The DC-9s are supposed to stick around through early January 2014, from what I understand.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
DL tends to use MDs out of some hubs like MSP and DC-9s from others, such as SLC. It might be easier to look with this in mind.
No, there were never any DC-9's based out of SLC. SLC got a significant number of A319/A320's flights after the merger, but no DC-9's.
DC-9s, AFAIK, were never operated out of SLC. The high field elevation and hot temperatures in the summer made them nearly impossible to operate remotely efficiently from here and go any reasonable distance, due to the old-school tech of the P&W JT8Ds. This is the same reason we never get MD-88s. SLC used to be a MD-90 base though (MD-90 engines, the IAE V2500, can also be found on A320s with other airlines).
-J.