Re: So Doug....
What Delta has actually said they are going to do with the FMII guys is:
1) Recall 45 on Oct 1, train on 737-200, then fly normal (or reserve) lines.
2) Recall 45 on Nov 1 (supposedly, obviously no letters have gone out yet for the required 30 day notice) and leave unassigned to aircraft ie; do not train them, then pay them 727 Flt Eng pay at the reserve minimum each month.
3) Recall the remaining 160 on Dec 1, with the same status as the Nov 1 guys.
As far as bypassing recall, that is an individual decision,if a pilot feels he is doing better in his post-furlough job, then he is within his rights to bypass recall, but he cannot accept recall again unless another recall or new hire class is going on. From what I understand, the company is also offering recall on Oct 1 to the pilots furloughed in 1993 or so, who have bypassed recall in the subsequent years. Probably none will accept, most went to FedEx and UPS since then.