AirTran 717 vs 737

[Nindiri]

So, I'm thinking of bidding over from the 73 to the 71. I know that the 71 is supposed to be more automated, but that's about all I know about it. I'm going to jumpseat on it once or twice and see how I like it, but it would still be interesting to hear what anyone else thinks about it, both the airplane itself and the schedules.

 

[Colonel Savage]

What is your motivation for doing so? Potential upgrade? Don't like red eyes or long legs (haha)?

 

[airplane wizard]

717 is the best...one of may favorite planes

 

[Nindiri]

What is your motivation for doing so? Potential upgrade? Don't like red eyes or long legs (haha)?

Boredom, mostly.

And laziness. A highly automated airplane would be nice.

I kind of like the long legs and red eyes, though, and I don't think the 71 does any of that, does it?

 

[filejw]

Boredom, mostly.

And laziness. A highly automated airplane would be nice.

I kind of like the long legs and red eyes, though, and I don't think the 71 does any of that, does it?

Try using a laptop on the longer legs, gives you something to do....LOL

 

[jetdawg]

wouldn't the automation make the 717 more boring than the 737? I flew them both. both are nice but I think you will miss the power and the climb capability of the 737.

depends on what you want. I think the 717 has more productive schedules but you will also fly 42 legs a day, the 737 I tend to hand fly it to a higher altitude than the 717. I have not flown a 717 for close to five years so things may have changed.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[Nindiri]

Try using a laptop on the longer legs, gives you something to do....LOL

That would interfere with my naps.

 

[General Lee]

If you are bored of flying East of Dallas, then go for the 737. It also flies to SJU and CUN, so you get a little over water action. In the Summer SAN, SFO, and SEA layovers are probably pretty nice, and the 737 goes to almost all of the same destinations as the 71, but then add West Coast stuff. Is the pay the same? And, you did say that you don't mind allnighters. I don't think your 717 does those.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Data]

So, I'm thinking of bidding over from the 73 to the 71. I know that the 71 is supposed to be more automated, but that's about all I know about it. I'm going to jumpseat on it once or twice and see how I like it, but it would still be interesting to hear what anyone else thinks about it, both the airplane itself and the schedules.

Don't forget you've got CRJs now to choose from, right? No? ;-P

 

[Colonel Savage]

If you are bored of flying East of Dallas, then go for the 737....

Ah, General, he's already ON the 737, and thinking about going TO the 717. Got it? Once more for review: Already ON the 737, going TO the 717. Wow...

 

[CitationLover]

one thing to say about the 717 (dc-9) - dial-a-flap

profile mode is nice. computer is way too slow if you're already descending, so some of that mental math is still needed. it can burn you too depending on how you select headings as it remembers which way you originally dial the heading bug, not nice at say DCA. when it was new at MEH someone violated DC airspace due to this.

the rolls engines pack some oomph for the airframe, like other tabbed creatures it flies like a mack truck (original fly-by-wire). autothrottles are nice, autolandings are simple to setup. handflying it is easy, doesn't thrust vector too much (if it does its the opposite of the 73). stiff landing gear, but overall an easy airplane to fly. no idea if airtran bought the autobraking system or not.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

No autobrakes. The brakes take a little while to get use to. You overheat them quick hot and heavy.

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

I'm just waiting for Lear 70 to respond to this thread even though he hasn't flown both types for AT.

 

[gearup5]

If you are senior to 108xxx stay on the 73 otherwise come on over.

 

[humveedriver]

Our current contract pays the same for both types. Generally speaking for the same days off, the 717 affords you about 5 hours more pay for the month. Since we have cut capacity and reduced flying hours, guys/gals are looking for more effiency. Why have 16 days off and get paid 76 hours instead of 82ish? The more junior your are, the less productive your schedule is going to be as well. My advice is to study both bid packets and check the schedules of classmates on the other plane. (This is my take on why the last group jumped back to the 717).

 

[CopilotDoug]

like other tabbed creatures it flies like a mack truck (original fly-by-wire)

Not being typed in the Mack Truck, how do tabbed airplanes fly?

 

[Colonel Savage]

Heavy on the ailerons.

 

[Captain Jeff]

go ride the jumpseat.... The 717 is all control tabs and springs. There is no feeling, artificial or other wise, to it. It is a piece of crap with a nice avionics package, the seats are awful, you fly a lot of legs and all the red eyes are the unscheduled ones, the training dept is trucked up and switching means 2 months in the ghetto with the chance of getting stuck with a month of reserve when your done with IOE. On the up side, the avionics are very nice all the systems are automatic, it doesn't go anywhere internationally (a big plus at airtran). I have never flown the 737, but my personal advise is stay where you are. For every plus the opposite airplane has, the pain of switching is gonna out weigh it and you will still be working for the same shifty company.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I would not call it s piece of crap but all the other stuff is pretty spot on. Especially about the seats.

 

[Colonel Savage]

"...the training dept is trucked up..."

Is the 737 training (dept) better?