Wanderer:
Commuting in N Amreica is doable. Provided you do not live to far from N. York. In the past the rosters were ok. Everything is subject to change here at CX.
The problem at the moment is you may get minimal days off between patterns. ie N. York-Anc-New York (4 day pattern) then 2 days off then NewYork-ANC-HKG-ANC-NYC then five days off (7 maybe 8 day pattern), then start again. So you could be away (worst case) for 11 or 12 days. However that is offset by getting better months of two out and backs (no regional). So as long as 15 days at home or so is ok and you are fine with not being able to control which 15, it is a do-able commute.
The biggest worry is winter weather. If it gets crappy you got to go a day or two ahead and probably have to buy full fair. Only happens once or twice a year on average.
The best thing about the roster, is that when you make it on to the pax roster it gets considerably better !! Also no disruptions and you get home when your rosters says you will !!
Good Luck.
FG
Last edited by Five Green; 20th Jan 2007 at 10:21.