Originally Posted by flyallnite (Post 1336972)

Personally, after listening to the investor call, I am more convinced than ever that DL is embarking upon uncharted territory for an airline. As much as I'm disappointed at the lack of hiring and lack of a new widebody order, and the overall shrinkage at our company, I do think that something big is right around the corner.

I'm talking about "Big Data". If you aren't familiar with this term then I'd suggest you at least Google it because it's the next big thing. Like internet big. Maybe even bigger. There are a lot of things coming together in the world right now that are going to make possible things that we have struggled to even conceive.

The comments by RA regarding a large investment in revenue, product and strategic planning technology combined with the recent move towards ACARS 601 and other data collection points (such as the new website and app), the move towards a revenue based FF program, lead me to believe that with this new technology will come a top to bottom review of not only our business, but the entire industry and our position in it. Big Data will be put to use in determining what we are going to look like, where and what we will fly in 10 years. This isn't going to be done by some slimy consulting firm. It's going to be in-house and proprietary.

I think that until this review is complete, you'll see minimal aircraft orders and hiring at a pace to satisfy only a status quo. When it is complete, I think you're going to see a very different approach to our business, and I would expect it to be a very aggressive one.

I know all this sounds a bit far fetched, but it's happening right now in healthcare, engineering, manufacturing... practically every field you can think of and when the data finally catches up with the concept, it's going to be like flipping a switch. Boom. The future...

Originally Posted by georgetg (Post 1337148)

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

Originally Posted by georgetg (Post 1337148)

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

Originally Posted by Wasatch Phantom (Post 1337086)

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.

Originally Posted by georgetg (Post 1336999)

here's another dot:

two dozen current generation 320/737-family aircraft for 1B cash and a trade for some 50-seat RJs..
Delta Said to Talk With Airbus, Boeing on Jet Purchase - Bloomberg

Cheers
George

Originally Posted by Wasatch Phantom (Post 1337074)

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.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp (Post 1337064)

Remember the vast majority of those are replacement jets.
http://defoenet.com/wp-content/uploa...-happy-dog.jpg

Originally Posted by grasshopper (Post 1337205)

My favorite pic sans the collection of u-boob pics.

FTB's flow chart was pretty good too though.

I was a big flag waver on the ratio discussions...as in look out that doesn't really protect all that much...but I must say that current trends are encouraging with overall fleet projection rising. No one has totally nailed down organic growth as the reason though so until that happens I won't count chickens.

All said though I'm impressed with the direction of the company. Hopefully economic conditions allow for growth and increased market opportunities vs retrench with the ratios. Fleet plans change but I like the vector!

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp (Post 1337210)

Agreed... So, once the fleet hits the projected 796 aircraft- what is our pool on how many pilots that actually takes?

Will we actually make it back to the pre-merger 12,434 pilot count with 30 more aircraft?