how difficult would it be to get an LAX base

CaptainChris87 said:
are LAX bases for example, American Eagle and Skywest's, are they ususally number 1 on peoples lists?
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Depends on the aircraft and position. At Eagle LAX was really senior for both captains and FO's on the ERJ, but not near as senior for new-hires on the Saab because of the difficulty of living there on first year FO wages.
 
Thinking long term is OK as you focus your plan. I wanted to work for SkyWest even before I took my first lesson because they had a strong California presence. I am now based in Fresno. SkyWest only has a reserve base at LAX but has domiciles in Palm Springs and San Diego, which might work out for an OC guy. I know of at least one captain who commutes from OC to PSP.

Now get back to studying your PA-44 systems!
 
about 80% of PSP crews live somewhere else.......Most people live in the San Diego area or the L.A. area. It's about a 1-2 hour drive depending on where you live.....not bad considering you get to live in L.A. or San Diego.....much better than out east or midwest (imo).....

the L.A. base for SkyWest is reserve only and very small........Most of the Jet guys and a couple of the senior Brasilia guys won't be leaving any time soon, but the other 3 slots (in the brasilia) seem to rotate fairly regularly..:bandit:
 
Wait just curious what are your current times to start worrying about LAX base already? Just seems like you are getting ahead of yourself there. I mean 1st is getting an interview, 2nd doing well in that interview, 3rd having a job offer, 4th getting through training, and then last find out where you are based....... Just seems like you might be jumping ahead of what really matters right now... my2 cents i know
 
meyers9163 said:
Wait just curious what are your current times to start worrying about LAX base already? Just seems like you are getting ahead of yourself there. I mean 1st is getting an interview, 2nd doing well in that interview, 3rd having a job offer, 4th getting through training, and then last find out where you are based....... Just seems like you might be jumping ahead of what really matters right now... my2 cents i know
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He is a private pilot. I remember when I was still a student pilot learning at a class C airport. I kept asking tons of question that didn't pertain to my training at that point.

What's a radial,whats a DP? Why did that AMR pilot say so &so when getting his clearance. My then instructor one day calmly said to me while taxiing.

"You know Matthew if you spent have as much time actually asking questions about things pertaining to your current lesson you'd wouldn't be a half bad student pilot." The point was gotten.
 
bumblebee is right lol. why im just curious on how hard it is, im not thinking ahead of myself, is it WRONG to question something that pertains to crew domeciles? and did I state that I was going to be an FO soon?
 
Don't count on any carrier having a domicile anywhere longterm.

Once upon a time, Southernjets Innanashnul was the biggest carrier at DFW, even bigger than American. And not all that long ago historically speaking.
 
Well . . . Max is right as well. . . gts (giggle to self) I put the photo of the airlines (Two of them) I wanted to work for on the wall next to my desk where I currently study my college homework (need that degree if I ever want to move up line) and studied the ground school stuff as I was getting my ratings. When I was so tired of studying the systems (of the PA-44) or the NAS or the __?___?___?__?whatever it was that day. I would look up at the photos and remind myself of why I was doing all of this. It's OK to plan and dream, but it is key in the aviation industry to remain flexible. As a matter of fact, until May of this year I didn't think I was going to go the airline route. After trying and trying for an airline (any airline!) I got a job last October of flying King Airs. Then the company had a couple of a/c sell out from under them and POOF! I wasn't going to Flight Safety anymore and was barely working at all! I went back to the traffic watch gig and some corporate stuff part time and finally in May I got an offer to fly as an air attack pilot. COOL!! So I started studying the profiles and went several times to a class up in Redding (a five hour round trip). Then a drunk driver came through the fence in the middle of the night and totaled my ride. Soooooooo now what. I put out the resumes again, and found out that the first choice I had dreamed about was having open interviews. I went and here I am. Quite a circuitous course to my first choice. (and this is the compacted version)

The point of this long drawn out post is that things will change . . . and change . . . and then change again. Have some ideas in mind of where you want to go, learn about the industry as it is today, but have a back up plan. Because as soon as you have an idea of what is going to happen tomorrow, it will change.

Don't dwell on what may be, focus on the task at hand, enjoy what you are doing while you are doing it, become the finest pilot you can become and the future will take care of itself.
 
CaptainChris87 said:
are LAX bases for example, American Eagle and Skywest's, are they ususally number 1 on peoples lists?
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This reminds me of all the guys I knew in California who swore they would only ever go to work for an airline that had California bases. Two of those guys are no longer flying because it wasn't possible to get good jobs with their geographical restriction. Contrast that with the guys willing to go to Maine or wherever else in order to get that first commuter airline job. One even got in his car one day and departed Reid-Hillview Airport on a cross country journey to find a commuter job. He ended up in Maine flying Beech 99s, probably a Captain at one of the majors now.

Don't restrict yourself geographically. Take the opportunity that an airline base out of your comfort zone will present to you. You may be surprised and really like it. I've personally lived in 4 different countries as a result of my job chances and it's been a great adventure.


Typhoonpilot
 
I packed up and moved from LA to Virginia for my job. It's just a crapshoot to land a job with a 121 carrier and to be based in Cal. MAybe you will with skywest, but maybe they will put you in SLC. Maybe ASA will, or they may put you in ATL. Go with the carrier that you want to work for, and then bid for the place you want.

Try commuting. It sucks, but at least you will get to be back in Ca on your time off. I did it for about 7 months from coast to coast and it wasn't too bad. Bottom line, find a carrier that you want to work for regardless of where they base you. Bases open and close, and you can bid for a new base with senority. You can't change a sh*tty carrier, even if they have a base next door.
 
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