commute from PHX to LAX or SFO

JDean3204

JDean3204

Well-Known Member
I have an interview with SkyWest coming up and am leaning towards the CRJ if I can get hired. I currently live in Portland but have come to the realization that moving somewhere cheaper such as PHX may be a better option for me. Eventually I would like to move myself and my girlfriend down to PHX. I know SkyWest has a base there, but I have heard it is senior and a stagnant base. Just wondering how easy the commute from PHX to SFO or LAX is. I understand commuting takes a hit on QoL, but just trying to find out what the easiest commute would be once my seniority allows such. For the first year I will still live in PDX and just commute as our lease will not expire until next year, moving prior to that is not an option. We also enjoy Portland, it is where our family and friends are. The reality is it is just getting too expensive to live here on limited income. Just trying to plan ahead!

I am very excited for the opportunity to interview with SkyWest, my friends seem to all love it there!
 
PHX to LAX is relatively easy due to the number of flights a day but keep in mind there are a lot of commuters so if it's a busy time of the year you'll need some good backup options. You can also drive if you absolutely had to. PHX to SFO is a little tougher due to the large number of commuters as well and due to the WX that can play havoc on the entire system. Personally I'd rather commute to LAX vs SFO simply so I wouldn't have to deal with the WX.
 
Why not just stay in PDX and be based there? I'm sure by the time you look at the cost of moving all the way down to Phoenix, it will be a wash with the money you've saved. Plus, if you stay in PDX, you could pick up trips easily in base, or at SEA for some extra cash. I have a buddy doing that right now and is making it pretty easy. Just a devils advocate suggestion!
 
Isn't it only a couple hour drive to SEA from PDX anyway? (If you go the CPZ route)


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Finny said:
Why not just stay in PDX and be based there? I'm sure by the time you look at the cost of moving all the way down to Phoenix, it will be a wash with the money you've saved. Plus, if you stay in PDX, you could pick up trips easily in base, or at SEA for some extra cash. I have a buddy doing that right now and is making it pretty easy. Just a devils advocate suggestion!
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I'll second that, SKYW has their 175's based there for Alaska.
 
I do the PHX-LAX commute, it's not too bad. There are a lot of flights but A LOT of commuters...

I don't recommend the PHX-SFO commute. I did it for about 6 months last year and it was stressful. There are about half as many flights as LAX, the times are all out of whack and there are still a lot of commuters...plus flow. Flow sucks.

If you live in PDX, I believe our 175 base there is going pretty junior for FOs. I know a few people that bid CRJ->175 in PDX that have been bypassed, so that could change in a few months whenever those people get classes.
 
Finny said:
Why not just stay in PDX and be based there? I'm sure by the time you look at the cost of moving all the way down to Phoenix, it will be a wash with the money you've saved. Plus, if you stay in PDX, you could pick up trips easily in base, or at SEA for some extra cash. I have a buddy doing that right now and is making it pretty easy. Just a devils advocate suggestion!
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That is what my original plan was, until I heard that hiring into the ERJ has stopped for a while. A few friends have told me that if I plan to join SkyWest this summer it will be the CRJ. SkyWest is closing PDX on the CRJ side in November so if I go CRJ, I believe that will eliminate PDX as a base. Going to Seattle is an option too.
 
You could always use SJC as a backup if you get based in SFO. I believe there's a SFO-SJC shuttle that charges around $15 for crewmembers. I've done SJC-PHX several times over the past two years and never had an issue getting the JS, and most always had a seat in the back.
 
azmedic said:
Isn't it only a couple hour drive to SEA from PDX anyway? (If you go the CPZ route)


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Maybe in the middle of the night...You can make good time till about, oh Olympia...but trying to get through JBLM, Tacoma, Fife/Port Of Tacoma a royal pain in the arse
 
That's what I was thinking. Plus I'm sure it's gotta be a pain during the winter when it snows too


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azmedic said:
That's what I was thinking. Plus I'm sure it's gotta be a pain during the winter when it snows too
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Thankfully it doesn't really "snow" on the I-5 corridor (we might have a day or two of it)...you'd think that people in the NW would be better drivers in the rain, but wow can they be awful. My first year out here, I-5 flooded over when the snow started to melt and the river in Chehalis ran over it (I believe that was the river).

funny you mention snow through, it's supposed to be a La Nina winter...and the last time we had one, SEA ran out of de-ice fluid before Christmas...Seattle was an absolute bloody mess
 
skatergeek said:
Not on the CRJ FO side. Captain side, yes. Veeeeeerrrrrrry stagnant.
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The 175FO, at least initially, went fairly junior as well. The addition of the AA 700's could see some "junior" RJCA's in LA as many are leaving or going to the 175, especially if the "West Coast" is defined as LAX and SEA.
 
Does Skywest still have a TUS base? Only a 1.5 hr drive from Phoenix.


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Shiner said:
Does Skywest still have a TUS base? Only a 1.5 hr drive from Phoenix.


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1.5 hours unless there's a dust storm (common occurrence in summer) or a multi passenger vehicle accident that shuts the I-10 down.
 
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