In this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Scott Bowles, John Doherty, and Dan Fusco, the experts of the Retirement & Insurance Committee to discuss a variety of topics including 401(k) contributions, ROTH conversions and recent changes to ROTH conversions for Company contributions, how you no longer have to "race" the Company to max out your 401(k), potential tax implications of multiple retirement income sources, PBGC, Market-Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP) benefits and tax implications, ALPA-sponsored insurance programs, and other R&I nuggets.  

The Fine Print:  This podcast does not constitute an official position or advice of the Air Line Pilots Association or the Delta Master Executive Council. The information provided in this podcast does not, and is not, intended to constitute legal advice, tax advice, or financial planning expertise. All information and content presented are for general informational purposes only.

(Recorded October 5 and December 7, 2022)

Host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with MEC Chairman Capt. Jason Ambrosi, Negotiating Committee Chairman Capt. Eric Criswell, and ALPA’s Assistant Director of Representation Dept. and Senior Advisor Art Luby for an in-depth discussion of how negotiations concluded with the AIP and the process to get to a Tentative Agreement. 

After a short programming break, the Engage podcast is back...lots of great episodes to come including one on the Agreement in Principle (AIP) with the Negotiating Committee and the MEC Chairman.  Tune in and stay engaged.

Everyone is fighting a battle you may know nothing about. On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta speaks with Grant Olbrich, Chairman of the Pilot Assistance Network (PAN), to find out how this committee and its volunteers help Delta pilots juggle family and career while maintaining positive mental and physical health through peer-to-peer support. Pilots are in a unique career field governed by the FAA medical certification process which has specific requirements on reporting to the FAA visits to some mental health and medical practitioners. This obstacle has made it difficult for some pilots to seek access to the help they need; PAN helps pilots navigate the issue of reportability while getting them the help they need and deserve. Special guest Adam Bradley, SLC First Officer Representative, joins Ryan and Grant to discuss how important it is for pilots to be able to get the help they need without threat to their medical certificates and how PAN is a priority for the Delta MEC. Adam explains the Delta MEC recently unanimously approved a resolution making access to mental health for pilots an urgent priority for ALPA to take to Congress and the FAA.

Helping pilots and their families manage everything from day-to-day pressures and challenges to training stress to family issues to mental and physical health issues to FAA medical questions, the Pilot Assistance Network is made up of more than 30 Delta pilot volunteers who answer a 24/7 hotline. PAN is part of the Delta MEC’s Aeromedical Committee and specifically created to help Delta pilots facing physiological, psychological, and medical concerns or for those just needing to talk to someone.

PAN’s goal is to help mitigate the threats that sometimes put our medical certificates, our pay, and our very jobs at risk. To speak with a peer volunteer, call PAN at 1-800-673-7150.

Calls to PAN are absolutely confidential.  PAN does not take notes nor collect any data or information - ever.  You will never be a data point on a PAN call and not even de-identified information is ever collected, shared, or reported to ALPA, Delta Air Lines, and the FAA.

(Recorded July 17, 2022)

On this episode of Engage, First Officer Ryan Argenta hosts a discussion with Delta pilot family members who have gone through a strike, and those that have not. He answers questions about what resources are available to pilots and their families during a strike and discusses the "return on investment" from a strong strike authorization vote. 

On this episode of Engage, First Officer Ryan Argenta chats with Laura Woods, Chair of the Delta Pilot Network (DPN) on how her committee of pilot volunteers supports Delta pilots during natural disasters, personal and family emergencies, and when you just need some help getting back on your feet during a crisis.  Laura explains the resources and support available for every pilot - far beyond pilot parties and unity building events DPN is so well known for.  

(Recorded June 5, 2022)

On this episode of Engage, we bring you a recap of indoc - highlighting important information you may have missed or forgotten along with some extra tidbits and strategies for success at Delta Air Lines.  Host, First Officer Ryan Argenta, chats with Maggie Eickhoff and Ben Wallander of the Membership Committee bringing you the best of indoctrination without the fire hose effect.  Topics include ALPA-provided resources; dispelling myths and rumors of probation; help with training and OE; how to jumpseat on Delta and other airlines; military leave; who to contact for PBS bidding and Scheduling questions; Pilot Family Matters (PFMC); Delta Pilot Mentor Program; Complimentary and Additional Insurance Coverages for ALPA members; Pilot Assistance Network (PAN); and all the great resources and committees available to help support you throughout your career.  New hires and old hires alike - this episode is for you.  

(Recorded October 5, 2022)

Resources:

DART:  dart.alpa.org

Delta MEC:  alpa.org/dal

PBS Reference Handbook:  pbs-reference-handbook.pdf (alpa.org)

Scheduling Reference Handbook: scheduling-reference-handbook.pdf (alpa.org)

ACE for Unions App. Get live help in the moment – download the app here for iOS and Android.

On this episode of Engage, First Officer Ryan Argenta visits the Strike Center at the Delta MEC Headquarters in Atlanta.  While there are no boxing gloves, swords, or iron fists in the Strike Center, Ryan does find a team of hard-working, caring and dedicated Strike Preparedness Committee members and volunteers.  Ryan discusses with Eric Nelson, Strike Preparedness Committee Chairman, and his team why they've setup the Strike Center, what it does, available financial resources for pilots, and how volunteers directly help Delta pilots.  The group also discusses the current status of negotiations and how the strike authorization vote impacts negotiations and directly helps our Negotiating Committee at the table.   

Vote Here!  www.alpa.org/votenet

Delta Pilots Family Awareness:  Family Awareness (alpa.org)

(Recorded on October 5, 2022)

In this Engage Short episode, First Officer Ryan Argenta gets a great lesson from the PBS experts, Mike Cowan and Scott Ryan, on "unstacking" and how it greatly affects line holders and reserve pilots alike.  Unstacking also affects the number of green slips, reserve availability, reserve coverage, category staffing, quality of life, and productivity from pilots.  

(Recorded September 22, 2022)

PBS Reference Handbook:  pbs-reference-handbook.pdf (alpa.org)

In this Engage update, First Officer Ryan Argenta clarifies the strike authorization vote as it pertains to pilots currently on probation and those pilots who were on probation as of 0800 EDT on September 29, 2022.  

(Recorded October 3, 2022)