iPilot

Hey all, I know I don't usually discuss much on these forums but usually my questions are answered before I have a chance to respond. Anyway, I've got a question for you crashpad'ers out there.

I'm about to start my career as an airline pilot and while I was researching crash pads in LA I thought about maybe starting my own.

My Dad has expressed interest in investing in a house especially if it can generate a little income over the mortgage payment. So he'll be the one backing it but I figured I would make out by having reduced rent and having a nice big house to live in.

Anyway, for those of you who have ever owned a crash pad or have a lot of experience living in one I'd love to hear what you have to say. Some of my biggest concerns is what is how many people to expect in one room, are there any legal concerns, and just any general things to look out for.

FlyerJosh

Depends on the type of crashpad you want to have. There are plenty of legal concerns- the biggest of which are most towns/cities don't allow crashpads (too many "residents" in one house). Neighbors might also think you're running a crack house with people coming and going at all hours.

If you want to have a true crashpad- 4 bunkbeds to a room is probably a pretty good target. Cater to commuters- but not to reservists, and keep the rent low (~100-150/month) to get the max benefit. It's might also be best to have separate rooms and bathrooms for males/females or to segregate FAs from pilots.

If you have 3 bedrooms and a basement, that means that a townhome can accommodate 16 commuters with no hot bunking. That's $1600-$2400 a month for a full house. Toss in a few amenities like washers, cable TV, a computer/wireless and a convenient location with plenty of transportation/parking and you have a winner.

dojetdriver

Josh, you've been out of the airline world too long. You can find cheap crash pads, but 150 is on the LOW END in most places these days. Especially in the LA area. There are a few (at least on crashpads.com) that are just under 200, but 225-250 can be the going rate these days in a lot of places.

Up in the sEWaR I was paying 195 for a hot bunk, IAH was 185, my own bunk. My LA pad is cheap, but I got real lucky. The downside, it's a hot bunk.

FlyerJosh

Okay... so adjust my rates for inflation or whatever. (Didn't see the LAX part until I reread). The point is try to come in towards the bottom end of the market so that you always have a full house. Even with 24 people on the rent roster- odds are very low that more than 6-8 people are ever there at any one time if you aren't hot bunking.

iPilot

Yeah I have to say I'm worried I'll get this huge house and furniture and not have it full!

I imagine having a crash pad in an area with a homeowner's association would be tough. I suppose that's why we pay realators the big bucks, to find that sort of stuff out.

iPilot

Also in regards to hot bunking. Is it common practice to offer different rates in the same house for those that don't mind hot bunking? Something makes me think this can get ridiculous with tiered pricing but, again. I'm completely new to the whole venture.

dojetdriver

In general, yes, a reserved bunk merits a higher fee from the crashpadder. If it's a hot bunk situation, you can't really ask the guy to fork out the same money he would in a crashpad down the street with his own bed.

If you are going to hot bunk the place, DON'T OVER CROWD IT!!!. When I was in sewark, I was in a hot bunk crashpad. There were 7 total beds in the place, but maybe 10-11 guys using it as a crashpad. At worst, there were only 6 us of there at one given time. And that only happened once or twice. On average, it was 3, maybe 4 at one time.

bobloblaw

In some locales hot bunking is illegal. Oh, and some on reserve are also commuters.

iPilot

Where do you suppose I can find out? I looked online at other crash pads near by and it looks like people are hot bunking so I suppose it is legal.

Slice

Don't buy one near MDW.