CVG767A- thanks for the reply. I can only imagine the general frustration and angst level. Clearly it is high when reasonable people are considering and/or willing to potentially fall on their sword and walk away from a lifetime career investment.

Honestly, I've looked at the pay rates on this site and I have to think the money, for the most part, is not that phenomenal. Don't get me wrong, $100-150K as a mainline pilot is not chump change either, it's a decent living. But for the responsibility, career threatening impacts (drag a wingtip into another A/C, get sick, fail your medical, etc.) and the requirement to put up with being yanked around some, it doesn't seem overly lucrative either. Most pilots I've met are bright, energitic types who would do well anywhere. As I'm sure you will. But they must be asking themselves- "how much do I love to fly?"

Either way, good luck- with DAL or without DAL. I've just started my own small company (a sales organization/mfrs. representative) and hope to go it alone- and ironically, it's for a lot of the same reasons you are.