Originally Posted by DAL73n

Delta Air Lines has shrunk from 17,000 pilots (combined NWA/Delta circa 2000) to 12,000 pilots today (and still shrinking with retirements that won't be replaced). While everyone seems to be trumpeting the fact that DCI will shrink by over a hundred A/C and over 5,000 seats the fact that this gives DAL its capacity discipline at DCI at no cost (by exchanging 2.7 50 seaters (unprofitable) for brand new 76 seaters (with First Class, probably WiFi and IFE) they can reduce the block hours of DCI while increasing their profits so new ratio for increasing mainline flying will actually not protect because they will meet the ratios by REDUCING DCI rather than increasing mainline. As for the 717s, they will not start arriving until July 2013 at a rate of 3/month, the first 21 will be strictly replacement A/C for DC-9s (so the first 7 months of no growth), and I predict the next 67 (for a total of 88) will be filled by displacements from other A/C (every other A/C is higher paying) so this will be another pay cut for most pilots at DAL. They will be able to do so due to the productivity improvements we gave up (ALV+15 for reserves, +2 hours ALV and TLV per month for lineholders, and 7 Short Calls for reserves (this is especially bad because unless it's the end of the month or a Golden Day coming up they will be able to use reserves a LOT MORE). Delta Air Lines main line WILL NOT GROW under this contract (at least in terms of the number of pilots or positive AEs through 2015). DAL has stated on more than one occasion that they are over staffed on Wide Bodies so this will get them through this summer and the fall AE will be another negative AE (it won't take long to see this if the TA passes). Also, you will see a 70 A/C order to Bombadier for their 90 seater (configured with 76 seats and and an ample First Class - say 8 seats).