You can also make a lot more money living in base. The EWR 737 Senior manning seems to never stop, no matter where you are on the list.

First thing I did when I got the job last year was sell my house and move to the most JR base, life is GOOD. Short call? Whats a short call? Early show? late release? PFFFFTTT whatever!

Let's not get too carried away there cowboy. It USED to be absolutely fantastic. Now, its just a good job. Fantastic when compared to working at a commuter perhaps, or other lousy 135 or non sked, but not fantastic when compared to mainline ALPA jobs of the past.

Among many other benefits, we used to have -

Vacation override (more time off AND money)
Pensions
Better work rules (more time off AND money)
Transparency in Reserve Rules and FIFO
Trip and Duty Rigs with teeth (more time off)
Line Bidding vs PBS (potentially and usually better schedules, esp if senior)
Better Non Rev travel options
FC Deadhead
Better pay for training events
etc, etc, etc

Adjusted for inflation, airline pilots make far less than we used to. Yet we carry far more people in far more advanced and congested conditions. Management is currently enjoying our skills on the cheap while airlines enjoy periods of record load factors (profits) as a result consolidation (both after 9-11 and now with the big mergers).

I submit that we need to learn from the past and aim higher as we move into the future.

The minute you stop complaining is the minute they look to take something else away. ;)

Amen Brother

Do not disagree at all. My father in law lived the great days, but they weren't always that great. The early 60s Eastern strike, National into Pan Am into Delta and other mergers and acquisitions, and the real kick in the teeth of the ultimate pension loss.

We can learn from all that, but ultimately ALPA and specifically United ALPA need to carry the ball here on our contract. I don't expect everything to get fixed but measurable improvements in reserve rules, min day, training pay, LTD, and vacation are the baseline.

In conclusion:

Moving to the MCO area and living in FL as a junior guy while staying close to my military unit = difficult commute / bad.

Moving to a domicile (DEN or IAH) that would still keep the family happy and commuting to my military unit or finding another unit = excellent airline life / whole new world.

Appreciate the advice and help!!!

I've been commuting for over 15 years, not a big deal especially if your in a city with two airlines. If your on the 737 you can also score a lot of TPA RSW FLL MIA layovers and get even more nights at home. I know a few FL commuters that ride JetBlue, they don't overbook so they do have seats. From what I know FLL MIA MCO are better then RSW and TPA, because of the frequency. I'd have to have a gun put to my head to live in Jersey, plus that state income tax you won't be paying will pay you thousands of $$ in extra income to commute!!!

P.S. This job is fantastic!!!! Cant believe how guys can still *****, over $300k a year plus retirement 😎

For example:

I PM'd you

Not to belabor the point, but MCO EWR today. My last example. Can't depend on it but one of many to keep in the crosscheck.