The void in mentioning health care is surprising. My seat-o-pants meter pegged it as a hot button issue with a lot of us. Delta lags many in the industry in both quality and cost. And the best plans we have are offered at will of the company, not through our PWA. Gains in pay could be significantly eroded, either incrementally or suddenly, if health care is not contained.

I was also looking for something innovative in retirement benefits. Like the annuity concept that was tossed around a bit. Stepping from 15% to 18% in the DPSP is really just a 3% pay raise for everyone that hits 415C maximums (which will be all captains, WB copilots and many high achievers in the domestic right seat if they make maximum personal contributions). Not saying another 3% wage increase is bad, it's just not a retirement solution.

Like others have said, this proposal would fly if stamped as-is tomorrow. But there's not much room for compromise. All said, it's very refreshing compared to what was put forth in June.