Engage: The Podcast for Delta Pilots

Delta MEC Communications
  • 4.8 (95)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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. Engage Alert: Negotiations Opening Monday - Raise the Bar. Hold the Line.

    1D AGO

    Engage Alert: Negotiations Opening Monday - Raise the Bar. Hold the Line.

    This is an Engage Alert with a critical update regarding contract negotiations and an important strategic development. Next week, opening proposals are to be exchanged, marking a major milestone in the Section 6 process and the beginning of the next phase for Delta pilots. In this episode, MEC Chairman Captain Eric Criswell and Negotiating Committee Chairman Captain Bill Finlay join us to outline the strategy, priorities, and expectations moving forward - including the announcement of a more accelerated and focused negotiation path. The union is pursuing an approach centered on a concise set of high-value priorities targeting pay, retirement, and quality of life, with the goal of delivering significant and meaningful gains on a shorter timeline. But one message is clear: Early does not mean discounted. Any agreement must meet pilot expectations and stand on its own value, regardless of timing. If that standard is not met, the MEC is fully prepared to pivot to a more traditional, comprehensive approach. This conversation also addresses: Why this strategy is being pursued now How pilot feedback is directly shaping priorities What happens if the Company doesn’t engage Lessons learned from past negotiations What pilots should expect in the months ahead Both Captain Criswell and Captain Finlay make this clear: Delta pilots are firmly in the driver’s seat. This is a deliberate strategy designed to capture value sooner without sacrificing leverage or outcomes. Stay informed. Stay engaged.

    19 min
  2. Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - March 27, 2026

    MAR 27

    Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - March 27, 2026

    Your weekly news update from the Engage team is here. Listen now for the latest news from the Delta MEC. Here is what's on the radar: A Tragic Loss in the Aviation Community Updates from this Week's Special MEC Meeting in ATL Welcome aboard, March 17 New Hire Class! Don't Forget to Check Out the Latest Negotiators' Series Episode! Committee and LEC News and Events

    10 min
  3. Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - March 20, 2026

    MAR 20

    Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - March 20, 2026

    Welcome aboard to the latest Engage Weekly episode — your direct line to what’s happening with the Delta MEC. This week's headlines include: The Engage podcast has launched its second episode of the Negotiators' Series. Tune in to get an in-depth rundown of the history, strategy, and reality of pilot contract negotiations. A full recap of the March Regular MEC Meeting — committee updates, resolutions, economic briefings, and negotiations prep. A tribute to Atlanta-based First Officer Mike McCoy and his wife Heather, who tragically lost their lives recently in a plane crash. We honor Mike’s legacy as a Delta pilot and 23-year USAF veteran, and share how this week’s new hire class paid tribute with their mascot, “Max.” Plus: Latest committee news, upcoming events, and must-know info for Delta pilots. All links are in this week's MEC News! Listen now and stay engaged! Subscribe on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app.

    9 min
  4. Negotiators’ Series: Section 6 Is Coming: History, Strategy, and the Reality of Negotiations

    MAR 19

    Negotiators’ Series: Section 6 Is Coming: History, Strategy, and the Reality of Negotiations

    As Delta pilots prepare for another round of Section 6 negotiations, it’s worth remembering that every contract, and every negotiating cycle, is shaped by history, priorities, and sometimes difficult tradeoffs. In this episode of the Engage Podcast, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Delta MEC Executive Administrator Captain Rich Wheeler, former negotiator and longtime union leader, to talk about the realities of contract negotiations and the lessons learned from decades of pilot agreements. Rich shares a historical perspective on how pilot contracts have evolved, how negotiating priorities shift with industry conditions, and why understanding the past is essential when shaping the future. Along the way, Rich offers a behind-the-scenes look at negotiations, from long nights writing updates on shipping crates to the intricate “Tetris game” of ensuring that one contractual improvement doesn’t inadvertently break another section. Every pilot has priorities, but successful negotiations require balancing thousands of individual needs across an entire pilot group, and perhaps the most honest reality of contract negotiations: you can’t save all the kittens. As negotiations approach, this episode is a reminder to stay informed, stay unified, and understand the process behind the contract that ultimately governs every pilot’s career.

