Here is a look at real staffing numbers from 2008 and 2012:



As you can see, there has been a slight drop in active line pilots. However, the majority of the change has come from reductions in the number of pilots on sick leave, furlough, and military leave. That is why the most junior pilots on this board feel stagnated, the replacement pilots have not been new hires but have been guys coming off furlough and military leave and generally they are more senior than the 2007-2010 hires. There was a slight reduction in instructors because the NWA contract did not have a provision for non seniority list instructors.

In the last few years we know what has happened to the economy and we know what has happened to the price of oil. So how can our active pilot count be essentially the same? One of the reasons that the Delta MEC supported the merger was that a consolidated carrier would have the ability to upgauge their fleet and transfer flying back to mainline. That has occurred. The number of RJ's in our fleet has dropped by over 200 since the merger and are slated to drop another 100-150 in the next few years. The company's slide today showed a mainline fleet count 102 airframes higher than what is shown on the October 2012 Fleet Booklet. That was just one more reason why the MEC supported this last TA, more transfer of flying back to mainline.

I hope it was made clear to everyone that the 717's were not going to show up until later in the year for 2013. Wait until the end of 2013 before you pass judgement on whether or not the TA will accomplish that goal. I think the first glimpse will be the bid in January/February next year. Cheers.