Is Delta Parking Mainline Airplanes?

[skywdriver]

I was very surprised to read this in an article about the 787 orders from the airshow.

"On its earnings conference call Monday, Delta(DAL) said it will reduce its fleet by 91 aircraft in 2010 and by 20 more in 2011. CEO Richard Anderson made it clear the carrier has no immediate interest in new airplanes."

I hope this is referring to regional airplanes. I read through the 10Q and it mentioned some 737-800's that were going to be sold immediately after they were delivered to a third party.

You guys are supposed to be hiring 300 pilots, I am just confused here. Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[ACL65PILOT]

There will be some parked but what they are saying is most of them are RJ's.

Also DC-9 30/40's will not be parked until 2011 now so those are included in the figure.

 

[skywdriver]

any idea what is driving the hiring?

 

[jonjuan]

any idea what is driving the hiring?

The need for more pilots.

 

[skywdriver]

The need for more pilots.

Parking off even a few mainline airplanes doesn't equal the need for more pilots. So why the need for more pilots? Better utilization of airplanes?

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Well considering that the average utilization per jet for DAL has been in the 9 hr per day range and they are going to bump that to 11-13 hrs per day, you do the math. Add to it the need for more augmented crews.

 

[cpberry1]

The need for more pilots.

Good stuff!

 

[skywdriver]

Well considering that the average utilization per jet for DAL has been in the 9 hr per day range and they are going to bump that to 11-13 hrs per day, you do the math. Add to it the need for more augmented crews.

Good news for you guys, hope the idea of more flying hours is contagious.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

DAL as a whole will be flat to a 2% YOY increase in ASM's, it is just who is going to fly em.

 

[FLYLOW22]

There will be some parked but what they are saying is most of them are RJ's.

Delta was the 1st to make the Scope mistake in the 90's with RJs, then called SJs. Maybe this is the beginning of brining back more mainline jets.