I am fully aware of what DL did under 7.5, Kevin. I lived the nightmare.
But let's also be clear that was decades ago and the track record since then is far more significant than rehashing history - regardless of the topic.
I also am well aware of what the IAM did to keep stations open at NW and I couldn't be more pleased they succeeded.
but that also was in the past, DL cut a smaller percentage of people in BK, and DL and NW had identical labor cost CASMs at the time of the merger - so it is clear that DL and NW had different ways of getting to the same financial point.
and since 9/11 and the way of BK in the 2000s, DL's track record today in protecting jobs and stations is superior to AA and UA not just in ACS but across the company.
I know it isn't what any of us want to see but when WN is pushing for outsourcing of its own stations and has had to close almost two dozen because they don't have the labor flexibility to staff small stations, it is clear that DL's formula works while still protecting the jobs of topped out, benefitted workers in stations that other carriers don't staff with their own people.
and given that DL has its own people in more stations than AA/US or UA, the same question as to why station X or Y is not staffed with mainline people is just as applicable to those airlines.
Do I want to see DL mainline people in stations like MIA, CLT, and RDU? absolutely.
but I want the same thing for AA and UA in their comparable cities - some of which are DL hubs.
To argue that DL is deficient when there is a similar list at other airlines is to argue on a hypocritically apples to pears comparison, to use dawg's language.
I wish you and all DL people the best - all of them - just as I do AA or UA or WN people or those of any other airline.