Just adding some fuel to the fire, if you this that the fleet reducation is a ploy here is some ammo News Headlines

"Delta says it plans to cut debt through a variety of means, such as buying some of the aircraft it currently is leasing and buying back senior notes ahead of schedule.

Company Treasurer Paul Jacobson said the debt-reduction initiatives this year should cut Delta's annual expenses by $125 million. However, they'll also result in a one-time charge of $350 million in the third quarter associated with a non-cash loss on the cutting of debt."