Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
Reducing debt, buying jets with cash etc, is good for us the "Joe" employee. If DAL paid off its entire debt it would free up 2 billion plus dollars a year in money that is spent on interest for financing that debt. Guess where that could go? You guessed it, employees, and a huge initiative to renew the airline. Everyone one wins.
All us want our money back, most us want our money back for more than two to three years, and understand the difference.
And if DAL paid of it's entire debt it would make us a huge takeover target. There is a fine balance that must be maintained which has just enough to keep raiders at bay yet be able to continually cry poor.
And I think you are wrong about (any significant part of) the $2 billion going to employees. We have always been, are now, and will always be a liability to the bean counters. the less they can spend on us.. the better. That will never change. They might renew some infrastructure, but that is always a good excuse as to why there is no money left for pay/benefits.