This is not your father's Delta anymore. Most of the guys that worked for the old DAL have retired. (2500 retirements in the last few years.) The first B-scaler hired is now #230 on our seniority list. Of the senior 229 guys, a signifigant portion come from either Western or Pan Am. In short, there is not a lot of love for mother Delta anymore.

The pay and work rule changes they are looking for are causing many guys to examine their options. In the case of many F/Os, there are plenty of careers with which they can earn a comparable living. These guys a likely to vote no.

In my case (767 capt, age 47, seniority about 1000), I would vote in favor of a strike. First of all, it's hard to imagine 110, 200, or 325 million dollars per year is the difference between Delta suviving and thriving. While I am willing to make some concessions, the company has far overreached. I'm willing to call their bluff.

Over the last several years, I've put away a considerable amount of money, and am now willing to leave aviation, and try my hand at a career where I succeed or fail based on my own efforts. The money aspect has become much less important. I'm tired of being at the mercy of a carpetbagger MBA who shows up at the front door with a bunch of bright ideas.