Original Message

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%20117-3.pdf</p>

11. COMMUTING AND DEADHEAD TRANSPORTATION. There has been quite a bit of confusion on the part of the general public with regard to the terms “commuting” and “deadhead transportation” or “deadheading.” Both are transportation terms normally used by the airline industry.

a. Deadheading. The airline industry refers to the term deadheading as any time that an air carrier assigns a flightcrew member to be transported by a mode of transportation, usually by air, from one location to another and that same flightcrew member is not functioning as an operating flight flightcrew member. Normally, the concept of deadheading is used to move a flightcrew member so that they can be in position to function as an operating flightcrew member for a flight or series of flights. In basic terms, deadheading is an air carrier means of matching crews with the location of their aircraft.

b. Commuting. In contrast, the concept of commuting involves an individual flightcrew member that does not reside within their domicile. This flightcrew member then uses some mode of transportation to get to and from the domicile. Most commuters prefer to commute by air as it provides them with the most flexibility. Unlike deadheading, the commuting flightcrew member is solely responsible for determining and using the mode of transportation to commute to and from their domicile. In basic terms, commuting is an individual initiated function.

Part 135 float/pool pilots commute to their location.  They do not deadhead.