Commuting for life
05-13-2016 | 09:20 AM
#32
Guppy reserve EWR
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: 737 FO
I hate titles...
05-13-2016 | 10:18 AM
#33
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Captain
After a year his chances are very good...there is going to be huge movement at TK as they consolidate all the training to Denver and most of the 18-25 year seniority (legacy United) PIs leave to take their Captain seats...Being older and retired military will probably help in the PI interview...
05-13-2016 | 10:34 AM
#34
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
Aside from what everyone else has said, toss that $700 down the drain in crash pads, hotels, commuting costs, eating, etc. 4x6 day trips is 24 days gone. How much can you enjoy Hawaii or being retired in 6 days per month. No F'ing way I would do that commute. Even as a senior guy. 6+ hours in a 737 Jumpseat on the tail end of a four day? Make it a red eye to boot? Then spend a day home recovering, one more day off, commute back again. Lather rinse repeat. CA taxes blow, no two ways about it. But there are areas around Pt. Mugu with lower prop taxes, nice areas, access to base, good beaches, drive to LAX etc. The other thing worth mentioning is that living in base, the income opportunity is significantly higher. Easily offsetting increased taxes.
As far as Denver, it was mentioned but bears repeating... Hub to hub legs will have 20-30 nonrevs all trying to commute to other bases, fighting for a handful of seats.
As far as Denver, it was mentioned but bears repeating... Hub to hub legs will have 20-30 nonrevs all trying to commute to other bases, fighting for a handful of seats.
I've been commuting for 4 months. I hate it. There is a total cost concept often overlooked, and that first red eye jumpseat home will make you forget about figuring out ways to maximize take home pay. Let's be real here, you're going to make enough to live and retire very comfortably from Ual pay alone. You're worrying about money that will become inheritance or the ex wife's take...in either case, it should be spent to improve YOUR quality of life first.
If I had the choice, and I do soon, I'd move to a west coast base to capitalize on seniority opportunities and trip mix. Hawaii and easy transcons are my preference. Plus, a red eye is a lot easier if you live on west coast time zone. As someone who has struggled with the CA taxation and politics reality as well, I have come to the conclusion that ultimately it provides the best blend of money and lifestyle.....and commuting really sucks, it cannot be emphasized enough. You'll see. It all sounds good and doable on paper, and it can be, but damn does it impact your life significantly. Once I qualify for the company paid move, I'm moving.
05-13-2016 | 01:01 PM
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: .
Commuting for life
Just to add my very small experience. I live in SoCal and was commuting to SFO for awhile. before I got lax. It brought a level of stress to my life that I don't want to experience ever again. And the flight was only an hour up to SFO. Between the SFO ground stops and stressing about whether or not I'd be able to get on the flight, it was way too stressful for me. It seems reasonable to say you'll just hop on a flight and get to your domicile, but trust me, avoid it if you can! Now that I live in domicile, life is bueno. Sitting shortcall from home makes this the best part time job I've ever had
05-13-2016 | 01:41 PM
#36
Banned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,378
Likes: 0
From: 7th green
Ding! Ding! Winner!
You can use Nellis AFB facilities including Tricare.
Tricare for retirees is pretty expensive and UAL medical is probably better anyway
Very low cost of living; houses are cheap. No state income tax.
Sorry, but houses aren't cheap in any neighborhood you'd want to live in. The housing market has bounced back in a big way since 4 years ago. Income tax info correct.
Plenty to do there in terms of entertainment; you'll get bored with gambling so that won't be an issue. You can even snow ski/board at Brian Head, less than 4 hrs from Vegas.
Entertainment? Be prepared to pay tourist ticket prices for the shows on the Strip. We do have AAA baseball and UNLV sports.
Commute to both LAX and SFO are easy with more than 30 flights daily to each city (SFO/OAK, but you can catch the BART to SFO from OAK).
LAX commute isn't that easy. Lots of competition and its worse if you're off line. Most of the flights are on regionals, so you'll be off line. Especially if you arrive late in the day, be prepared to spend the night at the Hacienda.
