Commuting WB FO…or in domicile WB CA?
11-20-2021, 08:49 AM
#1
Not a real airline pilot
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2016
Position: Cargo > Pax
Posts: 365
Commuting WB FO…or in domicile WB CA?
I guess the title says it all.
Given the choice to be a top 10% widebody commuting FO with near total control, or living in domicile as bottom 10% widebody CA, what would you choose?
I’ve been arguing it both ways. I feel like it’s a coin flip with tons of subjectivity. Would love to hear thoughts of those who have been there, what you wish you would have considered/known. Thanks for any input.
Given the choice to be a top 10% widebody commuting FO with near total control, or living in domicile as bottom 10% widebody CA, what would you choose?
I’ve been arguing it both ways. I feel like it’s a coin flip with tons of subjectivity. Would love to hear thoughts of those who have been there, what you wish you would have considered/known. Thanks for any input.
11-20-2021, 08:58 AM
#2
Clear ECAM
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Posts: 952
I guess the title says it all.
Given the choice to be a top 10% widebody commuting FO with near total control, or living in domicile as bottom 10% widebody CA, what would you choose?
I’ve been arguing it both ways. I feel like it’s a coin flip with tons of subjectivity. Would love to hear thoughts of those who have been there, what you wish you would have considered/known. Thanks for any input.
Given the choice to be a top 10% widebody commuting FO with near total control, or living in domicile as bottom 10% widebody CA, what would you choose?
I’ve been arguing it both ways. I feel like it’s a coin flip with tons of subjectivity. Would love to hear thoughts of those who have been there, what you wish you would have considered/known. Thanks for any input.
Airbus I’d prob take the upgrade because who cares if you’re on reserve in base and the trips are short. If on the triple or MD I’d probably stay FO and have my choice to avoid the crappy Asia layovers versus getting called in to cover the scraps.
11-20-2021, 10:38 AM
#3
Banned
Joined APC: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,838
These two don’t correlate unless we are assuming pilot A is will to move to domicile.
Living in domicile is always going to equate to being home more, especially on reserve. It also allows more schedualing manipulation with last minute trips or r-day drops or swaps.
I think this is more a question of where does your family want to live or if that part is important. I lived in domicile and now commute. Our decision to commute was not dependent upon an airplane, but what our family wanted.
So the correct answer is different for everybody dependent upon numerous different factors.
Living in domicile is always going to equate to being home more, especially on reserve. It also allows more schedualing manipulation with last minute trips or r-day drops or swaps.
I think this is more a question of where does your family want to live or if that part is important. I lived in domicile and now commute. Our decision to commute was not dependent upon an airplane, but what our family wanted.
So the correct answer is different for everybody dependent upon numerous different factors.
11-20-2021, 12:00 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: CA
Posts: 534
It comes down to your values. Want to make more $$$ and be home more, bid CA and move in base.
Want to live where you want and control your schedule, senior FO.
The less tangible items are being a CA, you set the tone and pacing of the flight. You also have to go through another ITU. It’s going to come down to what your family and you value. Is getting Christmas/Thanksgiving off non-negotiable? Stay FO, etc… I think you can only answer this question once you identify your personal priorities.
As far as what would you do…I’m a WB FO, live in base, and am upgrading shortly to NB CA. Im not going WB CA though I can hold it. I want some control while living in base with a pay bump. I figure between 40-60% NB is >than 90%WB CA for my personal lifestyle (kids, Christmas, etc). Once I can get to 70ish% WB, I’ll jump
Want to live where you want and control your schedule, senior FO.
The less tangible items are being a CA, you set the tone and pacing of the flight. You also have to go through another ITU. It’s going to come down to what your family and you value. Is getting Christmas/Thanksgiving off non-negotiable? Stay FO, etc… I think you can only answer this question once you identify your personal priorities.
As far as what would you do…I’m a WB FO, live in base, and am upgrading shortly to NB CA. Im not going WB CA though I can hold it. I want some control while living in base with a pay bump. I figure between 40-60% NB is >than 90%WB CA for my personal lifestyle (kids, Christmas, etc). Once I can get to 70ish% WB, I’ll jump
Last edited by HIREME; 11-20-2021 at 12:12 PM.
11-21-2021, 10:29 AM
#6
Not a real airline pilot
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2016
Position: Cargo > Pax
Posts: 365
No move required for either scenario. Living at a non-Memphis FedEx hub has its perks. The senior FO can basically be a "local" FO instead of constantly going to MEM, so any commute is now non-existent due to seniority.
