I agree, but Jerry Atkin wont hang up his cleats nearly that quickly.

Like Delta, Jerry could care less at the end of the day who flies his airplanes. He hates ALPA, but knows he has to deal with it and also admits the jerrymandering to keep SkyWest Airlines sanctified from XJet cost him and his shareholders money.

I could see some sort of a bridge where the quid pro quo for a Delta seniority number is a staple (with protections). Without the agreement, the flying simply gets sunset. Rinse wash repeat at other ALPA carriers. If you aren't ALPA, we don't speak for you ... tough cookies ... better join.

This strategy is a win for pilots, who finally can end whipsaw, restore career stability and enjoy employment where there will be a future. The strategy is a win for SkyWest, who has a life line to the future operating unrestricted aircraft piloted by "Delta" crews, under the Delta PWA. Delta wins by gaining the market flexibility it has always needed and being unrestricted on who owns, or operates, its jets ... as long as they are operated by Delta crews.

Most importantly, Delta pilots win by ending outsourcing, performing their own flying, at a more financially stable company.

ALPA wins by finally being relevant. ALPA can show that its' exclusive right to bargain Delta flying actually is worth joining to participate in. For too long, ALPA has cost and lost its' pilots' jobs. That can (and must) be turned around.

Some senior Delta pilots will ask, what is in this for me? In reply, I ask, "how would the last ten years been for you if Delta had not spent over 25 billion dollars on RJ experiments which universally failed to make money for the company?"

Just my opinion.