Scoop

Well plenty of 737 FOs have flown the west coast to Hawaii, but I generally agree with your point. It ain't rocket surgery and besides no one is flying solo.

Scoop

Gone Flying

ATL and LAX also have 2022 hires awarded 7ERA.

If they won’t open BOS320 ( a base with growth potential) there is no way they reopen Midwest 7ER bases as they phase the planes out.

Meme In Command

You're right! Getting dragged does not count, and i wasn't. I also managed one more crossing at my previous civilian employer employer. Again, crossing the pond is not rocket science.

CX500T

I did multiple crossings pre-Delta, unrefueled, single ship, in everything from a C-152 (ferry with multiple stops) to an E-2C. Failing to see how 2 years right seat in a Delta NB would prepare me any better than left seat of an RJ or the crossings I did in the military, and as a civilian.

I've been an ER FO and 320 Captain at Delta. There's Captain stuff that is common to all fleets (pax issues, crew day, hey can you see about getting catering here, MELs etc) and ocean crossing stuff. Being a NB FO doesn't really prep for ocean crossings more than RJ FO. Maybe a bit more familiarity with Delta specific resources, but that's it.

NuGuy

NWA 757s crossed the Atlantic and flew the Pacific with no TOE, theater qual or line checks.

There was a binder in the airplane with “Eastbound” and “Westbound” checklists. There was a Pacific Flying Guide available if you wanted to read something enroute. Never was an issue.

Tropical

I'm not buying the notion that SHTF in the tracks is something that requires Highly Experienced International Captains With Ocean Crossing Experience. We have checklists and standard procedures. You have ETPs and standard divert points based on your location. You simply execute the plan you all briefed earlier. Most likely, in the middle of the Atlantic, you're going to have two FOs up there anyhow. You're not waking the CA up unless it's major. Even if you do wake them, the FOs have already run the checklists, coordinated with ATL, and are probably heading toward Gander, Greenland, Iceland, or Shannon by the time the CA gets dressed and gets back up there.

Plus, this stereotype that all newhire ER CAs are 28 year olds with nothing but C172 and a couple years of RJ time needs to stop. There may be a few of those but most seem to have military heavy time or cargo ocean crossings at places like Atlas and Kalitta. And I dare say that kind of international flying is way harder than what we do at Delta, with much less of a support net. Crossing the NATS is a walk around the block compared to Africa, the Stans, or the Far East.

badflaps

Who could forget the picture of the DAL 1011 flying formation with a Continental 747.

Maddoggin

I sure hope the two FO’s decide to wake to Captain up before starting out on a divert plan. Running checklists and getting all the information relayed is one thing but unless you’re on fire most Captains will want to be part of the divert decision.

Tropical

Yeah, we're talking about being on fire. You know, a real "SHTF on the tracks" event...

jaxsurf

You’ll never convince the old fogies using reality. These people were raised on stories of a bygone era, and they refuse to acknowledge that we operate under a different paradigm now. They will do all sorts of mental gymnastics to keep alive the idea that they are special beings, superior to all others. And how dare a lowly FO have the contemptible opinion that they could possibly learn or even understand what it takes to be an international widebody captain, IN COMMAND of an airliner, without years of mentoring and tutelage? How dare they even dream of doing that job without having had to walk to school uphill, both ways, like they did?? It’s inconceivable! Prior experience is irrelevant, because they didn’t apprentice under these sky gods. Actually flying around the world as a mere pilot doesn’t mean anything when it comes to doing the exact same thing as a Delta Air Lines Captain In Command of an Airliner. Obviously it only means anything when learning it from double breasted sun lords like themselves.