Originally Posted by sailingfun

Its not all doom and gloom. Delta is expected to place a aircraft order to replace the whales. Rumor has it a combination of 777-300's and A330's that are available cheap. Delta has 40 plus delivery slots on 777's between now and 2015. They also have 737-800 options and a few on firm order. It looks like the MD-90's deal is about to go through with China. The 787 orders will either come or be swapped for 777's. A large order is anticipated for the 787-9 or A350.
There are 757's being parked however they are all expected to be back in service in 10 after getting the required major overhauls.
There is some pilot attrition. Senior pilots are always going out for medicals or checkride issues as they age.
Short summary. Delta has 13 new Boeings coming in the next 12 months. 8 are 777's which take 3 times the manning of a narrow body so these aircraft equal 29 narrow bodies in terms of pilot manning. It looks like between 18 and 27 MD-90's will be coming. 787's should start arriving in late 10 or 777's as a replacement. The parked 757's from both the Delta and NWA fleet are expected back in service by late Spring of 10. The last two parked MD-88's are coming back now.
The best news is that there are at the moment no plans to furlough a single pilot!!!!!!
The bad news is that in the last 25 years once Delta has announced a aircraft retirement I have never seen it delayed. They have only been moved up.