Negative ghostrider. Your claim of "we had all these upcoming retirements" only holds true with your CURRENT separate standalone NWA and crappy contract. Ask yourself if you really think guys at 60 would truly have retired with:

1. Significant equity $$
2. Huge (for NWA) pay raises to not only equal DAL's rates, but then join us for pay raises on top of that.
3. 14% DC contributions. For a widebody captain you are talking $30,000 a year (or more) into a B fund; add the time value of money and Age 65 and I would be surprised if anyone retired at 60.
4. Workrules that demand more pilots. For example, for all flying >12 hrs we require 2 captains and 2 FOs. Can you say "possible 747-400 captain bid?"

What we at DAL saw was a seniority grab wherein the NWA merger committee and MEC leadership (not your negotiating committee) wanted everything: DAL's pay, DAL's DC plan and equity $$, NWA's retirement plan (which you deserve) and super-seniority while the DAL guys would get thrown to the bottom of the seniority list.

That may have worked in 1986 with DC-9-centric Republic. It won't work with us.

That said, what should we have done? NOT pursued contractual improvements with our management? I certainly wouldn't be offended if you did the same. Also, remember that this is NOT the "joint combined contract." We all want one contract (and one more valuable than the TA LOA 19) one fair seniority list, and one great combined operation.