The timing for communicating new hire aircraft/base assignments has varied. Some Indoc classes were sent their class drop a week or so in advance; others got their drop on Day 1 of Indoc.

Does anyone - perhaps a recent Indoc new hire bubba - know why this varies between classes and whether or not it will become consistent one way or the other in the future?

Just curious.

I'm throwing the question back out there about the formal dinner during indoc. I know it's been answered, but I've never seen the same answer twice. Does anyone have a recent answer for when they hold the dinner? Thanks in advance. We are trying to plan around the kids' schools.

Typically, Monday night of 2nd week, but that could change in the future.

Not sure, but if the Compass guys are in that class and are held back, maybe they send it early? All off the street and you find out day 1?

I know in my hiring window (2008), they always gave it day 1. That was before the flows.

Have a game plan for aircraft/bases going into day 1 because they post the slots and maybe give you an hour or so, then you bid.

Congrats to all that got good news!

Is that really the case? If your commuter clause language is that weak that you fear termination, then I pity the Delta commuter. As someone who works for a LCC, I find your advise alarmingly extreme.

Pilots on probation just don't have the same protections as regular line pilots. If a CP thinks you "reliability" factor is too low, there's not much the union can do for you during year one.

One example: I was furloughed 8 days short of getting off probation. When I returned 5 years later, the first thing the instructor told me was to keep my mouth shut for 8 days and then I could bad mouth management all I wanted to on the 9th day.

All of that is fine advise for a probationary pilot. Is Delta really the type of place that will terminate a pilot for a missed commute or two? I work for a unionized carrier with a not good management/pilot rapport and that would be an extreme supposition even here. I was under the impression that Delta has good labor relations and the best CBA in the industry - that's what made me question the earlier comments.

It's also alarmingly wrong.

Maybe you just didn't get the memo... yesterday was "Commuter Buzzkill Wednesday." The talking points were laid out clearly:
1. Welcome aboard.
2. Management hates you.
3. Your CP is out to get you.
4. Move now because if you commute while on probation you'll be fired.

I'm just glad it's Thursday. Congrats to everyone who got class dates yesterday.

The only reason pilots were let go during probation was for lying on their app. And even this has been extremely rare. We've had guys overspeed flaps ... and simply been retrained.

They're not out to get you.