Perspective is a wonderful thing. No matter where this goes, we have a choice to enjoy it, or whine about it. I have done both. I also know that taking the bad in stride and being grateful for the good, makes life's bumps a little less jarring.
Lets have fun, enjoy the job, and realize that IMHO in five to ten years everyone left here at the New Delta will probably be sitting at least one or more seats better off then they would have been with the stand along plan. (I know some NWA guys will argue with that, but there is going to be tremendous growth that you can not see if all you do is look at the SLI and think about what ifs. )