Gunpig

Any Delta pilots out there able to expand on what the manning shortage will be like once all the former NWA pilots transition to Delta manning ratios? Don't know if there is truth to the rumor of hire Delta required manning but as an interested party hoping to one day get hired I'd like to know if this truly equals mass hiring as I have seen mentioned on some threads!

Thanks in advance

Free Bird

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

seaav8tor

Will not ever be. Just a few months ago all the experts were warning the "pilot shortage" would cripple Asia. The chicken little's were screaming so loud they got ICAO to buy off on the MPL. Now look:

Jet terminates 30-35 expat pilots-India Business-Business-The Times of India

RTTNews - Latest Earnings,Upcoming Earnings, Pos Pre Announcements, Pos Pre Announcements , Positive Surprises, Negative Surprises, Hot Stocks, Stock Split Calendar, Stock Buybacks, Dividends, Negative, Positive PreAnnouncements,Surprises ....

No shortage here. No shortage there. No shortage anywhere. The ATA, AIRCON, ICAO, and the media feeds they put out will ensure a surplus of pilots will always be standing in line forever. (or at least until all the oil is gone).

Carl Spackler

Sad...but very true.

Carl

Gunpig

That does seem to be the truth these days, I bailed from the military at the worst possible time...

Anyway, regardless of capacity cuts and the current state of the global economy one factor remains constant. Population worldwide & in the U.S. is increasing rapidly which translates to increased demand... I can only hope that translates into smart expansion and growith in a sustainable and profitable fashion for DAL and other carriers. It seems like DAL's focus on Intl expansion is a step in the right direction. I only hope it translates into hiring!

Thanks for the replies.

acl65pilot

We will be hiring here in the future. In the next five years you will see prolonged hiring, as we start our 20 years of constant attrition.

Free Bird

I think that's probably fair to say for the entire industry (or what's left of it). The age 65 thing really couldn't have come at a worse time.

acl65pilot

True, but tell that to the guys who list pensions and and needed the five extra years. I know the only ones that truly benefited from 65 are the ones that were close to 60. I did not like the rule change, but with the cat our of the bag, I am not sure that there is much we can do.

Free Bird

It was a bitter pill for all of the older..i mean.....more senior guys too. I was really referring to us junior folks. Nothing to do until we start to see retirements and then enjoy the ride.

Im a 2001 hire, good chance Im going to be junior for at least the next 4-5 years. I will be a junior fo (with furlough) as a 12-13 year employee. Point being it would have been nice to have the retirements sooner instead of later.

But hey, I've got buds at UAL who are getting furloughed for the 2nd time. Things could be worse.

Hopefully, the rumors of hiring will materialize and we all will have movement in the next couple of years.

Lighteningspeed

Well at least you made it to DAL. This age 65 rule change has really messed up those of us still stuck at regionals. The hiring projections at majors looked really good right up until the FAA changed the age 60 rule with the full support of our great ALPA.