Are you confident saying that this is a large part of their staffing problem? I thought it had more to do with not starting hiring when they should have, not paying an industry-leading hourly rate, not maintaining an efficient fleet mix and not returning QOL contractual elements (e.g., vacation) to pre-bankruptcy levels. I encourage everyone not to establish a circular firing squad on their fellow pilots. I like your statement not to read too much into it, Fox...that seems healthy.

IMHO: Mil leave is temporary. None of these guys and gals will be doing military leave when they are sixty five. Many will hang it up only a couple years after getting hired at Delta. They all (probably) clearly disclosed their military membership prior to getting hired. And if you're junior at Delta, the folks higher up the list and who are currently on long term military leave have opened up vacancies that create upward movement and a greater need for pilots on the seniority list.

A large number of your military members lose money to go complete their military obligations. Sometimes, they lose a LOT of money...but yes, sometimes they make out great. No different from anyone else maximizing the system to do what's best for their families. And do you know what those military obligations are? (I'm sure you do)...things your states and federal government have committed them to doing on your behalf. Things your elected representatives have ordered the organizations to which they belong to do. They are part of a team other than Delta, and they want to help carry that load just like they help their fellow 13,000 Delta pilots do the good work they do every day on the lone. I have no interest in trying to make them pay a massive seniority bill on top of all that they are sacrificing already.

If you don't like your category's trip mix with too many 5-day rotations, consider what a 180- or 365-day rotation through Afghanistan or Iraq might look like for you and your family. Mamma's got a lot more to handle than what to do with the kids for 4 nights. No, MLOA isn't all that type of duty, but it's some of that. There are good deals and bad deals all around.

There are enough ways your management team is trying to screw you out of money, time off and an isle seat - I encourage everyone to focus on that (and how to correct those injustices). Save yourselves some angst and worry less about those who have volunteered to give their lives in service of your country, without any union to back them up with grievances when life stinks.