You can use Nellis AFB facilities including Tricare.
Tricare for retirees is pretty expensive and UAL medical is probably better anyway
Very low cost of living; houses are cheap. No state income tax.
Sorry, but houses aren't cheap in any neighborhood you'd want to live in. The housing market has bounced back in a big way since 4 years ago. Income tax info correct.
Plenty to do there in terms of entertainment; you'll get bored with gambling so that won't be an issue. You can even snow ski/board at Brian Head, less than 4 hrs from Vegas.
Entertainment? Be prepared to pay tourist ticket prices for the shows on the Strip. We do have AAA baseball and UNLV sports.
Commute to both LAX and SFO are easy with more than 30 flights daily to each city (SFO/OAK, but you can catch the BART to SFO from OAK).
LAX commute isn't that easy. Lots of competition and its worse if you're off line. Most of the flights are on regionals, so you'll be off line. Especially if you arrive late in the day, be prepared to spend the night at the Hacienda.
While its true there are 30 flights a day from LAX, consider the fact that DAL/UAL are in T-6/7 and SWA is in T-1. Do you really want to run back and forth across the parking lot 3 or 4 times trying to catch a flight? How about the fact that usually flights depart about the same time? Roll the dice and stay at T-1 or skip to T-7? Are you listed? If not, SWA LAX may have a problem getting you on because the agent is up to her butt in alligators ALL THE TIME. T-1 is an ungodly mess and busier than a one armed paperhanger.
Caveat Emptor when considering a LAX/LAS commute.
Last edited by Packrat; 05-13-2016 at 01:51 PM.
05-13-2016 | 01:42 PM
#37
Banned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,378
Likes: 0
From: 7th green
05-13-2016 | 03:05 PM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 14
From: guppy CA
We (wife and I) have Tricare Prime. We pay $565.20 per year. We have doctors at the Nellis Hospital so we don't have copays.
We're happy with our medical care; our only complaint is the wait for getting prescriptions filled on base. If we have the time, we'll get prescriptions filled on base - if not, we'll pay the tiny copay for prescriptions filled off base.
$400K still buys a lot of house in nice areas. Our house is just south of Aliante casino and is worth maybe $350K. 2900SF, 3 car garage + decent sized pool. House is less than 10 years old.
Compare that with LA or SFO area prices.
No different than any other major city in terms of entertainment prices. It's more expensive than Tucson but better performers than Tucson can attract.
While its true there are 30 flights a day from LAX, consider the fact that DAL/UAL are in T-6/7 and SWA is in T-1. Do you really want to run back and forth across the parking lot 3 or 4 times trying to catch a flight? How about the fact that usually flights depart about the same time? Roll the dice and stay at T-1 or skip to T-7? Are you listed? If not, SWA LAX may have a problem getting you on because the agent is up to her butt in alligators ALL THE TIME. T-1 is an ungodly mess and busier than a one armed paperhanger.
05-13-2016 | 03:33 PM
#40
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
Shack.
If I had the choice, and I do soon, I'd move to a west coast base to capitalize on seniority opportunities and trip mix. Hawaii and easy transcons are my preference. Plus, a red eye is a lot easier if you live on west coast time zone. As someone who has struggled with the CA taxation and politics reality as well, I have come to the conclusion that ultimately it provides the best blend of money and lifestyle.....and commuting really sucks, it cannot be emphasized enough. You'll see. It all sounds good and doable on paper, and it can be, but damn does it impact your life significantly. Once I qualify for the company paid move, I'm moving.
If I had the choice, and I do soon, I'd move to a west coast base to capitalize on seniority opportunities and trip mix. Hawaii and easy transcons are my preference. Plus, a red eye is a lot easier if you live on west coast time zone. As someone who has struggled with the CA taxation and politics reality as well, I have come to the conclusion that ultimately it provides the best blend of money and lifestyle.....and commuting really sucks, it cannot be emphasized enough. You'll see. It all sounds good and doable on paper, and it can be, but damn does it impact your life significantly. Once I qualify for the company paid move, I'm moving.
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