You left out one small reality. These jobs are hard to get. A major doesn't "offer you a job". First you have to get past the algorithm that selects resumes. Big time airlines look at log books, college degrees, mental testing, medical testing, then a panel of people can decide its blue tie day and you wore red. The reason most of us "picked AirTran" is because they were the only ones hiring or it was the job we could get. Here is another secret everyone was looking for the door before SWA bought us. Now it is much harder to come up with a reason to leave.
Anyone honest with themselves knows AirTran is a fine enough airline but it isn't in the same sport as Delta, SWA, or bankrupt AA. Our Pre SWA contract would make a regional captain puke. What was it 10 days off and all the ready reserve you can eat. $75 an hour 12 year FO. Our five year fight contract has 12 days off or 14 on a low month. SWA looked at our refugee camp and gave us 15 off because beating children is only fun until your up by 50 runs.
So now you want to take your 717 time to Delta... Pull out a calculator. Someone says Delta is hiring 400 this year... Sure, whatever, but we will use that number.
200ish will be military
100ish will be some sort of flow
That leaves 100 spots.
Hope that resume is up to speed because the guys at the regionals have multiple types, college degrees, 10,000 PIC turbine, young and cool aid friendly, check airmen, etc.
Oh and PNCL negotiated an interview for there pilots.
Don't get me wrong I hope every tranny who applies gets hired. I am so sick of hearing these ass clowns say some version of "I'll just got to Delta" or "If I were junior I would just go to Delta"
