What conjecture? Is this really so hard? We took massive cuts 10 years ago in an extreme crisis. Today (10 years later), our buying power is slightly worse than it was after the first draconian cut of 32.5% in a desperate attempt to prevent Delta's bankruptcy.

Our industry has been restructured in a way that should result in less dramatic up and down cycles going forward and more sustained profitability. Our company is making literally BILLIONS (with a B) in profits. And we have no stated objective to restore our buying power. And we've acted for 10 years like bankruptcy established a new normal and that we don't ever expect to restore our buying power.

None of the above is conjecture. It's pure fact. Do you really think it's smart to have no stated restorative objective in this situation and to continue acting like we have no expectation of the sort? If you do, then there's just not anything I can do to help you... conjecture or otherwise.