Squirt - here's my 2 cents...coming from a previous mil fighter guy too...
Any of these will get you to ATL quickly: MD88, 717, 737, A320, 7ER. You will also get to 400 hours very quickly on any of these. Most guys are getting close to 400 hours within 6 months of starting flying. Pick the aircraft you want to fly based on: what's available when you pick, which aircraft offers the best schedule for desired lifestyle (commutable trips, # of legs per day, destinations, how long until off reserve), which one you want to fly (comfort, automation, etc). It's only a one year seat lock, so you can always change later.
If you are looking to get off reserve quickly in ATL, I think all but the 7ER will fill the bill there. Your timing is great...pick the plane you want to fly if you are able to choose. Even if NYC is all that's available...you will be able to choose ATL very quickly.

Here's an example...I was able to pick from 737, A320, MD88, and 717. I didn't want to fly the MD88. I didn't want to consistently fly 4-5 legs per day (717). I picked ATL 737 over the A320 (even though I was already typed on the AirBus) because there seemed to be more trip start times later in the day (less early starts), making it more commutable. I was looking at the trips that filtered down to the lower seniority guys.
My opinion: The 737 is a good aircraft and has good trips overall. The airbus is a better flying aircraft and way more comfortable.

Congrats! Welcome aboard!

 

I know I know but you guys need to stop worrying about or even considering the 400. You won't get fired for anything in your first year you wouldn't get fired for in any year. That goes for 99.99 % of you.

 

Fly, thank you so much for your opinion. This is exactly what I'm looking for. My SSN last 4 starts with 8 so given the current way Delta allows newbies to select I should be near the top. I really don't want to commute to NYC if I can help it. ATL is way more convenient for where I live. That said, if I can fly something a little nicer with better trips it would be a bonus. My old man was a UAL CA on the 737 but he also flew the bus and raved about that plane too. If we end up with all NYC would the 73 get me back to ATL quicker than the bus? All great problems to have...so excited to be here and would be just as happy to have a last 4 of 0001. 😄 Thanks again!

 

Thanks for the input Dawg.
I'm not even hired yet...I interview 06Jan, but I sure hope it is a decision I get a chance to make.
Congrats to all you guys that got the thumbs up. Hope to see you on the line

 

Not held up...my interview group was called within the last couple of days for 20 Jan. We had a slightly longer than norm wait due to the holidays.

 

^^^^^

I wanted to drag out my probation as long as I could. When you are done, you start paying 1.95% to ALPA.

 

See my post in the "delta bases" thread. I was able to bid and subsequently picked up LAX 73N within a week of starting indoc.

 

So why do people give their 2 cents? but then only get a penny for their thoughts? Where does the other penny go?

 

Hey, thanks for the gouge. That is great news! Well, if I get hired

 

[QUOTE=RockyBoy;1787222]You sure? Could have sworn it was 2nd year pay that triggered it.