So give it a rest. You stop saying the DC-9's are getting parked and we will stop saying that the Europe routes are over-expanded. I mean really, don't you see how silly this all is? See points #1 and #2 above, sit back relax and enjoy the ride and save your energy for when it comes time for us to get scope, pay, retirements, work rules, insurance coverage, rest periods, crew meals, layover hotels, and travel benefits back to where they should be.
So, are the 9's going away? They could. Is Europe overexpanded. It may be.
All you can do is go with the facts. Overexpanded Europe is making lots of money and another large expansion has been announced for the Spring and they are selling tickets on the flights as we speak. I suspect there is at least one DC-9 in a hanger being prepped to go to the desert at this moment. Last April when post were made relative to public information on the DC-9 retirements lots of NWA pilots jumped on this forum saying its not going to happen. Well now its the end of the year and the retirements went as planned. Not one NWA pilot posted the letter sent from management in April detailing the DC-9 retirement plans for the year or ever referenced it. No one wants to see a single aircraft leave the combined fleet however as I have often posted reality is hard to change.
What every pilot should be doing is talking with his MEC reps about a plan to attempt to not only preserve this flying for the mainline but retake back the lost flying.
In the last 5 years Delta saw over 80 737-200's and 300's retired. All were replaced with RJ's. By Dec NWA will have seen over 100 DC-9's retired. All were replaced with RJ's. If you are a junior pilot this is the fight that matters. Talk to your reps. Tell them you want and need a coordinated effort to reclaim this flying!!!!!!