Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations |
OPS QUESTIONS |
DVA3737
Captain, B757-200
Joined on November 22 2006
"BIRDS!!!!!! WHERE?" Midwestern United States
61 legs, 83.8 hours
48 legs,
70.2 hours online 57 legs,
78.0 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 09:01 ET by Walter Trester
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I don't want to come off as being pushy and I apoligize if I do.
I have a messed up schedule in real life with work and family. So when I do get time online I want to take advantage of it. And I know many of you are in the same boat. So here is my problem. I have joined DVA about a month ago. Work is slowing down, so I'm getting more time available during the day, before the family gets home in the evenings to fly. I've logged enough flights and made Captain of the "BABY BOEING". Which is great. But I am one of those guys that like to fly multiple aircraft and routes. One of the reasons I have drifted from southwest virtual. (only 737's) Well I have recently purchased PSS 757 to add to my BOEING payware fleet. But the problem is CERTIFICATIONS. I am ready to fly this new bird and log time, but it takes forever to get CERT for aircraft here at DVA. I know the subject of the test have been drug through the dirt so I don't want to get into that. But is there a way to speed things up. Like I said I know people have real life things that keep them away. Or should I word it that they don't have as much time as I do right now, LOL. I took the FO test waited less than a day to have it scored which is great in comparison to another test i was waiting on. Then just as soon as the test was graded I put in for equipment transfer. Now I await for that. Is it just me? Or does anyone else have ants in their pants like myself, LOL.
I guess my question is, is there a way to fly this aircraft and have ACARS log the flights before you have your CERT? Cause it gives me a message that i'm not rated for the aircraft.
Is there ways to speed these things up? I would be willing to help if need be.
Is it possible to have a rating in the B737, B757, B767, B747, B777 at the same time. As these are a small part of my payware fleet. The ones i like to fly the most.
Sorry to be such a pain in the ***. After the first of the year when work picks back up I won't be such a pain.
Oh one last question. For the group flight that you guys have. I have seen sign up sheets for these but your deadlines to sign up always seem to end. With my schedule I don't know if I can make it to them until the last minute. Is it still possible to join in on them? Or do you have to sign up and have you appointment time to be apart of it?
Thats it for now, thanks and sorry again.
Walter TresterCaptain, B757-200
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DVA1679
Senior Captain, A320
Joined on May 16 2004
Triple Century Club
Online Triple Century Club
"flightdeckproductions.com" Utica, MI USA
322 legs, 620.4 hours
300 legs,
591.4 hours online 115 legs,
194.0 hours ACARS 5 legs,
11.3 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 09:38 ET by Larry Foltran
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I think your message came across as constructive rather than agressive, so I don't think you have any reason to apologize. That being said, I'll throw my 2 cents into the time frame for grading exams. I believe the general time frame the CPs and ACPs shoot for is 48-hours for grading exams. As you mentioned, our daily schedules and life's unexpected things can drag that out. My suggestion for anyone who is sitting on an ungraded exam is to wait at least 48 hours from the time you completed the exam. At that point, send a friendly note directly to that program's CP and/or ACP. Trust me, I know how it is to take an exam and have to eagerly wait for it to be graded. Especially when that exam is for an aircraft you really want to fly. I think as along as everyone continues to take into account that there are jobs, school, family and other responsibilities that may effect the time frame for exam responses, everything will be fine. I hope that answers your question.
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DVA1320
Senior Captain, B777-200
COMM
Joined on August 29 2003
Online Six Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Everett Millennium Club
Flying Colonel
Three Million Mile Club
Arlington, VA USA
1,752 legs, 7,042.0 hours
610 legs,
2,627.6 hours online 272 legs,
966.9 hours ACARS 5 legs,
12.2 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 11:35 ET by Daniel Ward
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Unfortunately there is no real way to give ratings in all those aircraft at the same time. They are all totally different aircraft with their own unique characteristics. The 757 and 767 share much the same panels, but that is where the comparison stops. The 757 handles very differently than the 767. And it's not only the handling differences that make the programs different. As in the real world, each aircraft fits into its own niche in the overall scheme of route coverage. Here at DVA you have the luxury of using the aircraft you want for almost any route, provided that aircraft can safely make that flight. Don't try to fly a 737 from ATL to CDG, even though FS gives you the ability to fly with unlimited fuel. The ability to transfer to higher aircraft stages isn't all that difficult. Pass the F/O exam, take the checkride in the new aircraft. The stipulation is that transfering to a higher stage requires you to be a Captain in your current stage. We believe you become a better pilot by doing flights, not just hours.
There are VA's that pretty much let you do what you want when you want in any equipment type you want. One of those might be a better fit for you. If we can't meet your needs, we certainly understand that you would like to fly where it is better for you. I fly for other VA's because they fill some other needs for me. But that is your decision. Please understand I am not asking you to leave. Rather, I would rather have you be happy in the air than being disgruntled on the ground.
