Originally Posted by
symbian simian
Probably fixable. Same type rating too. Not the same manufacturer, there was even one builder more in between, just a differences class would get you going. Yeah, I know probably would not happen, because the technology changed that much.
Oh wait, that was my point to start with....
Difference here is that Southwest didn't just want a common type rating... they wanted NO extra training. The 717 and MD-90 fleets at Delta were not a common rating. Heck even the 767 vs 767-400 (common type) aren't operated that way (even though United does). Southwest wanted ZERO differences training to operate them as a common fleet. Back in the day they operated 737 Classics with autothrottle off because the 737-200 didn't have that. Southwest wanted to go from Classic to NG and NG to MAX not only as a common fleet, but without having to have differences training of any significance. I don't think there's a DC-9 operator in the world that ever operated a DC-9, MD-80, MD-90, and/or 717 as a common fleet.