Then older mainline jets will be parked, and you'll be left with a massive fleet of 325 outsourced jets with lots of range and a two-class cabin.

You mean parking a lot more RJs than are coming over? You guys seem to forget that something will replace the 200+ RJs that will leave. Many of their routes will stay, but now those 102 70 seaters will take the vacant 50 seater routes, essentially upguaging the route. Then you forget about the 717s. Yes, 21 DC9s will be replaced, but that means an additional 67 717s will takeover plenty of current CR9 and E175 routes that are doing well. Again, that is upguaging. So, we finally get that "mythical" 100 seater to recapture those routes that were lost after our BKs, along with a ratio that favors mainline. Throw in a 19.7% raise for a short 3 year contract, and that's pretty good. Better than a "hunch" of supposed leverage.

Here's an idea, let the company decide what airplane flies where. We should be flying them. All 70+ seat airplanes.

I know this is not a new idea but the simplicity is good for the company and us as pilots. This TA is similar to the tax code in being entirely too complex; hence inefficient for both parties.

And there will never be replacements? We will only downsize and keep 325 large RJs? MD90s are coming, and eventually there could be 737 Max or A320 NEOs orders. Is that a hunch? Just like you saying older mainline will be parked someday, but not knowing when. Eventually there will probably be 3 total legacies and a few LCCs. There will be pressure to keep domestic flying a priority to compete with the other legacies. Obviously we are interested in smaller markets if DL is interested in 717s.

Plese explain that 70+ seat mainline operation. Will there be only mainline pilots, and DCI FAs and mechanics? How about the ramp? Mainline usually pays a lot more with benefits. That would be cost prohibitive compared to the cheap regional feed we have today. Again, explain how you would do it please.

So you're okay with DCI being paid less?

How again do you justify not outsourcing the 717? Imagine your profit sharing check with that one?

Unregard........

Exactly. If large RJ's are so needed Delta pilots should fly them.

You know maybe we should have a clause that says if we have pay rates established for an aircraft model then those rates apply to any outsourced airline operating on behalf of Delta Air Lines.

Let's raise the bar... for Bar.

Don't get to far ahead. That will happen 3 years from now at the next contract. Something will have to pay for the payraise 3 years from now.