I was just talking to another guy last week who was considering Gig Harbor. Any info on that area? I may be making a play for the left coast as well.

Gig Harbor is nice, it was the Peachtree City for pilots 20 years ago. Traffic anywhere and everywhere sucks in Seattle.

Except between 11 and 2, then traffic is ok.

We might need a thread dedicated to these Surface tablets. I have lots of questions and need lots of gouge.

My first flight impression: Two thumbs up. The thing is really sweet. Much better than paper Jepps. And it could be fabulous once the Feds let them turn on all the capabilities.

HOWEVER: the mount sucks. There's gotta be a better solution.
Maybe not so bad in other jets with bigger cockpits but in the 737 its in the way.
Potentially so much in the way that I'm worried somebody's gonna smack the yoke on it in the flare and really prang a landing.
I'll be paying close attention to where me and my FO clamp that thing.

Low, aft, in portrait mode. I do a control check at the gate. Nail the Captain's side about 1/3 or 1/5 times during the Taxi Check.

Bought a house in Gig Harbor this summer and so far the drive to SEA isn't bad as long as you aren't leaving the same time as all the 9-5'ers. I'm on the NW side of town and it takes me 45 minutes from the garage to the terminal door.

I have the wife drive me most weeks, so using the HOV is an option the during rush hour. That always helps!

PM's welcome if you have questions.

It's too far away in the 320.....Have to stretch to touch the screen. We need a strap or something to put it on the table. :)

Why not just put it on the table? I mean, what is the difference between laying a Jepp Binder on the tray table and a little tablet on an incline?

The last couple of years it seems to be turning into a mini CA! No traffic to the employee lot is 45 min, the worst has been 1+15. You just have to know the normal commute times and pray for no accidents! WA DOT traffic site is your friend. Toll on the new bridge is $4.50 and a 25 cent increase for the next couple of years is planned. Can't help on schools, but my AK neighbors send their kids to private schools. With that, I have heard the Peninsula schools district is not bad, just depends on which school they attend.

Beautiful area, but quickly being overbuilt and losing the small town charm.

How do you guys think a SEA 73 base will change the seniority in SLC and LAX?
How will guys jump?

That's a good question. But I don't think anyone can answer it with any certainty. There is just no way to tell how many commuters there are from SEA to other bases on the 737 and then you have to throw in a lot of fairly senior FO's on both the 330 and 767ER. I've flown with quite a few who say they will bid it. And then you have the guys that will bid it and either commute to SEA or plan on moving there.

Denny