Originally Posted by
hockeypilot44
Your post is extremely optimistic. The reality is that while Delta is up-gauging aircraft, it is cutting frequency which requires less pilots. I get the graphs showing pilot block hours vs previous year. For the last fiver years, pilot block hours are down 2-5 percent each year. There will not be this major hiring that you are counting on. There will be hiring, but it will be conservative hiring.
You're misunderstanding the differentiation between mainline and regional block hours.
Per the new contract, mainline block hours are going to increase over 50% (60+% if you believe the block hour plan) from their current ratio with DCI. Even if DL continues to rationalize seat miles, mainline block hours will be going up significantly.
Hiring will go like it does in every major hiring cycle- it will start at a trickle and as things get spooled up go to a major boom. Just look at the retirement numbers and projected fleet count.