New Hires commuting from the West

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04-20-2014, 02:57 PM

#11

Viperstick

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Aug 2013

Posts: 280

Quote:

Originally Posted by F15andMD11

I'll take all the LGAs I can get! I already have a cp near LGA. I'll be trying to stiff arm EWR whenever possible. But at the rate the pool is draining, that won't happen until next winter.

I'll trade you all my LGA assignments for your EWRs.

04-20-2014, 05:21 PM

#12

pilotgolfer

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Joined APC: May 2007

Position: A320 Captain

Posts: 1,982

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viperstick

Signed up for the K&S 737 type rating the day after SWA opened their window last fall. Got the call for a UAL interview three days later. Turned off the type rating & have no regrets.

Don't stop pursuing it just because you have a job. I don't say that because it sucks here or that I see doom and gloom ahead...there is just nothing that makes this a better job than living in base.

04-20-2014, 08:04 PM

#13

Norske

On Reserve

Joined APC: Mar 2012

Posts: 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82spukram

One bid the 320. You have a greater chance of holding Iah/320/FO with in 12 months. Plus if Iah 76t opens you can bid it. You however cannot bid "down" in pay bands. Second look into ups and fedex. I use them as the back up. They open the Jumpseat to off line pilots 24 hrs prior. Once they book you it is similar to being positive space. You can only be bumped by emergency company travel by one of their employees. Lastly depending on what city you are actually going to commute from makes all the difference and if you are willing to be creative in your commuting options. I.E. Commute to Phl then get on the train to Ewr, or go to JFK and spend 2.5-3 hrs getting to Ewr. I find reserve here at UAL about as good as it gets but then again I am on the 737 so we get long call all but one day a week. ( I live two hours from Dfw then get on my flight).

Good luck

Good info. Greatly appreciated.

04-21-2014, 11:28 AM

#14

Grumble

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Joined APC: Nov 2009

Posts: 5,207

FedEx is fantastic for jumpseating, but be very cautious if you get on an empty plane. You may take off thinking you're going to Memphis to catch a leg to Newark, and then get diverted to Anchorage mid flight. Ask me how I know!!!!

04-21-2014, 11:33 AM

#15

Rickce7

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Joined APC: Mar 2011

Position: A320 CA

Posts: 199

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumble

This is the best gouge I have ever received from this website. . . thanks for the heads up!

04-21-2014, 04:33 PM

#16

Grumble

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Nov 2009

Posts: 5,207

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickce7

This is the best gouge I have ever received from this website. . . thanks for the heads up!

FedEx is amazing towards jumpseaters, they'll go out of their way for even offline guys. But when push comes to shove just remember you're the last priority, and a guest.

That said, Ive shipped spent about $1k shipping stuff over the last year even if FedEx is the more expensive option. I feel like I owe it to them. Great group from from top to bottom in my experience.

04-22-2014, 09:10 AM

#17

130drvr

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Apr 2008

Position: Bus

Posts: 768

I do DEN to EWR commute, has been fairly painless. Get 1st flight 90% of time. 50% of time ride up front. I bid over to IAH last Fall and then cancelled award due to IAH DEN commute sucking hard and huge advantage of 73EWR trips and seniority. Holding a line barely 6 months off IOE. Not the case in IAH. Usually commute in night prior, was always headed home AM of last day of reserve. Just did my first LGA trip and it was fairly painless, although it was an afternoon start. ETS shuttle, EWR to LGA and JFK, $30 one way, takes about 2 hrs. CPO just put out a blast mail about 24/7 shuttle, $60ish I think.

04-22-2014, 03:07 PM

#18

TacoTurbine

Line Holder

Joined APC: Aug 2007

Position: Guppy driver

Posts: 30

I commuted PDX-IAH for 18 months. Whilst on reserve, it definitely sucked. With a line, it was really not that bad. Lots of commutable junior trips in IAH on the guppy. PDX-EWR? That sounds like a special kind of hell. BTW - the guy was wrong higher up...seats available NOT required for your 2 commuter policy flights.

FWIW, PDX-SFO can be pretty much of a pain at times too!

Good luck!

Taco

04-22-2014, 03:12 PM

#19

John Carr

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Jul 2013

Posts: 4,704

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumble

That said, Ive shipped spent about $1k shipping stuff over the last year even if FedEx is the more expensive option. I feel like I owe it to them. Great group from from top to bottom in my experience.

Depends on what you're shipping. Most things with the inter-airline discount on FedEx cost about the same as USPS. Only on FedEx, it's gets there faster. Which is funny, because if you go to the USPS to ship, there's a good chance it's going to get there on a FedEx plane ANYWAY.

And I don't know what the numbers are NOW, but it used to be that the FedEx pilot group benefitted MORE from the jumpseat agreements on the passengers carriers than the other way around. Hence the generous discount they give to OAL's to ship on them. It was another way for them to reciprocate.

04-22-2014, 04:04 PM

#20

MPAdriver

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Joined APC: Sep 2013

Position: The one with a great view.

Posts: 241

New guy question...

You do not get any "head of the line" or "space positive" seat as a commuter do you?

IF you are having a hard time getting on UAL metal does the company provide any assitance to commuters getting to base?

Are you completly on your own to make the commute?

I think I know they answers...No, No, and yep but just wanted to confirm.