PilotJ3

Delta usually activate options without the big announcement UAL and AA makes.

Gunfighter

Other than time on Virginia Avenue, what are some thoughts on doing the short upgrade vs full IQ for a first time Captain?

tennisguru

If you've got a decent amount of time in the right seat then doing the SUG makes the most sense. The full IQ seems like major overkill in that situation since you know all the maneuvers and profiles. I'd imagine it would be a very boring process to do the full course on a plane you are very familiar with.

In the end it probably depends on the person. The SUG probably takes more prep work leading up to it and during the training footprint. Full IQ would be a more laid back experience if you don't have a lot of the CA book stuff down before starting.

Extenda

My scenario: did 4 years on the baby bus, needed to switch it up post covid so switched to ER B, during sims got awarded ER A. Felt like the ER B IQ sims were about 50-60% too long. Did 3 months on the line as ER B before going to upgrade. Felt the 9 events for the short course were 5 events too long.

If you’re a commuter I would avoid the long course like the plague, though if you’re local I hear there are pay implications making it palatable now?

All the training is great, especially OE, they’ll teach you great stuff and make you feel confident off onto the line, but for a regular delta guy who’s been flying for a few years the short course was a little too long and IQ would be unbearably long, in my opinion.

take this with a grain of salt from a non Atlanta guy who probably dislikes commuting to Virginia Avenue for training more than most.

nene

I'd second this assessment as someone who went thru SUG a few years ago, at first it seems like it'll be a lot, but after a couple of sims you'll be glad you didn't waste a few more weeks on VA ave. Most likely you'll have seat fillers for most sims so they are productive and efficient as well. Congrats!

Trip7

Speaking of short courses, the Airbus AQP Trial is even more exciting. An Airbus pilot will have significant fleet flexibility between Long-Haul Widebody flying fleets, and here's the best part, IMO: the ability to take a break from Long-Haul flying and go be senior on the 320 for nine months or so while letting your body clock take a breather.

PilotBases

Airbus is the way of the future here, significant training efficiencies to be opened up, and Navblue integration for eQRH and performance data.

I still have more Boeing types, but I would be surprised if I get another.

Jughead135

Are you saying that (one of) the upshot of this trial training is qualification across various Airbus fleets? I hadn't seen that. That sounds... complicated, at best...??

How would that work, contractually? Bid via AE, treated like a base change (no training required)?

Gone Flying

I think he is saying it will be a short enough course it would be treated like a differences course for seat lock purposes, like bidding between 7ER and 765.

Schwanker

So what's the training freeze for this? Sounds like 9 months differences course from this post. Haven't seen anything from company.