NWA 9 vs 320
 

A buddy of mine starts class next week and was wondering what the reserve time and schedules between the 2 airplanes. 1,2,3,4,5 day trips etc. he lives in MSP so that would be his choice if given. Thanks...

All that stuff doesn't matter.... pick the -9, fly some steam gauges, set off some car alarms on takeoff roll and get some hair on your chest, hombre! :cool:

Right on, Brother! The 9 builds character!

Plus, you really can't appreciate the spacious and comfortable 320/757 cockpits until you've spent at least four full seasons on the DC-9: Wiping the sweat from your brow in the summer, and mopping up type I fluid as it drips in through your "clear view" window in the winter...

New hires at NW who are coming off the Rj are in for a treat!

And how....



But here is a question? Which has more cycles on it, a NWA DC-9 or a NWA F/A?

Aren't their 320's pretty old as well? I know, not as old as the 9's but are they not from late 80's early 90's?

I've noticed that some of our (NK) 319/21's are pretty ratty looking only after a year of use: I can not imagine what they will look like in 20 years:eek:

On a side note: I was on one of NWA 9's a month or so ago and the plate read 1966..... I don't think you will find the bus around for that long!

:eek:
Ouch! That one is gonna leave a mark.:)

:eek:!!!!!!!!!!

Thought that was testosterone!!! I'm thinking about bidding the 9 left seat, but shudder to think of flying 5 legs around Michigan in winter with an all-glass RJ new hire. Not a put down, but if youve never flown steam gauges, on a 20 minute flite from DTW to FNT, it can be a handful at times. The NATCO guys are already concerned about the incoming guys who have minimal round gauge time.

But, its the only way to get a raise these days...

I remember hearing that the old joke at NWA was when the last Airbus is flown to the desert, the crew will deadhead home on a DC-9.

Yea, the old, old joke was "on a 3 holer!"

and you can't appreciate the DC-9 until you've flown the 1900. no autopilot, flight attendent or bathroom, and the only one really needed it the toilet...

by the way does anyone have any of that information my buddies looking for?

I'm on the 320 reserve. All reserve is 19 days a month. Lots of utilization has been my experience. When you get within 4:15 of the monthly max, you have to agree to go over. I have been hitting about 84 hrs in about 16 days, then I go home, cuz I dont fly high time. I'm sure the 9 is very similar in utilization. Not alot of sitting around on narrowbody reserve.

As far as trips, the 320 used to have alot of 4 and 5 day trips (also the -9, I think)...Last month, mgmnt decided to cut the number of 4 and 5 day trips in half. NOT good for us commuters. Most guys *****ed, rightfully so! Theres a survey out there right now to try to get a more representative cross section of pilots opinions. We hope the longer trips will come back.

Hope this helps...

thanks mako that should help alot. any idea how long reserve lasts on the 320? I'm assuming it's longer than the 9.

Eric,

This last bid that came out awarded almost 60 FO blockholder spots on the 320 alone. I think the junior person to get the block was 400 number for the bottom of the senority list. I don't know what that translated to and I won't even attempt to guess. It also looks like the 320 FO reserve position had insufficient bidders. There was no warning, it just happened.

Eric,
It took me exactly 12 months to go from res to block on the Bus (after being bumped off the whale in ANC), this is my last week on res..start block (MSP) in Oct. I've been here 9 yrs (hired 10/5/98). Junior 320FO blockholder in DTW is 4632 (hired 8/23/99) in MSP its 4871, MEM its 4445 (all numbers as of Jan).
For the DC9 blockholders, DTW is 5298 (hired 8/27/01), MSP is 5160, and MEM is 5296.

FWIW, junior CA (DC9 DTW reserve) hired 5/4/98.

What the immediate future holds...??? Recalls, hiring, drawdown of SOME -9 flying, reduction of domestic flying in lieu of increased int'l flying, FO augmentation, and FO instructors on SOME fleets (not all) (means FO movement), reduced monthly max's.....etc. Looks like we are getting the NBA charter contract back, using 6-8(?) 320's (configured with about 50 seats). The 747-200 pax flying is finished, except for some military charters. 787 coming next fall, MSP 330 base... what else???

Hope this answers some of your questions....

This is an exerpt from the latest "Flying Bulletin" put out this week by NWA Crew Staffing....

320 (DTW, MEM, and MSP)
In the beginning of 2008, A320 flying levels are expected to be a little higher than the winter schedule. This increased flying, as well as planning to a lower monthly max will result in a relatively large number of awards to both the CA and FO positions. The FO position is expected to see higher award volume than the CA during this period of time, although actual numbers are dependent on the number of pilots bidding out to other positions. Relative base sizes are expected to remain unchanged.

DC9 (DTW, MEM, and MSP)
DC9 flying continues its planned reduction into the beginning of 2008, although to achieve a lower planned monthly max and a projected high volume of bid outs, a small number of awards in the CA position are expected. There are no planned displacements in the CA position. New hires are planned to continue through the remainder of the year and into 2008, at volumes at or near current levels to backfill bid-outs to other positions from the FO. Relative base sizes are expected to remain unchanged.

Cheers,
Rob

Eric,

In answer to how long are you on reserve in years, on the 320...... As you know that can really depend. In the early 1990's Al Checci and Gary Wilson were crowing about all that growth we were going to have. I had already bid for a seat on the 727 in DTW and I got it and remained the second guy from the bottom on reserve in Detoilet for more that three years. When stagnation occurs it hits without a lot of "premonition" so if you get hired always remember that when you bid to something.... Especially reserve in Romulus.

Thanks guys, that's exactly what he was looking for. I'll pass it on.

Eric