Ya'll are missing the big picture. These guys will be offered an interview with Delta. That's all. They are not offered preferential hiring or any cutting of slack. They still have to hold their own against every other candidate in their interview group. They have to compete on a level field with all the other regional captains, corporate operators and military pilots. They will have to convince the line pilot, sitting in the interview why they, with limited experience, are a better choice than more qualified interviewees.

I see very few making it through the cut. And as a Delta pilot, believe me when I say, the line pilots have a BIG say in the hiring process.