You're right, it's not that big of deal..... The EMB190, EMB195, and the CRJ 900 is already on Delta's current contract and will be on our future joint contract as we continue with the merger with NWA. Any larger aircraft that may possible replace the DC9's will be flown by mainline pilots. Anything that is greater than 76 seats will be flown by mainline pilots. It's the new trend. Richard Anderson does not like how Delta has lost control of it's product by allowing subcontractors to do the job, as witnessed by the termination of Mesa's contract.

I along with many other pilots at Delta are constantly in touch with our union reps about this very issue. Ultimately, I hope that mainline Delta will have many good pilot seats for those of you at the regionals can move into when this financial storm subsides. I'd like to see an industry where professional airline pilots have a solid career and be able to take care of their families instead of constantly being "whipsawed" against one another.

USAir and Air Canada mainline pilots are flying the EMB190,s as well as Jetblues pilots. The energy prices are killing all of us, but this is going to be the Regional Jets "9/11".

I sympathize with many of you, as I spent nearly three years on furlough at Delta. All I can say is we all need to tighten our belts and get our financial houses in order. It's going to get ugly.

Respectfully,
Tomcat