Originally Posted by PNWFlyer

Has anyone really looked at the other issue DAL, UAL and AA are going to face in a few years? Forget the Black Swan, what happens when there are no longer 1,000 pilots a year to hire (at each... and don't forget the others)? It is likely going to happen in a few years.

When the economy turns the company comes after pay rates, when staffing becomes an issue they come after work rules. Delta could easily operate with 3K less pilots if they got rid of a few days off here and there, go to min duty instead of min calendar... and on and on. Keep an eye out.