My recollection is that it was everyone but the Express pilots that wanted to get rid of Express, but I was looking at it from a junior F/O perspective. Junior at Delta, snior enough at Express, that is. I often snickered (inside) when they described the operation as a "cancer".

No cancer ever felt so good.

However, I don't doubt Martin's oratory got a little... lofty, and I can't describe the power within the MEC at the time. The complaining on the C2K raise, I do recall, so I'll yield on the history there.

So I think you're right: people wanted the highest rates attainable, but I don't think that means, in any way shape or form, that they wanted to dismantle the operation. Remember, we were discussing Express in the context of having distinct swimming pools, for junior people to play in, not payrates.