Originally Posted by Hank Kingsley

You might want to look at actual hiring and advancement over the last 10 years at UAL and American compared to Delta. I think we have hired more then UAL and AMR combined.

There are no replacement aircraft being ordered yet for the 767ER because they are not being retired. Since Anderson came onboard the policy has been to order as aircraft are needed in small batches. It's been a very good policy. There was a recent article talking about how much less Delta has been paying for new airframes by buying on short notice opportunity.
I am clearly the optimist among the perpetual doom and gloomers on here but I actually don't think the Shanghai hub will materialize in the form Delta wants. If that happens I would expect to see the one of three things happen.
Current WB orders stay and 7ers retired earlier.
Current WB orders restructured
Current WB orders remain and 7Er's shifted to domestic transcons on a attempt to dominate that market.
Tell me the price of fuel in 3 years and I will tell you which one I think will happen.