Bases. How does it work?

Coney

Coney

New Member
I've always been a little confused regarding airline flight crew bases/domiciles, etc. If a pilot is hired by XYZ airline and is based in, say, Cleveland, could the pilot live in another state? I've heard of pilots doing this, but I don't really know how it all works. Does being on standby effect the pilot's ability to do this?

Just curious.
 
Coney said:
I've always been a little confused regarding airline flight crew bases/domiciles, etc. If a pilot is hired by XYZ airline and is based in, say, Cleveland, could the pilot live in another state? I've heard of pilots doing this, but I don't really know how it all works. Does being on standby effect the pilot's ability to do this?

Just curious.
Click to expand...

Yes.

Hypothetical example:

I just got hired with an airline with a base in Hyannis, MA. I hate the Kennedys and don't want to live on Cape Cod, so I move to New York City, where I've always wanted to live. This means, however, that I must be in Hyannis before my "show time" for work. So if I have to be on the 6 AM departure from Hyannis, I'd better be there for my 5 AM "Show time"

You get there by jumpseating or nonreving. However, you can see the potential problem that may arise if you are based at a small city with very few flights. So "commutable bases" would be places like LGA, ORD, ATL, et cetera. "Outstation" bases are often difficult to commute to.

Certain airlines have commuter clauses which let you miss X shows in a certain time period, but it's something that is oft attempted to be avoided at all costs.
 
SBI said:
I hate them too, but what if you'll have to fly one of them one day? :)
Click to expand...

I've been to the Kennedy compound and played volleyball with 'em. Rode on their boat (understatement) Nice people. I was giving a hypothetical example :)
 
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