SAN to LAX commute
 

Any one out there who lives in San Diego and is based out of LAX? How is the commute? Is short call workable or just too far with traffic? Can you opt into SNA or ONT trips only as a reserve or only get that as a line holder?

I don't live in San Diego but my buddies say they give themselves about 3 hours to get there and that usually keeps them safe on any unforeseen traffic problems. Being domiciled in LAX you are responsible to cover LAX, ONT, SNA, and BUR. As a line holder you can bid to fly pairings that start out of only certain airports, but your seniority determines what you'll actually get. The senior guys can usually hold all SNA if they desire. As far as being on reserve, you'll be responsible to cover all of the airports listed above.

Thanks. That's about what I figured for the area. The main question I have though is what they do during Short Call periods. Do they hang out at home or have to move themselves some place a bit closer in case they get the 2.5 hr call out?

It all depends on what part of San Diego you live in, what time your RAP is, how comfortable you are with the traffic guess, and where you park.

M H Metals, Inc
6260 Peachtree Street
Los Angeles, CA 90040

Geographic Midpoint Calculator. "Finds the exact point that lies halfway between two or more places."

Enter the four airport addresses and select "Center of Minimum Distance". If this steel distributor doesn't fully appreciate their favorable strategic location for reserve pilots hanging out in their parking lot, you could always sit SC in the Elm Tree Sandwich Shop or the Aqui es Texcoco (tacos) just a couple of blocks west.

And how about the irony that the center point for a United reserve is on a street called "Peachtree". Weird.

Fortunately he only needs to be able to get to LAX within the short call period. BUR and ONT can favor areas that aren't as nice as Seal Beach or Redondo.

Everyone I know that lives in SAN does shortcall from home...they just keep a bag packed and the uniform in the car.

Remember, the 2.5 is without traffic. So if heavy traffic pushes you outside of 2.5 you are still covered.

I live in North SD County along with many others, I am a junior reserve that picks up a lot of SC with NO problem sitting at home. Carlsbad to Temecula/Murrieta is very popular with the LAX base. I am 105 miles from LAX and off-peak traffic is usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours to the parking lot, then add 15-20 to ops. Rush hour can be significantly more time, but has never been questioned, the office peeps get it. The only guys I know that fly up live South or East of San, from Coronado to Alpine, they are senior lineholders that do commutable trips.

Great info. The ideal target area is somewhere between North Park and Encinitas. Northing further south or east than that. Sounds like it is possible with the caveat that you keep your bag packed and uniform close during the short call periods.

Lots of guys around Encinitas area, definitely doable.