tjunior

I am trying to plan a little for the future and was wondering how most regional, cargo and major airlines handle commuting. I have heard some pilots say you can commute to work while others say you are better off living on base.
-Do most airlines allow commuting or do they want you to live on base?
-Can you change bases after you are hired?
-If i live in Dayton, Oh and I am based in Ny, Ny or a similar location according to distance how hard would it be to commute?

Thanks

reelbigchair

1. I am not familiar with any airline that strictly forbids commuting, but some are more friendly about it than others. Some airlines have commuter clauses built into their contracts that certainly make it easier. But I'm not familiar with any airline that won't let you.
2. You can most certainly change bases after you're hired, but you can only go to a place that your seniority can "hold".
3. The ability to commute has little to do with distance. (Except for if it's close enough you can drive it if you really need to.) It has more to do with how many flights a day, what airlines are they on, is your airline CASS, is the airline you're trying to get on CASS... is the airline you're trying to get on your own..... Is it a popular route.... Are there lots of people trying to do the same commute...... etc..... The number of things that can mess with a commute are endless. I did Chicago to St. Louis when I was at Trans States, and you would think that would be an easy one. AA sent several MD-80's and 757's throughout the day. United sent a couple of 737's. Trans States has at least 3 or 4 145's a day. And finally Southwest had about 8 daily departures. But it was a *****, Trans States wasn't CASS, so the Southwest cockpit jumpseat wasn't available. Lots of Eagle pilots commute back and forth because they were ex TWA. So the American flights were never realiable. United only sent a couple 737's and they filled them up fast. Most of the United flights were on GoJet and as a Trans States pilot I wouldn't have been caught dead on one of those. And finally the Trans States flight were always at the very beginning of the day or the very end, so it was hard to risk taking those because if you missed it, you probably missed your assignment. I'm now with SkyWest, living in Chicago in domicile. I can't stress enough how much better it is. I don't lose out on days off to commuting, and I remove the stress of constantly being worried about making flights. Commute if you must, but avoid it any way possible if you can.

tjunior

Thanks alot Realbigchair

reelbigchair

I don't mean to scare you away from it, because commuting really is a neat perk unique to this industry, but I just want you to know what you're getting into if you decide to do it.

tjunior

I still have a couple of years before i have enough time to be hired by a regional or small cargo. I just wanted to see what my options were because i have a serious girlfriend and we will probably be married within 2 years, right around the time i am looking for a job. Trying to figure out if we will have to move or if we can stay close to home while i commute. I guess it solely depends on who i work for.

tjunior

Realbigchair, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of airlines do you work for?

reelbigchair

Don't mind you asking at all, flew as a F/O at Trans States Airlines on the EMB-145 in STL, got furloughed in July (blessing in disguise), and started almost immediately with the far better job as a F/O at SkyWest Airlines on the CRJ's at ORD.

tjunior

When you were cummuting to and from while flying for Trans States about how many days did you have off a month? Now that your at a major do you get more days off or is it about the same?

I'm trying to figure out if there would be enough time to work for my dad on my days off or if that is not at all possible.

Thanks.

reelbigchair

On reserve I got 10 or 11, after I got a line, I got 11 or 12, it didn't take too much seniority to start getting 13-15. At SkyWest my first month eligible to bid is next month, and I was awarded a line with 14 days off. Not bad eh?

tjunior

What kind of schedualing options did you, and do you have now?
ex. 4 on 3 off, 5 on 4 off.

I know the obvious difference between regionals and majors is $$$ but are there any other big differences?

My #1 Goal is to make it to a major as soon as possible. I have 1yr of college left and soon after i would like to start my aviation career. Am I better off getting a low pay, rapid upgrade t-prop gig or a more pay, slower upgrade jet job?
Do Majors favor jet guys over t-prop guys or is it all the same?

Does jumpseating only apply to pilots or can the wife or parents jumpseat as well? If they can't do they get reduced rates through only the airline for which you are employed?

Do most regionals allow you to fly more than the monthly guarantee?

Thanks alot for all the help you have given me so far!!