We are getting 200 new jets. 80 of those in the current company fleet plan are growth airframes. Not sure how the vast majority comment fits in with that fleet plan.

That's as many as they can take and still, technically, not grow.

Capacity discipline.

120 is 50% more than 80. That would make replacement airframes the vast majority of those "new" jets.

Math. You can do it too!

Bar,

I'm a HUGE fan of Roth accounts and I'm pretty aggressive about doing Roth conversions, including utilizing this methodology:
The Serial Backdoor Roth, A Tax-Free Retirement Kitty - Forbes

I recently learned that the DAL shares we received as a result of the DAL/NWA merger are eligible for conversion.

Probably the best deal out of the fiscal cliff legislation is a change to the law which liberalizes the rules on what accounts can be converted. The details, as far as Delta and the various 401K plans, haven't been worked out but I would expect Delta to make the necessary plan changes to permit employees to take advantage of this.

While I am frequently critical of ALPA, I do think they have a good handle on this and will push DAL to do the right thing.

With our massive ever-increasing national debt, I personally just can't see tax rates coming down in the future. I'd rather take the tax hit up front, let the money grow tax free, and withdraw it tax free.

Heard that in the schoolhouse in December. Now Bloomberg...the plot thickens.

Bar,

I'm a HUGE fan of Roth accounts and I'm pretty aggressive about doing Roth conversions, including utilizing this methodology:
The Serial Backdoor Roth, A Tax-Free Retirement Kitty - Forbes

I recently learned that the DAL shares we received as a result of the DAL/NWA merger is eligible for conversion.

Probably the best deal out of the fiscal cliff legislation is a change to the law which liberalizes the rules on what accounts can be converted. The details, as far as Delta and the various 401K plans, haven't been worked out but I would expect Delta to make the necessary plan changes to permit employees to take advantage of this.

While I am frequently critical of ALPA, I do think they have a good handle on this and will push DAL to do the right thing.

With our massive ever-increasing national debt, I personally just can't see tax rates coming down in the future. I'd rather take the tax hit up front, let the money grow tax free, and withdraw it tax free.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that that's unlikely...
I would imagine those aircraft to come within the next 2.5 years.

Here's why:

The only way for Delta to increase the number of 76-seaters is to remove 50-seaters.
The recent 40 CRJ900 order was in exchange for returning 60 CRJ50s back to Bombardier. At that exchange rate the 717/CRJ900/CRJ50 swap out is unworkable as negotiated and thus additional ways of getting out of CRJ50 leases are needed...
Adding about two dozen new but current generation narrow bodies in exchange for getting out of the 50-seat leases provides an additional path to reduce the CRJ50 count...
Additionally the capacity purchase agreements with the DCI providers will need to be reworked. To do that, current CRJ50 providers will need a carrot. A 1-t-1 swap of CRJ50 for new CRJ900 is most likely the only way they will agree to terminate the current CRJ50 CPAs.

The whole transaction hinges on the 717 to 76-seat to CRJ50 conversion formula. The last 717 will join the fleet by 2015, so it's likely this rumored transaction will close in the same timeframe.

Cheers
George

Rutro, the frequent flyer blogs, flyertalk etc., are on fire in revolt over the company's changes to the frequent flyer program. This could end up being RA's Waterloo. Mr. Invincible could get a serious smack down with FF's fleeing our program.

George,

I tracked with some of that, but how does buying A320's or 737's help us get out of 50 seat contracts? It seems like swapping 900s for 50s could happen independent of the mainline fleet. What am I missing? Thanks!

Edit: I guess I'm asking what do you mean by this: Adding about two dozen new but current generation narrow bodies in exchange for getting out of the 50-seat leases provides an additional path to reduce the CRJ50 count...

Actually there is a divide...

The real HVCs are feeling vindicated and reaffirmed in their high-roller status

The not-quite there crowd is who is up in arms...
If you look at how large the upgrade list frequently is, there's a sign that some of the benefits have been undervalued and given away at a reduced rate in the past...

I'm all for making the status actually mean something.

Cheers
George