If Memory serves me right hiring and recalls had began at a good pace back in 06-08, only to be stopped by age 65 and $142 barrel oil. And before you claim that Obama saved the economy, let remember he spent more than all others presidents combined and yielded the weakest GDP growth since the depression. Pretty poor ROI if you ask me. But I digress, we've agreed today the contract is good and hiring looks to continue for the foreseeable future. You postulate it was in due in large part to the mediator. I'd say she did her job by following traditional pattern bargaining. I think Delta's post-merger contract had more to do with us being able to raise the bar.