MrIceCreamMan

🤔🤔🤔🤣🤣🤣
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IFartInYourSeat

Not the best base, but I’d suggest LAS as Vegas weather is pretty predictable and there are tons of options going into there.

but yeah, the flying is kind of yuck. But it’s work!

Swakid8

This is a great point….

fostro

Second, great tax benefits! LAX is awesome, no tax benefits LOL. In Unity...

11atsomto

I know I don't have to say this ............but in the unlikely event an individual is unfamiliar:
Since we don't play in the NFL...........our state income taxes are based upon our residence not the address of our workplace. One Need not be based in Las Vegas, solely a resident of Nevada* to pay 0% in earned income taxes.

*also applicable for Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming

Turbosina

Well, I got lucky and it looks like I'll only have to deal with the IAH commute for another month. For those who get IAH in future indoc classes and need to commute...

• The Sheraton North on JFK Blvd. is where many UAL commuters seem to stay. It's not the fanciest and it doesn't have free breakfast, but the shuttle is 24/7, every 30 minutes. I stayed at other properties on JFK Blvd that were a bit nicer (Fairfield Suites, TownePlace Suites etc) but had to get an Uber every time in at least one direction. With the UAL discount the Sheraton is $95 out the door.

• I gave up on the idea of 'commute in on the redeye, sleep for a few hours in the crew room and then work a trip." Tried that twice. It was miserable. Mostly because the crew room is only slightly warmer than a polar research station.

• The United Club card is a smart idea. Yeah, it's $700/year but you can park yourself there and eat all day for free while sitting short call. (Out of uniform, of course.) I'm amazed they let us in with just a nonrev boarding pass. Judging by all the guys trying to look inconspicuous but with "IAH crew" luggage tags hanging around in the clubs, I'm not the only one...

• Stressing about loads, etc on your flight to work just isn't worth it. I bought a ticket for every single flight to base. On the return legs, I only got bumped out of the jump once.

• The CPO coffee actually is halfway sorta decent. Never would have imagined it.

• If you need peace and quiet, the far D gates are usually pretty peaceful, aside from when the Emirates and Qatar flights depart in the late afternoon.

JTwift

the Sheraton North is $95…until it isn’t. If there’s an event (golf tournament), or major weather, I’ve seen it hit $300/night. Book early if you think you need it.

CPO coffee is strong! YMMV

The crew room temp is, shockingly, much better than it used to be. The sitting area used to be absolutely freezing. It’s actually pretty nice these days. The sleep room can be cold, though.

For the mil people, there is also a USO near D7, if you don’t feel like hanging in the CPO all day.

Hedley

The Sheraton North shuttle is every 15 minutes.

Turbosina

I was just there last night and they told me it's 30... Seems to have been that way for the past few months...

PickleRick

Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant credit card is probably worth it if you’re commuting a few months. Platinum status, good signup bonus, a few other perks. Should get free breakfast with Platinum at the Sheraton. Hefty annual fee like the United Club card but the perks and signup bonus make it worth it the first year.