Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?
08-27-2012, 02:12 PM
The Brown Dot +1
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Position: 777B
Posts: 7,775
When the fence comes down, the 777 will be drawn out of ATL. The 744 will move to atl.
Based on the AA exclusivity date, we'll all find out about our "widebody" order.
As Timbo alluded, bidding off the 777 is a tough call. I've been going around and around on the thought for over a year. The 330 flies the best of the old -er trips. The second best it ever got for me at DAL was 3 years in a row of octoberfest in four separate german cities...now that's livin' right. The 777 is boring and its our job to keep it that way, but it is BORING and the layovers are only okay. If there was more variety, it would be more fun, but this is commercial aviation and I'm in it for the commercial part $$.
As Timbo mentioned, on the 777, 3 landings in 3 months is standard. Reserves are simulator currency meat...and they know it.
We will know soon enough what, if any, widebodies will be coming our way. Who knows...
08-27-2012, 02:41 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 767ER capt
Posts: 1,190
Even if you 'fly the airplane' as a line holder, you won't fly it much. 4 pilots, 2 landings. And right now, no Africa, but you know their 5 year plan changes every 3 weeks, so it could come back...BUT...here's what the Senior Mama's are telling us:
Africa flying will be done out of ATL on the A330. Europe will be out of JFK as soon as they finish the terminal, and Asia, out of DTW on the 777/747.
The flying is beyond boring. It's not even flying, it's sitting for 15 hours (or 17 from Joburg). But you will eat until you'r tired, sleep until you're hungry, and your only worry is... when will you have to pee.
Africa flying will be done out of ATL on the A330. Europe will be out of JFK as soon as they finish the terminal, and Asia, out of DTW on the 777/747.
The flying is beyond boring. It's not even flying, it's sitting for 15 hours (or 17 from Joburg). But you will eat until you'r tired, sleep until you're hungry, and your only worry is... when will you have to pee.
08-27-2012, 02:52 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 767ER capt
Posts: 1,190
I don't find int'l flying brutal, except south america.
The destinations are extremely limited and seem to be shrinking to even fewer - as Timbo pointed out, Hong Kong is gone 1 sept to be served out of narita. DTW is rumored to be getting AMS as a gap filler, but certainly not long term.
It is SSDD. Ive been thinking about bidding the 330.
The destinations are extremely limited and seem to be shrinking to even fewer - as Timbo pointed out, Hong Kong is gone 1 sept to be served out of narita. DTW is rumored to be getting AMS as a gap filler, but certainly not long term.
It is SSDD. Ive been thinking about bidding the 330.
08-27-2012, 03:09 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: 765-A
Posts: 6,844
I'm still okay with transatlantic flying, too, but I'm finding that the IST/ SVO/ ATH trips are just too long for me. I really don't look forward to 777 flying, but the increased pay would hopefully allow for an earlier retirement. It would be nice to see 777s flying to Europe (as most other airlines do). I take it that you don't see that as a possibility?
CVG,
I think you would look good in this:
08-27-2012, 03:23 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: blueJet
Posts: 4,536
I heard from the Chief Pilot that Delta has asked us to stop using them on September 29th.
08-27-2012, 03:24 PM
Runs with scissors
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Posts: 7,756
I'm still okay with transatlantic flying, too, but I'm finding that the IST/ SVO/ ATH trips are just too long for me. I really don't look forward to 777 flying, but the increased pay would hopefully allow for an earlier retirement. It would be nice to see 777s flying to Europe (as most other airlines do). I take it that you don't see that as a possibility?
We do fly it to Europe!
We fly right over DUB, LGW, CDG, and then we keep right on going, for about 6 more hours, and land in Dubai!
When I first got on it, it did Europe, CDG, MUC, FCO, LGW...but all I could hold was BOM and I did a lot of it!
Anyway, once that 'new Route guy' (Cortelieu?) came onboard, he decided the airplane should go as far as it could, ie. it's a waste to only fly a 21 hour jet 7-8 hours, so they started stretching it out to the 15+ hour legs, looking for new destinations, like Dubai, Kuwait, Bejing (out of ATL) etc.
