commuting vs home base

[spotty4]

I know there have already been threads re: commuting and I found a few and read through them. But, for ease, I'm just going to start a new one!

We live in CA and my honey's base is MSP. He's just about finished w/ training and will start his IOE soon. So, w/ that in mind, he has not "truly" started his commute. He will commute out of SJC (San Jose) where there is a direct non-stop to MSP daily. If that one does not work out, there are several flights to MSP out of SFO, 40 mins up the road from SJC. We live 70 mins from SJC. I work full time so I can't drop him off and pick him up all the time so he'll either drive and park, or drive up to the furthest south BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station to a stop near SJC and then hop a shuttle to SJC. The catch w/ this method is that train is a commuter train and leaves the station only in the early morning and returns only in the early evening. I can see that turning into a mess. Either way, I'm sure he'll fashion some method to iron out the wrinkles.

We figure this is how its going to be while I'm working full time out here and we do not have any kids. We're thinking to stay here for another 1.5-2 yrs, for my career goals, and then re-evaluate our situation. If he likes his job, we'd like to move closer to his home base. Where we go (MSP, DTW, MEM are the possibilities) will depend on where I can get the best opportunity w/ my current employer (large DoD contracting company w/ offices nationwide). At that point, w/ him ideally being home more, we would start a family.

All of you oh so wise ones ... is that a good plan? Reasonable? I know there are pros/cons to commuting, but are there any cons for living at your home base? I can't think of any. Well, I guess one con is proximity to family, which doesn't really matter b/c as it is we're super far from family. Moving to any of those locations brings us a lot closer to family (they're in OH and NJ).

[ace12]

Obviously, you have it well thought out. My first response is that it's a tough commute b/c of the number of flights and the additional drive time. Right now, my DH is doing 1h15 drive to DEN, then a three hour flight; but, there are five or six flights on his airline a day- not counting others where he can jumpseat. It's still tough b/c he needs to be there for one of the earlier flights in case the later ones don't work.

However, I think that these other gals will tell you that anything is possible. I imagine that the first year is going to be exhausting. Is he going to have a crash pad in MSP for the days/nights that it might become necessary?

Good luck with NWA... I hope it goes really well & keep us updated.

[CLErocks]

When my DH started his career in aviation, we decided as a family to live where he is based. I love my fam and miss them and their support alot (they live in TX) but I would rather have my family together(me, DH, and DD). My DH doesn't have the stress of commuting and if he can catch a flight or not. When he is off he's off I think it is a load off his back. I want my DH to be a big part of our daughter's life escpecially now when she is little. I think there are pro's/con's to every situation but living at base works best for us. In the end that's what it will come down to for you and your DH. What works best for you two?

[jr_lenz]

we commute, living at base camp doesn't work for us. we have a one hour commute to boise to saltlake city.

Here is my one piece of advice...parking since we are not based out of Boise we have to pay for emp. parking. to me it is a little costly. We get free emp. parking out of salt lake. It sounds like your DH has a couple of options as far as airports, but in order to park there is is going to need to set of parking ahead of time, and if you are paying for two lots a month it will add up quick. Also he needs to get in place, its not something you can just do one morning b/c you decided to fly out of there that morning....just keep it mind.

[Bigsweetie]

The downside that I see to living in base, is that you may get lucky and his base won't change, but be prepared in case it does. If you move to his base, start a family, etc. are you willing to uproot yourself and the kids if/when his base changes.

We are a family that "doesn't chase metal". We prefer to live near our relatives. But if my DH absolutely hated his commute (right now, we're lucky that he got based near the city we live in, however he still has to be down at the airport for 18 days- it's a long story) then I would consider moving.

I would say base your decision more on his ability to handle commuting rather than on the added time you think you'll get together. Just my opinion.

[rgphib]

We are also a commuting family. DH started at ExpressJet my senior year in college (99) and commuted from FL to Houston. When I graduated in Dec. of 99 we decided to move back up to New England (we were both the area) so that we could be near family. He wanted me to be near both our families since he is gone 4 days at a time. He has commuted out of MHT for the past 8 years. He has commuted to EWR, IAH and CLE. CLE was the easiest, but he is currently in EWR.

When he goes to Southwest next year, we will also commute again. In the future we have discussed moving to Florida so he won't have to commute. I'm sure once baby boy arrives in January, it will be something we start to consider. I think it is going to be really hard for him to leave for work with the baby at home.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you and hubby will figure out what will work best for your family and your situation.

[roz]

We've never chased metal either as I have a full time job(s). The other thing, as others have mentioned, is that bases change. Delta closed DFW a few years ago leaving lots of people caught off guard. My DH's airline is in the process of closing it's original base! That means hundreds of people who have never, ever commuted will either become commuters, move or find another job. And given the horrific housing market in the DTW area, moving is not a pretty prospect as they will all suffer losses on the sale (if it happens) of their homes. You never know what will happen when a company decides to move on to another business model.

Good luck on your decision and keep us posted!

[GreenMtnGirl]

Off the subject, but I bet my DB was in the same Mesaba class as yours... July 30th? He just finished LOFT for the Saab and is waiting for the call for IOE. (Which means he spent the whole week with me! Yayyy!) He left this morning for MSP where his car is, will drive overnight to DTW (where he hopefully has an employee parking pass waiting), then fly to VT for a few days to see family if he has time.

On the subject:

From the outside, I know the life of a pilot seems a very insane. But the way I see it, if they love their job enough, the commute is bearable--and bearable for me too because I know he's happy with what he's doing. If that ever ceases to be the case, we'll just have to make some changes.

Sounds like the simple thing to do is see how your SO's plan to commute works out in the next few months. I bet you will learn a lot about what you want and what you don't want!
In my book, QofL is most important...my SO's dad commutes from northern VT to PHL and CLT; living where he wants to makes the long drive and long flight worth it!

My SO just found a crash pad in DTW where he'll be able to stay when he can't make it back here (Portland ME). $150 a month or something, and I think they come cheaper...beats crashing somewhere like the airport or his car if he can't make it here, or has trips back to back. Has your SO thought about getting a crash pad in MSP? Might save on a lot of stress...

Congrats to your SO, btw, on passing his LOFT. Pretty crazy stuff...my DB is glad it's over!

[roz]

DH's DTW crashpad is $133/month--or was as this is his last month there.

[Kristie]

We've always operated that the commute is based upon where my job is. If i have a good job in an area that's not the base, then we stay there since he can fly out of any major airport and still get to work.

I figure it's good compromise otherwise my resume would probably be littered with location moves which doesn't make me "dependable" to a company in my field.

it's also based on quality of life.. none of the bases appeal to me living wise so i'd probably be fairly unhappy most of the time since i'd be in that city/town 90% more than doug.