Delta To Cut 700 Attendant Jobs, But Will Recall Pilots By Adrian Schofield September 2, 2003 Delta will reduce its flight attendant numbers by 700 this week but will also recall 250 pilots who were furloughed due to the traffic drop during the Iraq war. The pilot recalls will be completed by the end of the year, with the first group of 45 starting work Oct. 1. A Delta spokesman told The DAILY the airline plans to have adjusted its work force desired levels by year-end. Delta said 168 pilots have opted to take early retirement this month. The Air Line Pilots Association said it will not drop a grievance it filed to protest the furloughs but will seek back pay for the 250 pilots at a System Board meeting Oct. 29-30. The actual attendant cut is smaller than projected, the airline said. When Delta announced its staff reduction goals in October, it predicted that more than 1,000 attendants would be cut. The airline already offered early retirement and voluntary furlough plans. Roger EWROPS