Questions on 717 Life
05-11-2026 | 06:02 PM
#61
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The 717 is probably the most credit-heavy fleet (short legs, less block.) This means that last-leg RRPY is very likely to be more of a payday on the 717 than other fleets. Add to that the style of flying of the 717 (turn after turn from base) probably also makes it more prone to reroutes. Sit pay is rare (hard to fit in a long sit to 4-leg days), EDP is common. All that to say, the 717 does thrive in both trip credit and soft pay.
05-11-2026 | 06:07 PM
#62
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They're also working their A$$es off to the tune of 18+ days a month.
05-11-2026 | 06:16 PM
#63
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Without premium though, as was asked? That would be a combination of a slog and being lucky. I would not recommend this strategy.
Another way I might say it is that counting on 90+ hours a month, every month, as a RES pilot requires some form of premium flying to be consistently achievable.
Another way I might say it is that counting on 90+ hours a month, every month, as a RES pilot requires some form of premium flying to be consistently achievable.
Definitely hard to get 90 hours without premium (unless you have vacation or CQ), but why would you want to fly that much? Do a GS/QS on X days and be done with it.
05-11-2026 | 06:23 PM
#64
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Well, I was thinking the worst case scenario if there are no GS/QS or the pilot is very junior and just can't hold them. At one point we'll be back to normal ops...
05-11-2026 | 06:25 PM
#65
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05-11-2026 | 06:28 PM
#66
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The answer is that 90 hours as a RES pilot would be difficult to achieve without working ALL of your LC days and then some.
Then there are the carry-on effects... CA goes WAY more senior when the senior FO's gravy train dries up. Many of those senior FO's will finally bid to CA.
05-11-2026 | 06:47 PM
#67
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It's been a while since I've done reserve but if a reserve pilot picks up YS after he is full, wouldn't that go as extra pay, thus 90 hours of pay could be achieved with only one 3-day trip on YS and assuming ALV is 75 . Am I wrong?
05-11-2026 | 06:47 PM
#68
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I don't see a scenario where Delta goes back to the old days of premium pay being rare. The company is addicted to it.
05-11-2026 | 07:03 PM
#69
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18+ days worked in a month is my point.
Achievable, yes! But that's a LOT of work.
Again, we're talking about the 717 here right? Where most trips pay ADG of 5:15 per day (because hard block trips are rare on the 717.) 17 days at 5:15 ADG pays 89.25 hours. This is most 717 trips. This is where my 18+ days a month is coming from to break the 90 hours of pay you established.
05-12-2026 | 03:15 AM
#70
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