PHX or LAX more commuter friendly?
12-02-2019, 08:12 PM
#1
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Joined APC: May 2011
Position: A320
Posts: 77
PHX or LAX more commuter friendly?
I’m a new hire on the 320 in LAX, I’ll be commuting out of SAT or AUS. Which base PHX or LAX would be the most commuter friendly? I see PHX is way more senior, but LA is more expensive. I’m trying to find out which base would offer the better qol as a junior FO on reserve. I would appreciate any advice you may have.
12-02-2019, 08:20 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 2,297
I think you hit it. LAX will probably offer better QOL due to quicker seniority and a few more flights per day for the commute. But, LAX is more expensive, hotels are more expensive and you will pay .9% CA disability tax capped at about $1200 a year.
12-03-2019, 07:12 AM
#7
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Joined APC: Oct 2013
Posts: 63
PHX is the most Senior Group 2 CA base, but a fairy Junior Group 2 FO base. Bottom FO is 15,XXX. LAX has some of the most expensive and crappy hotels with only LGA competing. There are tons of trips starting with red eyes from both LAX and PHX so commuting on the front end should not be too hard, but many trips get back late and you may be forced into a hotel or crash pad at either base. PHX has some of the best values for close hotels of any base. I would look to see which I’d remit her you could sit LCR from home at given the commuting options.
12-03-2019, 08:04 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: A-320
Posts: 1,122
A few years ago I commuted from SMF. The flights to PHX were all mainline, and LAX was all RJs. Even though there were half as many flights to PHX the commute was easier being able to reserve the jumpseat. I had much better seniority at LAX but would often get non commutable on one end 2 day trips. In PHX I’d get very commutable 4 day trips. They all started with a redeye but all my LAX trips had those too. My QOL at 90% in PHX was better than 60% in LAX. Decent hotels aren’t hard to find for $50-60/night in PHX, except during spring training.
12-03-2019, 08:08 AM
#9
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Joined APC: Oct 2013
Posts: 63
I think the only change to the above is that with ACD more trips in PHX (and likely everywhere else) have later end times on the last day making commutes home harder. I’ve seen a lot of trips that get back to PHX in the late afternoon just to have a turn on the end making the last day end around 2200 with the last day having >8hrs of flying. I’d still expect PHX may be the better choice if just due to cheaper clean hotels.
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