Hawaiian Airlines has orders for 15-20 717s as well.
I hear that the EFIS used on the 717 is similar to the one used on the MD-11 - i.e. similar functions and commands. This is apparently a negative from some people's perspective. A Delta 777 captain I know who previously flew the MD-11 for 1000+ hours HATED the MD-11 EFIS.
An unsubstaniated rumor that I heard was that Delta is/was considering the 717 as a B737-200 replacement with one catch - Delta wanted to incorporate the 737NG EFIS into the aircraft. Boeing, naturally, was/is not happy about this prospect because it would potentially reduce the marketability of the aircraft worldwide - could not buy random non-compatible 717 aircraft on the open market. Delta would have to order a lot of 717s to offset any potential marketability problems... Delta would also consider deploying them on the West Coast as competition against Southwest, American and United Shuttle. Just a rumor I heard recently.
I have flown on Airtran 717s and they really DO accelerate down the runway - and launch like a cannonball. Their crews are understandably proud of their high-tech hot rods.
Cheers