Engage: The Podcast for Delta Pilots

Latest Episodes:

E41: Grievances Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Captain Trevor Boswell, Chair of the Contract Administration Committee, to discuss how the Contract Administration team, Negotiating Committee, and Delta MEC labor attorneys are handling current pilot grievances with the Company. Trevor explains ongoing contract implementation disputes between ALPA and the Company and how the MEC represents both individual pilots and the entire pilot group alike. On a higher level, Ryan learns about the grievance process, how it works, and how pilots are represented throughout the process. (Recorded November 15, 2023)

E40: From the Pilot Assistance Network (PAN) - We’re All Just Walking Each Other Home Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta speaks with First Officer Forrest Pendleton, Chair of the Pilot Assistance Network (PAN), to find out how this committee and its volunteers help Delta pilots juggle family and their career while maintaining positive mental and physical health through peer-to-peer support. Pilots are in a unique career field governed by the FAA medical certification process, which has specific requirements on reporting to the FAA visits to some mental health and medical practitioners. This obstacle has made it difficult for some pilots to seek access to the help they need; PAN helps pilots navigate the issue of reportability while getting them the help they need and deserve.

Helping pilots and their families manage everything from day-to-day pressures and challenges to training stress to family issues to mental and physical health issues to FAA medical questions, PAN is made up of more than 30 Delta pilot volunteers who answer a 24/7 hotline. PAN is part of the Delta MEC’s Aeromedical Committee and was specifically created to help Delta pilots facing physiological, psychological, and medical concerns or for those needing to talk to someone.

PAN’s goal is to help mitigate the threats that sometimes put our medical certificates, our pay, and our very jobs at risk. To speak with a peer volunteer, call PAN at 888-4-DAL-PAN (888-432-5726) or submit a callback request here. Calls to PAN are absolutely confidential. PAN does not take notes nor collect any data or information - ever. You will never be a data point on a PAN call, and not even de-identified information will ever be collected, shared, or reported to ALPA, Delta Air Lines, and the FAA. (Recorded November 7, 2023).

E39: New Healthcare Insurance Options for Delta Pilots Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, back with the Retirement & Insurance Committee gurus, Chair Captain Scott Bowles and Vice-Chair First Officer John Doherty, along with very special guest Sontia Green, Senior Benefits Specialist at the Delta MEC. This time the team discusses new healthcare insurance options for Delta pilots including updates to the Delta Pilots Medical Plan (DPMP), the completely new Delta Pilots High-Deductible Health Plan (DPHDHP), a new DPMP Dental option for all pilots regardless of which health plan they elect, plus updates and changes to the Delta Air Lines-provided coverages through United Health Care (UHC). Open enrollment opens November 1 through November 17, 2023, in which pilots must take action to select their desired healthcare and medical coverages. (Recorded October 25, 2023)

Resources:

Delta MEC Retirement & Insurance: 1-800-USA-ALPA

Open Enrollment HQ: Plans, Options, and Comparison Tool

Retirement & Insurance Handbook

Know Your HSA

E38: GVUL: What Pilots Need to Know About the New Group Variable Universal Life (GVUL) Insurance Option Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Delta pilots now have a new contractual life insurance option, which can save them tax dollars now and opens a wide variety of investment options while offering benefits to pass along to families and beneficiaries. In a conversation with Jonathan Roman, MetLife’s GVUL administrator, the Engage team, along with Retirement & Insurance Committee members Scott Bowles and John Doherty, sift through the details of the GVUL compared to our current term policy provided by Delta. Highlights include an updated death benefit provided to Delta pilots and paid for by the Company, significantly reduced imputed income for pilots of all ages, tax-free and tax-deferred investment options which pilots can withdraw for any reason at any time, and the ability to take the GVUL policy with you in retirement.

Pilot action is required! The GVUL will be offered during Delta’s open enrollment period, November 1-17, 2023. Pilots must first select the GVUL option during the open enrollment period and then enroll with MetLife through an emailed link. Pilots who wish to remain on the current term policy need not take any action. Active pilots may opt-in and enroll during subsequent year open enrollment periods. That is, if you miss the two-step process deadline this year or decide to wait, you can enroll next year and in the future during the open enrollment period.

For more information, please go to https://www.metlife.com/gvul/DeltaAirLines/

Jonathan Roman will also present the GVUL benefits during WebEx sessions on the dates below. Click here to attend remotely.

