Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate performing scalable transmission power offsets for an access terminal to ensure that a listening base station can hear a signal transmitted from the access terminal. The power offset is generated as a function of a reverse link channel quality indicator feedback loop to permit the access terminal to adjust transmission power sufficiently without excessive power boosting, such as can occur under a static power-boosting scheme. Monitored parameters associated with channel quality indications may comprise erasure rate indicators provided by base stations in response to CQI signals from the access terminal, as well as mean received power levels associated with superframe preamble received at the access terminal.