Scooter432

Looking for info from guys flying it in ATL. I'm on the ER (yr 4 guy) and with the shrinking of the base in ATL combined with lack of backfill, I'm planning to bounce to either the 73 or 320. I have previous experience in the 320 so I know how the plane is, I'm much more interested in trip quality/variety etc. I'd sit around 43% or so on the fleet. A glance at the bid packages looks like a ton of LGA trips from ATL and east coast etc. Are we flying much out of the west coast from ATL? Is there good coverage to be able to swap in open time/ swap board? It appears there is a good mix of 2 and 3 day trips. What is a typical day..2/3 legs?

As much as it pains me, the 73 outside of the redeyes which I should be able to avoid, appears to have better trip quality/locations. I think this will change due to the large numbers of 321s we have on order.

I appreciate any info!

TexanDriver

Depends on if you're senior to me...😝

In all honesty it depends. We have a good trip mix. The one day turns go fairly senior as in the top one and two guys. A few day turns make their way down to middle of the pack though. Trips can be hit or miss. I've had a few awesome one leg, 24 hrs in SAN and one leg back trips. And I've also had a three day with a long-ass leg followed by another long ass crappy penalty lap. Again, it depends. Take a look at the latest bid packages and awards and see where you'd fall based on your seniority.

The 73 on average does appear to have better trips and more transcon stuff though. I just wouldn't want the cockpit.

MDescent

I'm approximately 30%. I bid any turn available and 2 days if able. I got 3 turns, three 2 days with AUS layovers and a three day with 2 leg days each day an AUS/LAS layover. Your assessment is correct...with 321 growth the bid package is bound to change significantly. The NEO is going to have quite a bit of range and who knows how that will be used. It could be anything from transcons and even "rumors" of Atlantic crossings depending on what options are ordered. Hope this helps.

Baradium

I was thinking the same thing, this really isn't a time you'll get a good answer on trip quality with the 321s coming. If they are better at some of the current ER routes than the 739 then you could see them doing those legs so you could end up with similar trips for either fleet. The question is that if the 321 starts doing transcons, how many does the 73N keep?

Scooter432

thanks for the info shared. It pretty much is in line with my research. I'm not too interested in day turns as a commuter. 3 and 4 days are the sweet spot. The only thing I'm trying to weigh is the latest CR info that showed them wanting to place more 73N crews in ATL compared to the Bus. I need to see and gather where all the new 321 deliveries are going..maybe more are going to other bases vs ATL?

TexanDriver

Latest rumor mill is a possible LAX or SEA 320 base in the near future. If they get the ETOPS jets you could be seeing LAX-HNL I'd imagine.

NoDeskJob

Our longest, flights right now are 4-5 hours. Atl-lax, and some central time zone to Seattle. They don’t seem to use us on the pure trans-cons like the 73nwith 5-6 hours.
I would say some one at your seniority could easily do a 4 day with 8 legs or less - pending commute timing.
I would say overall the 73 does less legs.

321pilot

I've done both ATL73N and ATL320 in my <3 years at Delta. Everything is accurate above, including the uncertainty of what the 320 bid package will look like as we get more 321s. I'm ~50% on the 320, lots 3 legs/day east coast flying in the 1:30-2:00 ETE range, though some west coast flying is starting to show up for us. I can usually hold commutable trips, but once or twice a month I have to come in the night prior. Lot of painful last day penalty laps at the end of my 3 days, including ELP (3:06), SAT (2:40), MBJ (2:47 + customs) for me this month. Plenty of open time if you like flying weekends.

forgot to bid

It really is hard to tell but one thing for sure you'll be way more senior.

Big E 757

I had a friend at In Command this month and he said there is no talk about Atlantic crossings for the 321’s but they are looking at HNL from the west coast.