Originally Posted by
slowplay
That's not a fact, that's your opinion.
The fact is that Delta has 722 mainline jets. Assuming a 30 year lifespan requires a replacement rate of about 24 per year (no growth). The current CapEx plan calls for replacement beginning in 2013. In the interim Delta has acquired 49 MD-90's that change fleet age as the 34 remaining DC-9's are parked. The international aircraft average around 10 years in age. The domestic fleet is somewhat older and in need of replacement first. DAL can purchase 24 narrowbody airplanes per year at the $1.2 billion run rate CapEx management has publicly discussed for 2013-2015.
Oh, I fixed your post in red above.
Call ti my opinion if you wish, but most people tell the pilots they can have one or the other.
I do agree though more pay and tighter scope are both essential. In fact, they go hand in hand.
I know DAL's fleet plan, and the reality is that the 90 purchase is a Band Aid. DAL should have been refleeting all along. CH11 aside, we should be constantly be buying new and old metal. Two 777's and Two 73N's last year does not cut it. Look at UCAL, we are quickly squandering our advantage we gave the company with our quick and concise merger. We need to buy jets that compete on the world market. 32 777/744's are not enough to compete with the UCAL airline.
Wrt to narrowbody replacement. Even buying more 320's or 73N's four years ago would have made a ton of sense. Last ones in last ones out in the fleet renewal plan. We are now running in to a of jets that need to be replaced over the next 15 years.