I always thought the 777-300 and 747-400 carried close to the same number of pax, the -300 having a shorter range and less payload but more volume to haul freight. Carl?

Exactly - movement on either the 744 or 777 is movement for everyone on the common fleets. Bring it on fenced or otherwise.

IIRC several years ago DALPA said that each 777 Captain vacancy created an average of 14 training slots...

The 777-300 has more belly freight capability then the 747-400. The 747 geometry and length limits below the floor cargo space. The 777-300 has 7,120 cu ft of space verses 5,330 feet in the 747-400. In fact the 777-200 has more freight room and because of configuration the 777-300 can carry 20 LD3 containers. On flights up to 15 hours from reasonable pressure altitudes the 777 does not have weight restrictions. Cargo would be a reason to go with the 777 not the 747. In the end someone will make a cost decision based on many factors including cargo, passengers, fuel burn, lifespan, required mods to be 2020 compliant ect... The market has however spoken on the viability of the 747 relative to other aircraft. There is a reason a 10 year old 747-400 sells for less then 36 million. There is a low cycle 97 model listed for 23 million in great shape. At todays fuel prices it does not make sense for most markets. It may be that Delta can find a niche for additional 747's since we already have the fleet type but I just don't think that will be a choice management makes. If fuel prices go up then the economics become that much worse.

Guys and Gals,

What new airplanes and growth?

Did anyone besides me listen to the investors web cast December 12, 2012 where RA and others from DL management discussed Delta continuing the "capacity discipline that we have seen for the past 5 years, flat capacity to a downwards trend, no growth in 2013, Q1 capacity down 3%-4% with more reductions likely later in the year, 2014 to be flattish growth to even more total fleet reductions"?

Not my words or ideas. These came from RA and management. The whole web cast transcripts may be viewed here.

Delta Air Lines' CEO Hosts Investor Day Conference (Transcript) - Seeking Alpha

Its also on the Delta investor relations page thru today.

Management also stated that the very survival of the airline depended on getting down to 3 fleet types. I guess they now think training is not a big issue.

Delta does plan on keeping capacity flat for the most part in its system. Lucky for us they plan on reducing RJ's hulls and increasing mainline hulls. Capacity will be flat for 2013 at the mainline until Sep and then it starts to ramp up while RJ's ramp down. You also have to keep in mind who a investor conference is for and how wall street currently views capacity in the airline industry. The mainline at Delta is projected to grow.

Here is what the company put out on 13 Feb. Capacity will be stable system wide for 2013. Domestic capacity will be up 1 percent with the mainline seeing slightly higher increases. The summer international flying will be the same as 2012. Keep in mind in 2013 we only pick up about 20 new airframes in the last quarter only. In 2014 it will be more like 60 new airframes not counting the additional aircraft being discussed now. They expect manning to be tight this summer. Management turned down flight ops request to hire some pilots this winter to smooth the training flow so its going to be interesting if we get a bad summer weather wise.

This may be old, but I never saw anyone answer the question on confirming the new SEA and LAX routes. SEA-ANC, LAS and LAX-BOS, ANC are confirmed...they can be booked on travelnet. Now back to super premium widebody dreams!

A heavy aircraft order would be great. My fear is that in reality it will be for 777-300's that will be used as replacements for the 747's. Really hope I'm wrong on this.

Only if they get more than 4 destinations.