Wasn't NWA was featured in an article not too long ago touting that the DC-9 fleet was paid for many times over? Looks like expense/income curve is a bit flatter than they let-on. Funny how NWA hasn't gone along with an industry fare hike in years, until fuel and maint. expense causes them to start parking the only fleet they own outright.

Airline Managment would be a fun sport to watch if it wasn't hitting so close to home.