Originally Posted by CaseTractor

A fellow commuter suggested to me to get the United Club card. It was helpful for me at least and want to share with others. It's a pricy annual fee, but great benifits. I keep my uniform in ops and travel in comfortable clothes; ie don't look like a pilot at all when utilizing the club. So, that affords you the opportunity to hang out in the club before and after trips, or even on short call. Saving money on food and drinks goes a long way. There are healthy options, but they can get monotonous overtime.

Also, I suggest the Marriott Bonvoy card. Again, pricy, but allows access to things like the lounge and breakfast at many properties, both commuting and on trips. It saves money overall and you get rewards for it. Again, don't ask for these benefits at check in while in uniform can go a long way at certain properties.

Commuting sucks, is expensive, and can be mentally challenging, especially on the days things don't go your way. These two options I have found to make it more restful, less stress, and even times enjoyable. You are gone either way, might as well control the conditions you can while away.

All of my experience has been with the 12 hour long call commuting on weight limited RJs or a 4 hour drive. Coming in a day early or very much earlier flight in the day to avoid the drive have been routine. I'm not sure how the 18 hour call out will affect this strategy or usefulness of my acces to these benefits.

Originally Posted by CaseTractor

A fellow commuter suggested to me to get the United Club card. It was helpful for me at least and want to share with others. It's a pricy annual fee, but great benifits. I keep my uniform in ops and travel in comfortable clothes; ie don't look like a pilot at all when utilizing the club. So, that affords you the opportunity to hang out in the club before and after trips, or even on short call. Saving money on food and drinks goes a long way. There are healthy options, but they can get monotonous overtime.

Also, I suggest the Marriott Bonvoy card. Again, pricy, but allows access to things like the lounge and breakfast at many properties, both commuting and on trips. It saves money overall and you get rewards for it. Again, don't ask for these benefits at check in while in uniform can go a long way at certain properties.

Commuting sucks, is expensive, and can be mentally challenging, especially on the days things don't go your way. These two options I have found to make it more restful, less stress, and even times enjoyable. You are gone either way, might as well control the conditions you can while away.

All of my experience has been with the 12 hour long call commuting on weight limited RJs or a 4 hour drive. Coming in a day early or very much earlier flight in the day to avoid the drive have been routine. I'm not sure how the 18 hour call out will affect this strategy or usefulness of my acces to these benefits.

Originally Posted by Turbosina

Yup, I hear ya. I have no problem buying tickets/ using miles / paying for hotels, to get to work. What I'm mostly focused on is trying to understand how to pick up reserve trips so I'm not sitting around in a hotel unused. I like flying; I just don't like sitting in a hotel for 5 days. The info in this thread has been excellent.

I'm also learning more about what is considered a reasonable attempt to get to work. At first I thought it was the commuter policy (which I think is very fair and reasonable.) However I now understand that policy doesn't apply to probies like myself. It's good information to have and I will plan accordingly.

Hopefully we have a big vacancy bid soon though!

Originally Posted by Turbosina

Great tips. I do have the Club card (I was a 1K customer in past years) but I'm almost positive that you need a paid ticket to get into the Clubs. I've never tried accessing the club while nonrevving.

Marriott Bonvoy... I'll have to look into that. Thank you!

Originally Posted by Excargodog

If you let them run roughshod over any part of the contract they'll do it in other parts. That's why there IS a contract.

Originally Posted by Seminole00

Nope, standby ticket would be enough. Even jumpseat listing will get you in.

Originally Posted by Long Haul

I was on reserve for a grand total of four days in IAH before I got to my home base, and count them as four of the longest days of my life. Unfortunately none of the airport hotels are located anywhere near anything interesting, although the ones on JFK Blvd just south of the airport at least have fast food within walking distance. I chose the Hyatt thinking that it was close to a mall, only the mall turned out to be an ex-mall and the only other source of sustenance was the local gas station mini-mart. In my experience, CS didn't just put people on short call randomly, it all happened according to the silo list, but I did get at least one SC or trip every reserve block. They are just short of pilots and there's a lot of open time, especially on the weekends. Use aggressive pick-up, email the consolidation desk and ask to be put on some sweet trips, try to base trade, and keep an eye on the weather radar. It'll be over before you know it.

Originally Posted by PossibleDeviation

"Professional thing." If I abide by the contract it doesn't matter (shouldn't). The CBA is there for a reason. I'll abide by it as I expect the company to.

"no one will say anythng" Bro you've literally been at UA for a minute. You don't actually know diddly about diddly....

Originally Posted by desertFlyer2015

to be fair, the very first line of 21-p does very explicitly state that you should take into account weather and other factors. Whether they could enforce that would be a different question, I’d say unless you’re missing almost every trip for forecast weather it’s not going to matter.