Originally Posted by
Hillbilly
The shortest tenure for pre merger DAL pilots on furlough for FM 1 would have been just shy of the 2 year point. The longest tenure without an opportunity to return (TK) was just over 5 years and 3 months. Everyone out longer than that would have been because of the individual choice to bypass recall. Pilots now returning from furlough bypass have been out for 11-12 years with the exception of some pre merger NWA pilots who have been out for 7-8 years since their last furlough.
I believe the pilots who have chosen not to return were likely never going to return. They bypassed when recall came and sent in a letter prior to the 10 year point to preserve one last option to return because they had nothing to lose by doing so. While it is noteworthy to see how many chose not to return, it's also interesting to note the 30+ JBLU 320 Captains who have been there for 10+ years that are returning to Delta. I don't think either of these things will have any effect on negotiations for our next contract.
There were some guys who were destroyed by the furlough. I heard some very sad stories. There were also some guys who went on to do some astounding things, and very lucrative things. You can say what you want about the rocking chair, but Delta hired some highly intelligent people to fly airplanes. Most of the guys I've worked with throughout the years could have done anything they dreamed of. It's too bad that we can't just boil down our needs to "mo money, mo time off". Get everyone rowing in the same direction for the first time in a generation.