Very true, all expected. This was a part of the new contract. Delta mainline gets 88 717s from AT/SW, and DCI gets up to 70 new 76 seaters. If the 717s don't show up, then the 76 seaters can't show up either. Overall, more than 200 50 seaters will be parked, and originally over 300 had leases that extended into 2015. Now, there will be a total of 125 50 seaters. The outgoing 50 seaters will be replaced on their routes by 70 and 76 seaters to try to produce more revenue and help pay for the higher gas prices. The 717s will replace 76 seaters on some of their routes. Mainline will recapture a lot of DCI flying with those 717s, at good pay rates, and a ratio has also been established to increase mainline flying overall domestically. UAL's new TA has a ratio, but no plan to swap out 50 seaters. They want new 76 seaters, but again doesn't have an order for a "100 seater." They do have new pay rates for E190s, but they are very low.
Also, DL will be getting these CR9s, but they have not decided who will fly them all. That will be interesting to watch. Hopefully the incoming 717s will allow hiring for Regional pilots in the next couple years. 14 MD90s will also be coming next year, but they will replace some of the DC9s leaving the fleet by 2014.
Bye Bye---General Lee