Originally Posted by
RJSAviator76
I'm a junior CA at SWA. I'd tell you to go, but with full knowledge that:
* Delta has been hiring aggressively since 2014.
* Since 2014, Delta has been known to hire lower time and less experienced pilots vs. older higher time pilots which loosely translates to much younger pilots citing "trainability."
* According to FAPA, since Delta started hiring in 2014, they have hired 12,166 pilots. You can also see on APC under Delta legacy how many retirements they have. Needless to say, it's tapering off by a significant number relative to their pilot seniority list count.
Good luck with your decision.
State of Hiring:
DL 11,103 pilots since 2014
UA 11,104 pilots since 2014
AA 9,520 pilots since 2014
All classes average mid 30’s pilots
Conclusion: Disregard all of this, “DL has done the most “xyz” since “xyz” date”. They’ve done no more hiring than UA since 2014, only AA offers the “less young pilots hired” advantage by 1,500 #’s. There is a massive retirement wave ahead by historical standards for all carries. DL retiring the most by 2030, then UA until 2050, then DL finishes 2065 with most retirees, AA overtakes both by a fair margin. There is a ton for you to be excited about.
In fact, DL is the only carrier whose intended piloting numbers have been realized which is 1,000/yr for the foreseeable future and were achieved in 2024. Due to their commitment with Airbus products.
AA’s hiring had a huge wrench thrown in it to the point of frozen dates, though 2025 looks promising but will not be 2,000 due to Boeing/financial struggle.
UA’s 24’ hiring was not realized due to FAA audit and Boeing. And 2025 outlook is dismal (comparatively, still great), they wanted 2,000 and are planning now for 900 and likely hundred less (late 2025 classes can be canceled potentially as needs change).
WN is a solid career. Low cost model though is failing steadily and my bet is some LCC’s will be gone mid-career for you with WN being the last survivor of the low cost models and you’ll be flying 737’s forever (that’s rough).
Delta has huge leads within the industry in market cap/profits (globally), reputation, hard/soft product, performance metrics, dominates domestic U.S., less unionized workforce, WAY less debt than AA UA/post huge orderbook, growing fast in MCO/TPA, AUS, BOS, a huge NB order book, and solid WB order book that is not yet finished, I’d imagine about two more WB orders/options exercised or cheap/used purchases over next couple years as DL is primed for their intl. expansion now that domestic is take care of.
Couple that with thousands of retirements over the years. You will have an excellent career, the only doom/gloom to worry about is unforeseen black swans ahead that you have no control of. With Delta you’ll work/travel all over the world, be able to pick you flavor of airplane/schedule, and get paid to take naps. Aside from that you should be nothing but excited to start at any legacy, especially DL for your case.
Fortune favors the bold, wish you the very best