Thevito

Starting with AA soon and was wondering the various QOL for different bases while commuting on RSV from DFW. Trying to plan ahead for base selection.

Any advice would be great. Also any advice on living in base on short call and what that looks like for various bases.

Thank you.

Clint

You’re looking at a couple different issues; commute, the living (crash pad), and the flying.
Commuting from DFW to any domicile can be tough, since there are a lot of deadheaders going to/from Training, and many times they can show up last minute and change the seat availability. That’s on top of the passengers who show up last minute based on last minute sales or late shows who get rolled over to your flight. I was a DFW-MIA commuter until last October and I almost always booked the Jumpseat. In the first six months or so I had to sit up there less than half the time. In the last year I was almost always up there. There are currently about 10 DFW-MIA flights, most of which have planes with two jump seats. If the MIA flights are full you can catch a flight into FLL and take the Tri-Rail (train) down. LGA is similar in that you have JFK and EWR , but you’ll have to take an Uber from there. Downside to MIA, LGA or PHL is losing an hour in the commute on top of the 2-2.5 hour flight. LAX is good for commuting from DFW because you gain two hours going there, and there are red eyes coming back if you finish late.

MIA for location is great. Crash pads aren’t crazy expensive (200-300 a month for a shared room) and obviously you have the beach. It’s busy and traffic sucks, but the same probably goes for LGA and LAX, and you’ll probably use an Uber most of the time anyway.

For flying, I think MIA international wins hands down. I did a ton of Caribbean flying and only had to pack warm cloths a few times. This won’t be as good of a deal as the international and domestic divisions are merged, but still good.

kme9418

My goal: DFW base as soon as I can hold it. Is it fair to say that for LAX and LGA you can absolutely get by with Uber (or sub for LGA) so that an airport car in base is not required?

LuckyNow

There are a few exceptions to this rule, but in the bases that have multiple airports to cover (MIA, LAX, LGA), the Airbus is going to keep you flying in and out of the same airport. The 737 flies out of all of them. So if you had a choice in fleets, that may sway you.

airlinegypsy

Uber gets expensive quickly when going between airports. In NYC just take train if you can. In LA I’ve had decent luck renting a car (usually through Priceline) at the last minute. Sometimes I’m out the door for as little as 20 bucks a day but I’m willing to go higher since Uber in LA between airports isn’t cheap. LAX to SNA is about 55, to ONT it’s 75.


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Climb510

Keep in mind the weather in the NE. It can snow from October to April, which causes delays and cancellations. This can make commuting to LGA or PHL a nightmare.

PRS Guitars

PHL is great for this reason. Cheap crash pads in Essington, which is a 5 minute bus ride. No car needed there. Of course you need to get an Airbus or 190 to get there, I recommend the AB.

Thevito

Thanks for the advice everyone.

jcountry

Definitely don’t take a car to philly.

Not worth the trouble.

Just stay in the house from fight club-right across from the lot. It will put hair on your chest

CaptKrunch

Anyone here LAX 737 reserve? Or recently enough off reserve that you can answer some questions?