When we made this change at Delta I did not like it until I tried it once. Then I would never go back to starting the engines myself. Its much better to concentrate on taxing the aircraft and making sure you don't hit anything. You can also be more involved in watching the pushback process and making sure the aircraft is clear prior to starting taxi.

I sort of figured that is what it was for. Thanks, Sailing. :)

NewK,

I was told the whole engine starting thing being taught to FO's will be starting June. They will be pulling FOs off the line throughout June and July to do it. I start DC9 requal tomorrow, and was told it will be a separate training event. I'm wondering when they are going to require the FOs to know the CA preflight in case of IROP. Maybe that will just be a CBT?

Anyway, my arms are going to get all contorted from getting used to the usual turn knob, VS wheel, thrust levers forward triple combo again. I can only imagine what will happen when they have to start reaching up to those start switches while holding onto the fuel lever. :D

And how long will it take us to remember the FO disarms the spoilers when clearing the runway now? Man, this could take a while. ;)

I also wonder if FO's will be able to reach ALL the way over to the start switches, ready to lift up the fuel control levers, then quickly switch to give the customary "tap" of the N1 gauge when it gets stuck. I guess I can break away from my busy schedule to do it. :D

As far as the preflight, if the do it the NWA way, get your preflight guide from Vol I and study it heavily. That was the hardest part of checking out, because they were serious about, the order things were done in, how many seconds buttons should be held down, time in between system tests, ect.

If not, forget everything I said and be thankful. :)

In the 88 you have to really stretch to reach the start switches. I'm 5'11 and can just reach them. It works OK until you hit a rought spot on the taxiway and your finger slips off the switch. The real trick is reaching for the ignition switch if you have to abort a start. Kinda hard to do unless you do the whole Twister start procedure and reach over with your right hand to hold the start switch and use the left hand for the fuel lever.

Yep and now the speculators have oil from $50 to $67 bbl on 14days... I see the DC9s again in question soon.

That's the trick! Right hand on the starter switch, left hand on the fuel control levers. The bumps on the taxiway have caused my hand to slip off the starter on a few occasions. That's the only issue with the delayed start. Fuel control off and let the N2 roll back to 0 before re-engaging the starter.

Nevermind - deleted.

Can do, thanks! I'm hoping they move some of the 757 asia flying there, which I'll be all over for the easier commute:cool:. UPT classmate at AA now does it from PHX and says it's real easy. If not, at least the MSP flights have mainline jets vs the RJs we are getting more and more of out of DFW:mad:

But, all the rumors I've heard about 757 asia flying movements have involved SEA or PDX. Sooooooooo...........we'll see........

Ferd

See, I wasn't even going to say that I was still planning to get the spoilers on landing, because that is/was to a certian extent a big no-no up on the North side. (Doing things outside of the flows) If the "book" said the FO would get the spoilers, the FO would get the spoilers 99% of the time. But, I am seeing that the new way is just to get 'er done.

I just feel bad for all the North DC-9 FO's who will have to visit the chiropractor in the next two years. Their spines aren't ready for this.