On this Labor Day special episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta gets together with legacy pilots First Officer David Adler, MEC Secretary, and Captain Brian Kolbus to discuss where we’ve been and where we need to go as a pilot group as our industry continues to change and shift in new and significant ways. Highlighting important lessons learned from previous contracts and major events; how important it is to support one another through pilot unity and how that unity has seriously moved the needle on negotiations; and a few war stories from earlier days, including the Northwest Airlines strike of 1998. This episode is a tribute to those who have endured tumultuous times throughout their careers, sacrificing their time, energy, and effort to secure the future of aviation at Delta Air Lines and beyond – for that, we thank you. On this Labor Day, we reflect and pay homage to the past while recognizing that Delta pilots are at a critical juncture in securing our future at Delta Air Lines. We are One Union, 14,000 Strong: This Is Our Time

(Recorded May 19 and August 17, 2022)

In this special Engage Update, host First Officer Ryan Argenta speaks with the MEC Chairman, Captain Jason Ambrosi, and the Negotiating Committee Chairman Eric Criswell for an update on Section 6 negotiations, the status of the Global Scope agreement, the recent strike authorization vote, the formalization of retroactive pay into the MEC Policy Manual and how displays of pilot unity charge up the Negotiating Committee knowing they have pilots’ full support.

(Recorded August 25, 2022)

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Mike Cowan and Scott Ryan of the PBS Committee for an in-depth review of the NAVBLUE PBS bidding platform, how to navigate the transition to the new WebApp along with some tips, tricks, and best practices to bid for what you want and actually get it. On July 25, the Web UI version of PBS will sunset, and pilots will be re-directed to the new PBS WebApp.  This affects all pilots bidding for September and beyond.  Mike and Scott explain just how seamless the transition will be and where to easily find help when you need it.  This introductory episode on bidding is just one of a several-part series on PBS bidding pitfalls, strategy, and how to maximize your bidding success.  Did you know?  You can have a PBS Committee guru review your bids each month for clarity, functionality, and reality before the bid window closes. Tune in to find out how and more!    (Recorded June 9, 2022)

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta speaks with Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), about AFA’s campaign to help Delta flight attendants organize, how a flight attendant union at Delta would affect Delta pilots, and how Delta pilots can best support their flight attendant colleagues. 

At the DAL MEC Regular Meeting in June, Sara Nelson updated the MEC as to the AFA’s organizing effort at Delta, which is gaining significant momentum. The MEC subsequently unanimously approved a resolution supporting the AFA’s organizing drive for Delta flight attendants. On this episode, Sara discusses how subjects of bargaining for pilots, such as Profit Sharing, are often given to flight attendants to keep their unionization efforts at bay. She also explains how a flight attendants’ union would alleviate pilots from having to negotiate pay and benefits on behalf other employee groups.  The Company has frequently told the Negotiating Committee that Delta must provide the same negotiated benefits, such as Profit Sharing, sought by pilots to flight attendants. A collective bargaining agent for flight attendants would stop this management tactic in its tracks. In addition, Sara explains that with AFA on Delta property, the flight attendants can bargain for themselves, and management can stop attempting to charge pilots for the costs of providing hard-bargained contractual gains to other employee groups.

Sara asks for the Delta pilots’ support by talking to flight attendants about having a union and answering their questions, supporting flight attendants by wearing AFA pins, and helping flight attendants fill out AFA authorization cards.  The Delta MEC supports the AFA and our Delta flight attendants.  Pilots wishing to show their support by wearing AFA pins or helping with authorization cards should contact their LEC representatives.  Please note AFA authorization cards must not be distributed or filled out on Company time or on the airplane; however, doing so during layovers, on crew transportation, at airports, or while on personal time is appropriate.

(Recorded June 9, 2022)

A message from MEC Chair Capt. Jason Ambrosi and Negotiating Committee Chair Capt. Eric Criswell. Come join us on June 30th for a systemwide picket event. RSVP on the Delta MEC website.

