Thanks for all the great info, fellas. I have another question about the company - this one newhire flying related. As a West-coaster, I'll be looking for SLC or LAX. Based on the 73 or the 88, which base would I plan on sitting reserve longer? Which base gets called out more often on reserve (i.e. 5 places to cover in LAX vs. more volume in/out of SLC)? Any general advice regarding those two domiciles?

Thanks for the info - totally excited about Delta.

Boos

Here's some non-rev info for new guys:

http://www.deltadt.com/dlnonrev/TravelGuide.htm

Booser,
I can't answer all of the questions, but as a newhire about to start 737 training on my way to LAX I can tell you that the 73 Only flies out of LAX and does not cover SNA or ONT like the 757/767... i.e. it only covers one base. The 73 is just starting up there. The March bid had only 22 people on it, 5 of which are still in training. They expect 36 FOs there by Sep. The flying is still being ironed out by Network. There are not many lines at the moment and a bunch are red-eyes. The crews and schedule haven't stabilized to have any info on how long sitting reserve will be in LA.

Booser,
Where will you be living/commuting from? It will make a huge difference. If your city has mainline service to either base you can book the jumpseat to work. Commuting on connection can be very tough - no reserved jumpseat. Of course if you can drive to either base its a no brainer. I flew the 90 out of SLC for two years and really enjoyed it but the commute was a hassle. I think you will grow seniority quicker on the 90 in SLC but since the LAX 73N donicle is new its hard to tell. Where you live will be the most important factor but you will enjoy either one. One more thing the 90 had a lot of commutable trips and no red eyes. I don't know if the 73 in LAX will be commuter friednly but am pretty sure it will fly a lot of all nighters.
Scoop

I appreciate the responses - thank you. Scoop, I plan on living in domicile and live in CA now. Not sure I'm too excited about the commuter lifestyle, but we'll see.

Thanks again for the great gouge, folks. Is there a list of codeshare partners who allow family non rev travel? (Yes, my wife basically sees my new job as her ticket to the world.)

Try Delta.com. Your wife, however, will be busy for a while just going to the Delta destinations.

BTW, from September thru April, many of our layovers on the 76ER in NY are 48 hours- a great opportunity to bring family along. I just returned from a trip where I brought my wife, and we had five other friends and relatives of crew members in biz class.

Wow, that's great! Thanks!

My first last four begins with 99, and I actually want ERs out of JFK. Bring it on!

Booser

I'm a returning furloughed guy who will be flying the 73N out of SLC. I currently live in the LA area (Thousand Oaks) but will be moving the family to Park City, UT. Based on my previous experience at DAL, here are my thoughts...commuting while on probation is a crap shoot. I did it to NYC and CVG while living in ATL...wouldn't recommend it but its not impossible. It does negatively affect your quality of life, however, especially if you have a family.

While LAX is currently junior to SLC that will probably not always be the case. I can imagine that some day soon, guys and girls will be required to cover multiple airports as we did in NYC. If you live in SoCal you know what a headache THAT will be. That's why I bid SLC over LAX. No thanks on the drive to ONC or ONT from Thousand Oaks on short call. I think for one to be able to respond on reserve to LAX plus the others, the only place to live will be southern LA or very close in the valley.

Good luck and welcome. Looking forward to seeing you on the line.

buzzpat
 

buzzpat-

Interesting perspective. You and I live close and I am trying to decide between United and Delta. I hadn't thought about the possibility of having to cover Ontario on short call with Delta. That's next to impossible from TO. But you would rather commute to SLC over LAX? You must have enough seniority to hold some sort of schedule up there. Can you commute the same day for trips?

United has the A320 in LA and I believe you cover Burbank and Long Beach. The pay is less, but the lifestyle looks better.

Thoughts for a potential new guy? birdeater