DAL Poolie Info
12-19-2014, 05:34 PM
#3191
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Posts: 70
Ok now that it's reality (hired on Thurs 18 Dec) I have some questions about aircraft types and bases...I value the opinions on this board and would love to hear inputs on what plane would get me to ATL the quickest AS WELL as accrue 400 hrs the quickest. I'm not opposed to flying anything but I have my preferences based on lurking and talking to some line folks...
Any of these will get you to ATL quickly: MD88, 717, 737, A320, 7ER. You will also get to 400 hours very quickly on any of these. Most guys are getting close to 400 hours within 6 months of starting flying. Pick the aircraft you want to fly based on: what's available when you pick, which aircraft offers the best schedule for desired lifestyle (commutable trips, # of legs per day, destinations, how long until off reserve), which one you want to fly (comfort, automation, etc). It's only a one year seat lock, so you can always change later.
If you are looking to get off reserve quickly in ATL, I think all but the 7ER will fill the bill there. Your timing is great...pick the plane you want to fly if you are able to choose. Even if NYC is all that's available...you will be able to choose ATL very quickly.
Here's an example...I was able to pick from 737, A320, MD88, and 717. I didn't want to fly the MD88. I didn't want to consistently fly 4-5 legs per day (717). I picked ATL 737 over the A320 (even though I was already typed on the AirBus) because there seemed to be more trip start times later in the day (less early starts), making it more commutable. I was looking at the trips that filtered down to the lower seniority guys.
My opinion: The 737 is a good aircraft and has good trips overall. The airbus is a better flying aircraft and way more comfortable.
Congrats! Welcome aboard!
12-19-2014, 05:38 PM
#3192
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Captain Jack
Posts: 1,003
I know I know but you guys need to stop worrying about or even considering the 400. You won't get fired for anything in your first year you wouldn't get fired for in any year. That goes for 99.99 % of you.
12-19-2014, 06:30 PM
#3193
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Posts: 56
Squirt - here's my 2 cents...coming from a previous mil fighter guy too...
Any of these will get you to ATL quickly: MD88, 717, 737, A320, 7ER. You will also get to 400 hours very quickly on any of these. Most guys are getting close to 400 hours within 6 months of starting flying. Pick the aircraft you want to fly based on: what's available when you pick, which aircraft offers the best schedule for desired lifestyle (commutable trips, # of legs per day, destinations, how long until off reserve), which one you want to fly (comfort, automation, etc). It's only a one year seat lock, so you can always change later.
If you are looking to get off reserve quickly in ATL, I think all but the 7ER will fill the bill there. Your timing is great...pick the plane you want to fly if you are able to choose. Even if NYC is all that's available...you will be able to choose ATL very quickly.
Here's an example...I was able to pick from 737, A320, MD88, and 717. I didn't want to fly the MD88. I didn't want to consistently fly 4-5 legs per day (717). I picked ATL 737 over the A320 (even though I was already typed on the AirBus) because there seemed to be more trip start times later in the day (less early starts), making it more commutable. I was looking at the trips that filtered down to the lower seniority guys.
My opinion: The 737 is a good aircraft and has good trips overall. The airbus is a better flying aircraft and way more comfortable.
Congrats! Welcome aboard!
Any of these will get you to ATL quickly: MD88, 717, 737, A320, 7ER. You will also get to 400 hours very quickly on any of these. Most guys are getting close to 400 hours within 6 months of starting flying. Pick the aircraft you want to fly based on: what's available when you pick, which aircraft offers the best schedule for desired lifestyle (commutable trips, # of legs per day, destinations, how long until off reserve), which one you want to fly (comfort, automation, etc). It's only a one year seat lock, so you can always change later.
If you are looking to get off reserve quickly in ATL, I think all but the 7ER will fill the bill there. Your timing is great...pick the plane you want to fly if you are able to choose. Even if NYC is all that's available...you will be able to choose ATL very quickly.
Here's an example...I was able to pick from 737, A320, MD88, and 717. I didn't want to fly the MD88. I didn't want to consistently fly 4-5 legs per day (717). I picked ATL 737 over the A320 (even though I was already typed on the AirBus) because there seemed to be more trip start times later in the day (less early starts), making it more commutable. I was looking at the trips that filtered down to the lower seniority guys.
My opinion: The 737 is a good aircraft and has good trips overall. The airbus is a better flying aircraft and way more comfortable.
Congrats! Welcome aboard!
12-19-2014, 11:37 PM
#3194
Line holder
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Position: LAX right seat
Posts: 36
I think some 73N LAX spots went unfilled on the last AE. Guys in my class had the option for LAX a week after finishing INDOC. I'm not sure of the 7ER. If you want west coast, and have the option, I would guess 73N is your best bet right now. We're taking deliver of two 737s a month and slowly parking the 7ER. Unless you have a dream of having flown the ER, I'd opt for the 73.
I'm not even hired yet...I interview 06Jan, but I sure hope it is a decision I get a chance to make.
Congrats to all you guys that got the thumbs up. Hope to see you on the line
12-19-2014, 11:43 PM
#3195
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Posts: 22
12-20-2014, 06:37 AM
#3196
Doesn't Get Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,598
I wanted to drag out my probation as long as I could. When you are done, you start paying 1.95% to ALPA.
12-20-2014, 01:07 PM
#3197
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: 73N FO
Posts: 179
See my post in the "delta bases" thread. I was able to bid and subsequently picked up LAX 73N within a week of starting indoc.
12-20-2014, 02:11 PM
#3198
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 322
12-20-2014, 11:48 PM
#3199
Line holder
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Position: LAX right seat
Posts: 36
12-21-2014, 12:36 PM
#3200
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Petting Zoo
Posts: 2,108
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