I'm still projecting late 2010/early 2011 hiring cycle to begin at DAL and it will be big numbers.
Wow, this is exactly opposite of what i see happening. The shift of domestic flying is happening all over. Its not going to slow down. Scope will be traded away for higher wages. Todays regionals will be doing the 100 seat flying all over the US in 10 to 15 years. Its not like DAL or AA are going to be ordering 100's of new 737's or 320's down the road. The E175's are the new 737. UAL is already making the shift away from them and look for a lot of the 320's to slowly go over time. DAL will do the same thing. They will have to have furloughs there in the next 2 years cuz the DCI's will be doing more of it.
I'n not sayin i like it, but the trend is obvious. Chepaer wages and more frequency. That's why companies like Allegiant, AT (& SWA to some extent), are changing the game of domestic flying. The days of starting at UAL, DAL or AA and moving up through all 5 of their types to retire in a 747 are long gone. Just look around. 3,000 PIC flying an RJ is useless. Where are you gonna go?