comair opening a base in DFW is one of the stronger rumors i have heard as of recently. at this point, it is just that, a rumor. allowing for this rumor control, the earliest i have heard that it might happen is this summer. others may have heard differently.
i don't know how hard it would be for you to commute between DFW and CVG since I don't travel on that route. my first recommendation is to always live in the city where you are based. i realize of course that not everyone can do that. each and every route is of course different, and depends on the frequency of flights, number of seats, etc. i commute BNA to MCO, which is a popular destination as you can imagine. it has been easy so far, but i have 911 to think for that. recently the flights have been getting more and more full.
your best bet is to talk to someone that commutes the route you are looking at. keep in mind that jumpseat rules have changed and make it that much more difficult to commute these days.
commuting on ioe...depends on how far in advance they give you your schedule and how often it changes. mine was not given very far in advance and it changed a couple of times and i didn't get to go home.
commuting on reserve...doable, but you only get 10 days off right now and may have to spend some of your off days commuting. as long as you show up for work you are good to go.
commuting on a line...no different than any other company, just show up for work on time.
i don't have the contract with me now, but the commuter policy in a nutshell is that you have a chance to list for two flights and if you can't get on one you can call scheduling and let them know. then you have to show up when you can. something like that, anyway. obviously you have to have flights on which you can list. this policy isn't particularly unique, i understand a lot of companies have them, but it helps. i don't believe the language specifically denies reserves the use of this policy, but i think it makes more sense for lineholders. i have ample time to get to MCO without invoking this policy.
right now, we get 10 days off a month for a guarantee. 4 movable days off, and two groups of three "hard" days off a
month. in july (i think) that goes to 11 days off, with one group of three and one of four hard days. 2003 it goes to 12 days off a month in 31-day months. i don't remember the breakdown.
typical schedule...well, we don't have hard lines, except for the continuous duty lines, so nothing is typical. you can bid for the trips and days off that you want and seniority determines whether you get it or not. i usually work six days, day off, work a couple more, then have four days off, and repeat. that's just me. you can bid any combo you want. there are one day, two day, three, four and five day trips. the possiblities are virtually unlimeted based on your imagination and seniority...
as for upgrade time...last i heard the company was advertising 18 to 24 months at the most recent interviews. i believe this is probably based on the number of aircraft we are expected to get along with all of the crews needed to fly them.
let me know if you have any more questions!!!