Originally Posted by
PurpleCRJ
Is there any benefit to the company for a west coast base besides covering outstation sick/timeouts? If not, it's probably still worth it if done right, right? How about a SFO/OAK common base? Maybe that would make the most sense. Hey, you could even throw in SJC and SMF with longer callouts. Out of SFO and OAK you could easily deadhead crews on UAL or SWA anywhere. For pilots, it's better than LA because of public transportation and traffic. What about the possibility of being cross-trained/utilized on A330 and A321 simultaneously? Am I way off here?
There is always talk and rumor on re opening west coast bases and I'm sure senior management is constantly studying it. When the noes come, they may or may not do something .... And the current move towards one fleet type is also a factor as currently both 767 and A330 fly to the west coast making a base less cost effective from that standpoint.
In the end, if/when it is the companies interest to open one, I'm sure the union would engage the issue, but until then it's just rumor.. I came here expecting no west coast base in the short term, this way ™ expectations are realistic. Truth also be told, if one were to open it would likely go quite senior and I wouldn't be able to hold it anyway... Much less any new hires.