Irie man...

First, how do mainline pilots feel about flow backs? Also, how do regional pilots measure up to your standards? As far as I know, the Pinnacle eligible people must have been a Captain, so we're not talking about a bunch of newbs. I thought twenty thirty years ago a good number of folks got hired on young, and without prior experience as part 121 captains. I'm not sure what attitude problems you are seeing at Delta. I say these things sincerely, not flame baiting.

Many pilots would like the career progression to mainline, and also want to give the best customer service while they work at their regional---regionals that have arguably more constraints due to the very cut throat nature of the regional whip saw.

I agree wtih your point of entitlement attitude wtih a flowthrough interview. But also for the record, VX isn't an easy place to get hired at. Getting an interview is tough enough, but then you have to consider the acceptance rate, which is usually 10-55% of intervieews. Those that are here have worked hard, studied hard, and filled out an application, etc. (Everyone at VX earned their job).

Oh ok, thank you.

Just meeting the minimums doesn't get you an interview and sure doesn't get you past the interview.

A bankruptcy-court judge on Wednesday cleared regional carrier Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (PNCLQ) to leave Chapter 11 as a unit of Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), a decision that streamlines Pinnacle's operations and costs in an increasingly consolidating airline industry.

"There was a time where the future of this case was in doubt," said Judge Robert E. Gerber of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, referring to moments earlier in the case where Pinnacle would have likely folded without loans from Delta, its only substantial creditor and customer.

Pinnacle said it expects to be out of bankruptcy by May 1, and that the only regulatory approval it needed--an obscure one from the U.S. Department of Transportation--won't delay the deal.

"It has been a rather turbulent last 12 months for us," said Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP's Damian S. Schaible, a lawyer for Pinnacle, which filed for Chapter 11 protection last April.

Pinnacle used its bankruptcy to cut deals with its three main unions that call for deep concessions among those workers. It also focused on cutting its operating costs in the ever-competitive airline industry, and ended up in the wings of Delta, its only remaining customer.

The deal calls for Pinnacle to nearly double the number of large planes it flies for Delta to 81 and to phase out its fleet of smaller planes. As part of a compromise, Pinnacle won't have to pay fees to Delta for returning those smaller planes, which should save the company more than $100 million. Pinnacle also will cut the number of routes it flies for Delta, focusing only on more-profitable ones.

For unsecured creditors other than Delta, as well as union groups, Delta will deposit $2.25 million into a trust. When the claims are sorted out, those creditors will divvy up that money.

"At certain points, it looked like this company wasn't going to come out of bankruptcy," said Morrison & Foerster LLP's Brett Miller, a lawyer for Pinnacle's official committee of unsecured creditors. Earlier in the case, a group of equity holders--who will be wiped out by the plan--vehemently fought against the Delta loans.

Pinnacle, based in Memphis, Tenn., operates flights between hubs and smaller cities for Delta, although it used to fly planes for other carriers.

The company, which employs more than 5,000 people, plans to move its headquarters to Minneapolis.

Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review covers news about distressed companies and those under bankruptcy protection.

9E is a long way from being out of the woods completely... I wouldn't for a NY min trust Delta or, the plans they say they have for you.

Slats, Delta can't back out of the bridge agreement, without compensating the Pinnacle pilot group. The agreement is between DAL and 9E pilots for 7 years of bottom feeder salary for 40 CRJ900s. 9E or whatever its new name is, is going to be around for at least another 7 years. The SSP requires Delta to hire 12-20 guys a month, mandatory in addition to the flows.

or, they could only hire pilots that know the difference between "flow" and "guaranteed interview." But then you would not be wearing that fancy double breasted suit....

But I do agree with the rest, there is an alarming entitlement attitude and naiveté, not just at the regionals though. The whole industry.

What happens if Delta hires a fraction of those it interviews, and burns through the list in, say, 3 years?