To Sinkingr8's point, when it comes time to get the 717s it will come time for the DC9s to leave. Probably perfectly timed such that you can MD pilots out of the 9 and right into the 717 with the assumption most would do it.

If I'm not mistaken, a a pilot’s VD or MD bid into a category will supersede a more senior pilot’s AE bid to that category, right? So If they MD 100 DC9 pilots and have vacancies for 100 717 pilots and for arguments sake 100% go to the 717, no pilots from outside the 9 could AE into the 717.

Is that right?

So if you're thinking I want to fly the 717 and you're not on the 9, and your friends often refer to you as an Eeyore, chances are you're really looking at 2014 at the earliest to fly the 717?