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta speaks with Attorney Marcus Migliore, ALPA’s General Counsel & Director, Legal Department, about the implications of the Railway Labor Act (RLA) on Section 6 negotiations and how pilot-coordinated self-help actions can adversely derail progress at the table. Ryan and Mr. Migliore dig into a number of cases where pilot actions, such as refusing to pick up open time trips, green slips, and coordinating a sick out resulted in court action and stiff sanctions for individual pilots as well as for the union.  They also discuss what self-help actions pilots can take under the RLA and how pilot unity, wearing lanyards, and informational picketing is making a huge impact at the negotiating table.  As things heat up in negotiations and frustrations run high this summer, Mr. Migliore explains how important it is for Delta pilots to keep cool, follow the rules and laws imposed by the RLA and let ALPA and elected representatives follow the defined flow process. (Recorded June 9, 2022)

Like what you're hearing?  Have a suggestion for a future episode or have a question you'd like answered "on air"?  Send us a DART at dart.alpa.org.  You have questions, we want answers.

This is your Summer Survival Guide. How to best handle reroutes, extensions, maximum flight duty periods, minimum layovers, delays, cancellations, IROPS, the Optimizer, green slips, white slips, reserve obligations, 23K recovery, fatigue, fit for duty and quality of life for safe operations. In this episode, host First Officer Ryan Argenta gets the band back together – Shawn Kellett and Frank Wedding of the Scheduling Committee and Lisa Nydahl of the Flight Time Duty Time Committee– to bring you a concise guide on handling these challenging situations during the heat of summertime flying and redline operations. The team also discusses using Individual Vacation Days (IVD), Authorized Personal Drops (APD), and other methods to increase your chances of getting well-deserved time off this summer along with information on who to call, where to turn to for specific information to help pilots manage the busy flying months. (Recorded May 18, 2022)

Did you know? You can live chat directly with a Scheduling Committee member through the ACE Inquiry function on the ACE for Unions App. Get live help in the moment – download the app here for iOS and Android.

Like what you're hearing?  Have a suggestion for a future episode or have a question you'd like answered "on air"?  Send us a DART at dart.alpa.org.  You have questions, we want answers.

In this special Engage Update, host First Officer Ryan Argenta speaks with the MEC Chairman, Captain Jason Ambrosi, about the AIP, what this deal means for the Delta pilots, and why it was negotiated outside Section 6. They cover many of the questions posed by pilots and Ryan asks follow-up questions pilots may find important.  Ryan and Jason also discuss the process of vetting a tentative agreement (TA), MEC vote, and individual pilot vote during membership ratification.  (Recorded May 18, 2022)

Happy Mother’s Day!  On this episode of Engage, we honor all moms and highlight the challenging lives of Delta pilot moms and families.  Host, First Officer Ryan Argenta, speaks with Pilot Family Matters Committee (PFMC) Chair First Officer Alison Britton, First Officer Carrie Nickell and First Officer Cassie Nelson about the issues and challenges Delta pilot moms face as they balance their careers with family life, the need for maternity and paternity improvements from Delta, and current support programs available to pilots through PFMC.

Empathy, understanding, and appreciation can only go so far when it is policy change, increased benefits, and truly supportive programs that are desired and much needed. The Delta MEC recognizes the severely lacking maternity benefits and support programs offered by Delta. While these much-needed improvements are currently being discussed in contract negotiations, the Delta MEC believes all mothers, fathers, and families should be provided exceptional paid leave and support benefits by Delta without having to negotiate for such basic and necessary provisions.  Delta’s desire for diversity must be backed by real and valuable benefits for all employees – Delta mothers, fathers, and family members have earned it.

The Delta MEC Pilot Family Matters Committee offers support and resources to pilot families on a variety of topics including maternity, paternity, and bonding leave, adoption support, and a robust maternity mentorship program walking new moms and all pilots alike through the challenges of parenthood.

Happy Mother’s Day to all Delta pilot moms! Thank you for your dedicated service to the airline and career you love and, most importantly, thank you for all you do for your children and your family.

On this episode of Engage, host Ryan Argenta learns from the Hotel Committee (Steve Koffler, Craig Stephens, Stephen Roberts) how layover hotels are sourced, contracted, and conceived and the group dives into little known secrets about crew discounts, certain perks, and why we don't get hotel loyalty points.  The group also discusses quality of life and hotel improvements for Section 6 negotiations and the need for stronger contractual language when it comes to layover hotels, transportation, and fatigue mitigation.  Ryan solves some long-held rumors and myths like which hotels did Northwest once own, why some layover hotels are not in downtown locations, and how you can get a Peloton bike delivered to your hotel room.  Plus, Did You Know?  Pilots are contractually allowed to source their own transportation if company arranged transportation does not arrive within 20 minutes?  Same goes for hotel accommodations.  And find out from the Hotel Committee the system's hottest hotels and where they are.  (Recorded March 23, 2022)