Now, with the NW merger, they've got all kinds of options, especially in Asia, but unless we get more 777's, I doubt we'll -land- in Europe again. I agree with Scambo, they will probably move it up to DTW and move the 747's to ATL.
Re. the long legs, I hate them, and the lack of landings, but at least the bunks are very good, dark, quiet, indivually adjustable heat, etc. Even so, there are some legs, Joburg especially, where there is moderate turb. or worse, for hours on end. I can't sleep in anything more than a light chop, so I quit doing Joburg after one 17hr. leg with no sleep about a year ago.
If you can 'sleep through anything' you'll love it, but I've always been a light sleeper, so I like it smoooooth when I'm on break!
08-27-2012, 03:29 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 767ER capt
Posts: 1,190
08-27-2012, 03:36 PM
Runs with scissors
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Posts: 7,756
08-27-2012, 03:41 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 767ER capt
Posts: 1,190
We do fly it to Europe!
We fly right over DUB, LGW, CDG, and then we keep right on going, for about 6 more hours, and land in Dubai!
When I first got on it, it did Europe, CDG, MUC, FCO, LGW...but all I could hold was BOM and I did a lot of it!
Anyway, once that 'new Route guy' (Cortelieu?) came onboard, he decided the airplane should go as far as it could, ie. it's a waste to only fly a 21 hour jet 7-8 hours, so they started stretching it out to the 15+ hour legs, looking for new destinations, like Dubai, Kuwait, Bejing (out of ATL) etc.
Now, with the NW merger, they've got all kinds of options, especially in Asia, but unless we get more 777's, I doubt we'll -land- in Europe again. I agree with Scambo, they will probably move it up to DTW and move the 747's to ATL.
Re. the long legs, I hate them, and the lack of landings, but at least the bunks are very good, dark, quiet, indivually adjustable heat, etc. Even so, there are some legs, Joburg especially, where there is moderate turb. or worse, for hours on end. I can't sleep in anything more than a light chop, so I quit doing Joburg after one 17hr. leg with no sleep about a year ago.
If you can 'sleep through anything' you'll love it, but I've always been a light sleeper, so I like it smoooooth when I'm on break!
We fly right over DUB, LGW, CDG, and then we keep right on going, for about 6 more hours, and land in Dubai!
When I first got on it, it did Europe, CDG, MUC, FCO, LGW...but all I could hold was BOM and I did a lot of it!
Anyway, once that 'new Route guy' (Cortelieu?) came onboard, he decided the airplane should go as far as it could, ie. it's a waste to only fly a 21 hour jet 7-8 hours, so they started stretching it out to the 15+ hour legs, looking for new destinations, like Dubai, Kuwait, Bejing (out of ATL) etc.
Now, with the NW merger, they've got all kinds of options, especially in Asia, but unless we get more 777's, I doubt we'll -land- in Europe again. I agree with Scambo, they will probably move it up to DTW and move the 747's to ATL.
Re. the long legs, I hate them, and the lack of landings, but at least the bunks are very good, dark, quiet, indivually adjustable heat, etc. Even so, there are some legs, Joburg especially, where there is moderate turb. or worse, for hours on end. I can't sleep in anything more than a light chop, so I quit doing Joburg after one 17hr. leg with no sleep about a year ago.
If you can 'sleep through anything' you'll love it, but I've always been a light sleeper, so I like it smoooooth when I'm on break!
08-27-2012, 03:59 PM
The Brown Dot +1
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Position: 777B
Posts: 7,775
Tim, you're not doing much to sell me on super-premium wide-body flying! The crew rest facility seems pretty nice, but it sounds like you're screwed if you don't get any sleep on your break. I had a few TLV-JFK legs on the 767 where I couldn't sleep, and those were long, painful flights. I can't imagine one 4 hours longer without rest.
Most guys self-identify if they feel like dog doo doo.
Like Timbo said about turb, one little drop of pee in your bladder bounces all over the place and makes you feel like you are holding back the mississippi river when its more than light chop. A design failure of the 777 is there's no lav in the condo. Suit up, tie included, to come down and do your biz...
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