Are you implying that the pilots of Mesaba or Compass do not have degrees?
In my nine years at Mesaba I have only flown with one person that did not have a degree, but even he was working on one through online courses. I cannot say the same for NWA mainline. I know quite a few without a degree. If DAL covets this so much, will they (NWA pilots) not be able to merge? *sarcasm*
That wasn't what I was saying. I think DAL will keep their hiring practices in place. Also, ALL the pilots hired by NWA, since hiring started last year, have college degrees.
As to you flying with pilots at Mesaba who have degrees...I know, for a FACT, that a few years ago mesaba had come to several flight schools and hired numerous pilots of only which only a couple had degrees(PM me if you want to know how I know that). That doesn't mean that's a representative sample of pilots at Mesaba, but I'm sure they were hiring 300 hours wonders without degrees while they were desperate for pilots. I don't want this to be twisted by someone saying I think pilots without degrees are not quality pilots, I just think DAL will continue with their hiring requirements when the new DAL resumes hiring...that's all.
As to your comment about NWA pilots without degrees...like your experience at Mesaba, I can comment on NWA. I have not flown with a DC-9 CA yet who was not a college grad. I'm sure we have our share, but I think a majority have degrees.