A system and method for determining an initial mean open loop power level of a pilot channel of a reverse traffic channel for a mobile terminal. The initial open loop power level enables handoff of an active call from a first access network to a second access network. A handoff initialization request is from the first access network. A mean received power level of the forward link of the second access network is measured and transmitted to the second access network. An open loop power adjustment factor is received from the second access network. The initial mean open loop power level is set based on the open loop power adjustment factor.