Originally Posted by Lighttwin

Just wanted to say thanks for all the informative post on this thread. I’m at brown and have been thinking about making the jump to DL for the past 6+ months. LAX would be top choice for me. Is the Airbus still planned to grow in LA as more NEO’s come online? If so is that going to push the ER out east? Also how is it sitting reserve from Vegas or PHX? I understand it’s all long call that can be converted to short call a certain number of times a month.

Originally Posted by Lighttwin

Just wanted to say thanks for all the informative post on this thread. I’m at brown and have been thinking about making the jump to DL for the past 6+ months. LAX would be top choice for me. Is the Airbus still planned to grow in LA as more NEO’s come online? If so is that going to push the ER out east? Also how is it sitting reserve from Vegas or PHX? I understand it’s all long call that can be converted to short call a certain number of times a month.

Originally Posted by NoDeskJob

with 18 hour LC, you should be able to sit LC in Vegas or PHX. You’ll get about a MAX of 6 short calls per month.

Originally Posted by FangsF15

As for sitting Reserve, yes sit is all Long Call (about to be 18 hours), with a max of 6 SC's a month (there is some debate as to whether the 18 hour LC will drive higher SC utilization).

Originally Posted by tcco94

It’s so hard to answer questions of how it will be as a junior captain. If you ask me, it’s going to suck for many years. Some people will quote this if I said that and try and beat you into oblivion about how it’s NOT THAT BAD. Give it a try!

PBS works. Not sure what questions you have but you know what it’s like to be the junior guy. You’ll be coverage date awarded trips/reserve (forced) over the weekend. Fly 3, maybe 4 leg days. If you’re holding a line you’ll get probably 15-17 days off a month. If your reserve probably 13-14 (more with the 30 hour rest if you make sure it’s not on company time and work consecutive reserve). 3-5 day trips is the norm. Standard junior stuff at an airline.

as far as captain seniority - I’m 3 years and in LAX my left seat seniority is following per our last bid:

7ER(75/76) - 89%
320 - 87%
737 - 89%

meanwhile right seat LAX:

7ER - 28%
320 - 20%
737 - 17%

so if junior upgrade is your thing, it’s something to seriously consider how fast you’ll be moving up into the freedom it sounds like you want.

Originally Posted by thunderbird22

Starting at DL next month and was wondering about commuting to LAX from the midwest? Anybody have any insight on this commute? Obviously will be reserve for awhile so wondering if there's a good amount of Crashpad availability in the area?
I'm going for DTW ideally but I have a pretty low last 4 so figure LAX might be my next best option. Figure I will be able to catch red eyes out of LAX to home after trips if needed. I've done the commute to NYC and not keen to do that again. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Lighttwin

Thanks Fang and NDJ. I’m off first year pay. I thought that might change some things and make me more likely want to stay but cargo isn’t where I want to be for the next 30yrs. The money is great here though. Widebody flying isn’t high up on my list so it’s not a must have. Just give me a beach or Caribbean layover every once in a while and I’ll be fine. The seniority aspect makes the decision the hardest.