LeineLodge

Nope. It has to be in the same base/category to go through. I've tried it; doesn't work.

johnso29

FTB,

I think you'd enjoy the DC9, especially if you enjoy the M88. The M88 just has more things to manage.

However, the DC9 has no auto level off(have to use the VS wheel), a 2 axis auto pilot, no auto thrust, no auto brakes, and the FO can't use the heading bug to command turns from the AP. You have to use the turn knob to roll in and roll out. It is always fun having to roll out, level off, & increase the thrust simultaneously.

It leaks, you don't use hot mikes because you don't use the interphone, & the Studebaker blue interior of the flight deck can take some getting used to. Overall, I enjoyed flying it. It hand flies great, & is a nice piece of history to get a hold of.

nwaf16dude

Well, you don't have to worry about programming the FMS. Don't have to worry about tricking the VNAV into working right. Don't have to do those pesky RNAV departures, etc. etc...

That which does not kill you makes you stronger

LeineLodge

I'm in. All this ATL -9 base stuff is getting me thinking too. The best part of the airplane are the sunshades that you can put up in the windows (at the gate) to keep the temperature below 150 degrees. It was brutal in MSP. I can't imagine ATL in the summertime. Actually, I just talked myself out of it again.

How bad is 73N reserve in ATL??? Do you spend all your time under a mosquito net in the Amazon? Ever break guarantee? How is the staffing? ie could I expect to be able to move reserve days occasionally?

johnso29

That and if you ever screw up navigation you can just tell ATC the needle is centered! They'll sigh, give you a heading direct to when able.

johnso29

Ask 80 or Bar. They're both on it. I think they work as much as us.

LeineLodge

Ha! That's what I'm trying to get away from.

johnso29

On second thought, you're senior to me. 80 spends most of his time on reserve playing with trains and sleeping at home.

exeagle

Flies great, fun plane, a real antique..... but you will be a zombie after a 4 or 5 day trip. Ah yes, it is hot as hell, too.

Bucking Bar

Our E&FA team is good. It is a shame we do not employ it properly. Politics drive our evaluations. We avoid asking the right questions at the opportune time.

We have failed to evaluate the benefit of insourcing. When the Compass question was raised, I was disappointed to learn our MEC's evaluation was based on bankruptcy economic modeling that was irrelevant after the restructuring and merger. We needed new numbers. Resolutions were passed asking for the MEC to perform its job and obtain economic analysis, the Delta reps voted for "no action" while the NWA Reps disagreed along a straight party line vote. Obviously ... politics drove our "no action" on an economic evaluation of insourcing, or recovering our flying.

Questions we need to look at include:
(1) What is the long term effect on our bargaining power as jobs are outsourced?
(2) How much money is lost by Delta pilots, as jobs are outsourced and they wait until later in their career to become "mainline" pilots? (lost longevity)
(3) How much money is lost by Delta pilots due stagnation?
(4) From the union perspective, what are the threats to the relevance and continued viability of ALPA if outsourcing continues, or grows?
(5) What are the risks and threats during future economic downturns?
(6) What can we do to ensure Delta pilots are treated at least equally to other employee groups in corporate transactions?
(7) How has outsourcing harmed ALPA's relevance?

The DPA might just answer a couple of those questions for us. (Note: I am not a DPA supporter and believe our best shot is properly employing ALPA to achieve restoration)