FSUpilot

I am currently working for a small 135 company and am waiting till the regionals start hiring again. I live in Albuquerque and am wondering what choices I have other than Skywest or Eagle. I'd love to fly for Skywest, but I'd like to keep all options open.

Does anyone commute to the east coast for a regional? I am sure someone does but, I was wondering about the drawbacks and costs of doing so. I am sure I would have to find a crashpad, and I would be commuting on my days off. Anything else? What regionals are commuter friendly?

I am just trying to figure out the best route for the future. Thanks.

CRJDriver

Commuting sucks! It's only going to get worse with all the cutbacks in flights, equipments, etc. Might have to suck it up and move to base. I do know someone who commutes from New Mexico to CVG. He is very senior, but he still has to do a two leg commute on his days off. Not fun!

BoredwLife

My last month of work in July I was commuting from PDX to ACY and it was horrible!!! The flights are full with all the recent cutbacks. If you try to commute to the Northeast it can get a little dodgy when the weather gets a little bad.

flyandive

Either get something with a base on the west coast or move. I commuted from SFO to JFK. Although it was a nice easy one leg commute it was way too long. Only went home once a month. I just recently gave it up and moved to CVG. Much less to think about. Maybe someday I can move back but not yet.

waflyboy

Commuting (especially across time zones) is the fast-track to hating your job. Plan to move to base unless enjoy the thought of spending your days off trying to get home or to work.

rickair7777

I did coast-to-coast for a few months at the start of my career. I only went home once or twice per month, and it was only tolerable because I knew I would soon be able to bid into a western base. I would not recommend it on a permanent basis...the experience was enough to get me to pass on an opportunity at CAL (since I'm not leaving the west).

I commute in the western US now, one leg, 2 hours, multiple company and codeshare flights. Commuting is OK if all the details are in your favor.

sigep_nm

The best route for the future starts with the Burque. Once you see the mountains you will never leave, not to mention the great food that is at your disposal, go LOBOS!!!

OnMyWay

SEA to TYS twice a week........Guess not every furlough is as bad as it sounds!

Loads suck but, have not been left at the gate, yet. Thanks Delta dudes!

BURflyer

Actually you will commute since almost all of the regionals are Midwest or Eastern based. Even Skywest, you will go to ORD unless you get the EMB. In all honesty commuting is horrible, we do it because with the low time we can only go to the regionals and most are based out East. West coast to Midwest is doable, since the flights are usually 2-3 hours long. I can't imagine doing Coast to Coast 6 hour flights, especially JFK/EWR/BOS. You're going to get 3 days off, that means you'll only be home about 40 hours. Good news is that crahspads are real cheap any where to a hundred to a few hundred dollars per month. Once you get more flight time you will be in a position to find work where you live. The problem with guys out West is there aren't that many airlines, mostly corp/fractional work. UA/AA you need like 15 years senority to hold em. But hey I hear Southwest OAK is junior.

Dash8Pilot

There are a surprising number of commuters from ABQ, so don't be surprised to see others looking to commute. Lots of flights go east, but don't make it all the way to the coast. PHL, CLT, NYC, BOS, and MIA all missing from the list of non stops. At least there are several carriers that serve different hubs from ABQ, so you will have lots of options should you have to do the 2 leg commute.

Damn right!!! Just the thought of a bowl of green chile stew has me drooling all over my keyboard. Go Lobos!