Delta Bases
 

Of all the Delta bases which ones have the most crews? What aircraft at what domiciles? Seniority to get each domicile? Thanks

ATL would be the biggest and has everything except the MD90 (MD88, 738, 757/767, 764, 777), NYC (MD88, 738, 763ER), CVG (MD88, 738, 757/767), SLC (MD88/90, 738, 757/767, LAX (757/767, 764). I think that is it.

ATL by far

DAL Bases are:

ATL
CVG
LAX
NYC (EWR/JFK/LGA)
SLC

My understanding is that there are pilot positions for all aircraft at every base, with the following exceptions:

777 - Only ATL and NYC
MD90 - Only SLC (Formerly DFW)

Delta used to have pilot bases in BOS, MCO, DFW......they've consolidated in recent years.

ATL has everything but MD-90 (777, 767-400, 767 Intl, 767/757 dom, 737-800 and MD-88)

NYC (EWR, JFK, LGA) has 767 Intl, 737-800 and MD-88

CVG has 767/757 dom, MD-88

SLC has 767/757 dom, 737-800 and MD90/88

LAX (LAX, ONT, BUR, LGB) has 767-400, 767/757 dom

Most junior base is NYC on the MD-88, however we actually had 18 NYC 767 Intl FO slots go unfilled on the last bid so it could end up being the most junior. LAX 767 dom is very junior along with the ATL MD-88. Most new hires go to the MD-88 NYC or ATL and I believe one went to the 737-800 NYC.

Also use to have bases in SEA, IAH, MSY

Don't forget the former ORD base too! (Closed in '95-'96 timeframe).

Damn, looks like I had it except for putting the 738 at CVG. Not bad for a CAL guy! Although my dad is DAL :)

As posted on this website and not surprisingly the Mad dog has the lowest seniority captain. I remember talking to a buddy of mine whos pops flew the 767 international as an FO and had such high seniority and a solid schedule that he didn't want to give it up. What is the seniority like for each type aircraft as far as years are concerned? Upgrades?

UND, don't quote me on this but I don't think anyone can give you a firm answer on that one. According to APC and other sources, Delta is getting 33+ planes in the next 2.5 - 3 years (some say more). I got a Navy bud on the 88 in ATL that swears they are going to place a huge 787 order. The 33 planes alone are expansion, according to him. There should be a LOT of movement there.

Tom

Is the LAX 76 flying really crappy, hence the fact that it is junior?

Rumor is you have to cover 4 bases ... L.A. traffic sucks unless you can time it right.

Once hired, how soon can you bid out of the aircraft. Is there an equipment freeeze? Thanks.

Usually a two year equipment freeze.

I would expect a new hire to have a chance to upgrade to captain in about 15 years. No, I am not kidding.

Not at all. I commute LAS-LAX. Many commuteable trips with it's share of red-eyes like the other domiciles. 2-4 day trips, 1-2 legs a day is the norm. A typical 4-day trip is LAX-JFK-SEA-JFK-LAX or SNA-CVG-LGA--JFK-LAS--LAS-ATL--ATL-LAX Reserve can be a pain especially if you commute as you have to cover 3, sometimes 4 airports.

I'll second that rumor. Most of the new aircraft (with options for more) are 737-700. Those are on the bottom of the payscale (less than MD88), so APC - update your payscales.

Also rumored - a 100 seat aircraft. DAL is looking hard at several types. Less pay than the -700.

Having said that, the upgrade times to Capt may decrease as well as quicker opportunites to fly big intl jets.

What is the fate of the CVG base? Is it still dwindling? As I understand it, it's a 737 and 767/757 base. Is this correct?

How hard is it for a new hire to get based in CVG? If not right away how long would it take to get there?

Also what's the reserve callout time at Delta? Do they have long and short call reserve?

Thanks

ERJ CAPT

You can all but forget getting CVG pretty much forever, unless main line gets some of the flying back from Comair. CVG is more or less a Comair hub. I believe short call is two hours and long call is 12. I believe if you are international, the long call is 24 hours. If I'm wrong, I'm certain to be corrected.

