I don't think so. We picked up hiring at the end of 1996, and really got rolling in 1997 for a couple of years.

J

[quote=80ktsClamp;467987]I believe we (Delta) hired a few in 95, then got things going big time in 96. Last new hires prior to that spree were in 91....maayyybe a few in 92, although I'd have to pull up the seniority list to verify that. [quote]

A few were hired in 92, then no hiring until Oct 96.

How do charter trips get assigned? Do they normally go to a certain airframe? Are they in the bid packages the same as other trips? If so, how would you identify it?
Sorry for all the questions - relatively new still figuring out some details.

I'm curious about something:

If 400 (or so) senior NWA pilots are requesting early retirement and their company denies them that option due to manning considerations, what do you think about a temporary (and I mean temporary!) PERP program so we can get rid of 400 senior guys?

For the NWA guys reading this, Delta had a Post Retirement Pilot (PERP) program going on when guys were retiring early in droves to get their lump sums.

Those in the program continued on past their retirement date until traing could catch up with the manning requirementments. Then they re-retired.

Charter trips are on all kinds of equipment. I used to fly womens' college basketball charters on RJ's and now have flown NFL teams on 767's. I imagine NWA operates charters on everything in the fleet as well.

If the charter is known in advance, it will go into the normal bid packages. If it is a short notice deal, it will go into open time.

I've even had charter legs in the middle of a rotation. There really is no rhyme or reason to it. They cover the flying like any other flight.

As Bucking Bar pointed out charters known in advance go in the bid package. Delta does more sports charters then any other airline. They are a lot of fun and the food is great. Short notice charters go in open time like any other created rotations. MAC charters work off a different system and you have to go online and volunteer to fly them.

Can new-hires qualify for that program?

I flew quite a few charters in my years at Delta. Baseball charters were the absolute worse. The players are mostly young,uneducated guys. I`m speaking of professional teams BTW. On one charter, when I was a fairly new DC8 FO, the stews had to come to the cockpit to escape the players. Basket Ball players were the best. They wanted to sit down and be left alone. On one college football charter, the old captain threatened to land at the nearest field and kick the entire team, coaches and trainers off the plane. I doubt if any pilot has the nerve to do that today.

So, if the Charters go into the bid package or open time can anyone pick them up? (i.e. NYC/ATL 7ER if it in the Domestic 767 Package or in their open time)

You can only pickup open time in your equipment either in your base or via an out of base white slip. -ER guys can't pickup domestic open time and vis versa. The charters will have a DL 9800 series call sign although not all 9800 call signs are sports charters.