I didn't think about it that way. I was just thinking about in comparison to today, but I see the point of confusion.

The saddest part of it is that pilots voted on contracts that allowed most of the regional growth. How many 76 regional jets are there going to be in 2014?

Now you've got it. :)

With 100% those being forced down their throats in bankruptcy contracts. Thankfully the latest DL contract pares down the regional fleet significantly at the expense of a few more 76 seaters. I didn't like how many were allowed, but I'm ok with the concept.

All this is another part of why this conversation is going on at Pinnacle... once the 88 717s are taken (raising quite a few more mainline jobs than there are today, too), it is more than one airline's worth of 50 seaters that have to be parked, and they seem to be intent on dumping them even earlier than required (a major reason why I voted no on the TA, but that's water under the bridge) .

I was under the impression that the 717s were part of a fleet modernization plan, replacing old 9's and 88s, and as a result, a minimal change in pilot numbers. But hey, the more jobs the merrier!!

The 717s are to replace lift of the DC-9s (17 left) and CRJs being parked. Mainline fleet count is now ~720 and with the delivery of the 717s, the mainline fleet is planned to go to 796. That's quite a few more pilot positions and 20 airplanes more than DL/NW combined had premerger.

Here's to some relief from the pain, stagnation, and otherwise craphole that the state of things are now.

Looking at the way things are going, I would say the 717's are replacing the current 76 seat jet routes(former DC9), while the new and newer 76 seat jets will be replacing the 50 seat jets on most of their current routes. In other words, Delta is simply up-sizing its fleet instead of shifting flying back to mainline, but scope relief takes time. You will know the answer to this if the next Dal TA has more 76 seat jets in it, but with shorter route limits vs block hour limits.

You're exactly right- in part. The way I phrased it (which is the way DL phrases it) is that the seats lost by parking the 50 seaters and DC-9s are being replaced by the 717s. Also, of course, by the additional allowed 76 seaters.

Semantics. :)

Also, I don't know about more 76 seaters in the next TA... we'll see. The current TA drastically reduces the amount of seats (and even moreso aircraft) that are currently at DCI and transfers those back to mainline.

Except the amount of DCI seats leaving via 50 seaters exceeds what is coming in via additional 76 seaters. Also, with 300+ 50 seaters and 255 large RJs the DCI fleet currently sits at 550+ airframes. So we will be seeing more mainline flying & less DCI flying, mainly through a reduction in total DCI airframes and seats.

Absolutely, but wait until Delta starts bragging about having two class service to Bemidji, then you will understand what I'm saying.