Haven't they already started doing this with pilots? They are already starting to bust the union at the regional level. Not that it was that strong to begin with. Taking ALPA carrier jets and handing them to the likes of Skywest and Gojets. I'm guessing if furloughed and frustrated (not happy with career progression) pilots go chasing the jets and are willing to start at year 1 pay at Skywest and Gojets it will continue. Delta is almost complete with their little experiment. I would say the future of 9e depends on how easily Skywest and Gojets fill their classes. If they fill them easily why wouldn't Delta pull the plug on 9e and rid the 20+ year pilots and move the 900's to a cheaper regional?