short bus you have a hard decision to make but with 8 plus yrs invested in Spirit and sitting in the left seat I think I'd stay put. It's all a guessing game until you retire. I've been at Delta since 1998 and it has been one hell of a rollercoaster. The grass is probably not much better on the other side. When the mergers come and they will at least try I think the hiring party will stop for the time being. Remember the synergies word passed around when UsAir was trying to buy Delta. There is no security at any airline long term other than the freighters if you ask me. That might even change over the long term. People don't care if its Delta or Spirit they just want the cheapest seat. All airlines in the US have just turned into cattle haulers. There will always be the Virgin Americas Jetblues and Skybus airlines popping up. The scarey part is if the start to get authority to more international destinations. I could be wrong but I don't think you are going to find a legacy carrier that much better than where you are. Things have changed and hard to believe I have seen the good ole days in my short 10 yrs at Delta. I don't think ALPA has really helped as well. Look at the history of negotiations at Delta and how our union leadership has historically gone over to the management side in contract negotiations. I attended an ALPA rally during our bankruptcy. Our national leader DW spent all of five minutes addressing the crowd while the cameras were on then promptly left. Didn't stay for the rally. Incredible. We'd be better served by our own union if you ask me. My Union brothers at other airlines were licking there lips hoping Delta would be the sacrificial lamb to reduce capacity so others can move in. Just as we thought USAir was going to be. It is the nature of the business and skill has nothing to do with it. You are just a number along for the ride. So in summary make an educated guess but oh how things can change. Northwest, Delta or any other airline only looks at you as a number and maybe a bird in the left seat with 8 plus yrs senority and making more than you will at a legacy may be better than rolling the dice at a Legacy.

Funny thing I asked a good friend of mine who was furloughed at Polar if he wanted me to walk in his info to Delta and he said No thanks he'd wait to return to Polar. My how times have changed........ Imagine that 10 yrs ago....

Thru venting................it is what it is......