Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent the Company from ending a Pilot’s employment during his period of probation regardless of his position on the Seniority List.”
For all intents and purposes, there is no commuter clause for probationary pilots at United.
That being said, it’s not difficult for most people to survive probation at United, and CPOs aren’t actively looking to terminate probationary pilots. However, it is managements opinion that they reserve the right to do so.
But "When traveling to their assignment, Pilots are expected to exercise prudent judgment, including awareness of weather and other factors affecting travel, so as to allow adequate time for completion of all required activities associated with the schedule assignment or reserve duty" still sounds like the CP can always use his judgement for a talking to. Missed my commute a few times. Once the plane broke en route and turned back, once the crew timed out during deice, and once I totally screwed up, and would have been okay with a CPO carpet dance. We are always expected exercise judgement, no need to add that. If someone blatantly abuses the privilege that line won't stop them, and it irks me... But maybe it's just me.
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