Originally Posted by thomas39

So are you suggesting RA and others were not telling the truth or whole truth to investors in that webcast? Only time and the next couple of AEs will tell. Adding airframes doesn't guarantee growth when they are/will/maybe displace from several other fleets to staff the new one.

Not trying to start a fight, I am (like everyone) seeking the honest truth about what Delta's plans are for seniority movement. Either up or down I wish their projections would actually come close to reality down the road.

Remember what ALPA put out in their contract negotiators notepad FAQ June 11, 2012?

Q2 Is it true that, if approved, this TA will cost hundreds of Delta pilot jobs?

A2 No. This assertion is based on a simplistic and incomplete analysis of the TA. Changes to the ALV, TLV and the change in bid period length will likely result in a contractual staffing reduction of approximately 300 pilots. However, the Pilot Retirement Medical Account Program and other changes to the PWA such as the increases to the staffing formula and to vacation and CQ training pay are expected to more than compensate for this reduction. In fact, with the ratification of this TA, Flight Operations has recently stated, “If Delta can continue to execute its business plan, including the 717s, and barring an economic downturn or other unanticipated event, we could begin the hiring process as early as the last quarter of this year.”

Last quarter 2012. That was what we knew in June. Somehow it ended up like this in Nov/Dec: No plans for hiring at all in 2013. So what changed? We didn't experience an "economic downturn or other unanticipated event" did we?

I hope you are right and we do actually grow to staff the 717, not by displacing other categories and further capacity reductions.