Delta - SLC or LA
03-04-2008, 12:17 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Position: 320B
Posts: 511
Hey CooperdOg,
welcome aboard! Here's my 2 cents....... I've flown the 90 in SLC and now I'm on the 767/757 in LAX. I'm downbidding to the 737 in May. Why? I'll be a top lineholder, so I'll be able to name my schedule. There really is very little pay differencial among aircraft these days, so QOL (quality of life) ranks pretty high.
First, the LAX767/757 - you'll cover LAX/ONT/SNA. I personally would not recommend sitting reserve unless you live in Socal. Hotels and crash pads are expensive. I started with a regular line in LAX, but have been on reserve for the last 9 months and now back to a regular line. I may sit anywhere from one short call to 8 short calls a month. The way you get out of sitting so many short call is that you are assigned to fly. Always a preffered thing when you're on reserve. If you're not flying, you're sitting short call. I live in Ventura county, so it's be fairly painless 1:15 to LAX parking lot, 2-3 hours to SNA or ONT. Traffic is a big factor in the LA basin, so scheduling is a little flexible. Having said that, no sense in flying above the radar during your probationary year. Give yourself plenty of time and back-ups on your commute to avoid the extra stress. This way your first year will be a "non-event".
The LAX737 - New catagory. What does that mean to you? It's hard to tell what the flying will look like in the future. I was on the MD90 when it was new to SLC and the flying gradually changed over the first 9 months to year. On the 737, March is 80% red-eyes, mostly 4 day trips, back and forth to the east coast. A couple of day turns to Mexico, but long ago when Delta/Western flew the 727 on these same day turns, they went very senior. Because the 737 in new to LAX, none of us can predict if all the flying will be out of just LAX or if we might cover BUR, SNA, and ONT. The only thing that has been constant in the job is change........
SLC - Things are much cheaper in Salt Lake, Hotels, crash pads, etc. It's a good base, but then again so is LAX.
I flew the MD90 and the 88. The 90 is not a bad airplane, the 88 is a little more pain. The 90 has better auto-throttles and is easier to start and not over-temp during the summer months than the 88. Regardless, it's a busy airplane. Some guys don't like it, but I think as long as my paycheck doesn't bounce I'll fly anything.
My recommendation: If you could possibly get a 737 seat in SLC, or even a 757 seat, I'd take it. Keep you eye on Advance Entitlements (AE) and your relative seniority in LAX and when it looks like you can hold a regular line, bid to LAX if the flying looks good to you. Keep in mind that you're more likely to be on reserve during the late Fall and Winter than in the Late Spring and Summer. There's just more scheduled flying this time of the year, so more lines can be constructed.
Finally, you can go to the DeltaNet, go to FlightOps page>>>> then Crew Resources and Scheduling page>>>>>then look at March or April bid packages. You can look at the trips in every catagory. You can also see the number of regular lines and the number of reserve lines in each catagory.
One last thing..... SLC is very stable, guys don't leave the base until the retire or die, so not much movement. LAX is growing a little.... I'm looking for growth on the horizon, but what do I know, I'm just a line dog!!!!!!
Look me up on DBMS if you have any questions.
Mark Keene
LAX76B
welcome aboard! Here's my 2 cents....... I've flown the 90 in SLC and now I'm on the 767/757 in LAX. I'm downbidding to the 737 in May. Why? I'll be a top lineholder, so I'll be able to name my schedule. There really is very little pay differencial among aircraft these days, so QOL (quality of life) ranks pretty high.
First, the LAX767/757 - you'll cover LAX/ONT/SNA. I personally would not recommend sitting reserve unless you live in Socal. Hotels and crash pads are expensive. I started with a regular line in LAX, but have been on reserve for the last 9 months and now back to a regular line. I may sit anywhere from one short call to 8 short calls a month. The way you get out of sitting so many short call is that you are assigned to fly. Always a preffered thing when you're on reserve. If you're not flying, you're sitting short call. I live in Ventura county, so it's be fairly painless 1:15 to LAX parking lot, 2-3 hours to SNA or ONT. Traffic is a big factor in the LA basin, so scheduling is a little flexible. Having said that, no sense in flying above the radar during your probationary year. Give yourself plenty of time and back-ups on your commute to avoid the extra stress. This way your first year will be a "non-event".
