Delta will hire whomever they feel will make the best future Delta pilots. If I were furloughed UPS I wouldn't even bother with Delta unless that is where I wanted to spend my career.

Most HR folks and flight dept folks don't want to waste their time only hiring the folks with the most time in big jets. That doesn't by any means translate to success in training at a new carrier.

I bet most new Delta pilots will be RJ guys, and fairly young ones at that.