Not all crash pads are the same, but here are a few things to help you understand the varying concepts:
Where To Find Crash Pads
There are several websites where flight crews can find crash pad listings in different cities.
Online searches for crash pads produce a variety of results. There are options to rent directly through a landlord, and options to rent through a subscription service where the monthly rent depends on how many nights per month you intend to stay.
There are also different types of crash pads available, such as:
- Co-ed crash pads
- Gender-specific crash pads
- Flight attendant crash pads (for flight attendants only)
- Pilot crash pads (for pilots only)
- Crash pads that accommodate all genders and all members of airline crews
Safety And Legal Occupancy
It’s important to know if the crash pad is licensed and operating legally before renting.
Every city and state has their own occupancy laws and rental licensing regulations. Many cities require property owners to obtain a license prior to renting a bed and also limit the number of people that can dwell in a bedroom. This is for safety reasons, particularly in regards to fire codes.
Crash pads that do not operate under legal procedures can be dangerous. Before renting one, research the property to determine if it is legal or not.
New hires in the airline industry often seek referrals from more seasoned airline employees regarding which crash pads are best (or worst) in a particular city.
Of further interest: Safety Tips for Airline Staff in Peak Seasons
The Pros And Cons Of Staying At A Flight Crew Crash Pad
There are both pros and cons to renting a crash pad. Airline crew members should weigh their options and consider other lodging options before signing an agreement with a landlord or subscribing through a monthly rental service online.
Pro: Affordability
The main reason that airline crews make use of crash pads is that they’re inexpensive.
Prices for crash pads typically range between $200 and $500 per month.
Comparatively, for airline crews based out of SFO, renting an apartment in the nearby San Francisco neighborhood of Lomita Park costs an average of $1,995 per month.
For crews based out of NYC’s LaGuardia airport, renting an apartment in the nearby neighborhood of East Elmhurst, New York costs an average of $2,126 per month.
Pro: Accessibility
For a flight crew member whose home base differs from the city in which they work, crash pads offer easy accessibility.
Most are conveniently located within a few miles of the local airport. This minimizes the amount of time spent traveling to and from work and makes it easier for flight crews to arrive on time for early morning flights.
Con: Hot Beds
Crash pads provide two different types of beds: hot beds and cold beds.
A cold bed is one that’s reserved for a specific crew member. When that crew member is not at the crash pad, that bed remains empty. A cold bed usually costs a bit more.
A hot bed is more like a hotel room bed, where different people occupy the bed on different days. In a crash pad located inside a hotel, sheets and linens on hot beds are changed by hotel housekeeping staff on a regular basis.
On the other hand, the housekeeping services offered in private residences vary depending on the landlord and the rental agreement. Occupants may be expected to change the sheets themselves.
Con: Lack Of Privacy
Crash pads can contain four, eight or sometimes even ten beds in a room. There is very little privacy.
Flight crews also sometimes find it difficult to deal with other people snoring, alarms ringing at different times throughout the day and night, and late night noise from crew members.
For some crew members, a lack of privacy is not a drawback — many consider it a rite of passage. Some flight attendants and pilots enjoy the social aspect that a crash pad offers while others find that it takes some time getting used to.
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