Mutt

I saw an older thread on living in SoCal before and wanted to focus a bit more on San Diego specifically. My wife is from there and has been offered a really nice job, lucky me. However, I would prefer to be at an airline that keeps me at home as much as possible, whether that’s through bidding reserve or as a line holder. Fortunately with my wife’s job I won’t need to work extra hard to provide, but it would be nice to contribute a healthy paycheck without being on the road all the time. I realize that bidding reserve would be tight on short call days (United with a 2.5 hour call out, Delta with a “desired” 2 hr call out, is that right?), as Apple Maps typically shows about a 2hr 10min drive from where we are looking to live. Is there an airline you have in mind that you think would work best with San Diego from a quality of life standpoint? Any rumors of a hub opening in San Diego in the next few years with the other terminal opening back up? Thanks for any advice.

rickair7777

It matters what part of SD, but on probation, in rush hour traffic you cannot safely plan on much less than 4 hours to LAX parking from central SD.

Weekend traffic can be just as bad, mostly southbound into SD county on Sat, and then northbound out of SD on Sun (or Mon for 3-day holiday weekends).

AA has, last I heard, a generous "get there as soon as you can policy". AA also has a SAN co-domicile, but those trips probably go senior and you'd still be on the reserve hook for LAX.

2.5 would be very sporting in traffic, and you could get in trouble if they have you on a deadhead, you miss it, and your working flight subsequently cancels.

Skywest has a base there, if you don't need that much money...

Alaska has had SAN base rumors for a long time. It might actually happen some day.

HostileCombover

This is pretty accurate, especially if you’re looking to live in San Diego proper. That said, North County San Diego, from my experience, is doable to LAX even on short call. I’ve been making the drive to LAX from Carlsbad for the last 8 years (2 airlines) and I can count on two hands the number of days that it’s taken me more than two hours to get to the parking lot (average is 1:45 or so, though I typically allow myself 3 hours just to be safe). On the rare occasion when I’m converted to short call (usually 1-3 days per month) the trip assignments have typically come well outside of two hours prior. If I were to run the risk of missing a report time, I’d call scheduling and explain that traffic is bad and that I’ll be there as soon as safely possible. They get it… Additionally, trips originating in SNA tend to go junior on the 7ER. That’s a much more palatable drive from anywhere in SD county.

Maybe I’ve been lucky with traffic combined with the fact that many rotations start early or late (thus reducing the traffic threat), but it’s certainly doable, especially when you’re senior enough to hold a line. Keep in mind that at Delta you’re on long call reserve and can be converted to short call a limited number of times per month. The 18 hour tether is quite nice in that regard.

QRH Bingo

Yep, start with SkyWest. If I recall correctly, it's a fairly small base flying all Alaska trips, pretty senior for both seats and going to the same places every trip.
Unless you're already at a major and not looking to take a step back, all good info here so far.
If you really wanna take it down a notch, Ameriflight has a run out of SAN that goes somewhere inland, and back in the evening. Not that I would recommend that one, but "you'll be home every night"

Tippy

Might also want to consider commuting to PHX. Not sure how senior it is for SW or AA but that is a really easy commute, flights every 45 minutes approx and not hub to hub for anyone. I did it at SKW for a while and was a breeze. I guess it could come down to how quickly you could hold a decent line there...

rickair7777

PHX is a very doable commute from SAN, or at least it was 20 years ago.

Only had to drive once... on my way to the airport, noticed the marine layer had really rolled in. When I got to the airport, it was closed. Took the taxi back home to get my car.

Mutt

Thank you for all the great info. Can you explain the AA co-domicile a bit more?

rickair7777

I'm not AA, but co-domiciles (aka satellite domiciles) are typically smaller airports in the same metro area as a big hub (LAX in this case). You'd be LAX based, and on the hook for LAX reserve.

But some trips will start and end at the satellite domicile(s), and you can bid for those if senior enough. Typically reserves are only required to report to the hub, and then get a limo to the satellite, but if you live close you can just report directly.