I don't know enough about this situation to qualify it. Have you ever been told to expect some orders but then they didn't come through? Happens all the time. What happens when that unit loses their aircraft, he loses those orders, and now he's out 3 months of seniority at what will be his till-he's-65 employer. There is a ton of uncertainty in military duty. I don't expect our pilots to pay the price for that uncertainty in delaying their seniority beyond a date on which they can get hired. I would encourage them to try to get consolidated before leaving, but know that we can't demand that since everyone's situation is different. I think they know they are under a special watchful eye if they pull this indoc-and-out situation as a newbie; fair enough.

Yes, it creates some inefficiency in Delta's hiring process, but they can model it accurately enough that it should be predictable. And we've given enough efficiencies to the company that I don't feel bad for them. I certainly don't feel bad for every other dude behind this guy who is one step higher in effective seniority for as long as he is out on orders.