What is the lifestyle of a regional like?

Here is a typical schedule from my airline. I'm a junior FO off of reserve. I often hold 16 days off but I'll post one of my 15 days off months below (90 hour line).

TU 01 OFF
WE 02 4 PM Departure 2 flights Arrive in Base 10 PM
TH 03 4 PM Departure 2 flights Arrive New Orleans 11PM
FR 04 4PM Departure 2 flights Arrive in Base 11:30PM
SA 05 OFF
SU 06 OFF
MO 07 OFF
TU 08 OFF
WE 09 OFF
TH 10 OFF
FR 11 OFF
SA 12 7 AM Departure 2 flights Arrive Salt Lake City 12PM
SU 13 6 AM Departure 2 flights Arrive Detroit 2:30PM
MO 14 5:40AM Departure 4 flights Arrive in Base 3:30PM
TU 15 8AM Departure 1 flight Arrive in Dever 9:15AM
WE 16 10AM Departure 3 flights Arrive in Base 11:30PM
TH 17 OFF
FR 18 OFF
SA 19 OFF
SU 20 8AM Departure 2 flights Arrive Detroit 3PM
MO 21 7:30AM Departure 4 flights Arrive in base 7PM
TU 22 2PM Departure 3 flights Arrive Boston 10PM
WE 23 2:30PM Departure 3 flights Arrive in Base Midnight
TH 24 OFF
FR 25 OFF
SA 26 6AM Departure 3 flights Arrive in New Orleans 4PM
SU 27 7AM Departure 3 flights Arrive in Minneapolis 7:30PM
MO 28 8AM Departure 4 flights Arrive in Base 9PM
TU 29 OFF
WE 30 OFF

Heaven vs Hell

I was gone 8 nights in the month I posted above, this is pretty typical for me but if you want to be gone more or less you could always bid that way by bidding either 1 day trips or 4 day trips.


Thats not a bad schedule. Is that RAH?
 
Here was my lifestyle at Mesa as the most junior turboprop FO in my base:

250px-Leatherman.gif
 
Casino stuff not working out?

They are hybrid bases and are limited to 18 months per the CBA so they were life limited to begin with. The problem is that the casino charters were a five year agreement. Not sure what the company is going to do besides knowingly violate the contract once the 18 months is up. It was one of the things in their piece of crap LBFO they were trying to change.
 
Definitely quality of life as a commuter in general is lower (waaay lower) than what you'll have if you live in base. That being said, I would not move for a regional airline. Base closures, displacements etc can wreak havoc on your plans to live in base. Also, if you upgrade to captain, you might find your seniority can't hold that position at your base, so you end up commuting to a junior base for captains.
 
This week is strange. I was on 0900-2100 short call yesterday. Today was "only" three legs (LAX-SGU-SLC-TWF). And I just deadhead back to Los Angeles tomorrow. Then I start an afternoon three day trip the next day. As originally constituted, the 3-day was:
LAX-BFL-LAX-SAN-LAX-SAN-LAX-IYK
-spend the night-
IYK-LAX-SAN-LAX-SAN-LAX-SAN-LAX-SBA-LAX-SBA
-spend the night-
SBA-LAX-SBA-LAX-CLD-LAX-SAN-LAX

I won't be there this Monday or Tuesday, but say hello to center on your LAX-SBA runs sometime.
 
So if I do go to Republic and get based at PIT. Am I able to choose to stay there as long as I want? Assuming te base isn't closed of course. How does that stuff all work? Can I be forced to move from that base?
 
So if I do go to Republic and get based at PIT. Am I able to choose to stay there as long as I want? Assuming te base isn't closed of course. How does that stuff all work? Can I be forced to move from that base?
Yes if enough people senior to you force you out.
 
Can't recall any T-Bones recently. I did have a BE56 yesterday; had to look that one up.

Ah yes, the Duke-engined Baron. A rare duck indeed. I've flown pretty much every version of the Baron except that one. Sounds awesome though. Who doesn't like more speed?...whensomeoneelseispayingforgas...

Who should we be saying high to at LA Center? First name? I'll be doing SBA and SMX turns tomorrow.
 
Ah yes, the Duke-engined Baron. A rare duck indeed. I've flown pretty much every version of the Baron except that one. Sounds awesome though. Who doesn't like more speed?...whensomeoneelseispayingforgas...

Who should we be saying high to at LA Center? First name? I'll be doing SBA and SMX turns tomorrow.

You can ask for RO. I'll be there in the morning tomorrow.

I think the only sweeter, and possibly less fuel-efficient, twin of that ilk is the turbine Duke. If I had all the money...
 
So if I do go to Republic and get based at PIT. Am I able to choose to stay there as long as I want? Assuming te base isn't closed of course. How does that stuff all work? Can I be forced to move from that base?

The only way you'll get booted out of base is if there is a displacement from PIT to another base, or equipment. Please do not come to Republic for the bases. Yes, PIT has been around a while, but RAH opens and closes bases at the drop of a hat. Also, you will probably not have a choice of what equipment you get put on. Yeah, you can always ask to wait for a class for the 170 or Q400, but that doesn't always work.
 
Hence the reason you don't go to a regional based upon their current bases.

Not sure I follow that logic at all. I wanted to get back out West, specifically to Denver. It was pretty obvious that SkyWest was a better choice than somewhere like Air Wisconsin or PSA. Going on my 3rd year now, seems to be working so far!
 
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Yes if enough people senior to you force you out.

Once you're in a base, the only way you can be forced out is if there is displacement or a base closure.

You can lose seniority in base if more senior people transfer there, but you won't ever be forced out because of this.

If you want PIT it seems it should be relatively easy to get it, most likely on the Q. With Newark most likely opening, people will transfer out. I'm at Shuttle though so don't really know the Republic side.
 
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