The LAX737 - New catagory. What does that mean to you? It's hard to tell what the flying will look like in the future. I was on the MD90 when it was new to SLC and the flying gradually changed over the first 9 months to year. On the 737, March is 80% red-eyes, mostly 4 day trips, back and forth to the east coast. A couple of day turns to Mexico, but long ago when Delta/Western flew the 727 on these same day turns, they went very senior. Because the 737 in new to LAX, none of us can predict if all the flying will be out of just LAX or if we might cover BUR, SNA, and ONT. The only thing that has been constant in the job is change........
SLC - Things are much cheaper in Salt Lake, Hotels, crash pads, etc. It's a good base, but then again so is LAX.
I flew the MD90 and the 88. The 90 is not a bad airplane, the 88 is a little more pain. The 90 has better auto-throttles and is easier to start and not over-temp during the summer months than the 88. Regardless, it's a busy airplane. Some guys don't like it, but I think as long as my paycheck doesn't bounce I'll fly anything.
My recommendation: If you could possibly get a 737 seat in SLC, or even a 757 seat, I'd take it. Keep you eye on Advance Entitlements (AE) and your relative seniority in LAX and when it looks like you can hold a regular line, bid to LAX if the flying looks good to you. Keep in mind that you're more likely to be on reserve during the late Fall and Winter than in the Late Spring and Summer. There's just more scheduled flying this time of the year, so more lines can be constructed.
Finally, you can go to the DeltaNet, go to FlightOps page>>>> then Crew Resources and Scheduling page>>>>>then look at March or April bid packages. You can look at the trips in every catagory. You can also see the number of regular lines and the number of reserve lines in each catagory.
One last thing..... SLC is very stable, guys don't leave the base until the retire or die, so not much movement. LAX is growing a little.... I'm looking for growth on the horizon, but what do I know, I'm just a line dog!!!!!!
Look me up on DBMS if you have any questions.
Mark Keene
LAX76B
03-05-2008, 06:12 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 59
Question for Tomcat
Tomcat-
If you didn't get LAX right out of training, how long do you think it would take to bid over? I have an interview coming up and my SSN is low if I am lucky enough to get hired.
What do you recommend doing to get LA as quickly as possible if you don't get it right out of training? FYI, I grew up 13 miles from JFK and have a crash pad up there already...my house! That could impact my decision making to ease the pain of reserve, but I don't know what equipment LAX/JFK/LGA have in common.
Is there a seat lock and therefore I should be looking for equipment they have in common so I can just change domiciles without going back to training?
birdeater
If you didn't get LAX right out of training, how long do you think it would take to bid over? I have an interview coming up and my SSN is low if I am lucky enough to get hired.
What do you recommend doing to get LA as quickly as possible if you don't get it right out of training? FYI, I grew up 13 miles from JFK and have a crash pad up there already...my house! That could impact my decision making to ease the pain of reserve, but I don't know what equipment LAX/JFK/LGA have in common.
Is there a seat lock and therefore I should be looking for equipment they have in common so I can just change domiciles without going back to training?
birdeater
03-05-2008, 06:31 AM
#13
Super Moderator
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: DAL 330
Posts: 6,873
Birdeater,
New hires were awarded both LAX and SLC from the most recent class. In the future the quickest way to LAX is probably the 73N - but there was also one 767 from the last class so who really knows. LAX/JFK/LGA seem to have a lot in common - almost. The 767ER (JFK)and 767 domestic (LAX)have a minimum seat lock (9 months) and the 73 flies from both NY and LAX. There is no 88/90 in LAX but both NY and SLC have them. There is no seat lock out of new hire and the normal seat lock is two years. Dude it would seem you are perfectly situated for the JFK 767ER!
