Originally Posted by
johnso29
It's really quite simple. Had DAL remained independent and maintained it's planned international expansion, it would've spelled disaster for you. You'd likely still be on furlough. I likely would've been furloughed from NWA too. The merger made one company better together then the two companies apart. It's simply undeniable.
Would you prefer we continue to serve Europe at a loss? Do you honestly believe that had Delta remained independent, your airline would still be serving Cairo, Amman, Mumbai non stop, Berlin, etc?
The reductions in capacity sucks. But so does the global economy, our countries debt, the jobless rate, Delta's debt, and Gary Bettman(only NHL fans will understand that one). I want to be holding great, commutable line on the fleet of my choice too. But apparently it's just not my time.
I know you're happy to work at Delta, but I think your pointing the blame at FNWA management is off the mark. You're a business guy, so if you can prove to me the economy is ready for us to expand, or that other Legacies aren't following in our footsteps, I'll think otherwise.

Insert the fact Delta funds 50% of our codeshare on Air France's A380's and recompute that opinion. The only part of Delta which has retreated from Europe is the part that you and I work for.
IMHO the model of acquiring airlines, then shutting them down to remove capacity is more expensive than the temporary benefits of capacity reductions repay. Just as we cheer for American to merge with US Air, our competitors grow at our expense as a result of our merger.