    34 min
  5. Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - March 13, 2026

    MAR 13

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

    For this week's Engage Weekly episode, Adam provides an update on CNO inconsistencies, gives a warm welcome to the March 3 New Hire Class, encourages pilots to stay engaged as we approach Section 6 negotiations, reminds pilots to buy extra vacation before April 1, promotes the updated FAR 117 and PWA Limits Quick Reference Guide, and highlights news from select MEC committees Additional news, notes, and links are available in this week's newsletter!

    12 min
  6. Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - March 6, 2026

    MAR 6

    Engage Weekly - News You Need to Know - March 6, 2026

    Engage Weekly is live with news from your MEC during their regular meeting in Austin, TX. Here's your news checklist. ✅ News from the Delta MEC Meeting in Austin, TX ✅ MOU 25-05 Update—Compliance Period Review, Sick Lookback/Verifi cation StillSuspended **LAST CALL** ✅ Update to the FAR 117 and PWA Limits Quick Reference Guide ✅ Updated Live Contract on MEC Website and Comply365 ✅ MEC Grievance Tracker: March 2026 Grievance List ✅ Additional news from your LECs and committees!

    9 min
  7. E75: Quick Slips, Scheduling Shenanigans, and How We Got Here: A Roadmap Through the Chaos

    FEB 25

    E75: Quick Slips, Scheduling Shenanigans, and How We Got Here: A Roadmap Through the Chaos

    In this in-depth episode of the Engage Podcast, host First Officer Ryan Argenta is joined by MEC Executive Administrator Captain Rich Wheeler and Scheduling Committee Vice Chairman Captain Josh Cantrell to unpack the growing complexity behind open time, inverse assignments, and the rollout of Quick Slips under MOU 25-05. The conversation traces how chronic understaffing, outdated staffing formulas, expanding flying schedules, and evolving contract provisions have combined to create today’s operational pressure cooker. Rich and Josh explain how PCS, manual trip coverage, batch sizes, proactive rest, and 23 M.7 usage interact behind the scenes, often in ways that are invisible to line pilots but deeply impactful to pay, quality of life, and schedule stability. They break down why inverse assignments exploded in recent years, how “race-to-the-phone” coverage undermined seniority, and why Quick Slips represent a major shift toward restoring transparency, structure, and fairness in last-minute flying.   With historical perspective and practical insight, this episode separates fact from rumor and explains what “controlled chaos” really means in today’s scheduling environment. Whether you’re chasing premium flying, protecting your days off, or simply trying to understand why the system feels so strained, this conversation offers clarity, context, and a realistic path forward.

    35 min
  8. E74: ASAP Explained: What Really Happens After You Hit “Submit”

    FEB 11

    E74: ASAP Explained: What Really Happens After You Hit “Submit”

    What actually happens after a pilot submits an ASAP? Where does it go, who reads it, and what outcomes can follow? In this episode of the Engage, Host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Captain Jason Herman, Chairman of the Airport & Ground Environment (AGE) Subcommittee of the Central Air Safety Committee (CASC), to pull back the curtain on the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) step by step.   They walk through the full ASAP lifecycle, from de-identification and triage to Event Review Committee (ERC) discussions, closeouts, and potential follow-ups. Along the way, they tackle common myths (no, ASAP isn’t a black hole or a “get out of jail free card”), explain how ASAP interacts with ASRs and FOQA/Flight Pulse data, and share practical guidance on writing reports that actually lead to change.   If you’ve ever wondered whether your ASAP is read, how outcomes are decided, or how pilot reports drive real-world improvements to procedures, training, and airport operations - this episode is required listening.

    31 min
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4.8
out of 5
95 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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