GreenerPastures

Congrats on the CJO.
200s are junior to 900s, so you'd almost assuredly come off reserve quicker on the 200. I sat reserve 1 month on the 200 in 2015. 900 Pilots in my class sat for 3 to 5 months depending on base. I don't know what the reserve times are now.
I have buds that came through 200 training with me that have since upgraded to the 900 once they could hold a decent line on the 900. They like the 900 much better. They fly longer legs on average and have more efficient lines (more block time & less flights in roughly same amount of time). They also have VNAV I believe, a FADEC and first-class left-overs. I'm sure I'm leaving out some other perks. Man, I need to upgrade...
As far as LGA or JFK. I'm not based at either, so I can't speak about commuting to them, but I've flown in/out of both a lot. JFK is challenging, but LGA is it's own kind of beast. On one occasion, I logged more time taxiing at LGA than on the subsequent flight. I don't think that's very rare either. But the door was closed, so the meter was running... Some pilots get tired of dealing with the circus at LGA, so they avoid it. Some don't mind. You'll be busy at either JFK or LGA. Also, Both JFK and LGA have cool visual approaches, but I really enjoy LGA's Hudson River tour at 4000'.
Keep in mind, commuting sucks, and sitting reserve as a commuter sucks even more. My advice, if you will be commuting, choose the base that is easiest to commute to, and choose the aircraft that will get you off reserve quicker. Then upgrade to the 900 when you can hold a line.

MidLife

Yeah - I am NYC area based - all my adult life - so JFK/LGA will be live in base for me - WOO HOO

HighFlight

Do retirement flight benefits carry over, or do they start over at day 1 with DL when one moves from EDV? If one has 3 years with EDV, does he then have only to fly for 7 years with DL to keep flight benefits for life, or the full 10 years with DL?

musketeer

If you are coming here now: 200 is the way to go if you want the Southern or MSP/DTW bases. 900 is the way to go if you want NYC. Check back in a year and remind me that I was right.

To highflight: They start over; EDV and DAL are completely separate companies.

To add to what I said months ago about the DGI program being completely worthless: There are 400+ pilots that have been hired under the DGI program, which requires you to be a captain for 2 years to get in line to interview at Delta. I want to explain the DGI.

The DGI is not contractual. It can be cancelled at any time. The DGI states that Delta can interview as little as 12/month. Unlike the SSP, where you interview and get hired, followed by waiting months/years for a class date, the DGI will be waiting months/years to interview followed by an immediate class date. All of that for a coin flip of a job offer.

I like working here, but if you live within a one leg commute of an AA base there is no reason not to go to an AA wholly owned regional. The pay is almost as good, the flight benefits are better, and there is a no interview flow.

Skittles9E

Saying that you will wait months/years to interview under the DGI is disengenous. Let's assume a worst case scenario where only 12 are allowed to interview a month. What are the odds that HUNDREDS of people hit the 24 month captain requirement at the same time you do? This is all guesswork but I can't see interviews being delayed more than 3-5 months at the absolute latest. And once you interview and get a CJO you are put right in the off the street pool.

stillcantfly

Fixed it for you

24Whiskey

Interview at a major in four years or flow in ten. Guess it's really up to personal preference... I'll take my chances with 9E and end up with a bonus that doesn't have a year two dip, quicker upgrade, and 15 days off. I can't complain.

Gearswinger

9e's bonus has had a year 2 dip of 7k for a few months now.

Clue32

This may be an off the wall schedule question, but is it possible as a junior FO at Endeavor, or any regional, to build a reserve schedule or piece together lines that would regularly result in 10 to 14 consecutive hard days off each month? JFK, or EWR with another carrier, would be the best commute for me from FRA.

msprj2

I really don't think so. You can trip trade to move trips closer together
but with FAR 117 you will need some time off. It would probably be easier
to expect to get maybe 7 off in a row per month. That's prob true for any
regional.