From another post:
3/3/08 class:
10 767ER JFK
11 MD88 NYC
14 MD88 ATL
5 737 LAX
1 757/767 LAX
2 MD88/90 CVG
1 737 CVG
3 MD88/90 SLC
Good Luck - Scoop
New hires were awarded both LAX and SLC from the most recent class. In the future the quickest way to LAX is probably the 73N - but there was also one 767 from the last class so who really knows. LAX/JFK/LGA seem to have a lot in common - almost. The 767ER (JFK)and 767 domestic (LAX)have a minimum seat lock (9 months) and the 73 flies from both NY and LAX. There is no 88/90 in LAX but both NY and SLC have them. There is no seat lock out of new hire and the normal seat lock is two years. Dude it would seem you are perfectly situated for the JFK 767ER!
From another post:
3/3/08 class:
10 767ER JFK
11 MD88 NYC
14 MD88 ATL
5 737 LAX
1 757/767 LAX
2 MD88/90 CVG
1 737 CVG
3 MD88/90 SLC
Good Luck - Scoop
03-05-2008, 08:44 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: MD-11 FO
Posts: 2,182
Originally Posted by birdeater
Tomcat-
If you didn't get LAX right out of training, how long do you think it would take to bid over? I have an interview coming up and my SSN is low if I am lucky enough to get hired.
What do you recommend doing to get LA as quickly as possible if you don't get it right out of training? FYI, I grew up 13 miles from JFK and have a crash pad up there already...my house! That could impact my decision making to ease the pain of reserve, but I don't know what equipment LAX/JFK/LGA have in common.
Is there a seat lock and therefore I should be looking for equipment they have in common so I can just change domiciles without going back to training?
birdeater
If you didn't get LAX right out of training, how long do you think it would take to bid over? I have an interview coming up and my SSN is low if I am lucky enough to get hired.
What do you recommend doing to get LA as quickly as possible if you don't get it right out of training? FYI, I grew up 13 miles from JFK and have a crash pad up there already...my house! That could impact my decision making to ease the pain of reserve, but I don't know what equipment LAX/JFK/LGA have in common.
Is there a seat lock and therefore I should be looking for equipment they have in common so I can just change domiciles without going back to training?
birdeater
03-06-2008, 05:07 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Position: 320B
Posts: 511
Hey Guys, seems like Scoop has the "Scoop"..... Bid what you want, want what you bid. There is no seat lock as a new hire, so if you don't get LAX you can wait for an opening on the next advanced entitlement.
Just as a side note: there are two schools of thought about taking an AE during your new hire year. One is that you should not expose yourself to another initial training during your probationary year. Say, moving from the NYC76ER to LAX73N would require another full initial training event. There is no additional training just switching bases with the same aircraft. The other thought is that if you were hired here, then training won't be a problem to you. Personally, training never really bothers me, but it really has little to do with pilot skill. Just as some people have "test anxiety" and other don't let test get to them. We all know that some folks get a little uptight in the sim. You can be the ace of the base and still just not always perform at your best when you have a FED and a couple of instructors looking over your back during a check ride. If you're the second guy, hang out where you are and enjoy your first year. It will pass by fast. It's pretty comfortable atmosphere here, even as a new hire. Really pretty much a non-threat environment unless you just go off and do something that you know you shouldn't. The bottom line is that if you're here, you're a solid pilot and won't have problems.
The LAX73N is a new catagory and has not filled up yet. Originally we were told there would be 60 seats, 60 Captain, 60 FO. I've been told that for the time being it has been scaled back to 50 seats. That could always change.
Birdeater - if you have a place to stay in NYC, that sounds like a good deal. I don't know if I would want to go straight to the ER, but that's just my opinion. Whatever you do, you'll enjoy. I've been here 8 years and have flown with 2 guys that I might not want to fly with again, but even with them things were always professional.
