Originally Posted by acl65pilot

TYG;
Think of the reasons why.

Possible reasons we can delay hiring:
-Shrinking
-Merger or Acquisition
-FT/DT will allow less pilots
-Productivity changes will make us more efficient
-Trip Parking, and yes, it is on the rise esp in the WB categories.
-No one retiring
-By not hiring, when they need to hire they will be able to claim duress and beg for scope relief. (We can't hire that many, we must outsource jobs to keep the network intact)

Just naming possibilities.

Originally Posted by iaflyer

My guess? The company isn't sure about the economy. Although there are lots of issues right now (just check out the debate to hear a few), I think the price of oil is a biggy for airlines. Everytime there is a hint of the economy is doing better or we're getting out of the recession, oil jumps 20%. That makes air travel more expensive, airlines raise prices, less people travel. Rinse, repeat.

But you are correct, now is the time to interview if you want pilots to be in place for early summer 2012. I think I read somewhere that Delta wasn't expecting any growth for 2012, or actually a slight decrease in pilot hours. Thus, no need to hire.