Hey Guys:
Nothing official here . . . . but rumor has it that the 4 jets we were supposed to be getting that were delayed are showing up soon, certainly by the beginning of the year.
The most recent vacancy announcements show the DC9's phased out completely, and those pilots entering transition training 1/05. I am surprised that they haven't started at least one class now, to fly those airplanes while the DC9 guys are in training.
Historically, though, hiring has gone from "Stop hiring pilots! We have enough!" to "Oh my god! We need to get some more pilot classes started NOW!".
So, who knows, but I would guess either a short notice class like NOW! or one around 1/5, to be in Indoc when those transitioning guys are in Systems training.
Hang in there.