NoDeskJob nailed it. Jetblue is an east coast airline that happens to have a base out west. You'll sacrifice long term earnings by limiting yourself to 320 FO LGB at JB. You can still have a great QOL in LGB even as a reserve. I run into the guys out there who bid reserve and rarely fly.

I am happy working at JB, but live in base in the BOS area.

In the latest award, LGB was awarded to a 2/15 hire. But the bids have been all over the board lately. FLL has been super senior the last few bids, while just a year or two ago new hires were being awarded it, same with LGB going to a few lucky new hires.
I'd expect the worst (east coast for a year at least) and hope for it a little sooner if you're extremely fortunate.
Upgrade is still around 3 years here, but it will not be in LGB!

Tom

Edit:
I'm at JetBlue, been here for about 3 years and I love it; I don't have apps out at any other airlines. I play the RSV game and work about 110 hours a year.
Between the two, chances are SWA will be around in 5 years. JB will be around, but weather it will say JB on the side of our aircraft or not is anyone's guess....

To the original poster,

Maybe this obvious question has already been asked but why do you think you would like to work for Alaska Air if you dislike the wet and/or cold weather? Also someone else already pointed out that JetBlue is an east coast airline, quite a bit of cold and wet weather up in New England as well, but you might as well get a job flying in the Carribean or flying over the Grand Canyon if you want to avoid cold weather entirely.

Check your PMs.

If you can't live in LAX or ANC, or don't want to live in SEA or PDX, then Alaska is certainly not one of your choices. There is no benefit package Alaska has that trumps the desire to live in these locations.

Live near your ANG/AFRES unit of that applies, or hopefully a region you (or your family) really likes that has both an airline domicile and your post-active duty military work and hire at that airline.

Avoid commuting...period. Good luck.

Plenty of cold at the Canyon. Snows at GCN all the time. So there goes that option. ;)

If you want to stay out west you should avoid Jetblue unless you're ok with commuting cross country....which is pretty whacky.

Over the next 10-15 years there are less than two dozen LGB captains who will reach age 65.

GP

He decided he didn't want to fly an old ass (design wise) 737 the rest of his life.

If you have guns, you don't want to be in The Republic of Kalifornia.

If you want to be out west and want another option, there is also Virgin America. :)

Presuming you're looking at a 30-35 year career, I wouldn't narrow my options too much. Airlines come and go, bases open/close and grow/shrink. If you really want to live only in that small section of the country, you can always commute, but realize that comes with it's own set of issues and problems. Some airlines and freight operators are commuter friendly. Big difference if you only have to get to work one time a month for a 12 day trip, even better some will positive space/buy you a ticket.