Jiggawatt

I know commuting is not ideal, but I will likely need to do it for a while. I was recently hired at DAL, class in April or May. Live in DC, wanting/hoping to move to Seattle ASAP but definitely in the next 1-2 years.

Assuming SEA is not in my class drop, but if I am able to get LAX or SLC, would I be crazy to take LAX/SLC, move to SEA and commute until I can hold SEA? i.e. how painful would the commute be on the west coast versus what I understand is an easy commute from DC to NYC?

Along those lines--is seat lock for new hire 1 or 2 years? Wondering how much priority I need to put on aircraft... if it's only a one year lock, it seems to me that picking a 737/7ER for the transition to SEA becomes slightly less critical (assuming I even have that option).

Appreciate the help on these forums... thanks!

Denny Crane

I have not done the DCA-NYC commute. I have done the SEA-LAX/SLC commute albeit years ago.

If you want to live in the Seattle area, get here as soon as possible! Housing values are NOT going down...

As far as the commute goes, SEA-LAX was probably the easiest commute I ever did and it was offline at that time. Now, Delta also has a number of flights. One thing you also want to consider is winter weather. Commuting to NYC you will have to deal with it a few times a year. LA weather is a piece of cake. Lately I’ve heard SLC is an ok commute. Just realize you have commuters going TO work both ways. This can impact your Jumpseat home reservation....

Seat lock for new hires is 2 years but after one year, if you cannot get into the base you want on the same equipment, you can bid other equipment in that base and your remaining seat lock will be added to your new seat lock for the new category.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

Denny

Jiggawatt

Thanks Denny! Makes sense. Great info on the seat lock; glad to know I could change equipment at one year if necessary.

waldo135

I live the DCA-NYC commute. Hourly service on DL and AA to LGA. DL usually has 20+ open seats. 6-7 flights on both to JFK. There’s also Amtrak and bus ($20) or you could drive in ~4 hours if needed. Don’t know how any other commute could be easier.

waldo135

The hardest part is parking in DC. PM me if you have questions.

BobZ

Cross country commute as a nh on dom res?

Beyond a bad idea.

There will be plenty of movement over the next few years. Sea....and virtually every other base should your plans change...will have openings when you get moved there.

Nyc will likely offer you expedited catgory progression so as a commuter your qol will go up...and stress level go down.

gloopy

FWIW NYC-DC is one of the easiest commutes anywhere. I'm not saying that's better than a couple years of LA/SLC-SEA or whatever. Only that you definitely have time to decide on your terms if you look at it that way.

Jiggawatt

BobZ, I think my question is a bit confusing... to clarify: I am not going to accept a cross country commute. If SEA isn't in the drop, then I'm going to either commute from DC to NYC (and move the family later when SEA becomes available), or from SEA to LAX/SLC. My main question is whether or not the gamble of taking LAX/SLC is worth it (i.e. moving my family to SEA with that uncertainty--what if SEA becomes more senior and I can't hold it for several years, forcing me to commute long-term from SEA?)

Looking for perspectives since I don't know what I don't know.

Really appreciate the inputs, thanks all.

PilotNerd

I live in SEA. I dropped the A320 out of training, to NYC. I was one of the last few classes to have a 1 year seat lock. I was fortunate enough to grab SLC during an AE while in initial qual. I did the SEA to NYC commute for 5 months while on reserve. It was brutal, and sometimes required to commute via SLC or DTW to get there.

Having lived in SEA and done a SLC commute for almost a year now, I can say it is very easy. I imagine LAX would be just as easy, plus you are in the same time zone which helps a little bit.

If you have the option to grab the 737 (assuming) SEA/SLC/LAX is not available, do it. I was able to get SEA as soon as my seat lock was up. It’s not a super junior base, but there is enough movement to get there within 12-18 months, if not sooner.

sailingfun

I suspect you will have no trouble getting to SEA in a year if not less. 400 guys leaving this year and 600 next year system wide. SEA is planned for expansion when the new customs facility is complete.