I was hired into 320/LAX. 13 mainline flights a day DFW-LAX. I never have a problem reserving a jumpseat 8 days out. A320 only serves one airport in LAX vs. 3 in LGA. Not sure about MIA. I did 3 days of short call after OE then had long call the next month. Volunteered for one TDY to PHL on SC then held a decent line. I've literally only flown one redeye since OE in June. Several good crashpad options in LA. I pay $340/mo for mine with air conditioning, daily maid service and clean sheets/towels on every arrival. $10 Lyft to crashpad.

Thanks for the info. If you are holding a line in LAX why do you still need the crash pad? Have you thought of switching to PHX?

PHX is much more senior. I'm 66% in my bid status in LAX. I'd be 95% in PHX. I don't enjoy redeyes so my seniority in LAX allows me to hold a line, fly daytime, and commute on the back end. I use the crashpad to commute in the day prior on the front end since I can't hold daytime trips that are commutable on both ends.

I live almost completely equidistant from EWR and LGA. Obviously JFK adds a little more time. EWR is probably most ideal. I know things change too often to predict with good success, but can anyone shed some light on 737 vs 320 specific to EWR flying. It was mentioned that the 737 does more flying out of EWR and that the 320 does some West coast stuff. But in terms of schedules, what is generally considered “better” (and why?)? I have no problem with early starts or late finishes. Ideally, I’d just like to maximize pay and days off and minimize TAFB.

I can only speak for my time there on the 737. I was on the international side (which is a small bid status), most of my trips were JFK. In the 9 months I was based in NY I didn’t fly any EWR trips. There are some guys that live on the EWR side and pick those trips up (which might be you too!). It may have changed within the last year but I didn’t do any transcons on the 737 mostly east coast and Caribbean routes (the ANU layover is a great time).
Because LGA is a junior base on both planes, I think you’ll see your trip productivity climb rather fast.
I know that’s not much help without a 320 comparison

AA New hire here, and stoked about the recent drops.

In the event that I have some say in what I'll be doing and where from, what is the best location to get a commutable schedule fastest?

I'm thinking based on recent drops LGA, DCA, MIA would be my best bet (anything east coast). LAX is a two hop from where I'm at and everything else has direct multiple times a day on AA metal. I will be a commuter until I get DFW (willing to wait the long game), and have no preference on what type of flying/airframe, just minimizing time away from home as I'll also be commuting to an ANG job. Did I mention I'm also a glutton for punishment? Thanks in advance.

Most bases have commutable trips, the key to commutability is seniority. You’ll want to find out which base gives you the most seniority the quickest. Most likely LGA or MIA. LAX might be in the mix as well. As a junior guy you will be on reserve. Commute to RSV is doable but not fun.

I understand the academic part of it. It is the details of the bases that I’m looking for data to make the best decision.

Being more specific: Since the last drop was all 320/737 to LGA, DCA, MIA and LAX, if it stays that way for my drop and I have a choice. Given current seniority lists (that I dont yet have access to) which would be the fastest seniority growth? Also what are other considerations I need to take into account as a commuter when it comes to airports serviced by pilots based at the above mentioned? How does international vs domestic affect things?

Example: I have read something to the affect of 73s out of LA have orange county and somewhere else but 320s are only LA. As a guy who has yet to start doing this, it seems daunting for a commuter to be assigned a base with multiple airports to be available for. Maybe this isn’t a big deal, maybe it is. I don’t know what I dont know. I’m all mil experience and didn’t cut my teeth in the regionals so this is all new to me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Just a "data point" of sorts. There are three junior airbus fo's in my MIA crash pad, that are leaving for LGA tomorrow. Their seniority is much better in LGA than MIA, and things have been moving faster in LGA.

LGA and MIA are your best bets. From what I have seen both are about the same seniority growth for junior pilots. In LGA, you’ll have to cover JFK, LGA and EWR on the 737. Someone else will chime in on the 320. (which most of what you’ll get on RSV will be between LGA and JFK). In MIA you’ll have to cover FLL and PBI (most of what you’ll get on RSV will be MIA).
If I were a betting man, LGA will give you the fastest relative seniority growth, however if you are going to sit SC might want to consider being on the beach for it.
Both the 320 and the 737 have close to the same growth rate in DFW, so it’s the proverbial 6 of one cliche. Feel free to PM me for any help you need man. (I retired off the C model last year)