I've been on all 4 airplanes and am now on the 717, by design, for all the reasons you mention. It's probably a wash with the 88 seniority-wise.

Keep in mind that our contract allows you to do some creative (read lucrative) things with your schedule if you have decent seniority in category. You will get senior faster on either the 717 or 88. If you get a few greenslips a year, which is pretty likely going forward with our new, lean staffing, you will easily make up the pay difference. From May to September last year I had 3-5 greenslips every month just as a reference point - that was on the DC-9 which has the same mission as the 717, and mostly the 88.

This summer is shaping up to be the same or worse manning wise (better if you want to make some $) The more seniority you have, generally the more GS opportunities you'll have. Not to mention all the other QOL benefits of being senior: vacation, monthly bidding, open time coverage, etc...I keep thinking about bidding back to the 320 or 737 but I like having the days off I want and the money would be the same or less because I wouldn't be able to work my schedule the way I can now.

The Bus has the best office hands down, and the 73N has he best trips.

Just go to the 88. I just did 7 years on it. In training now to a new jet. The good news is you will love any airplane you go to after the 88. You start to learn how much you where working on the 88 vs any other Delta fleet. 88 builds character and you can only move up.
The GS are like cheese grits if you live in ATL. I have seen 2010 hires with 3 GS a month.

Who's got the hammer on the poolie spreadsheet now?

Should be badgerned now, latest sheet should be here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...20Feb%2014.JPG

The marginal tax rate on income over $215,400 in 1980 ($613,735 in 2014 dollars) was 70%.

My understanding was when the tax rate was that high for those high income earners that there were also greater opportunities to deduct and shelter income from the IRS than is currently allowed.

If we went to 70% again with the current IRS system then you'd probably make more money not working.

I am updating the spreadsheet right now. It's not an exact science, but MikefromMT pointed out some errors to me in it. As soon as I get positive numbers for April I, I will update. Hopefully, someone who starts those classes will give me the good data.
Thanks,

Updated Spreadsheet
 

Here you go. If you have updates or see mistakes, send me a PM.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...20Feb%2014.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...20Feb%2014.JPG

Cheers!

Nice work, Badgerned. It looks like it could get moving quickly!

You just revealed the goal of the Obama Administration. Dis encourage work, put them on eternal welfare, create a loyal voter. So sad but so true.