I suppose it's a good thing that you aren't "hung up" about being an FO, or really concerned about upgrading at Delta, because you're going to be stuck in that right seat for a long time. Where do you think all of those 45-50 year old dead zoner Captains hired in 1988 are going? Answer: nowhere.
Our reserve system is "pretty darn easy???" Life must be different on the 800. When I was on the 88 in ATL and SLC, we were used for every one of those 18 days a month.....I mean we were rode hard, and put away wet. If you weren't flying, you were on short call....and you would definitely get the call. No more sitting at home on long call (if you're a commuter), and relaxing like in the old days. Think your going to load up your schedule early by yellow slipping for all those 4 day/24 hr trips?....think again. With all the green slipping whores out there, there's nothing left in open time. The only trips you get are left over scraps, or sick outs.....you know the really good trips, like the 2 day/6 hour ones. I think I broke 70 hours one time while on reserve from Dec 04 to May 06 (the month I quit Delta).
You mentioned that you were a year 7 FO on the 800....last time I checked, that pays what....$96 an hour? A reserve guy getting his 70 hour reserve guarantee comes to about $80K a year gross, not counting per diem. Pretty humble in my opinion for a guy with your experience on that particular equipment.
I guess the whole point of my post is to counter the rosy picture you painted of life at Mother Delta. Hopefully, if there are any furloughees reading this, they'll understand that life at the widget factory is in no way, shape, or form similar to what you left in 2001 or 2002. Approach with caution.