The trip rig issue is getting very political. When the trip rig rules are implemented nwa will be at least 300 pilots understaffed. Thus, there will be 300 or so upgrades plus hiring that will occur because of this. However, if they wait until after soc these will, for the most part, fall to Dal guys. (please spare me from showing the sli math) Moak knows this and has seen the numbers, knowing that if he can stifle this grievance until close to soc the windfall will go to the dal guys.
Further, in the past six months we have lost 110 pilots, (Dal have you guys had any attrition?) creating further shortages on our side. We have scaled back flying some which has helped with staffing but we are not in position to fly the summer schedule.