Originally Posted by paul5E

So my wife and I are making the move from Orange County to San Diego (Carlsbad really) and will most likely need to start flying out of Lindberg going forward.

While I could drive to SNA I will now be around 60 miles away vs. only 25 or so to SAN. So I was hoping to get some insight about using this base on things like:

1. Getting there - is there a good way to use the train? I can walk to the "Coaster" from the new house. What if any times are bad for driving?

The traffic down I-5 is horrid during the morning and evening commutes, and the coaster is a good option. It would easily take you an hour to get to SAN from Carlsbad during morning rush hour - you could drive to SNA in 45 min.

2. Parking - If I do drive where is the best place to park - Company paid. Any secrets here?

I always park right outside the AA terminal - I'm talking steps from Terminal 2 as well as Commuter Terminal (Eagle). Closer than at SNA b/c SNA has the parking garages, at SAN it's a flat expanse of asphalt at both terminals. There's no more long term parking at SAN unfortunately and they will gouge you for parking at the airport. I think it's ~$18/day now, a week out of town I pay ~$100, but my company pays too so I just hand over the AmEx. There's a parking garage a few blocks away that will wash your car for you while you're gone, I think it's the Laurel St. Parking garage, you know the 5-story one at the foot of the runway that the pilots have to avoid hitting as they land.

3. Personnel - AC and Gate agents. I know most everyone in both at SNA and was wondering if there are any people I should get to know.....or more importantly stay away from?

I split my flying out of Terminal 2 (main AA terminal) and Commuter Terminal and as a PLT see the same folks but haven't gotten the "nice to see you again, Ms KSAN" ever, but always polite and professional AA employees. It's a faster paced airport than SNA but not as bad as LAX

4. I will be flying to SJC as well as everywhere else, does AA use a different terminal for Eagle vs. full size birds?

You'll be flying out of Terminal 2 on the big metal to SJC and there are a decent # of flights SAN-SJC.

5. Am I still better off driving to LAX (1.5 hrs) for my international travel to Europe and Asia?

No don't drive to LAX! I fly to LAX frequently for the long leg of where I'm usually going and it's a dream, in and out of the Commuter terminal, even if you check your bags (which I usually do not) they are right there when you get off the plane. There are flights to LAX just about every hour or so. At the commuter terminal you walk out on the tarmac to your Eagle plane - no jetway even on the ground like at LAX Eagle flights w/ that cloth covered accordian thing you walk through . You're out there in the open sunlight walking out to your plane as you see the big jets land and take off - it's pretty cool. Plus hardly any lines thru security.

I would sure appreciate any insight from some veterans of SAN especially anyone who has experience and could compare and contrast with SNA.

SAN is a pretty easy airport to get in and out of. Easier than SNA? I think so, tho' SNA ain't bad. The worst thing for me is battling the traffic downtown but you can take the Coaster all the way to the end of the line and hop a cab to the airport - it's about a mile away. If you're flying in the middle of the morning (say 10 am or later) then you'll hit some traffic if you drive but not as bad.
AA used to fly out of Carlsbad. No more, only UA I think. Carlsbad is a very easy in/out. One thing you may miss at SAN is the rollercoaster feeling from the flights out of SNA for the noise abatement compliance. Here we don't care if the neighbors in Point Loma can't hear their TV's.

Good luck and welcome to San Diego!

Cheers!