It's tough, I think. I'll ask to not be flamed for my comments, this is just how I feel.

I think Delta for the last 80 years has been just fine without a union. I also think that NW would not be fine without a union. I think DL never needed a union, and NW has. Again, don't flame me, but I just feel as though NW is taking over DL from the inside out. I think one has to completely forget about this merger and ask if NW needs a union or not, because that's the way the merged company will negotiate.

At the same time I have alot of issues with the abuse of unions. I think in theory they are fantastic and have done alot to improve life for all modern workers in all fields. My issue is when the wrong employees are protected from reprimand, and when seniority advances one that doesn't deserve advancement, etc. I also see that unions are not an end-all failsafe way to protect ones job. I watched a contract ground handling company handle the NW flights in my city since I started, and know that the NW union didn't protect the jobs of the NW employees the contractor replaced.

I'm completely split. I just don't know how much value a union really has. At the same time, it seems DL's attitude is that the employee is the enemy. The employees don't provide a service, they take DLs money, in Dickie Andersons mind anyway.

I know for a fact that DL will exchange customer service for cost savings. I no longer work for an airline, as DL sold out every customer service agent of Comair Airlines and Mesaba Airlines. I now work for a contract ground handling company that starts at a lower payrate than McDonalds in my airport. It just baffles me that DL wants to put their airplanes worth Millions and Millions of dollars in the hands of minimum wage workers that don't know anything about aviation and could care less. Welcome to the NEW DELTA.