Living Below your Means vs Living in Base
08-25-2024, 10:03 AM
#61
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,569
You don't prefer commuting. You prefer living where you live.
You commute because the random results of what you like and what's available near base don't overlap. Commuting is a means to an end.
You don't commute because you want to commute. Nobody moves out of base just because everything about their life is good but it would be better if they could jumpseat more.
You commute because the random results of what you like and what's available near base don't overlap. Commuting is a means to an end.
You don't commute because you want to commute. Nobody moves out of base just because everything about their life is good but it would be better if they could jumpseat more.
08-25-2024, 12:35 PM
#62
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Posts: 856
I have bought 5 houses. 7.5% was the highest interest. 2.5% the lowest. Refinanced 3 or 4 times on different houses.
Things I have learned.
My anticipated income did not come to fruition for many many years.
No house is a dream house. Tastes change, family size changes, areas change. None is the ultimate. I would need 4 at once to satisfy every want. Beach, Lake, Ski, home. All you need is a 1 roof. The other 3 are for fun and vacations. Renting is cheaper than buying.
Our least favorite house is by far the longest place I have lived in.
Many people live in low tax states and many send their kids to private schools.
Most of my friends drive nicer cars than me.
Save more than you think you can afford. I thank my young self for maxing my 401K every year over 25+ years. Roth 401K for several years too.
The cost of owning a house has historically benefited one's financial situation but taxes, roofs, association fees, maintenance, insurance, etc. all cost something. Prepare and anticipate. During Covid I bought 3 refrigerators, 2 ovens, a dishwasher, and a microwave. All with in 6 months. They don't make them like they used to.
Put money into a 529. You can pass it on and/or roll it into an Roth IRA in the kids name. 30K I think. You, spouse, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, can all use it too.
Do not commute. By far the largest negative to this job. I hate it.
Sometimes I feel like an absent dad. That is part of the job. For some reason my spouse and kids still like me. At least I think they do.
Enjoy the ride. It's a wonderful job. Take care of your health. Tell your spouse how beautiful they are, hug the kids, and give back. Someone helped each and every one of us along the way. Give it back.
Things I have learned.
My anticipated income did not come to fruition for many many years.
No house is a dream house. Tastes change, family size changes, areas change. None is the ultimate. I would need 4 at once to satisfy every want. Beach, Lake, Ski, home. All you need is a 1 roof. The other 3 are for fun and vacations. Renting is cheaper than buying.
Our least favorite house is by far the longest place I have lived in.
Many people live in low tax states and many send their kids to private schools.
Most of my friends drive nicer cars than me.
Save more than you think you can afford. I thank my young self for maxing my 401K every year over 25+ years. Roth 401K for several years too.
The cost of owning a house has historically benefited one's financial situation but taxes, roofs, association fees, maintenance, insurance, etc. all cost something. Prepare and anticipate. During Covid I bought 3 refrigerators, 2 ovens, a dishwasher, and a microwave. All with in 6 months. They don't make them like they used to.
Put money into a 529. You can pass it on and/or roll it into an Roth IRA in the kids name. 30K I think. You, spouse, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, can all use it too.
Do not commute. By far the largest negative to this job. I hate it.
Sometimes I feel like an absent dad. That is part of the job. For some reason my spouse and kids still like me. At least I think they do.
Enjoy the ride. It's a wonderful job. Take care of your health. Tell your spouse how beautiful they are, hug the kids, and give back. Someone helped each and every one of us along the way. Give it back.
08-25-2024, 06:25 PM
#64
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2022
Posts: 889
Who the hell wants to do 4+ day trips? I personally like taking my kids to school or picking them up or going to soccer practice. Disappearing for half the week every week isn’t really favorable. That’s the true disadvantage to commuting IMO, Its the type of trips you have to fly to be a commuter. And anyone says they don’t like driving to the airport every day or every other day, what the heck do you do on overnights? Sleep in the airport? You still sit in traffic on the way to and from the hotel.
08-25-2024, 06:54 PM
#65
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,569
Who the hell wants to do 4+ day trips? I personally like taking my kids to school or picking them up or going to soccer practice. Disappearing for half the week every week isn’t really favorable. That’s the true disadvantage to commuting IMO, Its the type of trips you have to fly to be a commuter. And anyone says they don’t like driving to the airport every day or every other day, what the heck do you do on overnights? Sleep in the airport? You still sit in traffic on the way to and from the hotel.
Again, your truth is not universal. So you want to do day turns? Cool. You can have them.
08-26-2024, 04:23 AM
#66
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2017
Posts: 226
I don't know if you realize this, but most places day turns are very limited and mostly to the most senior pilots. Besides that, I and lots of other people like spending time on the road. The international guys seem to all love their international layovers. I have places I like to go and spend time at a lot of cities we layover in.
Again, your truth is not universal. So you want to do day turns? Cool. You can have them.
Again, your truth is not universal. So you want to do day turns? Cool. You can have them.
Also, from a strictly numbers standpoint, commuting is expensive in terms of time. TAFB rig is 3.5:1 at my airline, and I’m guessing similar at most legacies. So assuming you’re averaging $400/hr with company DC, that’s roughly $110/hr that you’re not getting paid for commuting. A four hour commute each direction is almost $1k per trip. That time adds up over a career.
Of course none of this takes into account family requirements for living locations, but it shouldn’t be swept under the rug when making decisions. The difference in earning potential when living in base is massive.
Last edited by dsevo; 08-26-2024 at 04:45 AM.
08-26-2024, 04:47 AM
#67
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2021
Posts: 83
Who the hell wants to do 4+ day trips? I personally like taking my kids to school or picking them up or going to soccer practice. Disappearing for half the week every week isn’t really favorable. That’s the true disadvantage to commuting IMO, Its the type of trips you have to fly to be a commuter. And anyone says they don’t like driving to the airport every day or every other day, what the heck do you do on overnights? Sleep in the airport? You still sit in traffic on the way to and from the hotel.
He lived in base, 20 min from the parking lot but still bid 5 day trips so he wouldn’t have to drive to work more than he needed to. Different strokes I guess…
Last edited by Supercubbin; 08-26-2024 at 04:59 AM.
08-26-2024, 08:44 AM
#68
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,404
Flew a trip once with all layovers in my home town. Car was at the airport so I told the skipper I was gonna spend my nights at the house. He couldn’t believe I would “waste” all that time driving home. Meanwhile he’s got a 20 min van ride to the hotel…
He lived in base, 20 min from the parking lot but still bid 5 day trips so he wouldn’t have to drive to work more than he needed to. Different strokes I guess…
He lived in base, 20 min from the parking lot but still bid 5 day trips so he wouldn’t have to drive to work more than he needed to. Different strokes I guess…
For me I would need 13+hr overnights to make it work.
08-26-2024, 11:35 AM
#69
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Position: baller, shot caller
Posts: 1,022
I don't know if you realize this, but most places day turns are very limited and mostly to the most senior pilots. Besides that, I and lots of other people like spending time on the road. The international guys seem to all love their international layovers. I have places I like to go and spend time at a lot of cities we layover in.
Again, your truth is not universal. So you want to do day turns? Cool. You can have them.
Again, your truth is not universal. So you want to do day turns? Cool. You can have them.
Our gravy trips with cool long layovers go more senior than day turns.
I would rather do a turn and go home if that is an option, or an easy two day, and save the longer trips for nonrev adventures.
08-26-2024, 11:50 AM
#70
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2024
Posts: 287
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