Yes I do but look at it in today’s landscape, it’s not the lost decade anymore. There’s fast movement at most airlines these days. Again, it’s all about timing. FNGs hired just a couple months before me were on reserve for only a few months and have been steady lineholders since. We didn’t hire for 8 months after I came on, hence the stagnation for me. Conversely, FNGs in the June classes (especially SFO 737) will probably be on reserve for just a short while. EWR 320 has been extremely junior as well, I’d be 67% there but I’m not making that commute.

Fair enough. My classmates and I were still on furlough with 5 or more years of seniority, so your stagnant comment surprised me, that’s all. And many others had it far harder than I did. I guess it depends on your perspective. I’m glad things are moving along now, I hope they stay “stagnant” like this for a long time 😀

Be very careful with the drive times quoted here. On an average day, it takes 1.5 hrs, no traffic from Napa. 2 hours from Davis. Any times listed less than this is wishful thinking, no traffic. There is always traffic.

From the area you are talking, plan 3-3.5 min. And remember, once you are in the employee parking lot, it's another 20 min walk into ops. Sitting short call at home from this area will be right on the edge.

You WILL get min call outs on reserve. With SFO MX base, you get ferries to broken planes out of the MX base. "How fast can you get to the airport?" Call.

It's doable with some planning, and keeping the bag packed, but don't go into it with rose colored glasses. The traffic will wear you down. Going home will be, many times, just to get through the city to the bay bridge, an hour or more.

I've got a friend in the Roseville area. While on probation, he would go sit short call in Vacaville or Travis AFB, since he did not want to push things.

With no traffic, you can get from the intersection of I-80 and Hwy 65 to the SFO employee lot (118 miles) in about 1+50. Right now (at 1425 on Memorial Day), it would be 2+40. Sunday afternoon is the worst time to drive to the city. And it once took me 1+25 to get from the Bay Bridge toll booths to the employee lot... 20 miles.

After a red-eye, driving back home means no traffic at 0600, and once again, you can get to the 80/65 interchange in a touch under two hours.

As Capt Fitz says, factor in 20-25 minutes from the time you enter the parking lot until you're standing in SFO Ops.

I personally think sitting short-call reserve in Roseville or further is pushing it... but I know pilots that do it.

I appreciate all of the replies. Thanks for the solid info.


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I have been commuting from
RNO to SFO for 10 years. At one time I would almost always fly. Either to SFO or OAK and BART over to SFO( BART is dirty and dangerous in my opinion).
I now drive about 85% of the time three times a month. I allow 4 hrs. My 4 hrs is based on missing the peak traffic times. I have taken as long as 8hrs. If I fly out early. I get a hotel the night before.
I am looking into getting a RV-7 to
fly myself. That alternative will work maybe 6-7 months a year. Mostly due to winds over the Sierras.
Good luck with your choice.

Agreed with all except this. 1.5 hours from my house in East Sac. Or you drive like my mom?

Cannot emphasize enough the variability of traffic. 1.5 hours no traffic, I live 4 blocks off 50, but my record so far going down is about 2:45 and coming back is 4 hours. Luckily we have the “in normal traffic” clause, but I’ve certainly heard several interpretations of what “normal” is here.

I think my kids agree, I must drive like your mom!!

You must drive like a maniac. I live in Fairfield and it takes me 55-60 minutes in no traffic. Another 30 minutes to Davis, 45 minutes to downtown Sacramento, and an 1:00-1:15 to Roseville or El Dorado Hills. I drive speed limit up to +10mph.

During rush hour 2 hours can be pretty normal to the airport. 2.5 hours is the norm coming home during rush (58 miles away).

Set cruise at 75, and if I’m lucky, don’t touch it until the toll booth. Dozens of folks are still zipping past me, but it makes 101 miles go pretty quickly. Works mostly for <6a and redeye shows.

I’m still happy I’m driving to work rather than flying, but I don’t see traffic getting better in the future. As people continue to flood Sac for its “cheap” housing, this’ll add another layer of huge variability for anyone living further east and having to drive through.