Originally Posted by Fly Faster

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!