I wish you guys the best of luck. I can tell you that the first new hire that sat on my jumpseat just made my day. It's so good to see you guys coming in the front door. I was furloughed for 2 1/2 years and can still say that I like it here. It's a tough industry, but I believe Delta has a solid future.
If you have anymore questions, feel free.
Tomcat
LAX 76B
Just as a side note: there are two schools of thought about taking an AE during your new hire year. One is that you should not expose yourself to another initial training during your probationary year. Say, moving from the NYC76ER to LAX73N would require another full initial training event. There is no additional training just switching bases with the same aircraft. The other thought is that if you were hired here, then training won't be a problem to you. Personally, training never really bothers me, but it really has little to do with pilot skill. Just as some people have "test anxiety" and other don't let test get to them. We all know that some folks get a little uptight in the sim. You can be the ace of the base and still just not always perform at your best when you have a FED and a couple of instructors looking over your back during a check ride. If you're the second guy, hang out where you are and enjoy your first year. It will pass by fast. It's pretty comfortable atmosphere here, even as a new hire. Really pretty much a non-threat environment unless you just go off and do something that you know you shouldn't. The bottom line is that if you're here, you're a solid pilot and won't have problems.
The LAX73N is a new catagory and has not filled up yet. Originally we were told there would be 60 seats, 60 Captain, 60 FO. I've been told that for the time being it has been scaled back to 50 seats. That could always change.
Birdeater - if you have a place to stay in NYC, that sounds like a good deal. I don't know if I would want to go straight to the ER, but that's just my opinion. Whatever you do, you'll enjoy. I've been here 8 years and have flown with 2 guys that I might not want to fly with again, but even with them things were always professional.
I wish you guys the best of luck. I can tell you that the first new hire that sat on my jumpseat just made my day. It's so good to see you guys coming in the front door. I was furloughed for 2 1/2 years and can still say that I like it here. It's a tough industry, but I believe Delta has a solid future.
If you have anymore questions, feel free.
Tomcat
LAX 76B
03-06-2008, 06:25 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: Urban chicken rancher.
Posts: 6,070
Bird and Tomcat
I agree completely with Tomcat's take. I flew for 20 years in the USAF, was a DAL MD-88 FO, was furloughed and now am coming back. DAL is a great place to be. The training department is "big boy" and very professional. Flying the line is demanding but fun. Your first push back from a gate at ATL will open your eyes but after that you'll get it. For a military guy (I'm talking from my own experience) it was "Holy ****, this is different." But, I grew to love it.
My advice: go into it with optimism and professionalism. Ask for what you want and accept what you get. Then, work your ass off. You can always bid differently later. Check your ego at the door and exceed the standards. Be professional with your captains and always be early to the gate.
Buzz
I agree completely with Tomcat's take. I flew for 20 years in the USAF, was a DAL MD-88 FO, was furloughed and now am coming back. DAL is a great place to be. The training department is "big boy" and very professional. Flying the line is demanding but fun. Your first push back from a gate at ATL will open your eyes but after that you'll get it. For a military guy (I'm talking from my own experience) it was "Holy ****, this is different." But, I grew to love it.
My advice: go into it with optimism and professionalism. Ask for what you want and accept what you get. Then, work your ass off. You can always bid differently later. Check your ego at the door and exceed the standards. Be professional with your captains and always be early to the gate.
Buzz
03-06-2008, 08:41 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Position: 320B
Posts: 511
Hey birdeater,
good luck.... The only tip I can give you is this. You're qualified, otherwise you would not have been called to the interview. Be honest, straight forward and most of all, be yourself. Your interviewer is just trying to figure out if he would want to be on a four day rotation with you. Perhaps that's a little over simplified, but it's not far off the mark.
Hope to see you on the line soon.
Tomcat
good luck.... The only tip I can give you is this. You're qualified, otherwise you would not have been called to the interview. Be honest, straight forward and most of all, be yourself. Your interviewer is just trying to figure out if he would want to be on a four day rotation with you. Perhaps that's a little over simplified, but it's not far off the mark.
Hope to see you on the line soon.
Tomcat
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
