Just curious what people with experience flying all of these types might say about day to day line flying with these aircraft.

The MD88/90 with non powered flight controls, grabby brakes and a cockpit design directly related to its Type Certificate being issued in 1962 looks like a handful to train in and fly.

The 737, even the new generation, might have the same issues due to commonality with its earlier Certificate.

The 757/767/767-400 and even the 777 appear to hold to a single Boeing design philosophy and way of doing things. From the articles I've read they are straightforward, responsive and real pilots' airplanes.

As a guy who lives in domicile and who used to bid reserve anyway just to get some weekends off, I'm trying to decide if it is worth bidding something that I will be on reserve on for the rest of this decade and part of next - or flying the MD88 with middle seniority in a year.

MD88 is CAKE, a simple jet that is easy to learn and fly, and won't bite you.

B-737, easy to fly, learn and getting longer legs (like BOS-LAX).

B-757/767, great airplanes, easy to learn, over-powered, easy to fly and best trips in the DAL system. What domicile?

Sounds like all good choices for a DAL new hire in ATL.

This is the first time I've heard the MD88 described as "cake."

I've never flown any of them, but I'm sure i'd prefer the 777... since it pays more.

How long would a new hire sit reserve on the 737 or the 757 out of ATL? I'm hoping to catch either one of the last spots on the Aug 20 class, otherwise I've been told expect the 3 Sep class.

-SS

My semi educated guess based on openings is 6 to 8 months reserve on the 88, a year to a little more on the 737 and the 757.... well let me put it this way... seniority #00630 out of 7,000 is a 757FO. The senior 757/767 FO's all could hold Captain on the 765 or 777 Category.

*laugh*

Roger that.

I can't wait to get started!

the maddog is funner than a barrel of monkeys. with its FMS and "digital" (i use the term loosely) flight guidance system it's as though someone bolted a Commodore64 onto a 57' Chevy. i would trade seniority for aircraft type any day. but as you can tell i have. i could hold much more but with PBS seniority means more than ever.

I'll sacrifice grabby brakes for quality of life any day! I've never flown the DC9, although the flight controls must have hydraulic actuators out there, right?

IMHO, when you get to this level, it's about what works best for you QOL and pay wise. What the airframe is, is the last time I worry about.

That said, the 757/767 is a fine machine....