there are several examples of CBAs taking years (Covid aside) because it’s cheaper for the company and the NMB does not push them to actually negotiate. If DL decides they don’t want to play ball they could 100% use the process to take years to get an agreement.

Remember AA and UA had agreements had been amendable for over a year when Covid hit. Even excluding Covid pause, both carriers were in negotiations for 2-3 years before they got their contracts in 2023. When AA declared bankruptcy their contract had been amendable for 4-5 years and was signed over 8 years before their BK.