There was (is) in our contract "Home basing" which was to include SFO, STL, SLC and TPA.
Technically SFO and STL are Home bases.
I called my rep and asked are they still planning on this? TPA (Tampa was next) he said "No, Parker doesn't like the idea or was reluctant to it."
The reasoning for unusual choices versus say MCO, is TPA is a one airplane base and thus you'd only need one type of reserve pilot there.
For comparison only, AA MIA FA's have a satellite ATL base. There is no admin in ATL at all, and if you are sick YOU must find your replacement. THey hate commuting so much they (FA's) are willing to be flexible.
Our SFO base is truly a Home base. We all hope it will be reopened. There is language in our contract that if sick calls result in more than 15% of reserves being called out to cover trips over the first year, then the base will be closed.
I'm winging the 15% without looking at our contract. I think that's what it was.
Does not apply to STL. Parker agreed to keep those 2 bases open.
LAX reserves will (are) covering SFO base.
I like the idea of Home basing, but looks like it will not happen in the near future.