Originally Posted by
tennisguru
I don't think that is what they are telling new hires, I think they are telling a person who gets a CJO right now that they won't see a class until Q3 2026. My guess is since we've continued to interview all this year that there is a pretty large pool, so people interviewing today may not see a class until later 2026. It wouldn't surprise me if we've got 500+ in the CJO pool. If we don't run any more classes this year then fall 2026 for someone interviewing today isn't terribly unreasonable. If we do hire more this year then today's CJO's will probably end up in class next spring.
I see your point with the CJO pool piling up. Though, Delta saying Q3 2026 for class can be changed to Q4 2025 or Q2 2027 with a snap of their fingers. Again, my opinion, but I think Q3 2026 is acting as a placeholder until they “evaluate” 2026 staffing. Since they can’t commit to telling the public their hiring needs.
There’s just over 800 retirements between May 2025 and EOY 2026 or 4.5% of the current pilot group retiring. 20% of the seniority list will be retired in the next 5 years; 30% next 10 years (additional stats). The fleet is not stagnating or shrinking, it’s growing with WB’s & NB’s.
The 330 order-book is nearly dried up with approx. 5 more to go; I expect another order of 330’s coming soon. 350-1000’s deliveries start next year too alongside more 359’s. My educational guess is classes restart after this Summer in 25’ (September) to hire for those retirements + growth - Delta is not shrinking.