Commuting vs. Domicile
06-03-2014, 05:20 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 400
Move into a domicile. It will change your life.
Literally, it's like a whole other job. Can't say how much for the positive moving into base changed our QOL. Apples and oranges. Chalk and cheese comparison. One of the advantages UAL has is some great bases to choose from.
Commuting will only become more difficult as these majors control capacity even tighter and with weather getting nuttier by the season expect more cancellations like last winter.
Trust me. Talk to the folks who have moved into base. It's a life changer.
Best of all, Ual pays for it and you would be surprised how much and how well it goes. Just did it not long ago. Saved us a amazing amount of money. Lovin airline life once again.
Literally, it's like a whole other job. Can't say how much for the positive moving into base changed our QOL. Apples and oranges. Chalk and cheese comparison. One of the advantages UAL has is some great bases to choose from.
Commuting will only become more difficult as these majors control capacity even tighter and with weather getting nuttier by the season expect more cancellations like last winter.
Trust me. Talk to the folks who have moved into base. It's a life changer.
Best of all, Ual pays for it and you would be surprised how much and how well it goes. Just did it not long ago. Saved us a amazing amount of money. Lovin airline life once again.
06-03-2014, 07:13 PM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Posts: 60
As a commuter from either BHM, MEM, or JAN, all of which are similar to BNA, your biggest issue is weight restriction. I've been #1 on standby with 9 seats open, didn't get on. From what I have been told by several Express jet guys is that the Cleveland shut down was accelerating their retirement of many of the weight restricted RJs. I have seen a little improvement over the past couple of months, meaning that maybe 1 or 2 flights per day out of 5 or 6 do not have weight restrictions going in.
I think the 70 seaters will help, but United dumps all the small crappy RJs in Delta country, AKA the South, so I think we will hold on to them until the bitter end.
As others have said, our commuting policy makes things a little easier if you miss a trip, but doing 4 commutes per month on a RJ every time isn't for everyone. With min 5 per day and FAR 117 , trips that start late and finish early are hard to come by. I am at 17% in base and can barely get those during the week with no redeyes, which now means you are commuting in night before or commuting home night after, which turns your 4 on 3 off to a 5 on 2 off.
Hope that helps.
I think the 70 seaters will help, but United dumps all the small crappy RJs in Delta country, AKA the South, so I think we will hold on to them until the bitter end.
As others have said, our commuting policy makes things a little easier if you miss a trip, but doing 4 commutes per month on a RJ every time isn't for everyone. With min 5 per day and FAR 117 , trips that start late and finish early are hard to come by. I am at 17% in base and can barely get those during the week with no redeyes, which now means you are commuting in night before or commuting home night after, which turns your 4 on 3 off to a 5 on 2 off.
Hope that helps.
06-03-2014, 08:03 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,213
Originally Posted by Viperstick
All through training, I heard "live in your domicile" and while that would greatly simplify life, none of the domiciles jazz me or my wife for the long term. We both like the Nashville area, but everything is RJ out of there.
Appreciate the feedback.
Choices -
DEN
EWR
IAH
JFK
LAX
ORD
SEA
SFO
CLE
IAD
GUM
Nothing within 1-2 hrs, or even 3 hrs, of these cities works for you??? Even though everyone tells you, if given the chance, to not commute?
Commuting robs you of time at home. No if's and buts about it. It costs more money, lost sleep, and hours at home. I figure *IF* I can make it home commuting takes me away from home for about 8 hrs (+/-) per trip. Do that 4-6x a month and it adds up.
And that's assuming you can make it home. This month, instead of commuting for each trip, I'm spending four nights in base and flying out the next day. Minimum of 85 hrs additional hours away from home. Four hotel rooms ($350-400) plus four breakfasts, one lunch, and three dinners. Another $125?
And the best gig, if you can make it work for you, is sitting reserve in base. The MOST they can work you is as much as a lineholder. Or you could make 80-90% pay and never get called.
The guys who live within 30 minutes, or even 20 minutes(*#@#*&%!!) of base, have it made. Some guys get their wives to drop them off at the curb while running errands.
But if you have a great extended family situation commuting can be worth it for your family. S_cks for you, great for everyone else. The price of parenthood.
06-03-2014, 09:02 PM
#15
Not retiring avatar
Joined APC: Apr 2010
Position: 777 CAP
Posts: 768
Draw a two hour(in traffic) circle around EWR/IAD/ORD/IAH/SFO/LAX. If your wife wants to live in any towns in those circles, move there. Be sure to mention you can be home more often and make more money if you do.
Otherwise, live where you want, but warn your wife of the repercussions.
My story is that I commute, but have mostly stayed an F/O for better schedules, hence costing me a lot of $$; and limiting the number of trips that I would choose to bid because of their commutability.
Otherwise, live where you want, but warn your wife of the repercussions.
My story is that I commute, but have mostly stayed an F/O for better schedules, hence costing me a lot of $$; and limiting the number of trips that I would choose to bid because of their commutability.
