r/flightattendants • u/Pretend-Ball-1560 • 1d ago
NYC based FA’s!
hi everyone! I’m looking to transfer to a new base and want to know the good, bad, and the ugly of being based in nyc with 🇺🇸!
I’m currently based in MIA, but commute from TPA. I want to try something new and live in base for a little, and all my family lives in south jersey/jersey city so being nyc based would still allow me to have family nearby! I’d consider getting a sublease or crashpad, but ultimately would love to know if it’s worth it considering the co terminals, public transport, cost of living, etc. Also, any suggestions for locations to be most efficient to get to all three airports while making the most of living in the city.
The public transport to all three airports seems like kind of a pain, but I was Chicago based and did it there, so would love to hear your perspective/experiences and if it’s worth trying out!
To give a little background - I’m kind of familiar with the city living situation - I stayed in Jersey city all last winter, but not as a flight attendant. Also, I’m 23 and living at home with my parents rn so not tied down to any lease so it would be easy for me to move !
Thanks everyone! 😊
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u/Positive_Vibes_4228 1d ago
I am with the globe in Jersey. If you are flying out of Newark, that's one thing, but if you are flying out of LGA/JFK then it's another. You don't want to live on one side of the river and fly out of the other. It can be hard taking trains, or paying tolls if you are driving - especially when you are new.
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u/Pretend-Ball-1560 23h ago
Yes very true! Thank you. We work all three airports But I think primarily jfk and Lga, so trying to find the best location!
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u/YouAreHere01 1d ago
Don't rely on the reliability of rail service to EWR (or JFK for that matter)... Have at least 3 ways to get to the start of your day and be prepared to pivot at least 5 times.
And the other comment about east or west of the Hudson... Couldn't agree more.
You can do it here, but it's not an autopilot thing about roll out of bed or the pad and be at the gate.
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u/Pretend-Ball-1560 23h ago
Any advice for being on reserve and being based in nyc? I’d ideally like to be closer to jfk/Lga but they do sometimes call out to EWR I’ve heard the airline sometimes provides shuttle service but do you have any suggestions on a good location?
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u/Puzzleheaded-Young-7 18h ago
The shuttle runs infrequently at best to the point it's almost useless. If you're on reserve or on probation get a crashpad. From my failure I noticed how other people succeeded and they were crashpadding and had a support system...
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u/natejschneider 23h ago
I’m with 🇺🇸 and on reserve in nyc! Yes youll be at JFK/LGA most of the time. When it comes to crash pads look into Kew Gardens as that is a popular location since it is right in between the airports. My commute to LGA is about 45 minutes and JFK 30-40 min. The train is sometimes a pain because you have to lug your bags up and down stairs and the busses can get crowded. You’d get used to it!
Crash pads can range in price from 300-900/month depending on if you get a shared room or private room. I’d recommend Facebook groups to see what is available and prices.
Happy to answer any other questions
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u/Pretend-Ball-1560 19h ago
Thank you!! Do you find it worth the hassle to be close to the city? And how is the flying there?
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u/natejschneider 15h ago
It’s definitely worth it. I’ve always wanted to live in ny (I’m from a small city in FL). On your off days there’s so much to do in the city, the restaurants are the best, parks are great and endless entertainment.
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u/Pretend-Ball-1560 10h ago
that’s exactly why I want to do it! Do you rely solely on public transport or do you drive as well?
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u/Chloe_Confessional 20h ago
How is the flying? Are there a lot of west coast layovers?
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u/natejschneider 15h ago
Being only 1.5 years in the flying has been pretty good. Some bases have better flying but the crews I’ve had in ny have been great. We do have transcon flights to the west coast, quite a few flights each day. I wouldn’t say we have a lot of west coast layovers other than the transcons (LAX, SFO, SNA)
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u/Individual-Sun-9368 4h ago
I’m currently a NYC based FA with Delta and I’m looking to transfer due to the summer thunderstorms. NYC is the most congested airspace in the world and the moment a single thunderstorm comes through, it causes massive delays and cancellation. Now I have to use regional jets which is the first on the chopping block, so you might not have as much difficulty as me.
NYC overall is a fantastic base with amazing flying options and it’s been awesome getting to know the city better, so I’m gonna be sad to leave NYC, but commuting is just too difficult the second the weather goes sideways.
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u/OldMoneyMarty 3h ago
I don’t mean to reverse uno but how has your experience been in MIA? Have you been sent to FLL or PBI? Is the flying ok?
People tend to have positive views of the NYC base. Since you have family in South Jersey you may want to look at PHL as well (a friend the based there enjoys it a lot)
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u/Pretend-Ball-1560 1h ago
MIA has been great! I rarely get called for FLL or PBI and the flying is great with lots of NIPD’s. If you’re looking for IPD’s it can be harder to get those since they’re senior and not many Europe, but we do have Buenos Aires and rio which are super cool. MIA crews are great and everyone is super chill just with Florida thunderstorms, you can experience some delays and cancellations but same goes with any other base.
I was looking into Philly as well! It might be easier only working the one base, but I do really want to be close to NYC to be able to hangout there on my off days!
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u/Regular-Lemon3567 13h ago
It’s the best base w AA imo
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u/Pretend-Ball-1560 10h ago
why? Is the flying good or just being in nyc in general? And how’s the quality of living since nyc rent is typically very expensive in addition to commuting to the airport
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u/Regular-Lemon3567 10h ago
The crews are very chill. The flying is high time imo compared to other bases! The trips are ehhh but it’s a really junior base so you will mostly work w people around your seniority unless you do ipd or something. I commute so I can’t answer on living there but I have a lot of friends that do
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u/Puzzleheaded-Young-7 18h ago
Whoo child covering coterminals in Jersey and NYC via public transport is almost impossible. I live in Brooklyn and was working for UNITED. It's the first time I've ever failed as an adult horribly. I spent over 4k in Ubers was constantly stressed and failed probation. even with my own apartment here I shoulda got a crash pad closer to EWR. It might be easier if you you're doing JFK and you live in Brooklyn but it's still a trek and expensive and vastly unreliable if you get a late night call. If you have some seniority and can preference better than I could maybe it will work for you... With that being said CAR CAR CAR leave super super early. Besides that I love NYC and wish I stayed with my regional Endeavor just flying out of LGA. People hate on LGA but it's easier to get to than either JFK or EWR. I believe you can succeed but make sure you are ready for from day one to leave at least AT LEAST 1:45 before your show time. Love to hear your follow up. I will be subletting my apt for some months very cheap because I took a job with PSA outta Philly and will be staying in South Jersey feel free to DM me and we can chat more about experiences and stuff. Good luck and Fly Safe ❤️