Can anybody substantiate the rumor of the 28 Apr class, or any others further out? I'd like to get an idea where we're at before I throw the turd in the punch bowl at work…

 

Lots of good discussion on shoes, shirts, coats, etc earlier in this thread and a few other places. Appreciate all the comments thus far.

 

You don't need a bag before you show up. Personally, I've used the Pretty Neat Things suitcase. Its pricey, but bulletproof and payroll deductible.

You don't need to buy a headset either. Every plane has David Clarks. The rule is you wear the headset from pushback to 18k feet then from 18K feet to the end of the shutdown checklist. I don't own a headset.

 

The DC's are AWFUL. We must've saved a few sheckles by not springing for the extra ear-cup, which makes it an unbalanced headache machine. It depends which fleet you get on. The 319/320's (at least a few years ago) all have Telex 750's on them, so you won't need one. If you get the 88 or 737, you will definitely want to spring for a good, lightweight headset. I got a Telex 850 (ANR) when I was on the 73N and it was worth every penny to avoid the DC's. I forgot it on an 88 trip once and felt like it was never going to end.

I'm not sure about the 717. Technically I'm qualified on it, but I've yet to see the inside of one. I'm planning to dust off the 850 for OE (if they ever call) just in case. 4-5 legs a day with the DC vice grip is too much to contemplate.

*Disclaimer - I've flown with full (both earpiece) David Clark's for several thousand hours and had no problem with them. There's just something about having that thing hanging off one side of your head that makes it a pain in the neck, literally.

 

Speaking of tax deductible. How complicated will my taxes become? I use an accountant for my taxes now but he doesn't know anything about airline business.

 

Unless you have something else complicate your situation, you can probably get by with TurboTax.

Most of us use ProDiem or EZ Per Diem to calculate the difference between what Delta pays in Per Diem vs. what the IRS allows DOT employees. It usually adds up to a pretty sizeable deduction if you're flying alot. Your ALPA dues (when you get off probation), uniform expenses, etc also count for deductions. Keep in mind that you're only in the money once you exceed 2% of your AGI, but I still haven't had a year where I didn't come out ahead by keeping track of all my expenses. ALPA dues are 1.9% (1.95%??) so that gets you close, and anything else should take you over. If you want to get really nitpicky about it, you can track all sorts of things.

ALPA National puts something out almost every year detailing alot of the things that you can deduct.

Welcome btw! You'll have a great time here. Delta is a really good place to be right now.

 

Turbotax works just fine if the airline is your only source of income and your deductions are home, family and Delta work related.

 

You work at a different airline. I work for Delta. You work for Delta. But these are two totally different airlines.

 

From personal experience, those single cup DC's are downright awful!

Fork out the 150 bucks or so for a Telex 750, and that'll last you forever. If you get the airbus, the airplane comes with the telex 750s (different plug adapter on fifi, but of course).

Seconded on the PNT suitcase, and I'll strongly vouch for Abbots for the uniform. The 3 sets of pants I got lasted me a good 6 years (now I go for Kohls- way more cost effective), and my shirts and jacket and tie are still going strong after over 7. Well, except one shirt that got mauled by a 737 nose gear door. Stupid non-retracting doors and a plane that sits a foot off the ground...

 

Can Navy guys use their Navy uniform?