More and more Delta Rumors......

[DLslug]

Word from the "road", the Delta Shuttle 73G's (737-300 GLASS) will be moved to Salt Lake to "fly the Mountains" (adding possibly 40 more flights a day out of SLC until leases are up in 2006), and the MD-90s in DFW would go to LGA for the Shuttle. DFW to be pared down, with thru-flights to the major cities still flying, but no crew bases for pilots or flight attendants. (not confirmed as of yet, but strong rumors for DFW) This all could be wrong, but this is what I heard on the last road trip.

All for now,

DLslug

 

[G4G5]

I always thought that the MD's would make great Shuttle aircraft. They are alot like the 727, power backs and aft stairs, with a limited need for ground support equipment.

I have a good buddy of mine that is on the Shuttle. He is not going to like this. In 2000 he was a 727-fo, 2001 737-800, 2003 737-300, now MD90. that will make 4 trips to the school house in 5 years

 

[michael707767]

I always thought that the MD's would make great Shuttle aircraft. They are alot like the 727, power backs and aft stairs, with a limited need for ground support equipment.

I have always thought the 90 would be the perfect shuttle aircraft. Make it four accross with nice seats, use the aft air stairs. Perfect. Plus, they already have an 88 catagory in NYC, so you just add the 90 to it, and you will gain efficiencies from the bigger catagory.

 

[Old Crow]

Wait a minute.... MD-90, You aren't suggesting passengers board from the ramp level and have to walk up stairs like those RJ's are you?At least they don't have to take em' up the but.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I would tend to agree. Productivity is key. The airplane will not make any money sitting on the ground. Jetblue, Southwest, and even US Airways shuttle board and deplane via both the jetway and via stairs from the ramp.

The trick is to maximize the utilization of gate space and ground service staff in order to get the airplane moving again.

The Douglas product is a natural fit for the Shuttle.

 

[DLslug]

Oldcrow,



The back exit is for deplaning, not boarding. If they want to run off quickly, they could I guess. The aft stairs are a little rickety, so it would be interesting to watch. Again, these are just rumors from NYC pilots I met on my last trip. Another reason to have the MD-90s at one hub (LGA vs flying them from SLC and DFW) is that you can store all of the spare parts at one airport, and any mechanical breakdowns can be fixed easier. If one of our MD90s currently breaks down in PDX, it might take awhile to get a part there from DFW. The Shuttle only flies to LGA, BOS, and DCA---all fairly close to each other.



One more time, this may all be wrong and the MD90s could always be shipped off to China. I can't wait to hear what the plans are eventually.



All for now,

DLslug

 

[Pilotbob3]

all over the rest of the world...people use the tailcone stairs as entrance and exits from the ramp in addition to the L1 door......its no big deal