iLikeMoose

Hello!

It is time for me to start applying to the regionals. I would like to stay in Birmingham for the time being, but I will definitely move to my base when I reach a major.

I am looking at Endeavor and PSA. Endeavor's Atlanta base is ideal, it is a 2-1/2 hour drive on a good day, so I am not sure if I would drive or fly to work. Delta has eight flights a day between BHM-ATL. I also have family close to the airport I can stay with in a pinch.

As someone who anticipates being a QOL > Pay guy, the SAP system over at PSA is very appealing. They have 7 flights a day to Charlotte, though its a longer flight than Atlanta. Since PSA operates these flights, I have wondered if with a little seniority I could bid to have a few overnights at home in BHM.

I am not aware of many pilots that commute from Birmingham, wondering if you have any insight on to how this commute would be, or advice in general.

Cefiro

Just go to 9E and drive to ATL. If it's really just a 2.5hr drive it will be so much easier to just hop in a car after a trip and go home.

rickair7777

2.5 hour drive is a no brainer, unless there's significant traffic to contend with. Commuting by air will take longer than that if you have a backup flight, and the flights out of Birmingham are probably not very frequent.

And Cefiro is correct, much better to get in your car and go home at the end of the trip (especially if you miss the last flight, or get bumped ten prior by a walk-up senior to you).

flydiamond

You can also drive or fly based on the time of year and loads. Spring break, summer, holidays- drive. Other times when loads look good- fly. The flexibility you'll have is great.

Endeavor is a great place with decent schedules for a regional. There looks to be one daily flight BHM to LGA if you have to commute there for two or three months (likely to happen on 900).

Hoser

I commuted out of BHM for 8 years, last time in 2013. Always got on the flights I'd say 90% of the time. There are quite a few Delta pilots and FAs that commute to ATL from BHM. I was with ASA and all of them bent over backwards to get me on usually by taking the FA JS so I could have the cockpit JS. Also the gate agents were great at BHM when I commuted, ATL another story. It's all mainline Delta now I believe, and usually anywhere from 8 to 10 flights daily. As you mentioned, easy 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive, which is a good back up if the flights look full or there's a delay/maintenance issue.

PilotMechanic

I commuted to Endeavor my first year from Birmingham before they had the ATL base, I one legged and two legged to DTW. I later moved to Detroit. If I was still in Birmingham I would bid ATL and fly there every commute I could.

The only problem I never looked into was that BHM airport won’t let commuters park in the employee lot from what I’ve heard. I would always get picked up by the wife. I’m sure there is some alternative to this problem.

I would avoid the 2.5 hour drive to ATL. I don’t even like doing that during holiday trips to in laws. I can’t imagine having to make that drive twice a week. Flying is much easier.

SonicFlyer

Buy a Tesla and it will drive itself most of the way

iLikeMoose

Thank to all for the information and advice!

I see that Endeavor is adding long call reserve with the new TA, which would certainly be doable from Birmingham. Do you anticipate this being a popular option that only senior pilots can hold? How long is the call-out for normal reserve? I searched for a few minutes but couldn't find the answer to that.

KelvinHelmholtz

Short call or “normal” reserve is a 2 hour callout for ATL

Hoser

All the commuters went to the BHM Parking office, filled out some paperwork, and were permitted to use the remote parking lot for $1 a day. Pretty good deal. Usually the van would pull up while you were unloading your bags and you just get on for the 3-4 minute ride to the terminal.