why do folks prefer the 73N so much? just curious

 

Higher pay, better trips, reliable plane and lots of basing options.

 

Plus growth in the aircraft. 73N went out at number 16; 717 at #35; 7ER NY at #41; and 7ER DTW at #46.

Number 2 took the Mad Dog...

 

Best relative seniority. Stay in NYC and there is a lot of opportunity for good trips, pay and time off. As a day-1 new hire I thought I'd prefer reserve in ATL over a line in NYC. Now that I've had a taste of commuting to both reserve and holding a line that no longer holds true. Now, if it was sit at home on my couch for reserve vs. commuting to a line my tune might change but if you have to commute, a line is umpteen zillion times better.

 

Reliable? I think the dispatch reliability is probably within 0.01% of any other type in the fleet but whatever.

I think the reason is that it pays a bit higher (after first year) than most planes new hires can pick, it might be the plane that gets someone the base they want fastest and, most importantly, it has very, very, very good looking glass. As silly as that sounds, it carries a lot of weight these days for some reason. Nevermind its the loudest and most cramped flight deck in the fleet, by a mile. There seems to be a LOT of angst about the round dial (OMG!) 88 and TBH that probably drives most of the bids away from it, even in cases where its the fastest ticket to the base someone wants and/or the fastest path to a line/etc.

It does have some very good trips. Some of the best in the domestic system. But, it also has some of the worst by far, and the seniority to get only the good while avoiding the bad is likely not going to happen for very many new hires for years.

But its all about dat glass, bout dat glass, bout dat glass; no dials!

 

When a newbie shows up for day one (in 2 weeks for me), is the drop as simple as putting your name down next to the aircraft available in SS# order?

Is there any indication of what will be available ahead of time, or any time to think things over?

 

They give you the drop in the morning and then you will bid after lunch. So you will have some time to think it over. They call your name in senority order and you just tell them what your choice is. I recommend writing the drop down yourself so you can mark off the ones chosen if front of you so you will have a running tally of what's left available when it gets to you.

 

good summary.
you're confirming my perception as well. many of our new-hires are born in glass.

 

Funny, I wasn't even thinking about dispatch reliability. I meant reliability of the automation, meeting crossing altitudes/restrictions, flying with multiple MELs, etc. No denying the Mad Dog gets it done reliably (and I passed on a 737, for disclosure).

 

While somewhat subjective, I think the "reliability" you mention isn't much higher in the 73 than in anything else. You have to watch pretty much every plane. Very few VNAVs adequately take into account the algorithm for altitude capture, and most draw that stupid present position vertical path after the first restriction unless you execute a workaround (all fleets have them) and trick it to do what you want. Strong tailwinds in the descent are a challenge for every box I've flown or observed from the JS. You always have to do the math and be prepared to intervene. ASAP report summaries very clearly show examples of automation shortcomings in every fleet.

But getting back to the original topic of why its desirable in new hire classes, I don't think very many people are basing that decisions on any kind of factual data (excluding the obvious picks for basing etc). It has nice looking glass displays, and to some (not all) that is an extremely important thing. So much so, that some would potentially lose out on a base they want more or perhaps faster relative seniority out of fear of the 88 or out of admiration for another plane that are both highly exaggerated.

We've all heard the joke about the pilot that just can't let go in retirement so he sits in a linen closet with a vacuum cleaner running right next to him. That pilot must really miss the 73.