robthree

I quit a job, and gave up 2 years of seniority to eliminate my commute. The obscene pay cut was worth it to me to spend more than 7 days a month with my son. My wife also appreciates that I am home almost enough to help around the house. I even mowed the yard once this summer.

As a new hire, you will spend at least 50% more time at home living in base.

If the company has lots of reserves, you could theoreticly spend all your time at home, banking min gaurantee, and flying not at all. If you commute, you will spend all that free time sitting in a crash pad.

Like almost everything in the Airline business, its a better deal with more seniority. But as other people have stated, the most important factor is spousal support, or lack thereof. Will you be happy with your spouse gone 14 days a month? Will you be happy with your spouse gone for more than 20 days a month? Commuting can turn even a decent 14 day off line into a horrendous 8 day off line - or worse if things get bad on a day you're trying to commute on.