Originally Posted by
Scoop
No worries. Plenty of guys sit SC in those areas. LAX does not generate a lot of "We need you at the airport ASAP" calls.
Yes, it can always happen, but in 15 years of on and off reserve I had 1 call to get to the airport as soon as possible.
It was pretty funny - I was just off probation on the panel and made it in 1+45. The FO shows up at 2+30. At 3+00, the CA calls and says "I am stuck in traffic I will be there in another hour." This was for a DH segment that was held up for us.
That was the only call for less than 12 hours that I can remember. LAX does not have thunderstorms, snowstorms etc.
Scoop
I agree with Scoop for the most part but Scoop is way senior to me. My experience in LA since arriving in 2008 is an average of one "get there ASAP" call per year for my first 4 years while I was a reserve. Three to LAX and one to SNA which is outside 2 hours for me. I made the 3 to LAX and on the way to SNA was turned around because I couldn't make it before quiet hours on a Friday night.
One was to fly the Angels on a charter which was obviously high vis and I broke Mach. Never heard a word from scheduling or the CPO except for "nice try." I told them in advance that it was going to be close and pressed on. There is no hard and fast rule other than what Scambo quoted. LA and NYC are different animals from the other bases. I was just referring to the "jumping thru the ass" factor for you. Whatever you're comfortable with. On probation, I'm not sure I'd push it. YMMV.