Major Airline Bases Affordability
- Thread starter Dxer5138
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Pancake
Person experiencing illiteracy
For the most part, it’ll depend on what kind of commute and neighborhood you are looking for.
If you’re looking at affordable new construction in DFW, American has homes within 30 minutes North of Fort Worth and Southwest has about 45 minutes out to Forney. If you’re cool with some mild renovation on an older home, you can get closer without getting into “rough” neighborhoods. It’s also highly dependent on the market. Right now you can get the seller to cover closing costs, which will save you 6-15k upfront, but that might not be the case in a year.
Currently Southwest is the furthest behind the majors until they pass a TA. I know a couple of dispatchers there with around a year who are closing on their first houses. They all moved into a rental first and spent the past year saving and looking.
If you’re looking at affordable new construction in DFW, American has homes within 30 minutes North of Fort Worth and Southwest has about 45 minutes out to Forney. If you’re cool with some mild renovation on an older home, you can get closer without getting into “rough” neighborhoods. It’s also highly dependent on the market. Right now you can get the seller to cover closing costs, which will save you 6-15k upfront, but that might not be the case in a year.
Currently Southwest is the furthest behind the majors until they pass a TA. I know a couple of dispatchers there with around a year who are closing on their first houses. They all moved into a rental first and spent the past year saving and looking.
Thank you! That's good to hear because ideally I'd like to end up at AA (or WN if they get a new contract), mostly to be in the Metroplex area, but I've been pretty nervous because it seems like the housing market in Dallas has just gotten out of control price-wise, not to mention the seemingly sky high property taxes.
Flagship_dxer
Penske Material
You cant go wrong applying to either. Over the course of a long career it will even out. If DFW is where you want to be, go to the one that hires you first and build your seniority and longevity.
Great to hear! I'm glad that pay is going up across the board but so is the cost of everything which worries me. Still seems like Dallas is way more affordable than ATL
dxdispatch
Active Member
Not a major... Spirit is probably the most expensive base to live in, and pays embarrassingly low compared to cost of living in the area. I have heard some dispatchers live in their cars.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
I would bet that Hawaiian's base in HNL is pricier than Mirimar is...of course, I believe Spirit DXers also have MCO as an option now, which I think would be a lot more affordable. I think the Hawaiian dispatchers did get a pretty decent pay raise recently though.
Airlines should be ASHAMED that their employees that share half the responsibility for flights full of hundreds of people have to resort to such. Fingers crossed we all get the increases we deserve!
flynryan692
Well-Known Member
Miramar and Orlando are almost equal these days. I think jetBlue (NY), Hawaiian (HNL), and Alaska/Horizon (SEA) take the "most expensive city" awards. Horizon is probably the worst off, making regional pay in a city like Seattle...I can't even imagine.
Doing it right now and it isn't great lol, only reason I took this job is because my roommate also got an offer, so it's fairly doable having the two of us splitting costs.
gopherdx
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Unfortunately no airline that I know of major or regional accounts for COL/locality pay.
gopherdx
Well-Known Member
Based on cost of living calculators online, Queens is more affordable than both Seattle and Honolulu. Go figure. Hoping B6 matches/better AS’s new scale this spring.
With that said I know of no one at B6 who lives out of their cars. The common misconception is that all apartments and areas in the NYC metro are extremely expensive luxury apartments. But if you’re simple and just looking for a good safe place to live then there are tons available that are comparable to FLL/MIA right now.
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Yeah I know it's doable working at B6 if you commute from say Hudson County, but I don't know how willing I'd
From NYC myself. If B6 upped AS I'd consider moving back and looking for a place in Hudson County or something if I managed to get an offer, but I really don't know if I could manage the hour commute each way. At least the public transit is great so no driving is a huge plus
gopherdx
Well-Known Member
Moved out of the city and bought a house in the burbs recently and have about a 50 min to an hour commute. It’s not bad at all especially considering most of the shifts are off peak. No really traffic to contend with.
gopherdx
Well-Known Member
When did anyone say it’s affordable lol…My original post was comparing apples to apples as in Queens (where the SOC is) and Seattle/HNL. It’s still expensive but yes more affordable than other cities and more so if you live a bit out of the city.
Shock-Diamonds
Well-Known Member
From past experience in NYC, I'm guessing the biggest expense not being discussed is the cost of commuting. JetBlue doesn't appear to have parking so that's likely $25-$40 a day, and unless you live on Long Island, expect $12-$16 a day for tolls. Not sure if B6 pays for this but it would add up to a lot.
gopherdx
Well-Known Member
SOC crew members receive $200 a month for parking and $100 for transit. Direct contribution from the company so not out of your paycheck like some companies. Money rolls over as well.