[TUAN_JIM]

Yes, it's a vicious cycle. Now other legacy airlines will be forced to jettison their pension plans to compete with Delta. The good news is that we taxpayers will pick up a good portion of the tab.

[muawiyah]

Actually, the airlines have to pay the government funds that, in effect, set up an investment annuity, that pays the retirement benefits up to a limit of something like $25,000 per year.

That means all long term employees get screwed out of their earned pensions.

Better that all the assets be sold to fully find the pensions.