Most of the nicer comments from the MD guys go something like:

"It's not that bad....you get used to it"

MD-80's will probably be around long enough that it will be your first command. Might as well get your feet wet and save the agony that would come later. [Old dog, new trick.]

If you fly the DC-9 first, you will think the MadDog is a marvel of technology! :D

Someone told me the md88 might get the 717 or md11 style cockpit upgrade? If so sign me up!

Where's your sense of adventure, man? The -88 is beautiful just as it is! :)

In all honesty, I loved flying it. I hope to upgrade at AA in it one day (well, I suppose it won't be the -88, but -83 or whatever they fly). Actually, I really hope Delta would call, but I'm trying to be realistic!

Does DAL have a seat lock and if so how long is it? Can you take the MD88 as a new hire and then transfer to the 320 a year later?

Disagree. The 88 has just enough "technology" to get you in trouble. Give me back my /W steam guages any day.

Now, if you're talking about the 717, then I agree. Very nice jet!

Yes. 12 month seatlock on equipment (not base) for newhires. After a year you could bid anything else you can hold. The only exception I think would be for an initial Captain upgrade. We're finally seeing a little bit of movement, but not quite there yet :D

12 mo. as a new hire--aircraft lock, not a base lock. After that each aircraft move is a 2 year lock (with some limited exceptions that are less, like a 7ER to 767-400 move). You are also not locked into a previous seat for your first captain upgrade.

Edit: Looks like Leine beat me to it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xsxe5uu4b6...screenshot.jpg

Ive tried to project out the numbers for the next few classes, based on badgerned's spreadsheet. It appears he had 63 poolies still awaiting class after the 6/2 class was filled. There was no 3/18 and 3/19 hiring info so I used conservatively the estimate that all 16 were hired on both days, then I added the 19 CJO's from last week to get 98 in the pool. Based on that, the pool runs dry in July! I find this hard to believe. How many poolies am I missing?