To put it back on topic, and to compare with delta hiring numbers since that’s the comp metric, this ute increase data actually validates some things. Can’t remember the specific numbers, but wasn’t it around 400 new hires and returnees in cy17? I will argue given that the furlough returns are full time employees, and with the new mil hires being predominantly the retiring type instead of the younger AFRC/ANG obligation type, we get a little better productivity on the bodies we put in class than delta does. And with this 500 pilot equivalent Ute increase, we’re in the same ballpark.

Got a friend at delta who says they are actually about to slow down hiring soon. Union guy and connected to interviewing so I believe it carries some weight. Says they are fat in a lot of categories and up to 14.5k pilots now. They called me for a class in 2016, I’d have come on board around #13100 so that’s some pretty solid list expansion in 2 yrs time!

Us otoh, I think premium will be off the charts this summer for narrowbodies.