Date

10/26/2023 - 10:00 am ET

10/30/2023 - 7:00 pm ET

11/7/2023 - 9:00 am ET

11/16/2023 - 2:00 pm ET

12/5/2023 - 10:00 am ET

12/7/2023 - 2:00 pm ET

E37: How LATT Works (P.S. It’s More Complex Than You May Think) Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

“How it Works” is part of a continuing series from the Central Air Safety Committee (CASC). On today’s episode,First Officer Jerimy Maclellan from CASC explains how Latest Allowable Takeoff Time (LATT) works. While seemingly simple, LATT is more complex and dynamic than most think. Did you know there are two LATTs? An FDP LATT and a Block LATT. Ever get rerouted? Your LATTs are likely incorrectly updated on your paperwork. As a FAR 117 requirement, LATT violations can create significant issues for pilots. On this episode, Jerimy explains what LATT is, how it affects pilots, and how to calculate and update LATT with rolling delays and operational challenges. (Recorded July 21, 2023)

Engage Short: All Call for Volunteers Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, the Delta MEC Secretary, Captain Shane Corbett, discusses volunteering for the Delta MEC and asks pilots of all backgrounds to raise their hands in support of the pilot group. Shane explains how volunteers are compensated for their time, what positions are currently open, and how interested pilots can get in touch with particular committees. Host First Officer Ryan Argenta and Engage podcast volunteer Captain Jason Depew give their perspectives on volunteering at the union. Ever wonder how you could get involved in union work? Have an interest in a particular subject such as Scheduling, PBS, Contract Administration, Hotels, Safety, and more? Tune in to learn more about becoming a part of the Delta MEC team. (Recorded on September 13, 2023) Volunteer Resources and MEC Committees

E36: How 30/168 Works Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

New to the Engage Podcast, introducing “How it Works,” as part of a continuing series from the Central Air Safety Committee (CASC). On today’s episode,First Officer Jerimy Maclellan from CASC explains how 30 hours required rest within the preceding 168 hours works. This FAR 117 regulatory rest period affects all pilots and is often misunderstood, miscalculated, and misapplied by both pilots and Crew Scheduling. Wondering how you got that last- minute reserve assignment when you thought you should be in rest? Ever miss out on a green slip because you weren’t given 30 hours rest? Puzzled how your 30-hour rest was scheduled on a layover? Jerimy explains it all and offers pilots an easy way to calculate the math. Tune in to find out how 30/168 works. (Recorded July 21, 2023)

E35: New Contract Implementation - Reroute Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta meets with Capt. Shawn Kellett and Capt. Ian Turner of the Scheduling Committee, along with Capt. Frank Wedding, newly elected member of the Negotiating Committee (NC) and former Scheduling Committee Vice Chair, to discuss new contract implementation items relating to Section 23 L, Reroute. The group discusses and explains the new simplified reroute pay provisions in PWA 23 L.4, and how various pay treatments are compounding, or “stacking,” adding value for both regular and reserve pilots. The experts explain some of the complexities of reroute, what pilots should be looking for, and what to avoid while ensuring their reroutes are PWA compliant. Additionally, the group discusses new provisions for positive space commuting and hotel options following a reroute that releases beyond a pilot’s originally scheduled release. Reroutes were one of the highest scheduling and quality of life priorities for Delta pilots based on polling for C2019. Tune in to learn more about the new contract provisions and more. (Recorded August 16, 2023) Resources:

Scheduling Alert 23-12 - Reroute

Scheduling Alert 23-14 - Scheduling Implementation Items

Scheduling Reference Handbook

E34: September Contract Implementation Items Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

Back again with Capt. Shawn Kellett and Capt. Ian Turner of the Scheduling Committee and Capt. Frank Wedding of the Negotiating Committee. The Engage podcast dives into the complexities of contract changes, beginning with rotations reporting on or after August 31, 2023. The crew discusses new scheduling items such as a new, hard-stop PWA Flight Duty Period (FDP) Limit of 13 hours for domestic rotations, including deadhead segments, new consecutive layover restrictions for bid package rotations, and break-in-duty requirements for rotation construction. Frank also explains new PWA language defining “redeye” flights, and if you know what a WOCL is or you fly redeyes, this episode is a must-listen for important changes and PWA protections coming on August 31. Finally, the group explains new Extended Duty Period (EDP) Pay beginning with un-augmented rotations reporting on or after August 31, in which pilots will now be paid on a minute-by-minute basis for duty time extending beyond ten (10) hours. New provisions and more, tune in and Engage. (Recorded August 16, 2023)

E33: How Shifted Report Times Work: Myths, Misunderstandings, and Implications for Pilots Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

New to the Engage Podcast, introducing “How it Works”, as part of a continuing series in collaboration the Central Air Safety Committee (CASC). On today’s episode, First Officer Jerimy Maclellan from CASC, explains how Crew Tracking may shift airport report times later than scheduled to accommodate delays while preserving pilot duty periods. While extra rest or time at the hotel seems beneficial, this seemingly innocuous event may actually extend duty periods and FDP limits, opening up pilots to reroutes, extended delays, additional legs, and fatigue. CASC is seeing numerous data and reports indicating shifted report times are affecting both international and domestic pilots alike. Listen in to find out how it works. (Recorded July 21, 2023)

Resources:

Delta MEC Quick Reference Guide FAR 117

Scheduling Reference Handbook - TABLE B TO PART 117: Flight Duty Period

GUIDE TO PART 117 FLIGHT TIME LIMITATIONS AND REST REQUIREMENTS