Can they though? 23m7 lets them skip steps of coverage, but only to get them to another step, right? Within which step of coverage would this rotation be assigned/awarded to the pilot living in AUS, if say there are other available pilots still ahead of them within that step?

Also, a legal rotation would still have to start/end at base. A DH could achieve this desired affect of course, with the pilot deviating that DH. But that adds time to the rotation as built.

 

any available pilot. they can skip to the end and pay the most senior who would have gotten it at another step. they don’t have to 23m7 each step

 

Ah, yes that (the final) step. Good point.

Still though, the (legal) rotation would have to start with SOMETHING out of a base, which would correspond with a departure time from AUS that reflects it. But yea I see how this could be done.

 

Correct. As a part of the 23m7 process they would have to build a legal rotation and then determine the most senior eligible pilot who could have gotten that trip (most likely as a WS). I'm assuming they could "backdate" a DH to an earlier one, or even one the day prior in order to build the rotation, because the pilot flying the actual legs needs to be on a legal rotation as well.

 

When you book it will only let you book economy, and you can pay later to upgrade to preferred seating or higher classes. I personally wouldn't bother with it, since when you check in you will immediately get put on the upgrade list for both Delta One and Premium Select. These are positive space upgrades (coded PSUP) which go before any nonrev, and in seniority order if there's more than one, but behind Global Upgrade Certificates (coded UP2W). Since you book them far out it's not really feasible to snipe the airport standby list and take another flight if you see it's not going to work out, you just kind of roll with it. If you don't want to take your chances then sure paying for it is a nice guarantee. I just used mine with my GF to go to Asia and it worked like a charm getting D1 going over, but we got screwed by a last minute UP2W on the way back. Still Premium Select is not a bad ride.

 

Can only pay to upgrade to comfort plus, not any higher classes.

 

Yes.

When you book, you may elect to pay extra $ for better seats. Just follow the prompt. Delta will take your money.

Personal experience: 5 out of 6 spirit passes resulted in "Delta One".

If/when it fell apart: at least you two sit together (or not, you do you). In upgraded seats, if that's what you wanted. Comfort plus is NOT Delta One. This is the real "perk" of sprit passes. Grabbing a couple of seats next to each other months out.

You get to chose your seats DAY ONE when you book your spirit pass. Book it. Then CHOOSE YOUR SEATS. Immediately.

The spirit class "upgrade" will supersede most of the dirt people in back. But there are no guarantees. Gal gets the upgrade if there's only one, because reasons. Negotiate on the day of travel.

 

73 guys/gals, I can't recall what's the long range communication capability of the MAX 10s we've ordered? SATCOM? Dual HF? Single HF? None or all or some of the above.

Just curious.Thanks.

 

satcom only available for aircraft assigned to fly atl-bhm

 

We will be lucky to get 2xVHF and you’ll like it.