Dear Tommy Blog,
I am a flight attendant out in Oakland, CA. I can honestly say that overnights in smaller cities do not bug me. Some flight attendants bid their schedules around cities, hotels, workout facilities, shopping etc. It just really depends on the individual. When I bid a line I choose all commutable lines and I could care less about anything else. I live in Los Angeles, CA and work in Oakland, CA. I am considered a commuter and because I choose to commute rather than live in the city where I am based I am responsible for my own hotel expense before and after every trip. I am not complaining. I love living in Los Angeles and I would rather commute. Therefore, when I bid I look at all check in times and when the trip terminates. The last flight from Oakland to Los Angeles leaves at 10:00 p.m. every night. My ideal line/trip is one that checks in late; so, that I do not have to commute in the night before and a trip that terminates before 10:00 p.m.; so, that I can easily get home. Luckily, for the last 3 years I have been awarded trips that are very commutable and I have not had to pay for one hotel stay. So, I will happily layover in smaller cities like Midland, TX in order to hold a commutable trip.
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