DAL Poolie Info
03-19-2015 | 07:35 AM
#3671
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Joined: Jul 2006
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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.
I lucked out and had a very high last four, so I had the choice of pretty much anything 7ER or below. I went with the 73 because I thought it was the quickest way to my base of choice...I was right. Also, it's only a few bucks less than the ER but has way better trips (bottom 50% of my base are doing little to no international). We're buying a lot of 737s and my seniority rise over the next year should be much better than in the ER. The downside is there are a decent amount of red eyes...something I'm fine with to have four leg, four days. The 88 was right out because, they are not based at my base of choice.
03-21-2015 | 05:24 AM
#3673
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Utah Chapter
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!
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!
I had some buddies go over the past few months' awards in new hire AC and for me, the 73 had the best options. For others, particularly someone who lives in base or is trying to get to a certain base, I can definitely see the appeal to other jets.
BTW, if you're senior to about where I stand, the 73 in NY sucks. Something with the manning formula really screws senior guys. I definitely wouldn't bid it. It's great for new hires though.
03-21-2015 | 06:53 PM
#3674
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: C-17 Everything
03-22-2015 | 09:23 PM
#3675
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,833
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From: window seat
03-23-2015 | 04:45 AM
#3676
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Joined: Dec 2007
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03-23-2015 | 06:14 AM
#3677
Line Holder
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: 73N FO
They emailed us the drop about 3 days before indoc (Jan 5th class). We had to submit our choices prior to indoc start. Not sure if that is standard. I had an idea of what I wanted, but the 2 days gave me some time to talk to friends in the company. They sat us in seniority order on day1 and everyone stood up and introduced themselves and what they wanted. My SSN is 6XXX, so it gave me an idea of what I would get (got the last of 14 73Ns). 73 went first, then 320, ER, 717 and 88. PM me if you have any more questions. Good luck.
03-23-2015 | 12:03 PM
#3678
Back on Reserve
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 845
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They emailed us the drop about 3 days before indoc (Jan 5th class). We had to submit our choices prior to indoc start. Not sure if that is standard. I had an idea of what I wanted, but the 2 days gave me some time to talk to friends in the company. They sat us in seniority order on day1 and everyone stood up and introduced themselves and what they wanted. My SSN is 6XXX, so it gave me an idea of what I would get (got the last of 14 73Ns). 73 went first, then 320, ER, 717 and 88. PM me if you have any more questions. Good luck.
Last year the standard non-flow class got the drop in the morning, and then, a couple hours later when it was time to bid, they just went right down the seniority list and you chose what you want. There wasn't any 'write down your choices'; it was 'this is what's available' and by the end of the class it was usually 'this is what is left'. About half-way through the class, the person writing down the choices read off what was left so everyone had an idea if their choice was still available.
When figuring out why people choose what they choose, sometime it's for base, sometime it's for movement/lifestyle, and sometime people just want to fly the airplane.
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