Re comments on accelerating narrow body deliveries, I don't think either Airbus nor Boeing can deliver A321's and B737-900ER's any faster during 2015 than already scheduled. However the final 36 717's that Southwest (AirTran) parked at year end 2014 and which were planned to enter the Delta fleet at the rate of 3 per month during 2015, will IMHO, have a faster ramp up, with the effort to have all 36 ''up and running'' by end of summer time. The larger classes in January seem to indicate this, and I think we will hear reports of the mods from AirTran 717 to Delta standard MD-95 :-) configuration being accelerated in the next few weeks.


Thanks Coronado, sounds logical:D

Actually according to some CPO types it's the 737-900s they are trying to expidite. I didn't ask about 717s so don't know about those.

The LCA types on the 320 said they are trying to move up 321 deliveries. I'm sure they are trying to get everything earlier, but the 717's make the most sense.

I see what you did there. While it's cute it is illustrative of the attitude and defensiveness that arises when our union finds itself critiqued in any fashion. That said, I feel you need the dots connected: Outstanding and respected organizations set goals and objectives and measure themselves by how well they meet them. RA sets goals for the company--very specific numbers. Very objective goals. DALPA sets subjective goals which allows them to declare success since there's nothing specific to be measured by. As for the dot connecting: To claim to have specific and objective goals to be measured, and then to cite the survey is laughable---since the survey results are kept secret. But I guess this kind of stuff makes sense in the world we live in today.

While I was in 717 sim training they were booked at 100% capacity, and there are only 4 717 FAA certified sims in the world: 2 in ATL, 1 in MIA, and 1 in Brisbane, and 100% of their time is already spoken for. The reason we're only taking delivery of 3/month is that is all the simulators can train for. Unless another airline has given up it's simulator time DAL can't get crews fast enough to expedite the 3 717 deliveries per month.

So...How are the hotels in Brisbane? Better yet, who will be brave enough to PS home during their 48-hour weekend =)


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Yes, but there is a short course from M88 to 717. That would use a lot less 717 sim time, which as you say, is limited. I don't think the M88 sim is as limited, so that may be an option.

I was unaware of that. The planes might fly the same but holy cow are the avionics different. I JS'd home in an '88 the other day which gave me a healthy dose of 717 avionics & automation appreciation.

On the 737 side, don't forget the two new sims they just got. Just need to install the HUD.

There are 5. The 5th is in Stockholm. DAL isn't going there either, unless there is a catastrophic failure in the Atlanta Boeing facility. You should see the 2 ATL sims move over to the Virginia Ave campus next year, DAL has exercised their option to purchase them, that's a good thing.



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