Not sure now if that's an accurate assessment of replacement for the DC9-50's. If I remember correctly, the plan for the DC9-50's was that they were supposed to be around at least another 5 years. We were already getting the MD-90's long before that. Plus, the MD-90 is a much larger aircraft (with way more seats) that mostly flies a different mission than the DC-9. I can't see Delta putting MD-90's on many of the current DC-9 routes. What I can see Delta doing (not because it's smart but because it seems to be the way our management thinks) is to put a little more frequency on DC-9 routes with the additional CRJ700's that our scope clause allows. This would likely result in yet even MORE outsourced Delta pilots jobs and backward movement (not to mention unhappy customers ).

So, while I appreciate your effort to answer my question, I'm still left wondering what aircraft Delta will replace the DC9-50's with, and who will be flying those aircraft?