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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | |||
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Mar. 31, 2012
Pilots
Ground_Mechanics
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Dec. 31, 2011
Employees
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Mar. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
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Mar. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Postretirement Medical Benefit Plan
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| Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
| Amount contributed to company- sponsored benefit plans | $ 192 | $ 28 | ||
| Estimated future employer contributions to defined benefit plan, current fiscal year | 232 | 443 | ||
| Number of employees under a national master agreement and various supplemental agreements with local unions affiliated with Teamsters | 245,000 | |||
| Number of pilots under a collective bargaining agreement with the Independent Pilots Association | 2,700 | |||
| Majority of ground mechanics not employed under agreements | 3,200 | |||
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Number of Ground Mechanics No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Number of Teamsters No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Number of Pilots No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Descriptive information regarding the employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid in the current remaining fiscal period. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions. Description may include a range of expected contributions, required minimum contribution, whether the expected contribution is discretionary, and further explanation. No definition available.
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