Recently got a CJO and am very excited! I live very close to DTW and my ultimate goal is to be home more (and try and do GS when able). While I’ll happily take any airplane that can eventually get me based in DTW, I’m curious what the trip mix between fleets? How senior do 1/2/3 day trips go? I would imagine the 717 has the highest probability of shorter pairings, but am curious what the QOL for DTW area locals is like. Thanks everyone!

 

Welcome! I currently live in the Detroit area and am about 30 minutes from DTW. I have been on the 320 for about 3 years now and I am enjoying it. My seniority is 35% which allows me to get all 2 and 3 day trips, most weekends off, and mainly 2-3 legs a day. The 320 fleet has been growing substantially in Detroit while the 737 fleet has slowly started deteriorating. The 7ER base closed during Covid so that helped the 320 fleet gain some longer legs. The 717 is also growing. One of only two bases with that aircraft. A lot of 3-4 legs with that but also a lot of 3 days. Easy, regional style flying is available on the 717 if you stay closer to home. After about two years as a narrow body FO you will have the opportunity to either fly one of the Airbus wide Boies (330 or 350) as an FO or you can upgrade to CA on the 717, 320, or 737. It’s the 3rd largest pilot base. The flight attendants are awesome, most pilots are cool (some ex northwest pilots are grumpy but I don’t blame them), and the airport is the easiest thing ever. Parking lot to the terminal is quick. Very efficient airport. I think the future is bright at Detroit!

 

Very generally speaking all narrow bodies will have a similar ratio of 1/2/3/4/5 day trips. 717 is great for commuters as it currently has the most commutable trips, but since you’re local that’s obviously not a concern. Between the 73 and 320, the 320 is a larger category in DTW and more movement. 320 is a pretty big mix of mostly domestic, whereas 73 is both domestic and Island flying.

Edited to add: If you really care about green slips, avoid the 717, just doesn’t get as many since it’s a small fleet and only two bases.

 

DTW is a great base - hardly any weather delays, and a good mix of flying. If only the ER could come back... 320 is where the growth is at DL on the narrow body. 717 is mostly stagnant, 737 is growing slightly but not enough to worry about. As the 757s get parked, the 321 will take over that flying.

1 day trips are hard to do - there aren't that many of them (on 737/320) because they get incorporated into other flying to make it more efficient. Then the senior people pick them up - so unless you're in the top 20%, you won't be able to hold them. 2 days are rarish, and there are plenty of 3-4 days trips. Some 5 days, but the new TA should adjust these to be a bit more equitable.

 

When are the 757 getting parked?

Like the Maddogs - they were getting parked for over a decade. If it wasn't for the virus, they'd still be flying.

The 321 NEO are just now entering flight testing and are going to have an uphill (like Mt everest battle) for certification IF you opt for the center/aft tanks (which pretty much everyone wants since without the plane is basically useless).

They pulled the 757 to the points for a reason. SEA was always going to lose the ER flying as that was stated years ago once we got the 330 orders rolling.

321 NEO is ether right now and the 75/76 are going to be around for many many years.

How many 321s are doing SNA - ATL non-stop?

BTW I'm not on the 75/76. I've flown pretty much all the NB here. To include the bus. I am not a fan of its performance - which is what really matters to me as a pilot. They are unreliable but we got a GREAT deal from France.

We are also on the books for 100 MAX 10s. We have the option to take any variant though should certification become an issue.

Life is not all bus here at DAL. I would venture to say there might be a big boeing on the prowl here as well. We'll see. Depends on RR I guess.

DTW is not a great base. Only great base if you live there, like anywhere else.

Geez, you new guys. Were you at Skypest by any chance?

 

HK.. Might want to ELSE START NEXT this post

 

I apologize, but I don't get your post?

I bid specific trips in PBS. I'm senior to get what I want. So I admit I'm not too smart on ESN logic.

How does ESN apply to my post then?

 

Ummmm...that's really strange, because we have 321-NEO's currently in flight right now all over the country. You're thinking of the 321-XLR...

 

Your post was just a confusing ramble. And what was the jab at SkyWest all about?

 

Don't our NEO's already have the extra tank?