"...if you fly for the old Express Jet u interview with UAL, if you fly for the old ASA, you interview with DAL. "
atpcliff,
Ah so...that explains it. I didn't pick up on that distinction.
Until March of this year, XJT put out incredibly detailed monthly pilot attrition summaries covering both sides of the XJT "house". Someone really did a lot of work to compile them...and they were revealing. If I could, I'd put one up here for you to see. UAL hired FAR more XJT pilots than DL. And when one looks at what's been happening to the Endeavor pilots as they interview via that deal with DL (a PWA side letter agreement, IIUC), it appears DL is reluctant to hire away pilots from their feeders, particularly captains. It takes longer to make a captain than a FO.
Overall, I wouldn't be terribly enthused, or make any career plans, based on the promise of an interview arrangement connected with DL. As big as the amount of regional feed is into the legacy side, they can't afford to hire away pilots if it damages the ability to provide that feed.