Commuting

NDviaEP

NDviaEP

New Member
Hi all, I've been trolling for about 6 months and decided to actually join up on these boards... anyway, I was wondering how the commuting affects the family life. Both my girlfriend (serious) and I wish to live in Minnesota when we graduate college, she will be a math teacher, but starting salaries are around 30k then 33 once she gets her masters... anyway, the opportunities to fly out of MSP seem decent if I get my job at the right time... but I guess I was wondering about commuting and if it's worth it...
 
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anyway, the opportunities to fly out of MSP seem decent if I get my job at the right time... but I guess I was wondering about commuting and if it's worth it...

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1st off, Welcome to the forums! Right now the opportunities here in MSP are pretty good. Both Pinnacle and Mesaba are hiring. Several of the CFI's I have worked with have gotten on with both and they are all based here with no problems. As for the commuting I imagine that it will cut into the time you have at home. Unless of course you can get on with one of the two above.

BTW, I see that your "home" is KFCM. Where do you fly out of when there? I have done all my training at Thunderbird.

Again, Welcome and Enjoy!!!!
 
yeah, I'm actually at UND, but I live right next to the ep high school... I'm actually just doing a little extra flying over the summer right now in GF, but thought I'd start thinking ahead... I need to get out to thunderbird sometime this summer though... UND looks down upon fun in their airplanes, and I'd kinda like to go up and do some spins!!
I got my private in the fall and am finishing up the instrument training, although I need more hours to actually get the certificate (I'm at about 100)
 
I commuted from Orlando to Cleveland in 1999 while i flew for Continental Express. If you want a family life, I wouldn't recommend it. If you are on reserve, it'll be especially bad. But it sounds like you might steer yourself to regionals operating out of MSP so I hope you won't have to go thru that. Once you have a decent schedule, it's a bit better but your girlfriend or wife will have to be very understanding.

BTW, I was an instructor at UND in 89-90 in the Spectrum program working mostly with China Airlines students. I can still remember a flight I did departing at sunset in the winter with windchills in the -40s. Good that's cold. I now live in Florida!

Pat
 
Commuting isn't that bad if you have enought flight options and it is only a 1 leg commute. I live in DTW (Detroit, MI) and am based in IAD (Washington Dulles, VA). I have a lot of options and am a realtively senior FO. I usually can get a good schedule with late shows so commuting isn't a problem.
I however have spent nights on the crewroom floor because I had to fly in the night before a trip or couldn't get a flight out at the end of trip.

Being a new hire FO commuting will probably suck, as you will be on reserve and you will probably need a crash pad. Most reserve schedule are not commutable. You also have to do your homework on flight schedules. Flights today are oten sold out so you may have to head to work sooner than you would want.

Your GF does a job in the right industry. You may reach a point in your career where you have to move and here job will move easily. If you have any more questions send me a pm.
 
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yeah, I'm actually at UND, but I live right next to the ep high school... I'm actually just doing a little extra flying over the summer right now in GF, but thought I'd start thinking ahead... I need to get out to thunderbird sometime this summer though... UND looks down upon fun in their airplanes, and I'd kinda like to go up and do some spins!!
I got my private in the fall and am finishing up the instrument training, although I need more hours to actually get the certificate (I'm at about 100)

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If you want a flight in the Decathalon, just ask. I can take you up anytime. Trust me, it's well worth it and very FUN!
 
Thanks all for the responses, I got some time to weigh my options, and of course it really depends on the job market at the time, but I appreciate the advice!
 
also, send your girlfriend over to www.pilotfamilies.com If you haven't checked it out, it's where us family members (and signficant others) hang out and offer support about crappy schedules, and the ups and downs of the industry as well as general fun stuff.
 
ND,

Commuting is obviously not the ideal situation, especially if you're starting a family. However, it is a nice option to have in our profession. Some of us are forced to commute while for others it is a personal choice. I figure even with commuting, I'm home more than the average 9-5 M-F dad who lives in a suburb and has anywhere from a 2-4 hour commute round trip into the city each day. Most dads leave the house before the kids get up and don't get home in time to tuck the kids in bed. I'm gone 3-5 days a week and home from 3-5 days a week. I've been commuting 3 of my 6 years with Delta and it now consists of a LAS-ATL 3.5 hour 1 way...so I'll say 8 hours a week to include getting to and from the airport. I do this 3-4 times a month so my commute time each month is 32 hours on the high side. With a 2 hour driving commute 9-5 dad's monthly total is 40 hours.

I commute not because I enjoy it, but because myself and hundreds of other DL pilots don't care for ATL (to put it mildly...right Doug?) and/or we have roots in our communities. Fortunately for me I'll be based in LAX starting next month so that will reduce my commute time by more than half.

Another thing you may want to consider is commuting to reserve...not fun. I've been doing it since Oct because (I'm junior in equipment) we have a 12 hour leash with an occasional 2 hour leash.

Anyway, I hope this info helps you out. Good luck with your decision.
 
I have commuted for several years as a flight attendant. I am used to it now but can honestly say that it feels like a second job. I am always so envious of crew members who are finished when we land. I actually feel like the hardest work starts when I am off duty and trying to get home. I think it depends a lot on your seniority. If you are on reserve it can really be all-consuming. All you need is a storm or a cancelled flight to double your work day. If you have children that you want to be able to rely on you being home I would dicourage it (especially if you're junior).
Good Luck!
 
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Wilson, are you a regional or mainline FA?[ QUOTE ]
I work for UAL. Based in California. I feel like I'm at my own roast. Just kidding - I'm used to all the FA jokes. Is this site mostly pilots?
Thanks for all the greetings!

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Wilson, are you a regional or mainline FA?[ QUOTE ]
I work for UAL. Based in California. I feel like I'm at my own roast. Just kidding - I'm used to all the FA jokes. Is this site mostly pilots?
Thanks for all the greetings!

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Yeah, saw that, but was wondering if that means mainline or Express, since people tend to use them interchangably often.
 
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Wilson, are you a regional or mainline FA?[ QUOTE ]
I work for UAL. Based in California. I feel like I'm at my own roast. Just kidding - I'm used to all the FA jokes. Is this site mostly pilots?
Thanks for all the greetings!

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Yeah, saw that, but was wondering if that means mainline or Express, since people tend to use them interchangably often.

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Ah yes. I forgot. Kind of like the NWA Captain that flies for Pinnacle.
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My bad....
 
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