NewHire QOL
 

Hello all! I will be starting with Delta later in August. I am coming from the 135 world so forgive my ignorance here. As someone who is not chasing the big iron or chasing the money and looking for the best QOL, most time off, and fastest seniority progression what is the best fleet to be on? I'm used to being worked like a rented mule on 7 day rotations flying 4-5 legs a day so the 717 mission doesn't bother me. I live 2 hours from ATL so would love to get it initially (although haven't noticed a lot of ATL options in the class drops here lately) or get back there asap. Just wondering some of y'alls insight who have been here a while and have the insight as to which fleets have the best qol and fastest route back to ATL. Thanks in advance and blue skies!

Welcome! If you don't get ATL in your bid, try bidding a plane that is based in ATL. That way you can get the base transfer on the very next bid that's available to you. I also came from the 91k/ 135 world so feel free to PM me any questions. The bottom line on comparison to 135 flying: you'll still work hard on the narrowbody fleets but you'll be paid better and the operation will feel more organized on the 121 side. Yes, even when the wheels fall off during weather events. Work rules are better too, and idk what operation you were at prior but I get more days off per month here too.

Avoid the A220 at all costs as that will be the absolute longest path to ATL if you can't hold ATL right off the bat. 717 in ATL will probably be the fastest path off the bottom, followed by the 737 then the 320 and 7ER (757/767-300). If you can't get ATL, look at DTW for 717, 737, or 320. DTW has much cheaper hotel options for commuters, you only have to worry about 1 airport as opposed to the 3 in NYC (LGA, JFK, EWR), and you'll still see a good rise off the bottom, although probably not as fast a NYC.

I'm on the 717, and to be honest at least in my experience in the current environment, it's hardly the horror show one might think. For now. I average 2 to 3 legs a day (I can't remember the last time I did a 4 leg day), most overnights are in the 14-17 hour range, one time zone, and I honestly have not been re-routed in the last year. I'll get re-routed on my next trip because I typed that. Again thats just a snap shot of my experience, could all change at a moments notice. The horror stories come from my worn out 320 buddies. I think with the 717 being exposed to a relatively small section of the operation compared to other fleets, it kinda limits the possibilities for torture. And to clarify i'm speaking of ATL 717 here.

Shhhhhhhhh

Sorry sorry!!.......My bad......I just couldn't help myself in exposing the truth :) These past few AE's I keep telling myself i'm gonna finally go to the bus and get it over with, get maybe my last full initial school over with. I'd actually be more senior on the 320 surprisingly enough, go figure.... Then I hear the stories from the other NB fleets.....And I just stay put.......

As someone that’s coming to Delta soon and is currently on the RJ, is the 717 a good platform to start off on? I do want to do something new in the way of flying but I don’t want to struggle with the craziness of NYC or reroutes.

717 only does EWR, but you don’t get it often enough to worry about it. We do get rerouted, though I have experienced nothing like I have on other fleets. Most of our stuff is benign reroutes. Like you had a 2 hour sit but now go fly this turn instead and end up back on your rotation. Most reroutes are neutral.

717 - doesn't really go west of the Mississippi
220 - doesn't leave the country
​​​​737 - doesn't leave North America
757 - doesn't leave Florida (ha ha ha). Stays north of the equator and western Europe

Reroutes happen. Some are just more unlucky than others. New reroute rules start Aug 1 so it may be less or at least you get paid if it happens. ​​​​​

As someone likely bottom of the class in seniority and interested in SLC, what’s the best fleet to bid?