On this episode of Engage, Captain Tony Rohloff from the Training Committee visits with Host First Officer Ryan Argenta to discuss improvements and changes to the Training section of the new contract. Tune in to learn more about increased training pay, premium pay treatments, AE awards and bidding for training, a once-in-a-career training mulligan, and much more. (Recorded April 11, 2023)

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta discusses with First Officer Matt Loveday, Fitness Review Board (FRB) Chairman, the issue of fatigue that still plagues pilots due to a grueling operations schedule despite being in the shoulder months.  Matt explains while pilot fatigue calls are still at an all-time high, there are many pilots not calling in fatigued but rather pushing through and writing to the FRB afterwards.  Matt and Ryan go through what a fatigue call to the Duty Pilot looks like and options pilots have for calling fatigue or unfit for duty. They also speculate how the new contract improvements will affect fatiguing rotations and pilot fatigue levels alike.  As Delta begins ramping up the operations tempo for the summer travel season, this episode is a must listen and a great reminder for all pilots.  (Recorded March 27, 2023)

Part 2 of the TA Scheduling series continues with Host First Officer Ryan Argenta, Rich Wheeler of the Negotiating Committee and Shawn Kellett, Chairman of the Scheduling Committee.  During this session, the group talks through new improvements to reserve including a new 18-hour call out and conversion for long-call pilots, reserve with conflict, proffered carry-out trips, major short call improvements and transparency, and the ability to bid for published short call periods.  Also presented are new voluntary options such as Voluntary Airport Standby (VAS), premium reserve days, an X-day swap board, and standby rotations available to both regular and reserve pilots.  Rich also goes over many of the other changes that may improve pilot quality of life and pay treatments.  (Recorded February 15, 2023)

In this two-part series on TA Section 23: Scheduling, Host First Officer Ryan Argenta discusses this crucial section of the contract with Rich Wheeler of the Negotiating Committee and Shawn Kellett, Chairman of the Scheduling Committee.  Major changes and improvements are afoot for Scheduling impacting quality of life, pilot pay and premium flying, along with limitations and improvements on reroutes and other issues that negatively impact pilots.  The group also discusses major changes to the line construction window for monthly PBS bidding, premium open time flying including new "Silver Slips" and pre-month PBS premium paid trips, and much more.  Tune in to get all the information you need and to hear some frequently asked questions answered directly by the Negotiator himself.  (Recorded February 15, 2023)

As the Engage TA Series gets into the thick of quality of life and "soft" pay improvements, Section 12: Hours of Service, comes into focus.  While not sexy, this often-overlooked section adds significant value to pilots who want better quality of life and improved pay treatment for not so friendly scheduling issues such as airport sits, late night arrivals, redeyes, extended duty periods, and the like.  Join Engage host First Officer Ryan Argenta, Rich Wheeler of the Negotiating Committee and Shawn Kellett, Scheduling Committee Chairman as they dive into the details of rotation construction improvements, greater optimizer limitations and restrictions, and important day-to-day limitations on rotations and reroutes that will improve pilot quality of life overall.  (Recorded February 16, 2023)

Resources:

Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement Website:  Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement (alpa.org)

Negotiator's Notepad 23-05 Hours of Service: NN-23-05.pdf (d2r1lrrqctgamh.cloudfront.net)

This TA series episode covers the nuances, details, and improvements to Section 8: Deadhead.  Host First Officer Ryan Argenta speaks with Negotiating Committee Chairman Eric Criswell about the deadhead provisions gained in the new TA.  Topics discussed include new First Class deadhead provisions, improved seat reservations for deadheading pilots, seat selection improvements, and a new feature that upgrades pilots ahead of all other passengers.  (Recorded February 15, 2023)

Resources:

Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement Website:  Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement (alpa.org)

On this Tentative Agreement (TA) Series episode of Engage, Host Ryan Argenta and Rich Wheeler of the Negotiating Committee go over the details and improvements of Sections 11 and 22, Training and Filling of Vacancies.  Highlights include a shorter conversion window, the ability to bid for when to go to training and which simulator period pilots want, shortened seat locks, improvements to training pay overall along with distributed training (QCQ and other CBT modules) increases for pay, and the new ability to withdraw from training.  This and much more, coming to you now. This is Engage.  (Recorded February 15, 2023)

Resources:

Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement Website:  Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement (alpa.org)

As the Engage Tentative Agreement (TA) Series resumes, Host First Officer Ryan Argenta speaks with Negotiating Chairman Eric Criswell about improvements to Section 7: Vacations.  Topics of importance include an increase to vacation pay per day, accelerated accrual rates, and increased availability and allocation of vacation throughout the year, especially during times when pilots actually want to take vacation.  (Recorded February 6, 2022)

Resources:

Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement Website:  Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement (alpa.org)

On this episode of Engage, Host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Negotiating Chairman Eric Criswell to go over the Tentative Agreement (TA) improvements to Section 5: Lodging and Expenses.  Topics include improvements to domestic and international per diem, major improvements to crew meal provisions for all pilots, and improvements to lodging for pilots including a new provision to "walk" and secure your own hotel at Company's expense after 45-minutes past scheduled arrival time following an ocean crossing.  All this and more on TA Episode 3, Lodging and Expenses. (Recorded January 20, 2023)

Resources:

Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement Website:  Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement (alpa.org)

Negotiator's Notepad on Global Scope: NN-23-03.pdf (d2r1lrrqctgamh.cloudfront.net)

Roadshow Schedule and Information: Delta TA Roadshows (alpa.org)

On this episode of Engage, Host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Negotiating Committee Chairman Eric Criswell to discuss the Tentative Agreement's (TA) Compensation improvements for Delta pilots.  Discussion includes important information on pay rates, pay banding, the new unrestricted "me too" clause, the one-time retroactive payment for 2020-2022 and the additonal retroactive payment after January 1, 2023.  Other topics of interest include international and oceanic crossing pay and overrides, holiday pay, improved new hire pay and a number of other pay-related improvements.  Eric also answers pilot-submitted questions on pay and compensation.  A wealth of information on this significant and important agreement that each Delta pilot will vote on in the coming weeks. (Recorded January 20, 2023)

Resources:

Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement Website:  Delta Pilots Tentative Agreement (alpa.org)

Negotiator's Notepad on Global Scope: NN-23-03.pdf (d2r1lrrqctgamh.cloudfront.net)

Roadshow Schedule and Information: Delta TA Roadshows (alpa.org)