Airline Pilot Central Forums - Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)

- Delta (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/delta/)

- - Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta? (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/delta/36912-any-latest-greatest-about-delta.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAL4EVER (Post 589285)

Expect to see the DC9-30s and 40s to get retired as they come up on heavy checks. The -50s will be here for at least five more years however. The costs on the smaller -9s coupled with the costs of the heavy checks make them untenable. The big question right now is what do we replace them with. With the pullbacks around the system, the immediate need is not there. But with the anticipated pick up next year, they will need to do something to replace this lift.

I can see why the DC9s would be retired eventually, as the costs are high relative to RJs. But - the DC9 carry plenty of pax. Sure, you can run two RJs instead of one DC-9, but you also have to have more gates, ramp and gate personnel to operate the additional flights.

If I was making long range planes (because new aircraft need to be useful for 20 years), I'd order 737-800s and lots of them to replace the MD fleet. Better ASM and 737s are in demand - if we need to, we can sell them for quick cash in five or ten years. Does anyone know the typical age of our MD88s and MD90s?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iaflyer (Post 589316)

Does anyone know the typical age of our MD88s and MD90s?

Average age for the MD-88 is 18.3 years and 12.9 for the MD-90 (does not include the 3 new ones). The oldest 88 is 21.6 years and the youngest is 14.9.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy (Post 589315)

I don't believe the costs of the 777 being higher than that of the 747. Even Boeing's website says the 747 is more expensive to operate. Which is in line with DAL management touting the end of the 747 in a couple of years.

That could be a statistical error due to the low number of airframe, or accounting for costs to place new ones in service, within a SMALL fleet. The 2007 MD90 numbers were skewed all out of whack, which can happen with a small fleet. They returned to normal in 2008.

It will be interesting to see the 08-09 numbers since that will include the worst part of the fuel price explosion in the last half of 08.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iaflyer (Post 589316)

Sure, you can run two RJs instead of one DC-9, but you also have to have more gates, ramp and gate personnel to operate the additional flights.

Not if they are in there at different times, i.e. more frequency.

Scratch, that. Sounds like I am supporting RJ's...

Disreguard

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay5150 (Post 589354)

Not if they are in there at different times, i.e. more frequency.

Scratch, that. Sounds like I am supporting RJ's...

No, I didn't mean at the same time. Even if they are at different times, eventually you'll need more ramp and staff. Sure - a station can probably fit one more RJ into the mix, but many of them sure seem overloaded with one RJ, much less two at the same time!

SIX THOUSAND... can you imagine how long this would last if it were dollars in the Obama budget?

CHEATER!

If we ever got to post 3,700,000,000,000, it's going to be a bunch of pilots going... "DID YOU HEAR that they want to replace the Mercury to Venus shuttle with Boeing shuttles?!? Who in their right mind ever buys a Boeing product? If you want a high quality efficient large shuttle you purchase a Cessna Shuttle, not a Boeing. Of course nothing is as good as that Eclipse Shuttle, man those people know what they're doing. And oh yeah, any word on the next AE and whats our furlough status now that we're not doing Mars direct to Saturns 4th moon Prometheus. I can't believe we're not continuing service, thats such a money maker."