No worries. Plenty of guys sit SC in those areas. LAX does not generate a lot of "We need you at the airport ASAP" calls. Yes, it can always happen, but in 15 years of on and off reserve I had 1 call to get to the airport as soon as possible.

It was pretty funny - I was just off probation on the panel and made it in 1+45. The FO shows up at 2+30. At 3+00, the CA calls and says "I am stuck in traffic I will be there in another hour." This was for a DH segment that was held up for us.

That was the only call for less than 12 hours that I can remember. LAX does not have thunderstorms, snowstorms etc.

Scoop

 

I agree with Scoop for the most part but Scoop is way senior to me. My experience in LA since arriving in 2008 is an average of one "get there ASAP" call per year for my first 4 years while I was a reserve. Three to LAX and one to SNA which is outside 2 hours for me. I made the 3 to LAX and on the way to SNA was turned around because I couldn't make it before quiet hours on a Friday night.

One was to fly the Angels on a charter which was obviously high vis and I broke Mach. Never heard a word from scheduling or the CPO except for "nice try." I told them in advance that it was going to be close and pressed on. There is no hard and fast rule other than what Scambo quoted. LA and NYC are different animals from the other bases. I was just referring to the "jumping thru the ass" factor for you. Whatever you're comfortable with. On probation, I'm not sure I'd push it. YMMV.

 

Buzzpat, Scambo, Scoop, thanks for all the great responses. Good data points. I recently heard a 2014 NH on the 7ER was able to bid LAX, so I am hoping for the same results in the near future.

With the current movement, hopefully its possible in 9-12 months (after I start class) to bid LAX. If not on the 7ER then I would guess the 737. One of the two unless maybe LAX gets a new category like the 717 or Airbus. I saw an article posted in another thread on some LAX growth.

Any idea where the plug on the 737 compared to the 7ER stands on the list?

 

I am from CA but I would take a hard look at taxes. The 9.3% rate kicks in at a very low income. Some now believe the rates will have to double to keep the state afloat. The rich all structure their income so it's paid out of state making things worse. The welfare verses working population percentages are horrible. The state is so tax hungry it's driving the corporations to pack up and leave. I have no idea what the solution is but CA seems to think they can tax their way out of it.

 

This is no joke. CA taxes get you coming and going, on top of an expensive QOL. Just think what that extra 10% in your pay year after year will get you in FL or TX or WA. Boat, retirement, college tuition, etc. There is a high cost for the great weather in CA. What also is strange is despite the high cost, it's still uber crowded, so really not that exclusive. You get the sense that a select few are paying all the bills for the masses in CA.

 

Wish that I was on ole rocky top,
Down in the Tennessee hills.
Ain't no smoggy smoke on rocky top,
Ain't no telephone bills (nor state income tax)

 

And they're thinking about various "exit tax" schemes. Meaning even if you pack up and leave one day, you could still be on the hook big time. And they are always looking closer to the various "out of state address" tricks. Get caught once, instant felony at most monetary amounts. Be very careful following the weather dream; that place is pure tyranny.

 

Unless most of your income is from investments as most Delta pilots will be in retirement. I believe they do tax investment income.

 

I don't believe tn has any mechanism to tax individual income.

 

You're both right.