But the local Capt @ 100% also no commute. Just a tiiiiiny 90% swing in seniority, that's the question I was asking. I could have been more clear.
WRT to the MEM 76 question above, I've got no data on that.
But the local Capt @ 100% also no commute. Just a tiiiiiny 90% swing in seniority, that's the question I was asking. I could have been more clear.
WRT to the MEM 76 question above, I've got no data on that.
11-21-2021, 10:39 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 1,804
No move required for either scenario. Living at a non-Memphis FedEx hub has its perks. The senior FO can basically be a "local" FO instead of constantly going to MEM, so any commute is now non-existent due to seniority.
But the local Capt @ 100% also no commute. Just a tiiiiiny 90% swing in seniority, that's the question I was asking. I could have been more clear.
WRT to the MEM 76 question above, I've got no data on that.
But the local Capt @ 100% also no commute. Just a tiiiiiny 90% swing in seniority, that's the question I was asking. I could have been more clear.
WRT to the MEM 76 question above, I've got no data on that.
I did the math comparing 777 FO to WB Captain - worked far less days as an FO so needed non call reserve days to break even on time at home - if I wanted same pay would just need to fly some carryover as 777 FO but I am in to working less not more
11-21-2021, 10:44 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 909
I guess the title says it all.
Given the choice to be a top 10% widebody commuting FO with near total control, or living in domicile as bottom 10% widebody CA, what would you choose?
I’ve been arguing it both ways. I feel like it’s a coin flip with tons of subjectivity. Would love to hear thoughts of those who have been there, what you wish you would have considered/known. Thanks for any input.
Given the choice to be a top 10% widebody commuting FO with near total control, or living in domicile as bottom 10% widebody CA, what would you choose?
I’ve been arguing it both ways. I feel like it’s a coin flip with tons of subjectivity. Would love to hear thoughts of those who have been there, what you wish you would have considered/known. Thanks for any input.
11-21-2021, 10:47 AM
#9
Nice lookin' tree, there!
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Tool-Box, old man
Posts: 2,205
I guess the title says it all.
Given the choice to be a top 10% widebody commuting FO with near total control, or living in domicile as bottom 10% widebody CA, what would you choose?
I’ve been arguing it both ways. I feel like it’s a coin flip with tons of subjectivity. Would love to hear thoughts of those who have been there, what you wish you would have considered/known. Thanks for any input.
Given the choice to be a top 10% widebody commuting FO with near total control, or living in domicile as bottom 10% widebody CA, what would you choose?
I’ve been arguing it both ways. I feel like it’s a coin flip with tons of subjectivity. Would love to hear thoughts of those who have been there, what you wish you would have considered/known. Thanks for any input.
Cheers,
fbh
11-21-2021, 10:53 AM
#10
Not a real airline pilot
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2016
Position: Cargo > Pax
Posts: 365
All valid points. Already live where Momma is happy, so very lucky there.
Loss of vacation/training/monthly bidding control is on my mind. But I'm realizing that I don't look at a large portion of the bidpack as a commuter. Any type of reserve? Nope, no interest in that. But liviing in domicile, I'd look at the entire bidpack. Granted, as a bottom feeder with little power to choose. But holy smokes, I've been a commuter the entire time at FedEx...quite a different mindset, and quite a large change.
But as a non-commuting Capt, I've heard from my already upgraded classmates--the trips don't matter as much. Just bid days off, see what the scheduling gods provide. I guess it depends on personal priorities
The two annual salary totals are within striking range of each other...senior FO gets carryover, junior Capt gets whatever is left and flies a basic lower credit hour line. So it's more time at home as far as I can tell.
Loss of vacation/training/monthly bidding control is on my mind. But I'm realizing that I don't look at a large portion of the bidpack as a commuter. Any type of reserve? Nope, no interest in that. But liviing in domicile, I'd look at the entire bidpack. Granted, as a bottom feeder with little power to choose. But holy smokes, I've been a commuter the entire time at FedEx...quite a different mindset, and quite a large change.
But as a non-commuting Capt, I've heard from my already upgraded classmates--the trips don't matter as much. Just bid days off, see what the scheduling gods provide. I guess it depends on personal priorities
The two annual salary totals are within striking range of each other...senior FO gets carryover, junior Capt gets whatever is left and flies a basic lower credit hour line. So it's more time at home as far as I can tell.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
