Originally Posted by
DeltaGriz
I am eagerly awaiting indoc on 4 April and am troubled by my lack of knowledge on how to make a decision about what aircraft I would pick if given a choice.* I live near Atlanta, so that is my desired base.* I would choose a non-ATL aircraft with a plan to AE to Atlanta if there is a compelling reason to choose one aircraft over another.* I'll admit that I am a military dude that is looking to raise my general knowledge from "embarrassing" to "basic understanding."* A few questions that come to mind:
1) Can someone explain the 73N and 7ER relationship?* I assume 73N = 737-700 and 7ER = 737-900 ???* If this is the case, do pilots bounce between the various versions of the 737 or is each version treated as a separate category?* How much international is available on the 73N and 7ER out of Atlanta?
2) I realize opinions vary, but in general, between 7ER/73N/717/88/320, which have more "desirable" schedules out of ATL?* I'd define desirable as not flying multiple short-hops each day, not laying over with exactly enough time to get to your hotel, catch a short night of sleep, and then rush back to fly again the next day.* Do any of these have layovers in Caribbean and/or South America?
3) In which of these planes would my seniority build the fastest once I've AE'd myself into ATL?
4) Any other useful advice that would help me make a choice
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What you describe in your want list pretty much describes 73n flying.
The 73n is 10 700s, 73 800s and about 50 900s with new ones hitting the line all the time. I'm in atl near the bottom of the category on reserve. I don't sit much on reserve and seem to get used whether I volunteer to fly or not. When you volunteer (yellow slip) you often can get the trip you want in open time.
I've done tons of transcon, carribean and even Columbia and Costa Rica trips over the last six months of flying.
If you don't want to fly lots of legs, want a mix of destinations and want some longer layovers the 73n is your category. You won't move fast in atl but you won't care if you live there.
I am also military with no heavy background and I thought the training was great and that the 73 has been a great first airplane.
Every time I jump seat on a mad dog I want to crawl up in the fetal position and suck my thumb afterwards. God bless you all on the mighty mad dog!