Yes, but you can't say that proportionately speaking. For example, Colgan is outright disappearing. Proportionately, that is a 100% loss of flying at Colgan. So what if it's only 60 turboprops total that are gone? The net loss is 100% of the entire operation. I believe Mesaba lost 39 Saabs, while keeping 41+19 = 60 CRJs. 60/99 = about a 40% loss of total fleet. So far, the only guaranteed Pinnacle cut is 16 CRJs out of 157. The -200 cuts will be massive, but the exact amount isn't known. Proportionately, Pinnacle pilots have so far had the least fleet cuts. In fact, the first CRJ hasn't even left property yet, and won't until Jan 2013 when the first ATL CRJ-900 leaves. But as of September this year, all Mesaba Saabs, all Colgan Saabs, and all Colgan Qs are already gone. IMO, that's a difference worth nothing.
Nothing is "locked in" when it comes to Delta! My points were only regarding short term lookout. I never dared for the long term, but I knew that 2017 was the latest deadline for the CRJ-200s. Short term, Mesaba Saab pilots, Colgan Saab pilots, and now Colgan Q pilots are all being absorbed by Pinnacle aircraft at a loss of current Pinnacle pilot positions.
The real question is, will the quota be held true for displacements? If so, Mesaba's most junior Captain will be physically junior than other 9E -900 captains losing their ATL base. "No pilot may be awarded or displaced unless mesaba maintains 279 CRJ-900 Captain positions......"
I think the wording is pretty clear, and this isn't going to go well!
I am so misty eyed with reminiscing...
Here's to being on the same team (almost anyways) in a much better situation. :beer: