Don't you have anyone at your squadron that could set you straight?

Yes. I never even applied, specifically for that reason.

This^^^.

Don’t be a *****. You get used to it quickly and over time your schedule will improve dramatically. “Embrace the suck”.

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From what I read studies show poor sleep and Alzheimer’s disease are correlated. For me trying to get solid sleep with a bankers hours schedule is challenging enough so I’m trying to see how bad my schedule will be if I’m based on the west coast and if the juice is worth the squeeze. Between my mil retirement and my wife’s salary I could move to texas and never work a day in my life if I want so trying to decide if the airline life is worth it.[/QUOTE]

Do you really think you’ll enjoy living off your wife?

I live in Temecula and work for SWA. I’m pretty senior in my seat and usually get one of my top 3 line choices. I bid pm etops trips and almost never go East. While I certainly wouldn’t call it banking hours typically the latest night I have is the last day of my trips. Usually I finish anywhere from 9 to midnight and then a 1 hour 40 minute drive home. I do my fair share of getting home by 1:30 in the morning. Pretty much my weekly routine with pm trips. I commuted to LAS for the 21 years prior to LAX opening as a base and I am now grateful to be driving to work. I have found that if I stay on pm’s which I’ve always preferred, traffic has not been an issue from Temecula. Traffic on a.m. trips is bad coming home.

I really appreciate the information. I probably shouldn’t have used the term “bankers hours” ending around midnight seems doable for me. Thanks again!

QUOTE=Profane Kahuna;3439172]Don't you have anyone at your squadron that could set you straight?[/QUOTE]

I’m deployed but when I get back I’m definitely planning on asking about the typical show and end times. Seems like nearly everyone at the unit flies for AA. I know people that fly for for Delta, SWA and United but they are based on the east coast so I figured I’d try to get some other perspectives for LAX based pilots and see if show times around 8am or end times around 11pm west coast time are possible with some seniority or if crazy show times and red eyes are just a part of doing business.

I’m deployed but when I get back I’m definitely planning on asking about the typical show and end times. Seems like nearly everyone at the unit flies for AA. I know people that fly for for Delta, SWA and United but they are based on the east coast so I figured I’d try to get some other perspectives for LAX based pilots and see if show times around 8am or end times around 11pm west coast time are possible with some seniority or if crazy show times and red eyes are just a part of doing business.[/QUOTE]

Is it possible? Absolutely. Will you be able to avoid redeyes at a west coast base while flying for anyone but SWA? Not likely. As with the military, there are dues to be paid. Once you reach a certain point you’ll be able to do, more or less, what you want. I’d imagine your March tanker bros would be able to enlighten you with more specifics.

Funny coincidence. I read your post while in bed shortly after being surprised to hear (for the first time) a Breeze A220 fly over. I assumed on a red-eye. It was enroute from Vegas to Syracuse well after midnight. After returning to this thread tonight I looked up the details and it turns out it was just delayed 8.5 hours.​​​​​

FlightAware

https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/breeze-airways-first-flight-from-syr-to-vegas-is-off-to-a-bumpy-start/
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I’m deployed but when I get back I’m definitely planning on asking about the typical show and end times. Seems like nearly everyone at the unit flies for AA. I know people that fly for for Delta, SWA and United but they are based on the east coast so I figured I’d try to get some other perspectives for LAX based pilots and see if show times around 8am or end times around 11pm west coast time are possible with some seniority or if crazy show times and red eyes are just a part of doing business.[/QUOTE]
You are absolutely looking for a SWA schedule. It’s an absolute no brainer for you. LAX is incredibly junior, so you’ll be able to hold it right out of training. The trips out of LAX are very conducive to the type of schedule you’re looking for. Lots of trips to Hawaii, and if you don’t want those types of trips, then the other ones don’t usually go further east than Denver. So, you’re always within one to two hours of the time zone you live in.