Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?
05-12-2010, 08:07 PM
Inventory survival kit ..
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Seeking no jacket required rotations
Posts: 1,069
Greetings,
I spoke with a fellow pilot who lives in ATL today. He is out on LTS, but the prognosis is excellent. He's still not able to put in a full day without getting fatigued, but is hopeful to return soon. He still likes to dabble in all things aviation, and hangs out with a friend who is doing a homebuilt during his after-hours, from time to time. This second gentleman is a pretty senior line maintenance A&P for ma' Delta. He has been tasked (the mechanic) with going over to Stockholm to observe 40---count 'em--40 MD-90s that are going through heavy C checks at Swiss air. The story I got was that barring any "significant" issues uncovered during said checks, those 40 were coming to us. $7 mil. a piece. Take this with a grain of salt, as w/ any rumor. However, my good friend who is out on sick leave is not a rumor monger in any degree or fashion. Even though this mech. is going over to observe, that does NOT make a sale. However....
Chuck
I spoke with a fellow pilot who lives in ATL today. He is out on LTS, but the prognosis is excellent. He's still not able to put in a full day without getting fatigued, but is hopeful to return soon. He still likes to dabble in all things aviation, and hangs out with a friend who is doing a homebuilt during his after-hours, from time to time. This second gentleman is a pretty senior line maintenance A&P for ma' Delta. He has been tasked (the mechanic) with going over to Stockholm to observe 40---count 'em--40 MD-90s that are going through heavy C checks at Swiss air. The story I got was that barring any "significant" issues uncovered during said checks, those 40 were coming to us. $7 mil. a piece. Take this with a grain of salt, as w/ any rumor. However, my good friend who is out on sick leave is not a rumor monger in any degree or fashion. Even though this mech. is going over to observe, that does NOT make a sale. However....
Chuck
05-12-2010, 08:10 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: A-320/A
Posts: 588
The short answer is no. I'm not sure. Our conversation revolved around his cancer, treatments, recovery, and our common desire to honor the Lord in all that we do....whether flying for ma' Delta, or hanging out with friends and drinking coffee while they turn wrenches on a project homebuilt. Maybe it was SAS/Scandinavian Airlines. I thought he said Swiss Air, but it very well may have been SAS. My apologies if some of the facts (pertinent ones, like WHICH AIRLINE!!) were off in my earlier post. But I am certain he mentioned 40 aircraft, $7 mil. each, and 'C' checks that his mech. friend (yes, a DAL mechanic/employee) was tentatively scheduled to go over to observe. I just ad-lib'd the Stockholm. It's the only city I could think of, and I guess my geography is off. I need to get out more often. As a DC-9 guy, I can name a whole bunch of small towns between MEM and MCO, that euro gig....not so much. Again, my apologies if the first post is confusing. My only intent is to share the good news, that comes from what I consider to be a very reliable friend. Not only is he a first rate ma' Delta captain, but a former Marine fighter pilot, and as good a friend as I'd ever hope to have. Guess we'll have to see if any of this pans out.
Regards,
Chuck
05-12-2010, 08:16 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: A-320/A
Posts: 588
I understand that is a significant percentage of the total of MD-90 A/C available. However, I am certain he did say 40. On the other hand, this IS third hand information. I guess we'll see.
Regards,
Chuck
05-12-2010, 08:19 PM
The Brown Dot +1
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Position: 777B
Posts: 7,775
MD-90s by # and operator
Saudi Arabian Airlines (29)
Delta Air Lines (16)
Japan Airlines (16)
China Southern (13)
Uni Air (11)
China Eastern (9)
Blue1 (5)
Hello Airlines (5)
Lion Air (5)
Now what we need is for ACL to go thru the list and tell us which ones we already have coming or are already in the US and we can get to the bottom of this mystery. Scooby Dooby Doo (shameless Boomerang plug)
Saudi Arabian Airlines (29)
Delta Air Lines (16)
Japan Airlines (16)
China Southern (13)
Uni Air (11)
China Eastern (9)
Blue1 (5)
Hello Airlines (5)
Lion Air (5)
Now what we need is for ACL to go thru the list and tell us which ones we already have coming or are already in the US and we can get to the bottom of this mystery. Scooby Dooby Doo (shameless Boomerang plug)
05-12-2010, 08:26 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,539
I'm told that 3 Hello and 4 China Eastern aircraft are already in the US being modded to the new Delta configuration. I believe they will enter service this fall.
05-12-2010, 08:33 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: A-320/A
Posts: 588
Hi Scambo,
I looked on Wikipedia, and they reflect the numbers you quoted. Now I'm wondering where "40" came from. There were only 109 total airframes even made, and the Saudi's totaled 29 of those. And I understand that the Saudi A/C are somewhat of a hybrid, and may not be a good fit for DAL. At any rate, I stand by what I was told, and what I shared. But it's hard to understand where those 40 airframes mentioned are going to come from. Perhaps I should "lurk" more, and "post" less.
