Ryantw5555

Hello Everyone, Aspiring future airline pilot here...I'm new here and couldn't seem to find the answer I was looking for on the interwebs, so I figured I'd check with the pros...

I understand that "living on base" is the best option when flying for the regionals if you want to be home more, potentially enjoy more days off, and potentially spend less money on this career since you don't have to spend extra money on crash pads..

My question is how far out until you know longer live "on base". For example, I live in Stockton, Ca. Because of my family situation, I'd like to stay in the area and not move. I assume there are bases in San Francisco and Sacramento, that if I'm fortunate enough, I could get hired on there in due time?

Also is base and domicile ithe same thing?

flybywp

Generally within 2 hours or less of driving time since most airlines have a 2 hour call out for reserves where you will need to be at the airport within 2 hours of being called by scheduling. Otherwise, once you're a line holder, it's up to you and how far you are willing to drive to work.

TransWorld

Here is the link to the domicile map. Kept pretty current by one of the folks here. You can find it as ‘New Pilot Domicile Map’ thread under regionals, at the bottom of the page (i.e. not in a specific airline folder).

www.pilotdomiciles.com

flydiamond

If your family is pretty settled in Stockton I’d stay in Stockton. Sure you’ll be home a little bit less but that time at home will be more meaniful living where you want to live...

My advice- choose a regional that has a SFO base as that is not too long of a drive from where you live. I guess that leaves only Skywest. You may not get based there right off the bat but you could commute nonstop from Sacramento to several of their other bases such as ORD, LAX, SLC, SEA. Eventually you’d want to go to United or Southwest. Of course, the entire industry may change by the time you finish up training, but there is no reason you can’t be an airline pilot and live in Stockton.

If you’re not familiar, as an airline pilot you can travel in cabin or cockpit jumpseat on any US carrier for free via a professional courtesy amongst pilots. Generally this works out very well unless you’re commuting on a route with lots of other commuters going from a senior base to a junior base (think Denver to San Francisco for UA) or one where there are very limited nonstop options. Commuting from Sacramento should not be too difficult.

rickair7777

The two hour drive is a good rule of thumb for reserve. SMF is not a base anymore. Skywest has bases at FAT and SFO. FAT might be your best bet with traffic. I don't think any other regionals have basesin the central valley area.

Since reserve is temporary, you could drive part way, to get within a two hour range, and then hang out for the day, returning home when your duty period ends. As was mentioned, you can drive more than two hours once you get a line.

Fatigued Flyer

So we're just gonna ignore the use of "know".

Paid2fly

"No"...

bigtime209

And no less, used that way twice.

Walkeraviator

I live in small dot in nowhere Texas. 180 miles from IAH. I was based there with XJT for 3 years. I kept a crash pad when on reserve for all of three months and that was it. I liked the ability to drive to work because I didn’t have to bid lines to be commutable. I did occasionally have to drive home in the middle of the night or leave the house at 3 am for an early show, but I was ok with that.

The big concern for you is seniority. I’m pretty sure SFO is SKW’s most senior base.

rickair7777

Not by a long shot.