I'm just at the beginning of the long climb up the ladder to what will hopefully be a successful career in aviation. What will be there for me when I get to the top will be whatever the pilots before me accepted or demanded. It is easy to forget that unions were created for a reason; they so rarely move with purpose that it is easy to forget that they can and why they do. When they don't, it is usually a sign of the good times... but times are not so good right now. All I can say is that I'm glad that the DAL ALPA folks have activated their unity to make a point. When things like what happened today happen it is the mechanism by which the industry recalibrates back to reality. The union is there to make sure the airlines understand the value and legitimate demands of their pilots, something easily forgotten in the numbers game of business. Delta pilots DID act out of self-interest as many of you have complained about, but in so doing they create a standard for the treatment of pilots and what they ought to be able to expect. Is it unreasonable to expect a contract that was signed in good faith to not be thrown out? These people have freely given away their pensions and prospects for a decent retirement while losing wages with which to live for now and save for the now uncertain future with. All I can say is that I am greatful that DAL pilots have used the tool that is available to them to draw a line in the sand, for themselves knowingly.. but perhaps unknowingly for me to still have a CAREER to look forward to in a few years. Thanks all!