This may be bad advice, but why not just sit at home but keep your bag packed and uniform in the car? If Google says it's under 2 hours (allowing for parking time) why sweat it? Accident isn't your responsibility. You could be 5 miles away on the van wick and not make it in 2 hours under certain weather and traffic conditions.

Yes, that is bad advice. He knew the driving distance and the crash pad reality before greeting the job. And driving that much would cost way more than a crash pad. If he hates it, he can get a room and/or use aggressive pick up of open time during his RSV days.

I never had any luck with aggressive pickup.

A friend of mine was in a similar situation and drove 30-40 minutes closer and hungout at a coffee shop w/ free wifi to better make the drive in 2hrs.

Depending on your situation, a Crashpad may work better. All depends on your priorities.

I hear of guys doing this, but it would drive me insane sitting in a Starbucks for 10 hours.....

If you can make it from home in 2 hrs (even if it's at the limit), I wouldn't get a crash pad, personally. Once you get a hang of how reserve here works, it is possible to usually be able to tell how likely you are to get a call (or at least where you are on the list to get called). If you know you are the next person in line to get an assignment, you could head out a little closer to the airport. With a few exceptions, they also usually give you more notice than the 2 hrs.

^^^this

Just watch the reserve list and the opentime. If you get that 0:dark-thirty wake up call then there won't be any traffic and you'll make it in 2hrs anyways. Most everything else you'll be able to see the call coming. If they give you a surprise 2hr call out try asking them if they can approve short term parking at the terminal to save time. In this case they will cover the cost and you can submit an expense report for it.

You never got luck with aggressive pick up on your RSV days (not on the days OFF)? I must be lucky then.
The drive to a Starbucks 40 minutes closer might be a good idea, no crash pad and less risk to get in trouble.

That is also a good idea. But remember in JFK you will be used more than in other bases when on RSV.

No luck at all. Lots of hiring going on, so there were plenty of guys who were less than 100hrs who would get all the opentime trips.

Agreed. I have less than 100 hours AND STILL have no luck with aggressive pickup. I am literally about 1 for 10 trying it.