It could be argued that some of the Deltoids still suffer from the OGA, Once Great Airline, syndrome.
Back in the day, the folks hired by Delta considered themselves a cut above. When airlines like Western and Pan Am were merged onto the seniority list, the original Delta folks referred to themselves as RD's, Real Deltas.
The RD's wouldn't converse much with outsiders on the hotel van or in the terminal (don't ask me how I know
). Years ago, Delta folks would take jumpseats on other carriers but not reciprocate because 'we don't consider it to be professional' as a JFK-ARN rider once told me.
Traditionally, the odds of getting hired by Delta were lessened if you weren't a Navy pilot, drove a Corvette, were a Catholic and didn't have lunch at the Barbecue Kitchen.
Bankruptcy brought some needed humility back to many of us in the business, even the Deltoids.
Judging from the ATC recording, maybe the RD's are on the rise again...