Originally Posted by alfaromeo (Post 1136676)

We invested $1.5 billion in capital expenditures in 2011. We took $1.5 billion in depreciation in 2011. Sounds to me like not growing or not shrinking. Capex has nothing to do with profits as it does not show up in operating expenses, it only shows on the Cash Flow statement. There was a reason we tried to explain airline finances to pilots last year. We weren't trying to lower expectations, we wanted you to understand this stuff and be able to make reasoned and not emotional judgements.

I don't know what this hedge fund manager said, if you posted it somewhere back I missed it. Delta is now generating excellent cash flow. In 2009 they used the cash flow mainly to fund merger expenses. In 2010-12 they will use the cash flow mainly to de-lever the airline and make us more immune to external events (like tsunami, 9/11, wars, etc.) and allow the airline to thrive in good AND bad times. In 2013 and beyond they will use that cash to fund fleet renewal with 737-900's and then next-generation aircraft. This is not liquidation. This is a sound business plan that will pay enormous benefits to your future.

The airline business has been in a negative stability loop in the last 20 years. The highs went higher and the lows went lower. 2003-2005 pretty much signaled that something had to change. Instead of making the business a high risk gamble, through consolidation and better balance sheet management, Delta is de-risking our business and producing a model that can generate consistent profits, which by the way will fund contract improvements. Part of this new rationality will be the lack of the explosive growth followed by furlough models we have seen.

Originally Posted by Jughead (Post 1136695)

Charley's on B and C concourse in ATL is closing permanently as of the end of the month. Popeye's is moving to that spot. I don't know what is going into Popeye's current location. If you have a punch card, use it before the end of this month.


P.S. This "break room" under B-18 is nasty.

Originally Posted by Jughead (Post 1136695)

I hate to interrupt the complaining, since it's rolling along so nicely, but I have to pass along some sad news:

Charley's on B and C concourse in ATL is closing permanently as of the end of the month. Popeye's is moving to that spot. I don't know what is going into Popeye's current location. If you have a punch card, use it before the end of this month.

That is all. Please resume speculation and complaints at this time.

P.S. This "break room" under B-18 is nasty.

Originally Posted by Bucking Bar (Post 1136658)

Emirates, etc ...

Originally Posted by acl65pilot (Post 1136690)

By virtue of the facts of where DAL is putting their CAPEX, going forward they wil need to either increase the debt load or find more cash for CAPEX in new jets. Beyond the 739 there is a significant need to reinvest in the airline in the form of a lot of new jets. Never mind the desire to grow the fleet.

Originally Posted by grasshopper (Post 1136705)

IMHO the company is trying to stay flexible and remain ready for bargains in the near term by getting the house in order and looking at opportunities as they come along. The quantum leap in aircraft doesn't seem to have totally materialized yet. Is the next aircraft order a no brainer yet like the 737-900's? I don't think so...I think they are wanting to see exactly what the new models/versions of models yield etc... just that a more comprehensive justification can be established. Some of what happens with industry consolidation may play a factor. The stagnation is frustrating for everyone especially those of us on the bottom...I think it has very little to do with us and is more in line with what the "playmakers" need to move chess pieces. I think as a participant in this industry, you'd be a fool not to keep your eye on metrics like this though. I don't worry yet but I'm watching:)

Originally Posted by Delta1067 (Post 1136714)

What is WRT? I keep seeing that here.