Myself, Johnso, and many others were forced to make that transition. I flew the 320 for well over a year as a new hire before I was displaced to the DC-9. An airplane's an airplane. They all go up, they all go down. Most pilots at Delta were taught how to fly on steam gauges. We can all do it again. It's the pilots that did their private pilot training in glass that will have the problems.

I would be very surprised if any of them have made it to DAL yet.

Scheduling can also modify those spill over trips to get rid of those pesky issues too.

Yes, the ATL 767 is still a category that can be bid FWIW. They generally are not going to put anyone in it though.

One of the differences between NWA's position awards and DAL's AEs is Delta's option to fill bid positions if it doesn't like the way the training is playing out. At NWA all positions were awarded and trained. Seems like someone who can hold a position might not be awarded it if Delta decides to not fill the vacancy.

Yes, that is true, but more often than now more awards are awarded than planned. They can do that as well.

What they are trying to avoid is a long training foot print with a six month conversion. My guess is, if this happens, they positions will be on the next AE, giving them the ability to draw the conversions out to a time where simulators are open.

Frankly, I see this way as more inefficient and benefiting the pilots more than the company. It is hard to sharp shoot staffing with this type of bid.

Have to commute into ATL and sit for awhile before my first trip out of there. Is there place to iron my shirt in the pilot's lounge so I can look extra spiffy for Captain? (and so I don't have to commute in uniform) Thanks

Commuter room is the A lounge has a iron and board in it. PMing you the code.

True, but even the pilots who learned on steam gauges will be at a disadvantage with the MD-88.

Old Cessna 172s have the traditional six pack like this:



But ideally for future MD-88 pilots they needed a Cessna 172 that would help them build an MD-88 styled two pack scan:

FTB,

Your pictures are just hilarious. You really should publish a book. I'd buy it.

BTW, my instrument check ride was in an old 172 with the craptastic Cessna/ARC 400 radios. Just as we rolled into a hold defined by radials off a ADF & VOR, the freakin' VOR radio died. I pulled it out, re-racked it and managed to stay in the hold. ... the examiner shrugged and did not say a word. ... Figured it was an early start on the sort of techniques required to operate the Mad Dog.

Hope you'll do a pic of an A330 A arriving to Atlanta, a red "enhanced mobility scooter" strapped to the side of the cockpit, sporting a Minnesota state flag on the tail & random silver radome & engine inlets, Captain holding a Viagra bottle in one hand and a bottle of DEET in the other while the FO in ear buds peruses a "Airbus flying for Dummies" book & a Delta Connection Academy sticker. (that should just about upset everyone )