FlyChicaga
Vintage Restoration
I just found out today that there has been (and will remain) a major reduction in the number of lines in my base, which means I will be back on reserve. I will still hold a line, per se (what we call a relief line, or a "build-up line"), but I will not be able to have as much control over my schedule like I used to. I will definitely not have control over commutability, which is very important for my base, since availability of crashpads is very limited.
Because of the reduction, I am looking into transferring into a new base on the west coast. I hate to leave my current base, because I have had a blast being assigned there, but staying will not help me at all with achieving my goals.
Of the two choices we have on the west coast, both have some major pros and cons. I'd like to see what some of you think.
The first choice is more desirable to me because of the type of flying we do, the pilots based there, the overnights we have, and the schedules. I'd have healthy seniority and likely be able to hold 13-15 days off and 80-something hour lines. I would be very happy being based there... The only problem is the commute. It would be a two-leg commute, unless I took the one-leg morning flight to work, or the red-eye flight home. The benefit is that I'd be flying between airports that are not very prone to delays, unlike the alternative.
The second choice is desirable for two reasons: Very interesting flying (to many major cities and Mexico) and about 50 direct flights a day to work from two Chicago airports. The commute would almost be "easy," although long. However, the lines there are not as productive, and I would not be as happy with the flying or overnights while I'm at work. Basically, I wouldn't be as happy AT work, but I'd breathe easier getting to and from work.
I'll need to make this decision alone, but I'm wondering what others think. My only other option would be to move into base, or to a city that allows a much easier commute. However, I had considered that already with my current base, and now hindsight makes the decision to stay in Chicago a very good one. I don't want to move, but I also don't want to die from the stress of commuting.
Thoughts?
Because of the reduction, I am looking into transferring into a new base on the west coast. I hate to leave my current base, because I have had a blast being assigned there, but staying will not help me at all with achieving my goals.
Of the two choices we have on the west coast, both have some major pros and cons. I'd like to see what some of you think.
The first choice is more desirable to me because of the type of flying we do, the pilots based there, the overnights we have, and the schedules. I'd have healthy seniority and likely be able to hold 13-15 days off and 80-something hour lines. I would be very happy being based there... The only problem is the commute. It would be a two-leg commute, unless I took the one-leg morning flight to work, or the red-eye flight home. The benefit is that I'd be flying between airports that are not very prone to delays, unlike the alternative.
The second choice is desirable for two reasons: Very interesting flying (to many major cities and Mexico) and about 50 direct flights a day to work from two Chicago airports. The commute would almost be "easy," although long. However, the lines there are not as productive, and I would not be as happy with the flying or overnights while I'm at work. Basically, I wouldn't be as happy AT work, but I'd breathe easier getting to and from work.
I'll need to make this decision alone, but I'm wondering what others think. My only other option would be to move into base, or to a city that allows a much easier commute. However, I had considered that already with my current base, and now hindsight makes the decision to stay in Chicago a very good one. I don't want to move, but I also don't want to die from the stress of commuting.
Thoughts?
