Delta Info
Hello everyone,
This is my first post. I've been lurking for awhile and I must say that it is nice to see some positive things going on at Delta and the generaly upbeat attitude of this forum.
I'm not crazy enough to think all is rosy at Delta but having lived through the last six years, new hiring and aircraft orders are a welcome sign (until the next industry downturn).
I can't anwser any questions about the hiring process but I'd thought I'd put out a few bits of info that people seem to be interested in from previous posts.
disclaimer: This info may not be totally accurate and it ALL subject to change. I have NO inside knowledge; these are my best guesses.
Some stats as of Aug 07:
most junior seniority # 6950
retirements through 2017 ~2245 at age 60
retirements through 2022 ~4436 at age 60
So in 6950 will be 4436 in ten years and 2245 in 15 years
A bid for a net 609 slots has been posted. My very uneducated guess is this is probably the first of three large bids in the short term (next year or so). As far as I can tell the current bid covers one of six new 777 coming next year and approx. five of the 10-13 757 entering the fleet. Longer term 10 737-700 and maybe 20 MD-90s plus additional 777s.
Pilot bases/most junior captain:
ATL 777/1202 , 76-4/1507, 76ER/2589, 76dom/3172, 73-8/3485, M88/4612
NYC 76ER/3294, 73-8/4183, M88/5210
CVG 76dom/2569, M88/2766
LAX 76-4/1090, 76dom/3179
SLC 76dom/2939, 73-8/3093, M88/3662
These numbers could change with future changes in the contract (better reserve etc.). The LAX base is now relatively junior but they are reducing the 767-400 time so who knows about the future. The CVG base has been shrinking and now is quite small. NYC is continuing to grow and will probably always be junior, there is talk about adding the 767-400 and 777 (no guarantees). I don't know much about SLC. Atl is king.
As far as flying different aircraft types I think you can get used to anything so you got to pick by seniority and quality of trips. The MD-80 in ATL is much like regional flying-- in and out of ATL 3-5 times a day. The 737-8 has much better trips and is close in pay to the 76/75. All AC fly some international but in my opinion the European flying is the best in the system. There is talk about new hires going to 767ER in JFK in my opinion this is great flying but it's tough being on reserve and you'll have problems getting comfortable in the aircraft with so few opportunities to fly (the 767 is the best AC I've flown though).
Delta is not out of the woods yet but baring another huge downturn or lousy CEO this may be a good time to get on with Delta. I can't tell you how it stacks up to the other carriers- there's many other good choices. Good luck and I hope this helps.