Thanks for your concern. I'm sure I will do alright!
Like I said before tsquare; you are already a widebody captain. You won't gain much by leaving Delta. Even with the current payrates, schedules and qol, you will do better staying here.
But for junior folks like me who are First Officers, it is going to take 15 to 20 yrs to make it to an 7ER left seat (without further shrinkage) and 10+ years to a narrowbody left seat on reserve. So career progression wise alone, I would gain by leaving Delta today. I can walk directly into a left seat of several narrowbody jobs and even some widebody gigs with my experience.
I don't even have to head to the Middle East to achieve this. Middle East is not my cup of tea. There are currently some great opportunities in the Far East. In fact, several pre-merger NWA pilots lived in the Far East while working for NWA. With the significant lower cost of living, they were able to live a life of luxury down in some sunny island. I personally visited some of them... don't even get me started on those stories!
As I stated before, as a widebody reserve FO, I have been making reserve guarantee for the last few years (even with greenslips put on for the entire month). I make $7700 before taxes and around $5500 after all deduction and taxes. It is a far cry from luxury much less a decent income.
Currently I'm working a side-business to supplement my Delta income. It is pretty sad that I have to do it, while flying for 'One Great Airline'!
So with the career stagnation, low pay and high cost of living; leaving Delta would be a good move on my part. Without a great 2012 contract, the decision becomes much much easier. I and many other will not stay here and 'hope' for a better tomorrow. I am ambitious. I will play elsewhere.
Again, if they want to furlough as part of the negotiating scare tactics, bring it on! I just hope they hurry and and do it!
Delta is currently a second tier airline. Currently well behind Fedex, UPS and Southwest in the US alone. We must be aggressive to gain an industry leading contract in 2012. I would much rather be furloughed and return to a first tier airline with a great contract, than hang on and accept mediocrity. I am not mouthing off as some senior guy who is safe from a furlough. I will be included in the first wave, if they furlough!