EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]

Postemployment Benefit Plans, Policy

Unrecognized prior service cost is expensed using a straight-line amortization of the cost over the average future service of Employees expected to receive benefits under the plans. Actuarial gains are amortized utilizing the minimum amortization method. The following actuarial assumptions were used to account for the Company's postretirement benefit plans at December 31:

		2012(2)		2011		2010
	Wtd-average discount rate	2.90	%	4.05	%	4.30	%
	Assumed healthcare cost trend rate(1)	8.00	%	7.50	%	7.50	%
(1)	The assumed healthcare cost trend rate is assumed to remain at 8.0% for 2013, then decline gradually to 5.0% by 2024 and remain
	level thereafter.
(2)	Includes AirTran plans.

The selection of a discount rate is made annually and is selected by the Company based upon comparison of the expected future cash flows associated with the Company's future payments under its consolidated postretirement obligations to a yield curve created using high quality bonds that closely match those expected future cash flows. The assumed healthcare trend rate is also reviewed at least annually and is determined based upon both historical experience with the Company's healthcare benefits paid and expectations of how those trends may or may not change in future years.