Carl;
The debate of scope has many sides. Many say take back the flying, some say do not sell the 76+ seat market, and some say these jets are place holders for larger small jets.

If you take all of these positions and stop for a second you can start to see something. All of them have a want. They want more flying to be ours. I also see a few facts.
1) The current RJ's are last gen, and will not be around in ten years due to inefficency and size
2) They are in fact place holders for a next gen jet that gives us the CASM desired for mainline operations
3) With these new jets being designed and in some cases manufactured, it makes sense to hold the line with the commitments you and I describe and allow attrition of the Last Gen Technology jets take old. Hold the proverbial 76 seat line, take back the flying with a commitment of no new contracts, and over time as the next gen jets show up on our list without any cost allocated to the recapture. (Our side or theirs)

Refusing to budge on any more small jet scope sales will in effect cause DCI to shrink and possible disappear as these contracts expire. The smart unionist realizes that DAL will still need the network feed to feed the route system, and will find and offer a plan to management that benefits us the pilots on the Delta list as well as the company. That does not mean a scope sale or give back, it means a plan that benefits us with a larger list and more options, and a structure that allows Delta the agility to have a route network that can compete with the competition.

Taking the 76 seat and below flying back is very important for unity of our product and trade. From all of the options I have listened to the idea of getting a commitment for no new contracts, and letting existing contracts expire much like UALALPA is doing is the way to go. It allows the company to complete its financial commitments to the ASA providers, and over time brings the flying, not a specific aircraft size back in to the mainline mix. The two things that need to be done are the commitment from the company and not allowing more than 76 seats at DCI. The issue takes care of itself with no cost to the pilot group.