Engage: The Podcast for Delta Pilots

Delta MEC Communications

Engage is a product of the Delta Air Lines ALPA Master Executive Council Communications Committee. Delivering important news, information and updates, the podcast touches on all areas of being a pilot at Delta Air Lines, with an emphasis on upcoming contract negotiations and quality of life for Delta pilots.

  1. 1h ago

    E79: Following the Money - Dues Down, Value Up, Money Back in Your Pocket

    What exactly does ALPA National's Executive Council do and why should Delta pilots care? Host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Delta pilot and ALPA Executive Vice President Captain Reed Donoghue for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the least visible but most impactful areas of the Association. Reed explains how the Executive Council serves as ALPA's fiduciary, oversees spending, approves major initiatives, and shapes policy that affects pilots across the industry. The conversation dives into ALPA's strong financial position, the proposed dues reduction from 1.85% to 1.55%, recent dues returns, and efforts to push more resources directly back to MECs, LECs, and pilot services. Reed also discusses how pilot-driven policy changes make their way through the organization, why engagement matters, and how line pilots can help shape the future of the Association. Whether you've ever wondered where your dues go, how ALPA's budget is managed, or why pilot participation matters, this episode provides an informative look at the work happening behind the scenes on behalf of Delta pilots.

    11 min

  2. 5d ago

    Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - June 26, 2026

    The weekend is taxiing into position , and this latest edition of Engage Weekly is ready for departure. Get caught up on the latest news and events from the Delta MEC. News rundown below • Feedback Requested: Rate Your Pilot/Flight Operations Experience • Engage Episode #78: Scheduling Shenanigans | Trip Coverage • UNH Polling: June 23 – July 2 • Your Upcoming Dues Return Offer: Watch Your Email • Join Delta MEC Volunteers at Oshkosh! • Training: E-Learning Updates • FTDT: Delta’s FRMS Authorizations • DPAC: Confidential Help for Delta Pilots • Plus, committee and LEC updates are available in this week’s newsletter! Have a good weekend!

    19 min

  3. Jun 24

    E78: Scheduling Shenanigans - Trip Coverage Edition

    What is actually going on with trip coverage, ARCOS, premium flying, and all those “weird slips” pilots keep seeing in the operation? In this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Scheduling Committee Chair Ian Turner and Vice Chair Josh Cantrell to break down the current state of Delta’s trip coverage process during the summer operations push. The conversation covers open time, M7 usage, ARCOS delays, auto-accept, auto-acknowledge, out-of-base white slips, quick slips, inverse assignments, and the growing complexity of covering trips across the system. Ian and Josh explain why pilots using contractual scheduling tools are not the root cause of the current challenges, how technology and process delays are affecting coverage, and why premium flying data may not tell the full story when viewed through green slips alone. If you’ve wondered why trips seem to disappear after an ARCOS award, why coverage feels slower than it used to, whether pilots are “clogging the system,” or whether you should change how you use your contractual scheduling options, this episode is for you.

    19 min
  4. Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - June 19, 2026

    Jun 19

    Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - June 19, 2026

    The weekend has pushed back from the gate ✈️, and this latest edition of Engage Weekly is cleared for takeoff. Get caught up on the latest news and events from the Delta MEC. News rundown below 👇 • Delta MEC June Meeting Highlights • Negotiating Committee Update • BOS Local Council • University of New Hampshire Polling Begins June 23 • Juneteenth Holiday Hours • Delta MEC Swag Store • Delta Pilots Charitable Fund: 2025 Summary Report • Welcome to Our Newest Delta Pilots — June 9 New Hire Class • Your Upcoming Dues Return Offer: Watch Your Email • Join Delta MEC Volunteers at Oshkosh! • Moved? Update Your Contact Information to Receive Union Updates • Happy Father’s Day from the Delta MEC • Plus, committee and LEC updates are available in this week’s newsletter! Have a good weekend!

    14 min
  5. Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - June 13, 2026

    Jun 13

    Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - June 13, 2026

    The weekend has kicked off ⚽️, and this latest edition of Engage Weekly is truly a keeper. Get caught up on the latest news and events from the Delta MEC. News rundown below 👇 Delta MEC June Regular Meeting Update Your Upcoming Dues Return Offer: Watch Your Email Welcome to Our Newest Delta Pilots — June 2nd New Hire Class Engage: LOSA Demystified: Who’s Sitting in Your Jumpseat? Join Delta MEC Volunteers at Oshkosh! Moved? Update Your Contact Information to Receive Union Updates Plus, committee and LEC updates are available in this week's newsletter! Have a good weekend!

    10 min
  6. E77: LOSA Demystified: Who’s Sitting in Your Jumpseat?

    Jun 10

    E77: LOSA Demystified: Who’s Sitting in Your Jumpseat?

    What exactly is LOSA, and who is that pilot sitting in your jumpseat? In this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Casey Songster, 737 First Officer and Vice Chair of the SMS Subcommittee within the Central Air Safety Committee (CASC), to break down the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program. Casey explains how LOSA fits into Delta’s Safety Management System (SMS), what LOSA observers are actually looking for, and why the program is designed to identify operational risks—not evaluate individual pilots.  The conversation covers confidentiality, de-identification, observer selection, pilot participation, and how LOSA data helps both ALPA and the Company better understand threats, error chains, and opportunities for risk mitigation across the operation. If you’ve ever wondered who that person in your jumpseat is, what happens to the information collected during a LOSA observation, or how pilots contribute to safety programs behind the scenes, this episode is for you.

    18 min
  7. Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - June 5, 2026

    Jun 5

    Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - June 5, 2026

    Hello June, and hello to this new edition of Engage Weekly! Get a recap of the MEC's and stay tuned for updates from your Union when they head to SLC next week for their next regular meeting. All links and additional information can be found in this week's MEC News!

    10 min
  8. E76: Premium Profits and Pilot Leverage: Making the Most of This Moment

    Apr 16

    E76: Premium Profits and Pilot Leverage: Making the Most of This Moment

    Note: This podcast was recorded on April 1, 2026, prior to the 2026 1Q earnings call. Though some of the numbers referenced in this podcast have been slightly revised, the 2026 1Q earnings once again demonstrate Delta’s ability to generate a revenue premium. Total revenue for the quarter was a record-setting $14.2 billion, up nearly 10% from the same time last year. As openers have been exchanged and Section 6 negotiations are officially underway, the noise is getting louder– with record profits, premium demand, inflation, and global instability. So, what’s real and what actually matters for pilots heading into Section 6?  In this episode, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with ALPA’s Senior Economic & Financial Analysis (E&FA) Analyst Rushi Patel to break down the numbers behind the headlines and decipher what they mean for pilot leverage right now. Delta is delivering record revenue and profitability, driven by a structural shift towards premium demand, strong brand positioning, and diversified revenue streams. This conversation cuts through the noise: Why Delta and United are capturing over 100% of industry profits The real impact of premium cabin strategy and shifting demand How resilient the current economic environment actually is What inflation, oil, and geopolitics mean (and don’t mean) Why these negotiations are unique and not a repeat of the previous cycle Bottom line: Pilots are entering negotiations from a position of strength. Be informed. Be engaged. And understand the moment.

    23 min
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4.8
out of 5
99 Ratings

About

Engage is a product of the Delta Air Lines ALPA Master Executive Council Communications Committee. Delivering important news, information and updates, the podcast touches on all areas of being a pilot at Delta Air Lines, with an emphasis on upcoming contract negotiations and quality of life for Delta pilots.

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