ACL,

You caan just drop trips that take you below your minimum?

Also, how many 737-700's are supposed to be delivered?

New K Now

I'll pat him on the back. That's pretty damn impressive. I just surf, drink, and fart on my days off (and some days on). Keep in mind the schedule will build your line to around the ALV and if it can't it gives you a reserve line. You can only drop trips on days where there is adequate reserve coverage, otherwise it goes into the pot to see if someone will pick it up. You would want to bid into a category that is well staffed so you have more flexibilty.

Heyas Capt'n,

Give the guy a break. I'd still be in school myself had the company not called and MADE me come back (no deferral option...come back or quit). I had a full ride AND a 30k/yr stipend, too.

Dunno what the trip drop options are like under the DAL PWA. I'd probably try to bid the AC that had the best variety of short trips so I could play mix/match/drop with the open board as much as possible. I would also play the SIL/SLIP/PML game as much as I could get away with.

Residency is no joke. Hope this cat gets enough sleep.

Nu

1. You can drop trips as long as there is positive reserve coverage (with some "other" rules around holidays). There is no minimum flying requirement, but if you voluntarily drop trips there is no guarantee replacement for that time. If there's not positive reserve coverage you can place the trip on the swapboard. If it's a decent trip, it'll be gone quickly. Deadhead days, all nighters, 5 hour sits, and certain "exotic" destinations don't get picked up quickly, if it all.

2. We have 4 700's on the property now, with 6 more coming next year. Delivery dates are firmed up 15-18 months out. Delta uses it for specialty routes (Manaus, Hayden, etc.), so it will not become a large fleet.

Hope this helps.

I can't provide you with any help, but good on ya...great back up and I wish I had something that solid to fall back on. Stay away as long as possible.

Hey MD......

You are way too smart to be an airline pilot. Congrats on the graduation!

Can't help you with the question, I'm getting that Delta rosetta stone program too.

Ferd

Thanks guys for the info. I have some tough decisions to make in the next couple of months of ER vs. Ortho (if ortho, the flying gig is up....if ER, I'll be able to do both.) The reason I included my stats was to provide background into the reason for my line of questioning. The reason I included LSU was because it's LSU.....season sucked this year but still heck of a team. If it seemed like self promotion, it wasn't intended that way. I'm just trying to get as much info as I can before I make a firm decision.

My wife says it's waaay cooler to be an airline pilot: I absolutely agree.

NuGuy, I am not getting much sleep....these 30 hour shifts are kicking my butt.

Hey ACL (Or, anyone else),

What's really going on? I mean I was really planning on getting bumped out of DTW as a -9 CA and possibly having to go to MSP or NYC. Now with this latest APA, they recalled over 25 DC-9 captains. Not that I am complaining, but the previous flying "memos" that they put out said "no movement on the DC-9" & "Hey, we are fat on DC-9 captains."

So rather that waiting for the next few days for their explanation, maybe someone who is really in the know can tell us what to expect.

Word is that they are not moving bases until after SOC. That means that for the interim they will be flying a lot of flights through the sister bases.
All this is for the near term plan. Long term (6-12 months plus) gets a little complicated, (IMHO)

Agreed, it is am impressive task accomplished. Truth be told, he is probably too smart and hardworking to be a pilot. It just seems humility is not part of the formula. I guess no one has ever accused pilots of being humble. Either way, I'll admit I'm jealous, I'd love to have a successful practice to fall back on. A doctor and pilot has to be the perfect panty dropper if I've heard of one.