Engage: The Podcast for Delta Pilots

Latest Episodes:

Engage Update: How Pilots Shut Down the WNBA Scope Violation Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Scope Chair Captain Justin Berg joins host First Officer Ryan Argenta to give Delta pilots the full story behind the WNBA charter scope violation first covered in Episode 65. With the grievance process now complete, Delta has formally acknowledged the breach, corrected the flying, and—thanks to vigilant pilot reporting—limited the impact before it could grow. The official remedy? Calculated damages totaling over $530,000 and a clear precedent that reinforces PWA Scope protections and proves that quick, detailed reporting can stop outsourcing in its tracks.

E68: A Rep’s Perspective: Unity, Section 6, and Deal Making Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

What keeps Atlanta’s Council 44 reps awake at night? Two things: educating a largely new pilot group before Section 6 and stopping off-book deal-making with Scheduling that erodes unity and pay protections. In this candid roundtable, Captain Tony Rohloff, Captain Shawn Kellett, and First Officer Maggie Eickhoff explain why the Contract History and Contract Comparison aren’t “homework” - they’re essential to a strong opener - and how your narrative responses in the contract survey directly shape MEC direction and Negotiating Committee priorities. We break down the coverage ladder, why making deals for yourself cuts the line for everyone else, and how mentoring in the cockpit can curb bad habits before they spread.

You’ll also hear a clear playbook for engagement: where to find surveys and polling, how resolutions flow into the “Green Book” for negotiations, and why participation matters even when things feel good on the line. We close with base-level ways to plug in and a reminder that unity isn’t a slogan; it’s a series of small, contract-compliant choices we make every day.

E67: Behind the Curtain: Delta IT, Pilot Privacy, and the Fight for Accurate Pay Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

When pilots discovered Delta could see TikTok installed on their personal phones, alarm bells went off. Section 24 X. of the PWA is supposed to protect pilots from corporate snooping, but what was Delta really accessing through the Hub app? In this eye-opening episode, Engage host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with First Officer Justin Vandermark, Chair of ALPA’s IT Committee, to expose what the union discovered when it finally got “the grand tour” of Delta’s systems. From mobile device management profiles that can leak your location, to the truth about deleting the Hub app, pilots need to know how their privacy is protected – or not.

But the fight doesn’t stop at data security. Vandermark also pulls back the veil on Delta’s decades-old DBMS scheduling system, why pay errors keep happening, and how contractual gains like Section 23 W.1.d.are setting the stage for long-overdue change. This episode isn’t just about apps and acronyms - it’s about control, transparency, and making sure Delta pilots are paid correctly the first time. If you’ve ever wondered why the Company can roll out flashy passenger tech but can’t fix pilot pay, this conversation will make you sit up and take notice.

E66: Disability Demystified: What Every Delta Pilot Needs to Know Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

In this informative and candid episode of Engage, hosts Captain Laura Woods and First Officer Ryan Argenta sit down with Retirement and Insurance (R&I) experts Captains Scott Bowles and John Doherty to take a deep dive into the often-misunderstood world of disability for Delta pilots. Whether you're navigating a short-term medical issue, a planned procedure, or facing an unexpected long-term event, this conversation covers everything you need to know - from qualifying for disability, using your sick leave and understanding DPMA, to how your 401(k), healthcare, and income are affected.

You’ll also hear practical advice about returning to work, how income offsets work, and the importance of staying off ladders (seriously). With real-life examples and clear guidance, this episode is essential listening for pilots at any seniority level.

E65: Scope is Still Dope: How Global Scope Delivers Widebodies, Career Progression, and Job Protection Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

Scope isn’t just a contract clause—it’s the foundation of every Delta pilot’s career security. In this in-depth and highly relevant episode, hosts First Officer Ryan Argenta and Captain Laura Woods welcome Scope Committee leaders Captain Justin Berg, First Officer Jim Burgess, and Captain John Pinkerton to break down why Scope matters in 2025 and beyond.

They unpack how the Global Scope agreement—an industry-first—continues to directly translate into more widebody flying, more seniority movement, and more opportunities for Delta pilots. You’ll hear why block hours, not specific routes, are the true measure of growth and compliance, and how this smartly structured agreement ensures Delta can expand globally—without outsourcing pilot jobs.

But it’s not all a smooth ride: the team also discusses current grievances, transparency issues, and why pilot-reported tips are often the key to uncovering violations. From WNBA charter violation concerns to cross-border flying limits, they’re watching every angle.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why are our partners flying that route?”—this episode is your answer. Scope protects our flying. Scope grows our fleets. Scope moves the needle on our careers. And yes—Scope is still dope.

