SLC Commuting
 

What would commuting be like out of SLC to PHX, OAK, DEN, or LAS? Is it possible to have a dependable commute in/out of any of those bases during first year while being on reserve? Would having a crash pad be a necessity? LAS and DEN seem to be the easiest but that is from looking from the outside without any real insight. What base would be the easiest commute once off reserve out of SLC?

I don't want to assume anything so anyone with insight into the commute and SWA rules would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Looks like around 6 direct flights per day each way to DEN, LAS, and PHX from SLC. Only 3 to OAK. Most other commuters probably will be heading to DEN or LAS as you alluded to above. Reserve blocks are assigned as either AM or PM. For the AM blocks you will need to commute in the night before and for the PM blocks you will usually be done too late to get home the same night on SWA. There may be some other late night options to get you home.
As far as commute rules go, you will need two flights that get you to your base by check in time or one SWA flight that gets you in an hour prior to check in time.

I did PM reserve when I commuted. Actually, it can really work in your favor, particularly the way Scheduling splits up and puts trips together.

Often times as a PM reserve, you'll start in the PM, but you'll end up flying mid-morning day 2, 3 and 4 if you're on a 4-day block. Often times, you'll cover flying out of your own base and then they'll deadhead you back to your own base. Prior to that deadhead, you can ask them to release you from DH so you could commute home. I think they only didn't release me once as I only had that DH that day. When I returned to base, I asked them again, and they released me. In 3 months I commuted to reserve, I think I only spent 3 nights in base on my own dime.

Thanks for the replies. That is great news about the DH rules and being able to work with scheduling. I am hoping for SW just due to the number of bases close to SLC and that SW has always been my first choice airline to fly on over the years. A few friends that have been hired have no complaints and have completely quit looking for other airlines.
Heading to the career fair next month in Dallas and really looking forward to learning more.

Blackhawk, fwiw and if it helps to ease some of the anxiety of commuting.......I'm "several" airlines into my 121 career and the crew schedulers here are phenomenal. They will bend over backwards to help you out if your commute goes to hell in a hand basket. Seriously, don't stress it or overthink it too much.

I too have commuted on PM's and reserve. I have never ever encountered difficulty in dealing with scheduling; I've used the commuter clause and never heard a word about it unlike at the regional I worked at before.

I will say however, that the commute home on a PM from a western domicile can be challenging on SWA, and more often than not I was on an AA or Spirit jumpseat. That being said, who knows what schedules the new res system will unleash?

Thanks for the replies. I def do overthink things at times and like to have all the info. Don't want to be in the "well I thought I could do it" and be sorely mistaken down the road.:)

I would not count on being released from a DH on the last day. That's only if you've already been on duty or will be at the end of DH for 9 hrs. I have never been released from a DH while on reserve. I've even had a scheduler tell me we don't release DHs. It might work out in your favor but often by the time 9 hrs is up on a PM schedule it's way into th night and they're aren't any options to commute home.
Commuting in to begin a PM reserve is easy.