So really, no one really knows what their talking about. Yes, a degree is required per Deltas website for an interview. That being said, yes they have hired people without a degree. Its all supply and demand. If they cant find qualified pilots with a degree Delta will be forced in the future to hire pilots without a degree. A degree in "basket weaving" never helped me land a heavy jet in a snowstorm with a 20kt crosswind before! But thats what the market wants right now. With fewer and fewer people learning to fly or doing it as a living these requirements will change for sure in the future, they have to.