Honestly, I think only mngt. really knows what we need. Here is what I've heard:

The Delta work rules will require more pilots for the NWA side of things. However; I've also heard that NWA has lots of line pilots teaching in their school house. After we merge a large # of these pilots will return to the line. In other words Delta Global Services DGS will staff more of the NWA training. The above issues cancel each other out concerning staffing. Take the above with a grain of salt, just relaying what I heard from a Delta training guy.

I think that the biggest unknown will be mngt's "fleet simplification". If I was a betting guy I would say that mainline Delta will have fewer AC on property a year from now. Hopefully, our continued Intl. expansion will still increase our need for pilots. Again, I think very few really know the answers to your question.

Last I heard, from a very reliable source was that we do need to hire early next year. Due to the economy, oil, etc. this could change very quickly.

Best of luck to you