Continual backwards movement is a real moral buster. I am starting to see the 717 as simply another possible step in the wrong direction. If they aren't growth, which I am beginning to suspect they won't be, then their value to the pilot group will be a cushion to furlough. The early retirement, as many have posted, will benefit a select few. As far as the group as a whole, it won't be a blip.

MD90s, 737s, and 717s are all smaller/lower paying replacements to aircraft already on property. I would say a majority of the pilot group is about to take a pay cut, thus negating most of our supposed TA gains.

In the end, my glass is half empty regarding these future two AEs. I also don't have much confidence in any hiring rumors. Growth at Delta is going to be through merger and acquisition. Our answer to pilot attrition won't be through hiring, it will be through mergers and the capacity reductions that follow.