Originally Posted by
grrowler
I have done it for many years and tried many different options - here’s my 2 cents…
Get a place or room of your own so your roster bids don’t become all about avoiding nights in your base and can be more focussed on lifestyle🤪 and you don’t have to stress about booking/ cancelling hotels.
Accept that there is a cost to commuting and budget accordingly.
Accept that you will lose at least one day off per work period to travelling. Don’t try cutting it too fine travelling to work.
Make the most of your time in your base rather than moping around wishing you were at home.
Couldn't agree more with this. Commuted the better part of a decade, both SH and LH. 2 votes for having a commuter car at the other end. I'm all for having a commuter pad that isn't next to the airport and you actually like spending time in - so you don't hate life when you've got to spend time there on reserve - and for your family to visit if that's possible. Also cutting it fine with flights to and from creates unnecessary stress. I fly with a lot of guys who commute in SH for what it's worth. Some have taken positions in other bases to upgrade (thinking it won't be long before a base transfer comes up - and then something like COVID happens....), sometimes life and family dictate/force a move to another city/or dictate staying in the city that they are in (ie. it's not always the pilot's choice when your family has to move or stay), and sometimes when you join a company - you don't get a choice (QF 787 Perth SO). Regardless of the reason, commuting sucks a bit, but remember there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
Good luck!