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DVA2821
Captain, B737-800
Joined on January 15 2006
Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Everett Century Club
Spokane, WA
158 legs, 259.3 hours
83 legs,
143.2 hours online 139 legs,
227.2 hours ACARS 5 legs,
8.4 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 13:37 ET by Jay Coffman
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Keep this in mind!!! You are a capt in the 737 and a quick test in the 757 or 767 will open a lot of new doors for you. In the 757/767 programs you can because of like flight decks, be rated in both the 757 and 767, and chances are if you stick with one of them to captain, use your acars and prove you can fly those bad boys, they will (if you request it) grant you ratings in the 737, 757 and 767 and that according to your post is 3 of the 4 planes you enjoy to fly! And this can be acheived at a fast pace. Heck I work 75+ hours a week for my district here in Washington, Oregon and Idaho and get a chance to get home some evenings before the wife, and have enough time to hop on Vatsim for a quicky. Or if times an issue, hop on get to cruise set autopilot and run the sim at 4X and get your flights done faster. Hope this helps!!!
Jay CoffmanCaptain, B737-800
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DVA1882
Senior Captain, MD-11
OLP
Joined on September 09 2004
Online Quadruple Century Club
Long Beach 500 Club
50 State Club
Iron Dispatcher
Millennium Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
"MD-11 rules!!!!" San Luis Potosí, Mexico
1,081 legs, 1,637.0 hours
426 legs,
601.5 hours online 787 legs,
1,085.2 hours ACARS 12 legs,
28.5 hours event 558 legs dispatched, 225.6
hours
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 13:44 ET by Horacio Meza-Velarde
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Walter, you certainly can hold the ratings for all the aircraft you have mentioned at the same time, but you can only be in ONE program.....for instance, Im in the MD11 program, but I can log flight in all the planes I´m rated for, that is, 737, 757, 767, CRJ, ERJ, DC10, for example.
Salud!
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DVA2253
Senior Captain, DC-8-61
COMM
Joined on April 01 2005
Everett 250 Club
Online Century Club
Eight Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
"I'd rather be flying!" Church Hill, TN USA
862 legs, 1,344.5 hours
108 legs,
165.2 hours online 299 legs,
485.1 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 19:02 ET by George Lewis
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request a transfer to the 757 or 767 which is stage 3. once you take the exam and take the checkride and pass, you are a first officer in that program. 10 flights later in that bird and take the captain's exam and pass, and then go for the 777 checkride and exam.
probably not the answer you are looking for but that's the most direct path go get those ratings.
not sure about the 757 program getting 767 ratings or vice versa, I'd have to check.
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DVA2750
Senior Captain, B757-200
Joined on December 17 2005
Online Quadruple Century Club
Six Century Club
"Roll Tide Roll" Montgomery, AL USA
900 legs, 1,831.7 hours
818 legs,
1,580.2 hours online 804 legs,
1,594.9 hours ACARS 20 legs,
45.5 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 19:34 ET by Derek Bradley
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Yea the 767 program does not come with the 757 rating and vice versa. I'm not aware of being able to just ask for one after you have logged X amount of flights in either of those planes.
Real life schedules can make it tough to fly. Some people can log 200 flights in 5 or 6 months, while others (like me) have been here for almost 1 year and aren't even close. Come spring time and my flying will slow down due to baseball.
As much as we would like to be able to fly a bigger or "better" plane it's good to go slow sometimes and learn more. I see you have experience from SW with the 737, so I can understand you wanting to fly something else. However there are alot of great people around here, and by going slower you will probably enjoy the whole DVA experience better. I know I have. It took mr 6 tries to pass the CRJ captains exam, but that was one of the best things that happened. While looking for the answers I read and learned alot of important things I didn't know about. Now in a few days I will be starting flying lessons, and I feel that I have a decent understanding of basic procedures and communications with ATC.
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DVA3461
Senior Captain, B737-800
Joined on August 20 2006
Online Double Century Club
Quatercentenary Club
"Get er' Done!" NY USA
486 legs, 1,296.8 hours
416 legs,
1,110.1 hours online 288 legs,
733.8 hours ACARS 33 legs,
87.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 19:50 ET by Joshua Clement
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So my question is once you take the 767 F/O test and pass then what happens....Do you have to take a checkride??
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DVA2750
Senior Captain, B757-200
Joined on December 17 2005
Online Quadruple Century Club
Six Century Club
"Roll Tide Roll" Montgomery, AL USA
900 legs, 1,831.7 hours
818 legs,
1,580.2 hours online 804 legs,
1,594.9 hours ACARS 20 legs,
45.5 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 20:05 ET by Derek Bradley
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yes then you will be rated for that aircraft
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DVA2253
Senior Captain, DC-8-61
COMM
Joined on April 01 2005
Everett 250 Club
Online Century Club
Eight Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
"I'd rather be flying!" Church Hill, TN USA
862 legs, 1,344.5 hours
108 legs,
165.2 hours online 299 legs,
485.1 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
December 05 2006 20:53 ET by George Lewis
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yes, you need two things - exam and checkride
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DVA3737
Captain, B757-200
Joined on November 22 2006
"BIRDS!!!!!! WHERE?" Midwestern United States
61 legs, 83.8 hours
48 legs,
70.2 hours online 57 legs,
78.0 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
December 06 2006 09:10 ET by Walter Trester
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Thanks guys i get the jist of things by your replies. One of my biggest questions was answered.
"Walter, you certainly can hold the ratings for all the aircraft you have mentioned at the same time, but you can only be in ONE program.....for instance, Im in the MD11 program, but I can log flight in all the planes I´m rated for, that is, 737, 757, 767, CRJ, ERJ, DC10, for example."
thanks again.
Walter TresterCaptain, B757-200
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