Originally Posted by CVG767A

Huh? If so, AA's MD80s must be radically different from Delta's. Our DC9s and MD88s had a handle in the floor by the F/O's left foot. Pulling that lever would mechanically release the main gear door latches and nose gear over-center lock, and place the gear hydraulic system in bypass, allowing the gear to free fall and lock into the down position.

According to the manual, nose oscillations might be required to get the nose gear to lock.