I've asked that same ? and have been told that it won't affect/will be in addition to the NRT flying. Personally, I don't believe that. The last thing this company wants to do is increase the fleet size and thus employee head count. I would expect that the capacity will come out someplace if we do in fact get new (used) widebody jets. I'm using the term 'capacity' incorrectly. More accurately 'pilot seats'. We will probably trend towards up gauging.

You are aware that the Japanese government doesn't like our NRT hub, and they are opening up Haneda for more JAL flying. Richard talked about this a while back, he wants into Haneda too, but since they won't give us more slots there, I think he's looking to overfly it. This was what started all the Hawaiian merger rumors a while back. They have one slot into HND, 717's and a330's.

Would 8-12 773s/346s/333s/744s overflying etc be better than HA?

To fly beyond NRT from ATL what do we need? JFK? DTW? SEA? LAX? Seems as if its west coast oriented then used is good and maybe the same applies for DTW. But if they want to do this from JFK or ATL they'd need to do other than used 744s/346s?

The 777LR has the range, but I feel a bit high on the seat mile cost - especially when compared to other airlines with the 777-300ERs. I don't know what those CPM for the -300ERs but it should be less than the -200LRs since they seat 85 more without much additional cost.

If I was running fleet planning, I'd be asking Boeing about trading in the older 777-200 for 777-300ERs. But - the 777-300ERs are popular and I don't see Boeing giving much of a discount on them. And we know how Delta doesn't like the "New Jet Smell". But they do like extended versions of existing planes (see: 767-400, 737-900ER, 757-300, M90, CRJ-900, etc).

In fact, only 6 out of 352 unfilled B777 orders are for the -200 models, so not a very popular model lately.

It all depends what's on the used market. DL will make it work if the price is right.

Alrighty, I have a question. I have vacation the month I convert to the 717, should I move the vacation up and use it while I'm still on the 88 or is there a good reason to hold on to it?

FTB

Fly,

I am actually a little more optimistic on this. These new aircraft (Boeing and Airbus already responded to the RFP) were explained to me as growth. The network guy for the Pacific already has long term plans for them.

I think the BOD is pondering this issue right now and we should have a decision NLT June. My money is on the Bus.


Scoop

You will be paid at the lower rate if you hold on to it.

Depends if you want to use it during that week or not. They put something out (can't remember where) not too long ago saying that (paraphrasing) "due to the 717 training constraints we will not be able to to delay your qual training due to vacation."

Basically they have said they COULD start your training, then you go on vacation, then you come back and finish up.

If you don't want that to happen, then you may want to move it. Otherwise it really doesn't matter. I had vacation and qual training in the same month last year and I think I got a couple extra hours of pay out of the deal, but nothing spectacular.

For the routes they intend to fly the aircraft on the A330 has the required range. Airbus just offered a gross weight increase on the aircraft that will fit Delta's needs. The RFP that went out was for two specific aircraft. The 777 or A330. There were no other airframes mentioned. There was briefly a strong rumor on A330's in the very near term as in this fall but that deal fell through. All these deals may hinge more on who is willing to take 50 seat RJ's in trade then the actual aircraft being purchased. Deliveries would start winter of 15 so bids out in the summer of 14.