Addressing this part directly...

The 9E MEC didn't have negotiating leverage. The offer started with a flow up and new-hire career progression in exchange for flowback and a significant contract hit. When the MEC said that they needed to evaluate the cost of the contract hit, Delta/9E came back and said, fine, LOA 9 terms as is, take it or leave it, we need to know by the end of the week. There wasn't any room left to negotiate.