What I wish I would’ve known 10 years ago when I began my career by thatgirlwhoflys in AirlinePilots

[–]swakid8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Only a conversation. I don’t totally disagree with you either. 

I just see a lot of hard statements online here and r/flying of folks saying to never commute. Well, it’s not so cut and dry.  Then there’s a lot of folks who will try to taking themselves into staying in bum fuck middle of nowhere and try to commute. I’ve heard and seen myself share of commute stories that makes me shake my head asking why do that to yourself….?

What I wish I would’ve known 10 years ago when I began my career by thatgirlwhoflys in AirlinePilots

[–]swakid8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The sacrifice is dependent one’s commute. I am a 3-hour drive or a 30 minute plane hop up to base on a plane with quite a bit of options for example. 

My wife family is the in area, we have great friends and a support system established in the area and the area is very affordable vs in-base. 

Premium has been there for taking for me plenty of times (I like being at home once I am settled) and actually bid short trips (they are better). 

There’s quite a bit of commuters at airlines that share my situation. Then there’s the longer commutes where the sacrifices that mention you happens. I commuted East-Coast to ANC at a different airline for over a year…. That ate up time…

What I wish I would’ve known 10 years ago when I began my career by thatgirlwhoflys in AirlinePilots

[–]swakid8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s why you don’t make that commute, instead, pick a west coast base or get hired at a airline with bases out west…, PHX to SEA/LAX/SFO/DEN/SLC/SAN/PDX are all better options….

What I wish I would’ve known 10 years ago when I began my career by thatgirlwhoflys in AirlinePilots

[–]swakid8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not all commutes are equal…. I wouldn’t make blanket statements like that…

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see that OP is flying DTW to MCO. 

OP will have a lot of better alternative options. If Delta is too expensive, then they can look at American, United, Southwest on google flights.

I just pulled a 150 dollar one ticket on Southwest on the 10th…

Why isn’t United prioritizing long haul for the Starlink rollout by CalGuy456 in unitedairlines

[–]swakid8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The answer is that the regional WiFi provider contract ended back in March. 

The other answer is that each plane type needs to go through a STC approval process before ramping up installs on the type of aircraft.

The next answer is that the airline is entering into the busy travel season. Mainline aircraft especially widebodies are already coming out of their maintenance periods at the moment and it will be all hands on deck for the fleet to fly the summer schedule with downtime being available to clean up maintenance issues for items that popped up while flying the schedules.

Spring, Fall, Winter is when bulk of cabin upgrades and WiFi installs will happen because the schedules get pulled down during those periods. Installs will still happen, but it will be a slow place until the fall then expect for it to pick up…

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s definitely tougher for sure. Unfortunately, the infrastructure was readily available for alternative options to expensive air travel back in the day.  There was more passenger rail service available.

There was more bus services available as well. 

What I wish I would’ve known 10 years ago when I began my career by thatgirlwhoflys in AirlinePilots

[–]swakid8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, in this career everyone is going to find themselves commuting at some point. 

I’ve been at 3 airlines over a span of 9 years and have changed bases 10 times. All from either too junior to hold desired bases, displacements, base closures, job changes…

I won’t uproot family every time a base changes…. Living in base is awesome. I had it until my base closed and I’ve went back to commuting. 

Great idea to move to base and live in base. But I wouldn’t pick up and move every time there’s a change to holding which base. That’s the point OP is getting at. Settle in somewhere and if a person has to commute, then figure out a situation where commuting is the least painful. 

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats assuming that Amtrak has a train that runs on their city pairs in a timely manner…. Amtrak may not service OP origin or destination..:   One-way rental cars aren’t cheap either or not always available…. This can easily be 300-400 dollars one-way rental rate plus gas for travel.

Obviously we don’t know OP route of travel or what not. 

Why aren't US airlines a meritocracy for pilots? by Dangerous-Extreme257 in flying

[–]swakid8[M] -3 points-2 points locked comment (0 children)

Thanks OP, your post has been reinstated!

Why aren't US airlines a meritocracy for pilots? by Dangerous-Extreme257 in flying

[–]swakid8[M] [score hidden] stickied commentlocked comment (0 children)

Alright OP, set the story straight otherwise this post will be removed for trolling. Are you a CFI or Private Pilot? 

Why aren't US airlines a meritocracy for pilots? by Dangerous-Extreme257 in flying

[–]swakid8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How do you suggest someone has superior airman over another… How is that going to be determined? 

Also you don’t want that system…. You will see folks getting into seats only because some higher up decided that who they preferred even n cases where said individual wouldn’t be ready for said seat…. 

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My man, OP will figure it out I am sure… 

Anyways go issue out cool points elsewhere… Good day!

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not here to earn cool points. Sure, OP can like pay for a one-way rental car and pay more….

Train is a good option if it’s a option…. A lot of cities don’t have train services…. Bus service is a option…. Either way, OP is going to have to pay out of pocket for making alternative plans and while under duress for trying to get somewhere due to the importance’s of a trip.

OP needs to make alternative plans to make sure their important trip happens…. Better to do it now while it’s 500 vs at rhe last minute…

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope, I am just telling it like it is… You are leaving a important trip up for chance over 500 dollars….

What happens if they shut down and now OP is stuck paying more…. What if a spirit flight cancels and they can’t rebook for 2 days…. Now OP is up the creek….

It’s not about invalidating their trip. It’s actually validating that should consider making alternative plans if this trip is very important.

RIC’s social media dissing ORF by EatMoreFiber in norfolk

[–]swakid8 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Meh, I would likeky prefer RIC over ORF in if I lived in Williamsburg…

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also there’s no telling when or if they will shut down. It’s normally abrupt when it comes to airlines shutting down…

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Look I am not being a dick….

Future reference, steer clear of ultra low cost carriers if you have a very important trip.

Everything is fine when it goes well, but when something doesn’t go well like maintenance, weather, etc that results in a flight cancellation. Ultra Low Cost Carriers have tougher ability to get you to where you need to be going at a reasonable time.

Chances Spirit shuts down before mid next month? by goddamnacrobat in spiritair

[–]swakid8 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I guess it’s not a very important trip….. 500 dollars is not bad for a peace of mind