LA guys cover LAX, SNA and ONT. We don't cover SAN, don't fly out of LGB, and haven't had originating trips in BUR in several years.

 

All I was sayin' is that, contractually, there could be trips originating and ending out of LGB and BUR that are covered by the LAX crews. Not to sound harsh, but the fact that we don't currently do trips out of LGB or BUR is beside the point. SAN is not part of the mix. I think that's what the original question was asking. (What airports does the LAX base cover?)

For guys not familiar with the LAX base, short call response time is based on being able to get to LAX with in the allotted time frame. (Which is not defined but is generally accepted to be in the 2 hour range depending on circumstances such as traffic.)

Denny

 

Oh, I understand Denny. In fact, I'd kill to fly out of BUR. That's about a 20 minute drive for me. I've been out here since the 73 category opened up and I've never seen a BUR or LGB segment. That's all I was saying.

 

Where do you live now and how long to LAX?

 

Up the 101, in Ventura County. 45 miles to LAX. Can be 45 minutes (at 3 AM) or 2 hours (during rush hour). I have several apps on my phone that give me options but I religiously leave my house 2 hours prior to sign in. Sometimes a little earlier if its a rush hour report.

 

You can be across the street from lax and not make a short call during rush hour (ok, hyperbole).

But seriously Buzz, the 101/405 merge is the gateway to hell.

 

It is definitely the gateway to hell! Thankfully, I've been a line holder for years and can game it. I often take the PCH just to look at the ocean and enjoy the drive. Love living here, hate the drive!

And, when I have to sign in at SNA or ONT, I drive down the night before and crash in a hotel. Those drives are horrendous, especially for a 5 AM sign in.

 

For LAX guys: I am looking at a possible move to the Temecula/Murrieta area in the next year. It's about 85 miles to LAX and 60 to SNA. How feasible is short call from there? Obviously dependent on traffic...

 

Well, the guidance is generally accepted as 2 hours to LAX. 85 miles is definitely pushing it. I live north, about 45 miles, and that's about right I think. For me, it's an hour to sometimes 2+, and I don't sit reserve. Traffic in LA is unpredictable at best. You could probably pull it off based on the time if day, but I wouldn't challenge rush hour or Fridays. Fridays on the highways in LA are hell.

Plus, remember it's seasonal, but you have to cover SNA and ONT as well.

 

To put a slightly sharper point on it, the guidance is promptly/readily available. This is "generally" viewed to be two hours, but the definition is clearly unclear for places where you have to cover multiple airports, ie: LA and NYC. I know in NYC, they want you to be approximately two hours from one of the 3 airports. If the airport you choose to be within approx. two hours of is Newark, you could be 3-3.5 hours from JFK/LGA.

I don't know for certain the big picture in LA, but would expect it to be consistent.

My recommendation would be to call and talk to the chief of scheduling, have him on speakerphone, have two DAL employees listen without speaking and discuss your plans for where you want to settle. That way, you get the chief on record, have witnesses, diminish stress and know where you stand. I wouldn't do it in a sneaky way, let him know what's up, but the policy is unclear for both the company and the pilots' benefit.