Chairman’s Update: State Sick Wins, Contract Violations, and the Road Ahead Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

In this special Chairman's Update on the Engage Podcast, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Delta MEC Chair Captain Eric Criswell to discuss major state sick law wins, frustration over how IROPs are handled, repeated contract violations, pilot and dispatcher unity, and the road ahead. Tune in and stay Engaged.

E64: Behind the Flight Deck Door: Conflict, Resolution & the Role of Professional Standards Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, hosts Capt. Laura Woods and F/O Ryan Argenta sit down with Capt. Tom Thornton from the Professional Standards Committee—a man who’s been defusing cockpit conflicts since 1998. With over 17,000 pilots on property, ProStans fields a high volume of calls each week, tackling everything from CRM breakdowns to personality clashes in the flight deck. Tom pulls back the curtain on what really happens when pilots call in, how confidentiality works (hint: it’s not anonymous), and why ProStans should be your first stop—not your last—when facing peer-to-peer conflict.

From misunderstandings and fatigue-fueled frustration to inappropriate cockpit banter, Tom shares insights from decades of experience, explaining how ProStans aims to keep conflict resolution in the hands of pilots—not HR. Whether you’re new to the Company or a seasoned captain, this episode is a must-listen for understanding how we keep our crews cohesive, professional, and focused on safety. If you need to speak to the Delta MEC Professional Standards Committee, please call 1- 855-778-2637.

E63: Cockpit to Capitol: Why the Legislative Summit Matters to You Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, host First Officer Ryan Argenta is joined by First Officer Brendan Cantwell, Government Affairs Chair, to unpack everything from ALPA's 2025 Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. Each year, Delta pilots—alongside aviators from across the industry—descend on Capitol Hill to champion the issues that matter most to the pilot profession. From walking the halls of Congress to one-on-one meetings with lawmakers, we’re making sure pilot-partisan priorities are heard loud and clear.

This year’s top issues included: Opposing Reduced Crew/Single-Pilot Operations (RCOs) for critical safety reasons, accelerating Air Traffic Control modernization, and advancing pilot mental health initiatives. Ryan and Brendan also discuss where things stand with proposed changes to the pilot retirement age, why backing the PAC is vital, how Delta pilots can step up as district advocates, and why responding to Calls to Action has a real impact on Capitol Hill. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just now getting involved, this episode gives you the tools, updates, and inspiration to help protect and elevate the pilot profession. (Recorded June 11, 2025)

E62: Engage Special Alert: Turbulence Ahead for Pilots in Training Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host F/O Ryan Argenta and Training Committee Chair, F/O Charlie Mader, unpack a growing pattern of dysfunction in Delta’s Training Planning Department. Based on a steady stream of pilot reports, we highlight how disorganized scheduling, vague guidance, poor hotel logistics, and a lack of proper training support are creating avoidable obstacles for pilots — and undermining the standards outlined in the PWA.

While our instructors remain professional and committed, it’s clear that deeper issues in management’s planning priorities and accountability are affecting pilot readiness and operational trust. We break down key concerns, explain what pilots need to watch for and what to do when affected, and discuss how the MEC is pushing for real solutions. Topics include:

No-notice schedule changes and lack of required communication
Inadequate hotel accommodations and rest protection
Missing seat support
PWA compliance concerns and ongoing grievances
What pilots can do now to protect themselves and push for change

Delta pilots deserve a training system that works as hard as they do — this episode lays out what needs to change and how we get there.

For more details about issues concerning Training Planning, please read MEC Alert 25-11: Ongoing Issues with Delta’s Training Planning.

E61: The Art of Hypocrisy: How Delta is Fighting Employee Benefits & Dismantling the Delta Family Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta discusses how Delta is actively opposing state laws that were enacted to provide employees with an enhanced sick leave benefit. Specifically, the Company is attempting to circumvent, ignore or litigate state sick laws that provide employees who live or work in that state with benefits more generous than those offered by their employers. Pilots based in LAX, MSP, DTW, SEA and NYC are familiar with Delta’s ongoing efforts to prevent them from using their state sick benefit in order to care for themselves and their families. Those attempting to use their sick leave are often meet with resistance, have their sick claims denied or receive “counseling” from Chief Pilots.

Special guests David Martin, Senior Legislative Rep, and Jeff Pavlak, Manager of Policy and Legislation for ALPA National, discuss this concerning problem and address how ALPA is aggressively fighting for Delta’s compliance. The group talks about what pilots can do to affect change on a broader level and specifically what pilots can do who need to use their state sick enhanced benefits or have been denied by Delta. (Recorded May 22, 2025)

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