Originally Posted by
Roadkill
Hi, first time poster here, Delta 2001 hire/furlough then mil-leave to now guy. I'm looking to retire from USAF and end mil leave, return to Delta around Feb 11. Need some advice on which plane and where.
I just looked at the new AE projected cat list and did some spreadsheet work. Here's the info:
1. Live in Phoenix. Want to stay there and commute.
2. Small kids, want to have max time home. Don't know if a line's predictability is better than reserve.
3. My percentiles I can hold from the AE projected cat list Apr 11:
LAX7ER B 96%
LAX37N B 88%
SLC7ER B 98%
SLC37N B 63%
MSP7ER B 79%
All 320 fleet B in DTW/MSP/SLC about 61%-66%
MSPM88 B 27%
So... What do I tell them I want to fly when I call in to rejoin? I'm leaning towards 7ER out of LAX, 96% and sitting reserve, but I've heard it's doable from Phoenix? The drive is 6 hours and there are like 50 flights a day PHX-LAX. But then I read on here how much reserve commuting sux, and I think maybe holding a SLC37N at 63% and a line would be better?
Any advice you guys might offer would be great, this is the first real reading I've done since the old furlough lists and I don't really know/understand the reserve requirements vs. lineholder advantages.
Thanks!
Commuting to reserve sucks.
International reserve is even worse because of the 24hr shortcall
Effectively you can be on SC twice as much as a domestic only category, to top it scheduling has in the past scheduled 24 on/24 off SC which is even worse for a commuter.
If you're going to be reserve in LA you cover 3 airports which makes getting around tricky without a car...
For being reserve SLC is a good deal. $35 at the airport Inn $40ish at Baymont Suites and a great bunch of guys in the lounge/CPO.
I'd go for being a lineholder over commuting to reserve any day.
A320 in SLC seems like a solid bet and thats a comfortable jet.
73N in SLC give you a chance to change it to LAX at a later time, but the cockpit is small and loud.
M88 MSP is great seniority, there's a decent amount of commutable trips but that 27% is more like 50% at any other base because MSP is still in the "build-up" phase with something like 30% on reserve. The Maddog looks scary but flies well and is roomy and quiet, the 90 has big motors and will fly West from MSP...
YMMV
Cheers
George