Negotiating domiciles

[Low_Level_Hell]

Are pilots able to negotiate what their domicile will be as a condition of employment? For example can an applicant tell the airline interviewer I will only accept employment if I can be stationed out of XYZ.

I imagine a few years ago such an audacious request would result in the application being sent immediately to the circular file.

 

[Roger Roger]

Are pilots able to negotiate what their domicile will be as a condition of employment? For example can an applicant tell the airline interviewer I will only accept employment if I can be stationed out of XYZ.

I imagine a few years ago such an audacious request would result in the application being sent immediately to the circular file.

Not at a 121, and a 135 will just tell you whatever it takes to get you in the door, so no.

 

[cmhumphr]

That's a good way to not get a job even in today's aviation world. Bases all work on needs of the company first, then seniority.

 

[Low_Level_Hell]

Thank you for the responses.

 

[derg]

I imagine a few years ago such an audacious request would result in the application being sent immediately to the circular file.

Still would, I don't care how desperate the airline is.

 

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Are pilots able to negotiate what their domicile will be as a condition of employment? For example can an applicant tell the airline interviewer I will only accept employment if I can be stationed out of XYZ.

I imagine a few years ago such an audacious request would result in the application being sent immediately to the circular file.

I don't think there's any negotiating the conditions/bases for a 121 airline job, most nearly all of whom are unionized with ALPA. You will have to accept what they are offering. I still have my offer letter at VX. There's no negotiating even for a non-union airline (which it was back then). It's basically a "here's our terms and conditions..... sign or not." In the "you're hired" email, there was an online link to the job offer letter and I had a drop down menu with two options: accept offer of employment or reject.

 

[ppragman]

Are pilots able to negotiate what their domicile will be as a condition of employment? For example can an applicant tell the airline interviewer I will only accept employment if I can be stationed out of XYZ.

I imagine a few years ago such an audacious request would result in the application being sent immediately to the circular file.

135 it can work depending on the company. I know because I have done it. 121 that probably would get you laughed at I suspect.

 

[z987k]

If you're willing to not get the job then yes it works with 135.
Hell rumor is that almost an entire NAC class got up and walked out when they bait and switched domiciles recently.
ANC and MIA are not exactly close to each other nor reasonably comutable.

 

[derg]

"I want to throw newspapers for you but OMG not THAT neighborhood!"

 

[ppragman]

"I want to throw newspapers for you but OMG not THAT neighborhood!"

That's an apples and oranges comparison in the 135 world as most of these jobs are not commutable.

 

[mastermags]

Are pilots able to negotiate what their domicile will be as a condition of employment? For example can an applicant tell the airline interviewer I will only accept employment if I can be stationed out of XYZ.

I imagine a few years ago such an audacious request would result in the application being sent immediately to the circular file.

Hah, no, but that won't stop regional recruiters from telling you what you want to hear.

 

[Low_Level_Hell]

..... what if I offered to work the first two years at half pay?

 

[Ayork62493]

..... what if I offered to work the first two years at half pay?

No, it doesn't work like that

 

[Dan208B]

The issue is bigger than negotiating with the recruiters. Most of these airlines are union and the hiring folks cannot offer a base unless there has been unfilled vacancies from a posting already offered to active pilots.

 

[Low_Level_Hell]

No, it doesn't work like that

I knew I should have put a "" behind that statement.

So from what I gather you can request a different domicile if you have the seniority?

 

[mastermags]

..... what if I offered to work the first two years at half pay?

Then you really deserve to have your kneecaps busted.... some people would say.

 

[bike21]

I knew I should have put a "" behind that statement.

So from what I gather you can request a different domicile if you have the seniority?

Yes, seniority only. The airline world isn't free market per se when seeking jobs. You get the offer and accept where they put you, how much they'll pay you and fly the schedule they give you. Only with seniority and your representation's bargaining do these things change.

 

[tcco94]

I bet a recruiter would tell you otherwise though

 

[BobDDuck]

I thought at one point CommuteAir, or maybe it was one of the other regionals mostly on the east coast, was guaranteeing domiciles for new hires. That only lasted a little bit though.

In general you get what you are given and then hope for the best... and then hope the domicile you want doesn't disappear overnight. Years ago I was assigned PHL as my domicile right out of training, but by the time I finish sim they'd closed the base and I was displaced to Dayton.

 

[Vyse]

If you *have* to live in a particular domicile (and are not willing to commute), part 121 is not for you. I'd instead look into fractionals (NetJets and the like), which let you base at home.

That said, if you do your research, you can get good guidance on what you're likely to get when hired. But as @BobDDuck says, some regional airlines will change their domiciles at the drop of a hat. I've flown with guys who've been displaced 8-10 times.