Are we shrinking? I know for a fact that the pilot group is shrinking - has been for years, but is the Delta network shrinking? Do passengers buying a DAL ticket have less options?

When you include outsourced flying I am not sure that DAL is shrinking. Lets see who else flies DAL passengers:

DCI - 9 or 10 carriers decided on lowest cost.
Alaska - Tons of passengers via domestic code-share.
Joint Ventures - Can't keep track - but I am told they are good for DAL Pilots.
Sky Team - Who the hell isn't in Sky team these days.

So although we, meaning Delta Air Lines are probably shrinking at a good clip - the Delta Network is definitely not shrinking.

So I don't think the "You can not shrink to profitability" mantra applies anymore - it is pretty much an obsolete way of thinking.

Scoop