So far I have been very pleased with my experiences on DL aircraft, but the restrictions on bulkhead seats have me concerned. In my time as a NW elite, I can't remember having to sit somewhere other than a bulkhead (or the exit row in the rare case that the bulkhead was already full) when not upgraded except in the case of last minute flight swaps. The bulkhead always has been the best row on NW aircraft.

Having just flown on a MD-90, the experience was terrible even in Row 11. I was looking forward to trying the GoGo service, and struggled to get my laptop open in the small space provided. As soon as I did, the person in front of me decided to recline and the tray table clip caught on the top of my screen and nearly broke it. That was the end of that attempt. Thankfully it was only an hour long flight, but it demonstrates your point perfectly.

It's completely unreasonable for Delta to hold back bulkhead seats for airport assignment. NW always had a few seats that were set aside for disabled passengers until check-in, but even those were selectable via online check-in 24 hours in advance. If anything, Delta should treat bulkhead seats the same way. If they have to move me out of a seat to accomodate a passenger with special needs that's fine, but they shouldn't just be a reward for getting to the airport early. I am not looking forward to the merging of reservation systems if the future is status quo.