DAL and NWA announced the merger on 4/15/08 and got a single operating certificate in 2010. You might want to include the NWA MEC expenditures for an apples to apples, YOY comparison.

There was also PWA2012, PWA2016 and the failed TA in between. Obviously, expenses should return to normal after contract negotiations, but the ROI was pretty good IMO.

Finally, isn't a common complaint about ALPA from pilots at the majors that their dues exceed the money at their MEC's disposal?