diversion altitude
 

Any one got a rule of thumb for selecting an appropriate altitude or flight level(B .737) when leaving your destination holding pattern ,i.e 5000',for destination alternate?
50nm,100nm,200nm.for example.
Thanks.

Check what the MSA is too!

Depending upon the distance, I would say, the floor altitude should be MEA (atc, radionav, etc..considerations) otherwise MOCA and MORA

rgds

For longer diversions (more than 45 minutes), I normally flight plan FL220 for most flights, otherwise FL150.
Type, L1011.
Sometimes you get higher from ATC, sometimes not.
However, I have seen plogs wherein FL310 (or even higher) is planned, and this is truly unrealistic for all but the most unusual situations.
I do not like steaming around with absolute minimum fuel (or even less) in tanks.