06-03-2014, 09:51 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2012
Position: 737
Posts: 1,061
Originally Posted by Viperstick
Looking for some feedback from folks who've been there, done that. I just retired from the USAF & was fortunate enough to be hired by United last fall. We've decided to move closer to family, but haven't settled on a location yet.
All through training, I heard "live in your domicile" and while that would greatly simplify life, none of the domiciles jazz me or my wife for the long term. We both like the Nashville area, but everything is RJ out of there.
Currently reserve on the Bus in EWR, but considering a lateral to IAH or maybe ORD in the fall. Here are some random thoughts I've had on the subject of commuting vs. living in domicile:
- Will the SkyWest purchase of larger RJs make commuting easier (i.e. less chances of being weight restricted)?
- Commuting while on reserve definitely blows, but once I'm a line holder & can trade/drop for QOL, will that make commuting less odious?
- If SWA opens a domicile in BNA (I just heard rumors), will that make getting in and out of BNA easier or harder?
- I've heard the percentage of guys living in domicile vs. commuting is 40/60--true? For those who commute, why do you choose not to live in your domicile?
- For those who commute on RJs, what other pitfalls are there? I know SkyWest pilots get first crack at the jumpseats, but what else?
Appreciate the feedback.
All through training, I heard "live in your domicile" and while that would greatly simplify life, none of the domiciles jazz me or my wife for the long term. We both like the Nashville area, but everything is RJ out of there.
Currently reserve on the Bus in EWR, but considering a lateral to IAH or maybe ORD in the fall. Here are some random thoughts I've had on the subject of commuting vs. living in domicile:
- Will the SkyWest purchase of larger RJs make commuting easier (i.e. less chances of being weight restricted)?
- Commuting while on reserve definitely blows, but once I'm a line holder & can trade/drop for QOL, will that make commuting less odious?
- If SWA opens a domicile in BNA (I just heard rumors), will that make getting in and out of BNA easier or harder?
- I've heard the percentage of guys living in domicile vs. commuting is 40/60--true? For those who commute, why do you choose not to live in your domicile?
- For those who commute on RJs, what other pitfalls are there? I know SkyWest pilots get first crack at the jumpseats, but what else?
Appreciate the feedback.
- I am totally in on enduring the commute so my kids can enjoy their lives and be stable. I have 4 in 4th grade through sophomore year. I would rather they have a better QOL than me.
- The commute is not bad. In the past year I've made 1st/2nd attempt every time.
- For those who said "best line soonest" have they been to EWR? No thanks. I'll take IAH all day long. With the mil retirement (like me) QOL is much better.
- Pitfall on the crappy RJs: weight restriction. Not seen out of ATL but have seen lots of bros affected out of other cities.
- I APU lots of trips and assignments (short calls) to make life better. Yes, I have 12 days off/month. It's more like 15-16 with the way I manage APU.
Cheers.
06-03-2014, 10:05 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 305
Originally Posted by Viperstick
Looking for some feedback from folks who've been there, done that. I just retired from the USAF & was fortunate enough to be hired by United last fall. We've decided to move closer to family, but haven't settled on a location yet.
All through training, I heard "live in your domicile" and while that would greatly simplify life, none of the domiciles jazz me or my wife for the long term. We both like the Nashville area, but everything is RJ out of there.
Currently reserve on the Bus in EWR, but considering a lateral to IAH or maybe ORD in the fall. Here are some random thoughts I've had on the subject of commuting vs. living in domicile:
- Will the SkyWest purchase of larger RJs make commuting easier (i.e. less chances of being weight restricted)?
- Commuting while on reserve definitely blows, but once I'm a line holder & can trade/drop for QOL, will that make commuting less odious?
- If SWA opens a domicile in BNA (I just heard rumors), will that make getting in and out of BNA easier or harder?
- I've heard the percentage of guys living in domicile vs. commuting is 40/60--true? For those who commute, why do you choose not to live in your domicile?
- For those who commute on RJs, what other pitfalls are there? I know SkyWest pilots get first crack at the jumpseats, but what else?
Appreciate the feedback.
All through training, I heard "live in your domicile" and while that would greatly simplify life, none of the domiciles jazz me or my wife for the long term. We both like the Nashville area, but everything is RJ out of there.
Currently reserve on the Bus in EWR, but considering a lateral to IAH or maybe ORD in the fall. Here are some random thoughts I've had on the subject of commuting vs. living in domicile:
- Will the SkyWest purchase of larger RJs make commuting easier (i.e. less chances of being weight restricted)?
- Commuting while on reserve definitely blows, but once I'm a line holder & can trade/drop for QOL, will that make commuting less odious?
- If SWA opens a domicile in BNA (I just heard rumors), will that make getting in and out of BNA easier or harder?
- I've heard the percentage of guys living in domicile vs. commuting is 40/60--true? For those who commute, why do you choose not to live in your domicile?