Regards,
Chuck
I looked on Wikipedia, and they reflect the numbers you quoted. Now I'm wondering where "40" came from. There were only 109 total airframes even made, and the Saudi's totaled 29 of those. And I understand that the Saudi A/C are somewhat of a hybrid, and may not be a good fit for DAL. At any rate, I stand by what I was told, and what I shared. But it's hard to understand where those 40 airframes mentioned are going to come from. Perhaps I should "lurk" more, and "post" less.
Regards,
Chuck
05-12-2010, 08:37 PM
The Brown Dot +1
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Position: 777B
Posts: 7,775
Chuck;
My posting wasn't intended in any way as a poke in your eye. I like the rumor. I hope its true. From my memory, JAL 90s were in play, China Eeastern's were in play, Hello's are enroute. etc. Post away.
Like the man says "there's a little truth in everything."
My posting wasn't intended in any way as a poke in your eye. I like the rumor. I hope its true. From my memory, JAL 90s were in play, China Eeastern's were in play, Hello's are enroute. etc. Post away.
Like the man says "there's a little truth in everything."
05-12-2010, 08:38 PM
Underboob King
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Guppy Commander
Posts: 4,412
Hi Scambo,
I looked on Wikipedia, and they reflect the numbers you quoted. Now I'm wondering where "40" came from. There were only 109 total airframes even made, and the Saudi's totaled 29 of those. And I understand that the Saudi A/C are somewhat of a hybrid, and may not be a good fit for DAL. At any rate, I stand by what I was told, and what I shared. But it's hard to understand where those 40 airframes mentioned are going to come from. Perhaps I should "lurk" more, and "post" less.
Regards,
Chuck
I looked on Wikipedia, and they reflect the numbers you quoted. Now I'm wondering where "40" came from. There were only 109 total airframes even made, and the Saudi's totaled 29 of those. And I understand that the Saudi A/C are somewhat of a hybrid, and may not be a good fit for DAL. At any rate, I stand by what I was told, and what I shared. But it's hard to understand where those 40 airframes mentioned are going to come from. Perhaps I should "lurk" more, and "post" less.
Regards,
Chuck
05-12-2010, 08:55 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Boeing Hearing and Ergonomics Lab Rat, Night Shift
Posts: 1,724
I want to say 12 China Eastern coming
2 per month through June, the last one in July
The delivery schedule is hanging in the CVG crew lounge...
The holdup in joining the fleet is the STC for the in Seat IFE according to SD
Once the STC is in hand expect an accelerated schedule...
Latest one crossed the Pacific on May 1st:
FlightAware > China Eastern Airlines #599
Cheers
George
05-12-2010, 08:58 PM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: 765-A
Posts: 6,844
Hi DAL4EVER,
The short answer is no. I'm not sure. Our conversation revolved around his cancer, treatments, recovery, and our common desire to honor the Lord in all that we do....whether flying for ma' Delta, or hanging out with friends and drinking coffee while they turn wrenches on a project homebuilt. Maybe it was SAS/Scandinavian Airlines. I thought he said Swiss Air, but it very well may have been SAS. My apologies if some of the facts (pertinent ones, like WHICH AIRLINE!!) were off in my earlier post. But I am certain he mentioned 40 aircraft, $7 mil. each, and 'C' checks that his mech. friend (yes, a DAL mechanic/employee) was tentatively scheduled to go over to observe. I just ad-lib'd the Stockholm. It's the only city I could think of, and I guess my geography is off. I need to get out more often. As a DC-9 guy, I can name a whole bunch of small towns between MEM and MCO, that euro gig....not so much. Again, my apologies if the first post is confusing. My only intent is to share the good news, that comes from what I consider to be a very reliable friend. Not only is he a first rate ma' Delta captain, but a former Marine fighter pilot, and as good a friend as I'd ever hope to have. Guess we'll have to see if any of this pans out.
Regards,
Chuck
The short answer is no. I'm not sure. Our conversation revolved around his cancer, treatments, recovery, and our common desire to honor the Lord in all that we do....whether flying for ma' Delta, or hanging out with friends and drinking coffee while they turn wrenches on a project homebuilt. Maybe it was SAS/Scandinavian Airlines. I thought he said Swiss Air, but it very well may have been SAS. My apologies if some of the facts (pertinent ones, like WHICH AIRLINE!!) were off in my earlier post. But I am certain he mentioned 40 aircraft, $7 mil. each, and 'C' checks that his mech. friend (yes, a DAL mechanic/employee) was tentatively scheduled to go over to observe. I just ad-lib'd the Stockholm. It's the only city I could think of, and I guess my geography is off. I need to get out more often. As a DC-9 guy, I can name a whole bunch of small towns between MEM and MCO, that euro gig....not so much. Again, my apologies if the first post is confusing. My only intent is to share the good news, that comes from what I consider to be a very reliable friend. Not only is he a first rate ma' Delta captain, but a former Marine fighter pilot, and as good a friend as I'd ever hope to have. Guess we'll have to see if any of this pans out.
Regards,
Chuck
I hope and pray your bud makes a full recovery and comes back to the line soon. We can make all these predictions about our future, but it really doesn't mean anything if you don't have your health. Your post brings that point home to me tonight. Take care.
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