Alors!, You guys are looking too far ahead:

The 800 pound gorilla is the integration with Alitalia currently underway.
2 possibilities:

1. Alitalia transatlantic flying is considered as a share of the current AF-KLM/DAL JV.
   This would be good for DAL pilots because any transatlantic flying done by Alitalia would be added to the AFKLM "pot" and would be matched 1-for-1 by additional Delta flying.
   
2. Alitalia transatlantic flying is added to current AF-KLM/DAL JV.
   This would be bad for DAL pilots because the 50%-50% ratio would be skewed to reflect additional flying on the part of AF-KLM-Alitalia. Delta pilots would probably maintain status quo in terms of Atlantic ASMs, but this would be ceding "share" in the transatlantic flying.

The outcome of the Alitalia integration would probably spell out how Delta pilots fare in the upcoming Virgina Australia/DAL JV. A route where I'm afraid we are past the 50%-50% balance in favor of VAustralia....

Cheers
George