Commuting

I can so relate to this picture.  Commuting is no joke.  It’s tough and, let be known, it can make your first and last day of trips much longer and harder than they should be.  Being a commuter can also make certain types of trips not possible unless you’re willing to fork out money for a crash pad or hotels.  I will go over that in this post as well.

But commuting is always an option for someone who really wants to be a flight attendant or pilot and really is not able, or willing, to move to a base.  There are ways you can make it somewhat easier, though.  I’ll go over those in a minute too.

I’ve been commuting pretty much all of my flight attendant career, except for about a year and half when I was based in IAD (Washington Dulles) and I could drive in. It was still an hour and a half drive but at least I COULD drive.  Other than that, I’ve had to try and catch a flight into my base to start my trips.  Currently my employer does not service my nearest airport so I have to take other airlines to get in.  We can do that because we all have reciprocal agreements and that’s so nice.  But keep in mind, if you fly a carrier you don’t work for, your priority on the standby list is rock bottom. 

So basically how it works is I first figure out what time I need to be there.  Most airlines have a requirement to be there an hour prior to departure time.  Example: if my first leg of my trip departs at 6:00 pm, I need to be at the airport checking in for it at 5:00 pm.  I begin by searching for flights that can get me there with plenty of time to spare.  If you can commute on your own airline that is great because you can simply log in and list yourself for a flight and check in for it too.  You can see how the loads look (how many seats are available and if any other standbys will be ahead of you on the list).  You’ll also have a better priority to get a seat than if you don’t work for that airline.  Me? I have to use a website such as Passrider.com  to see what my options are.  To see how the loads are I usually use an app called StaffTraveler or Staff Airlines (Apple or Google Play ). Both are good.  Staff Traveler will show you how many standbys are already listed and what seats are available by class.  You do need to have credits with them for each flight you check but you can earn them for free by checking flights for other people . Staff Airlines is free to use but won’t show the standbys.  It’s still very useful.

Some airlines will allow you to list and check in online.  Others you have to do both in person.  This is annoying but what can you do? If it’s my best option for getting there on time I just plan accordingly.  By the way, always ALWAYS ALWAYS be respectful to the customer service/gate agent assisting you.  No matter how tired, annoyed or irritated you are or how unfriendly they may be: hold it in! Bite your lip.

I have had many trips where I have had to commute in hours, and I mean HOURS, ahead of time.  If there is an unbroken recliner in the crew room I usually head there to chill and maybe take a catnap.  I’ve used broken recliners too when I really don’t give a youknowwhat.   In fact I'll be doing this on my trip that starts tomorrow.  I’ve also gone out of pocket to doze in a Minute Suite before as well.  They’re not cheap anymore so I don’t go that route these days. When I have a trip that starts too early to commute in that day, I have to commute in the night before.  I try and get a hotel room.  There are hotels that offer crew rates.  It can still be pricy but here are some places you can search for these discounts.

https://stafftraveler.com/deals/hotels

https://interlinetravel.com/hotel-discount-codes/

https://www.crewtel-usa.com/

https://www.airlinestaffrates.com/

 

Also, if you’re on reserve you must be within two hours of your base when on call.  This means, if you don’t live in your base and commute you’ll need a crashpad.  This is an apartment, house or a hotel room that you pay to share with other airline commuters.  Some are “hot beds” which means you won’t have your own dedicated bed.  I had one of these before.  All the residents kept our bedding in plastic tubs and we’d make up an available bed when we arrived.  “Cold bed” crashpads allow you your own dedicated bed you can leave set up when not using it.  I had one these before as well. Some crashpads offer transportation to and from the airport.  Otherwise you may need to catch an Uber, Lyft or taxi.  One I had I’d hop on a train at the airport, take it two stops and then walk a couple blocks to my crashpad.  Not just reserves use crashpads.  Many lineholders do as well so that they have a place to “crash” before or after a trip.  Cost can vary greatly depending on the area and ammenties.   Some crashpads are gender specific and some are co-ed.  Make sure you're aware of that if you're not comfortable with it. 

Here are some links that can help finding a crashpad:

http://crashpads.com/

https://www.purecrashpads.com/

https://crashpad411.com/

https://hotelcrashpads.com/

 

There is also the stress of actually getting on the flight.  If it’s on your own metal (the airline you work for) there is usually the possibility of getting the jumpseat.  But usually that’s not an option if you’re trying to commute on another airline.  There is a list of priority for standbys and each airline is different.  But in general their own active employees go first, followed by the employee’s passriders, in seniority order.  Retirees are usually next.  There may be buddy passes and regional carrier employees in the mix as well.  But, generally speaking, if you work for one airline and are trying to fly on another you’ll be rock bottom.  Make sure your airline has a generous commuter clause in the contract in the contract if  you’re planning to be a commuter. 

Once you're on the line, if you're working for a United States carrier you'll be able to sign up for Known Crewmember (KCM)  There are very specific rules you do have to follow to use this but it's such a Godsend and time saver.  You don't have to be in uniform but keep in mind there are a lot of random selections for regular security.  If you're out of uniform the same rules for the general public will apply to you.  This means the 3-2-1 rule and others. Check here.  You can't bring items for someone not eligible for KCM as well as items you would expect. Check here for a complete list of rules.  And don't lose your badge.  Clip it on to your lanyard along with your work ID badge.

 Getting back home after your trip can be stressful as well.  You may be delayed just enough to miss your flight home.  I’ve had many times where I missed the flight by minutes, sometimes when it was the only flight or the last one of the day.  It’s frustrating.  That’s why I can relate to the photo at the top. 

Plan your commute.  Know when you need to be there and look for flights that get you there with plenty of time.  Check loads.  Have back up plans and backup plans to the backup plans..  There are Facebook groups you can join to ask for load checks. Here are two I use (this one and this one) Above I mentioned Stafftraveler and StaffAirlines.  Scroll up for the links.

Again, commuting sucks.  If you can move to your base DO IT.  I would so love to live in base.  But everyone has their own reasons why they can’t or won’t.  If you have to you have options, though.   Have a plan, a Plan B and a Plan C.  Maybe even a Plan D.  Try to look at it as an adventure, if you can!  Who am I kidding?  Commuting isn't fun for me at all.  But with PPP (proper prior planning) you can make it work.

 This isn't my video but check it out!