dojetdriver

Allright, anybody with a crystal ball, fire it up and help me out with this.

I would like to be IAH based but it doesn't look like that will happen. I heard everybody in the last few classes got either EWR or CLE, which one is better?

I'm not talking about the commute, it's about the same. Which one has better crashpads (locatin to airport, car necessary, public transportation, ect.)?

If you are stuck on reserve, which one has more to do while waiting for a call to fly? I know EWR is close to NYC, but it can be a mission to get between the two sometimes.

Which one will an FNG hold a line the soonest? I've heard that CLE is pretty senior.

Are the trips in EWR at least one end commutable, ie; finish before 2-3 pm assuming and early show on day 1?

Any info or personal experience on the matter will be appreciated.

Dojetdriver, happy to be here.

MiyamotoMusashi

Well, I'm new here to, but I'm happy to give my half-informed opinions/rumors, little as they may be worth:

I'm commuting from DFW, and opted for EWR.
Reasons for:
1. Easy commute. DFW-EWR has 4-5 flight a day, all aboout 50%-85% full.
2. Rumor mill spat out that a line may be held faster in EWR. From what I've seen, they'res a good shot this may be true. No facts to back that up though.
3. Flying is much better. Lots of Canada trips, some Mexico, and potential for Bahamas (no overnights though, sorry)
4. Public trasport up here obviates the need for a car.
5. New York is fun as HELL. NJ has it's moments too.

Reasons against:
1. New York is EXPENSIVE as hell. NJ is a close second.
2. You have to live in NJ.
3. Public transport may obviate the need for a car, but it's still a pain in the ***. You'd have to drive to Cleveland, but having personal transportation is pretty desirable.
4. Wherever the hell your're commuting from may make it difficult to get to EWR. Advice: go on coair.com and check the nuber of flights and boarding totals for a few days, and for both bases, to get a picture of what your commute will be like.

Happy Camper

Bob Sacamano

Definitely EWR....I moved to NJ (Morristown) and have been pretty happy so far. NYC is close and so is the countryside. Lots of bars, rest.'s, young people, etc. As for crashpads, I can't speak with personal experience but the people from my class who are up here seem to be having a blast. CLE folks on the other hand seem rather bored as I don't believe there is much close to the crashpads unless you have a car but I could be wrong. I know of a few people in EWR that decided to stay here rather than transfer to IAH.

Jetlink1175

I like CLE alot, but then again I hate the NY area. There is supposed to be a perm bid in June or July. When that happens I'll bid IAH, but for now CLE is not bad.

fly_bunni

I cant speak for pilot lines...but as far as commutes, i make one of the hardest there is: ATL/EWR. Truthfully, my commute would be easier to either IAH or CLE (due to both are serviced by an RJ at some point in the day where ATL/EWR is CAL only) and i choose to stay in EWR for one reason: The People! From my own personal experience, the folks in EWR are laid back and a lot of fun to fly with.

I've done the EWR crashpad thing too. I believe its affordable (even on a FA's pay...as long as you arent supporting a family too) and there are lots of fun, cheap things to do without your own ride. (See the EWR crashpad thread..a party on the rooftop in the spring overlooking Manhattan can be pretty schweeet!)

-Good Luck!

onlybiff

All I have to say is I only bid a reserve line for 1 month in CLE. Moved up 30 numbers and held a relief liine for this month. Move up at least another 10 numbers for the June bid. Have a crash pad thats near the train to the aiport thats cheap. Remember most of the FO's who come to CLE dont want to be here and bid out quickly, hence the rapid progression currently. If its a short commute like mine is ORD-CLE then its worth it. Hope that helped.

newbie

Been in both CLE and IAH, like CLE best. Great Chief Pilots, great people to fly with, friendly base, real laid back. Will move up as an FO quickly, since everyone seems to want to move to IAH.