Tom

Oh, what I wouldn't give for them to reopen the BOS base. That would great.

You have no aircraft freeze on your initial assignment. If you desire as many have they have bid off the aircraft with in the first week at the company. All you need is a seniority number that can hold something else that you have bid for. People that were hired two weeks ago got ATL 767-300Er international while still in basic in doc. Yes, they are required to go through and compete their initial assignment training, but they got off of the mad dog. The next assignment/award comes with a two year seat lock. You, can still change bases though.

I really think they are going to change this. It's costing the company money.

Tom

UGBSM says 15 years to Capt...any other current DAL folks agree/disagree??

yes, I do. My bet is a new hire today will be a captain around 10-11 years.

PDX at one time also? Could be wrong.

I think that New Hires will be CAPT's in a lot less than that. I would say the five year mark with the 195. The thing is that most may not want it because it would be a pay cut.

So is it certain that delta is looking to downsize in the aircraft seat size (100 pax)? From what little i know, it looks kind of like Continental with all those narrow bodies and few big boys? Seems kinda inverse in the sense, that they are saying international international

Any 100 seat jets that Delta adds will be in addition to the current fleet makeup. The 88/90s will likely be replaced with 737s and/or the next generatioin Boeing narrowbody.

Check Delta's stats on this site: 112 wide bodies, and all but 24 of them are slated to fly international routes. Add to that the ETOPS 757s we're getting from AMR this summer, which will fly to Western Europe. I'd say that Delta looks like an international airline.

If we get the 195, I'll bet that we'll have 3 year captains on it. Look back to how junior Delta Express went, when we had it.

Yah I'd definately agree with Delta being a large international carrier, last i heard they had the most flights cross the north atlantic. Which reminds me of another question, for you international guys, do you usually do random routing, blue spruce routes or utilize the north atlantic track routes? Just curious because of a class we take involving long range nav. What does a typical T7 trip look like?

You are correct sir...give that man a ceegar...BTW...long, long time ago, MEM also.

if we end up with the 190, I think you are right. If its the 195, I don't think it will be that junior. The 195 pay, while low, is not near as low as the 190 pay.

So how long would it take a new hire to get to SLC . . . on any aircraft.

SkiUtah, that depends. There is not much movement at SLC and SkyWest just keeps growing. Delta might order small aircraft and the 737-700 is supposed to be a SLC aircraft, isn't it? Didn't I read that somewhere?

But the first step in getting a domicile is getting the class date. Anyone got good gouge on how long it takes to get a class after the "cleared for training" confirmation?

I was once told by an old retired TWA guy to take upgrade as soon as you can. If you wait, you might get to comfortable with your schedule and end up like the guy you are talking about. Not wanting to upgrade due to the schedule. I'm not an airline guy so I don't know if this logic is flawed but I guess it makes sense.

SkiUtah,

We had new hires get the -800 in SLC on the last bid. That being said with our current problem of no one bidding the NYC 767ER, new hires may find themselves assigned that as a base.

Take the left seat. Something to take into account is the uncertainty of the industry. If one gets furloughed, the company goes out of business or any reason exists that makes you want to leave the company, the PIC time will do much more for you than right seat time if you're looking for another flying job.

New hires to SLC on the 800? Where do I sign up... :D

I recall a few 11-13 month captains.


Tom

Since everyone is so curious about our bases, I ran the lowest seniority pilot from the last bid. Keep in mind we had 56 slots in the NYC 767 Intl category go unfilled, 33 slots in the ATL 767 Domestic and I believe 9 in the ATL 767 Intl category.

ATL 767 ER - 14 May 07 - unfilled slots
NYC 767 ER - 19 Mar 07 - unfilled slots
ATL 767 Dom - 07 May 01 - unfilled slots
LAX 767 Dom - 05 Feb 01
ATL 737-800 - 14 May 07
SLC 737-800 - 19 Mar 07