A method and system is disclosed for dynamic adjustment of threshold payload size for triggering an auxiliary pilot. An access terminal in a wireless communication system that includes a base station may operate in a state in which (i) the access terminal transmits a primary beacon signal on an air interface communication link to the base station, and, (ii) upon a condition that the access terminal will transmit a packet having a size larger than a threshold packet size, the access terminal activates and transmits a secondary beacon signal on the air interface communication link to the base station concurrently with transmission of the primary beacon signal. While operating in the state, upon receiving a first particular sequence of power-control commands from the base station, the access terminal will decrease the threshold packet size by a decremental amount. Also while operating in the state, upon receiving a second particular sequence of power-control commands from the base station, the access terminal will increase the threshold packet size by an incremental amount.