LAX is busy in the summer (3 jets) and not so much in the winter (2 jets). So they TDY people in for the summer, and sometimes TDY people out in the winter. Usually the TDY out are CAs since most FOs are new hires and bid out as soon as they can, creating an FO shortage. So if you want to stay in LAX, you would probably get senior quickly and not have to worry about involuntary TDY. Sometimes senior people bid TDY because its a nice change of pace and pays a bit more (hotel, rental car, and $1500 perdiem). Florida is busy in the winter, and the west coast is busy in the summer, so the smaller bases are most likely to TDY. FLL, PGD, LAX, OAK.

VBD is different. It's a "base" you can bid where you're always on TDY. A lot of them actually give up their permanent residence and just move around, living in hotels on the company's dime. We call it the homeless base.

 

LAX is actually starting to get a fair number of FOs that want to be there and are waiting for upgrade. So, while the bottom few spots are easy to get, the ability to move up the list quickly is not as prevalent now.


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How’s oakland looking these days? Junior? I only ever see one airplane parked there. Would it be relatively easy to gain seniority there quickly?

 

Oakland is possibly the least popular base due to the outrageous cost of working in California and as a result always has been a junior base for FOs. You'll most likely be able to get it right out of training. However, it is different on the CA side because it is full of locals who are happy being there. Therefore it will be hard to upgrade in OAK unless there is growth. Generally there is very little flying in OAK except for the few months in the summer. It is a great place to be on reserve assuming you live in base otherwise not such a good base if you want to fly a lot. Usually there are only two lines so the top two guys get all the good stuff. On the other hand you will rarely get called on reserve so it's nice if you feel like doing that. Rumor is that another plane will be added to OAK sometime in 2019.

 

Hey apreciate the info. Ya I’m a local, and as stupid as it is to live here right now I want to haha.
So planing to apply whenever the next window of hiring is and be the next Oakland lifer.

 

You're welcome. As a matter of fact I heard there are two relatively senior FOs leaving the OAK base soon. I think once the second plane gets to OAK sometime after the transition things'll get rolling again in OAK. I'll keep you informed on when hiring is about to begin as soon as I hear something.

 

Thanks for the clarification. Are you able to commute to a VBD? Or do you need to be RON there the whole time? Also, do you get a per diem while at a VBD?

 

Yes, you can commute from your VBD base. You still get your min days off in that base. You are free to do whatever you want once you are off duty as long as you are back for the next duty.
Per diem is 24/7 at $2/hr while you are on VBD. That is $1500 more or less each month. Plus you will get a hotel room in that base for the entire month.

 

Thanks for the info! Sounds like a unique program and potentially positive place to work. Do you have any info on recent hires? What's competitive, what's not? Hiring process gouge?

 

Not hiring at the moment, I heard possibly some classes in the summer. Last time around the mins were around 4000TT and 1000 pic turbine. This changes all the time though and there are always exceptions.