- For those who commute on RJs, what other pitfalls are there? I know SkyWest pilots get first crack at the jumpseats, but what else?
Appreciate the feedback.
I'm retired military and have commuted for United for 7 months before my furlough, and SWA for 1.5 Years, a total of 2.5 MISERABLE years commuting.
Moved to SWA domicile a year ago and life is AWESOME. SO much easier, no stress, WAAY more time off AND way more money. Move to where you can drive to work and have a life with no stress or commute and be miserable. Your choice.
Were you able to be happy wherever the military moved you to during your career? Treat it the same with the airlines. Except you have a choice of 10 cities to choose from.
If your wife makes big bucks maybe I can see commuting to let her have her career in the city where her job is. If not, and like most guys wives she just wants to be near family, tell her she can "commute" for free to visit family anytime she wants and that you as the primary breadwinner of the family are going to drive to work not commute and waste 50 days + a year, every year, commuting and being stressed out and disappointed and wondering what you're doing with all your free time. You WILL spend at least 1/4 to 1/3 of your available free time commuting vs what a person in domicile has for free time. Think hard, choose carefully. Best wishes. Just one mans opinion, but having done both THERE IS NO COMPARISON.
06-04-2014, 03:38 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 400
Originally Posted by Hilltopper89
In the same boat, brother. Been here just over a year. Commuting from ATL, albeit a much larger city. My thoughts:
- I am totally in on enduring the commute so my kids can enjoy their lives and be stable. I have 4 in 4th grade through sophomore year. I would rather they have a better QOL than me.
- The commute is not bad. In the past year I've made 1st/2nd attempt every time.
- For those who said "best line soonest" have they been to EWR? No thanks. I'll take IAH all day long. With the mil retirement (like me) QOL is much better.
- Pitfall on the crappy RJs: weight restriction. Not seen out of ATL but have seen lots of bros affected out of other cities.
- I APU lots of trips and assignments (short calls) to make life better. Yes, I have 12 days off/month. It's more like 15-16 with the way I manage APU.
Cheers.
- I am totally in on enduring the commute so my kids can enjoy their lives and be stable. I have 4 in 4th grade through sophomore year. I would rather they have a better QOL than me.
- The commute is not bad. In the past year I've made 1st/2nd attempt every time.
- For those who said "best line soonest" have they been to EWR? No thanks. I'll take IAH all day long. With the mil retirement (like me) QOL is much better.
- Pitfall on the crappy RJs: weight restriction. Not seen out of ATL but have seen lots of bros affected out of other cities.
- I APU lots of trips and assignments (short calls) to make life better. Yes, I have 12 days off/month. It's more like 15-16 with the way I manage APU.
Cheers.
06-05-2014, 05:10 PM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by John Carr
nothing like running across Ohare with your roller bag in uniform, looking like a complete idiot, red faced and sweating.. from G-21, or worse L something, all the way to C-99 million for the 2nd or 3rd attempt of the day.. Then you see 8 other red faced sweaty pilots ALREADY at the counter. A quick look at the board also shows a crapload of stby's.. "SonnofaaaB.." THEN, you lock eyes with one of the pilot competition, preferably the weakest, slowest of the bunch (you must quickly do a uniform scan of your competition to determine if they are a serious jumpseat priority threat or not).. and now it's a showdown.. (pilot smart phones quickly searching for next available flight/gate numbers) then, another quick glance at the competition.. Who is gonna run for it?? To get the advantage on the next flight.. You hear that old western showdown music in your head.. "doodiiiiiidooooooo, bow boooow bow.." and you decide to bolt.. back from C-99 million, you bust out a 9000 yard dash to gate F gazillion for the next flight.. you feel great when you get there, you outsmarted all the other chumps trying to commute home that had NO chance in hell on the last flight.. Now, you're First in line waiting to check in, other pilots from the last gate that failed to get on start to show up eventually, you snicker to yourself "suckers".. you plop your credentials on the desk with a big cheesy smile to the gate agent.. then hear the dreaded "sorry Mr pilot, we are weight restricted today and we are asking for volunteers" *%#$@#%@&#$*!!!! Next!
Or my personal favorite.. you are first in line for the jumpseat, no competition, no line, open seats available, no standbys.. but no freakin agent to be found, so you can't check in.. hmmm, nobody is around, you scan the terminal for hostiles (other known jumpseaters).. and determine it's an acceptable risk to go pee. You come back less than 1 minute later to find a line of 35 people including 6 pilots. Gdmmmmmmmmmit! How is that EVEN POSSIBLE???
Or my personal favorite.. you are first in line for the jumpseat, no competition, no line, open seats available, no standbys.. but no freakin agent to be found, so you can't check in.. hmmm, nobody is around, you scan the terminal for hostiles (other known jumpseaters).. and determine it's an acceptable risk to go pee. You come back less than 1 minute later to find a line of 35 people including 6 pilots. Gdmmmmmmmmmit! How is that EVEN POSSIBLE???
That being said…we are currently looking for houses in Chicago.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
