That has been how many years ago??? There hasn't been another MD-8x or 9x accident since in the US. That really shouldn't be a major concern.

As far as the 757 goes, haven't they been around just a long or longer than MD-88? The 88 series in the MD aircraft is a newer designation.

Edit: Airdisaster.com shows the plane that crashed as an MD-83, it came out of the factory in 1992, that's a pretty young aircraft. Look at how old the DC-9s are that NW is flying around.e