Engage: The Podcast for Delta Pilots Delta MEC Communications

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)