It's not insiders knowledge. It what my rep told me - just like he would tell anyone who simply asked. I don't know where it came from - but another rumor is that it was leaked by the company. If I was a betting man I'd say it was floated to see our reaction in an attempt to rush the contract. After we screamed they'd come back to the negotiators with a slightly better deal and judge their reaction. Rinse. Repeat.

9-6-4-4 minus profit sharing and efficiency improvements would be the first contract to be voted down by Delta pilots IMO. After all the smoke and mirrors were removed it would cost the company 5-10% more. 9-6-5-5 without profit sharing reductions would pass.

"Heightened expectations" among pilots, (an Ed Bastian quote) are significant and all of us, a little wiser now, are watching closely.