There are only 2 ways to advance in this business. Attrition and growth. First, attrition. DAL has already experienced a large jump in seniority already due to the mass exodus. NWA is just now getting ready to experience theirs from the large retirement numbers over the next 5 or so years. Both airlines have negotiated their BK contracts with these conditions in mind, hence the differences in pay, frozen retirements, defined contributions and career expectations just to name a few. Attrition is pretty firm and can be planned on by looking at birthdays. Attrition is not affected by economic conditions or mgt whims. Growth on the other hand is variable. Mgt changes growth plans on what seems like a daily basis. It is greatly affected by economic conditions. While growth needs to be considered in seniority integration, it is not as easy to pin down as attrition. Economic incentives will come and go (mgt giveth and mgt taketh away), but seniority is forever. If this deal is going to get decided out of arbitration, both sides will have to concentrate on the seniority side of the equation and leave the economic incentives for the joint contract negotiations. The main crux of the problem is DAL has already experienced their attrition covering the next 5 or so years and have reaped the benefits of that advancement already. NWA is still waiting to experience that attrition and reap the ensuing benefits. That crux is also what both sides current contracts are based on. It is no surprise that DAL wants to base career expectations primarily on growth and NWA wants to base it primarily on attrition. Both sides need to realize where the other side is coming from and realize that what is fair is going to be different for each side. IMHO they need to get the SLI done first, then negotiate the joint contract as a unified pilot group. Do not read this as a veiled attack on DALs LOA 19. It isn't. That is water under the bridge. Words are cheap and it is time for action. Its time to NEGOTIATE (that implies give and take) a seniority list divorced of the economic package/incentives, then get down to business with the joint contract for ALL future Delta pilots. Get the horse in front of the cart again and start acting like a unified ALPA front. If we don't, it will be the typical mgt divide and conquer playbook all over again. Just a thought.