Engage: The Podcast for Delta Pilots

Latest Episodes:

E32: Age 67, Open Skies, & F/O Minimums - Coverage from the 2023 ALPA Legislative Summit Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

The Engage Podcast is on location from the 10th Annual Legislative Summit in Washington DC with special guests ALPA President Jason Ambrosi, ALPA Manager of Legislation and Policy, Jeff Pavlak, Delta MEC Government Affairs members Captain Jessie Elliott, and First Officer Brenden Cantwell. Covering hot topics brought to Capitol Hill directly by pilot advocates, such as proposed Age 67 legislation, protecting Fair and Open Skies, maintaining the 1,500-hour minimum, Secondary Barriers, and more. The group also highlights how the Political Action Campaign (PAC) works, how ALPA has professional lobbyists working hard for pilots every day, and how pilots can help by getting involved. (Recorded June 6-7, 2023)

E31: How to Succeed in Training - Tips, Tricks, and Tidbits from the Training Committee Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

Let’s face it – not many enjoy going to training. Being away from home, living on Virginia Avenue for weeks at a time, feeling the stress and pressure of a fast-paced course in a new airplane or an upgrade to Captain or both at the same time is never an easy feeling. Delta and the Delta MEC want you to succeed in training. On this episode of Engage, Host First Officer Ryan Argenta gets tips, tricks, and tidbits on how to best succeed in training from Captain Tony Rohloff, a seasoned professional from the Training Committee. Tony not only gives his best advice on how to (more) easily get through training but also walks us through the process of training issues and failures which he affectionately calls “stubbing your toe”. Have family or a personal issue while in training? Tony explains how to get the time off you need. New hire at Delta? Tony has specific advice for you. Boeing to Airbus conversion? Tony has you covered. Tune in and succeed in training.

(Recorded May 5, 2023)

E30: Scheduling Implementation Items for June and Section 23 M.7 Abuse Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, Shawn Kellett and Frank Wedding from the Scheduling Committee return to meet with Engage Host First Officer Ryan Argenta discussing new contract changes for Scheduling, PWA Section 23, coming in June. Items include new reserve rules, 18-hour minimum callouts, and changes to be aware of with second-day manual trip coverage. The group also discusses the hot topic of how the Company is utilizing a loophole in 23 M.7 to bypass steps of coverage allowing them to skip green slip coverage altogether. Additionally, under this loophole provision, Shawn and Frank explain how there are hundreds of pilots abrogating seniority and asking the Company to circumvent the contract in which they are calling for pilots to "knock it off". They also explain an important FRMS issue affecting A350 pilots. And finally, the Engage crew say farewell and good luck to Frank Wedding as he prepares to move to the Negotiating Committee. (Recorded May 24, 2023)

Resources:

Scheduling Alert 23-06: Scheduling Implementation for June

E29: Market-Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP) Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

The Market-Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP) is happening. All you need to know about the MBCBP as Engage Host First Officer Ryan Argenta discusses the MBCBP with Negotiating Chairman Eric Criswell, Retirement & Insurance Committee Member Dan Fusco, and Captain Jason Depew, a Delta pilot, author, and prolific writer on pilot-related finances. Delta pilots will automatically be enrolled in the plan starting on October 1, 2023. Pilots wishing to maintain their status quo benefits must take action before August 1, 2023 on a one-time, irrevocable basis to not be a part of the MBCBP. Tune in now for all the details. (Recorded May 24, 2023)

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast does not constitute an official position or advice of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) or the Delta Master Executive Council. The information provided in this podcast does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice, tax advice, or financial planning. All information and content presented are for general informational purposes only.

Resources:

Negotiators' Notepad 23-17: MBCBP

E28: Improvements to Parental Leaves, Adoptions & More from Pilot Family Matters (PFMC) May 17, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, we welcome back Pilot Family Matters Committee (PFMC) Chairwoman Alison Brittonto discuss new contract improvements for parental leaves and adoptions including birthing parents, non-birthing parents and surrogacy. Alison discusses with Host First Officer Ryan Argenta the details, timelines, and nuances of taking time off during and after pregnancy and where to find resources for a wide range of services provided by the PFMC. (Recorded April 26, 2023)

Resouces and Information:

Pilot Family Matters Website

Parental Leaves, Adoptions, & Surrogacy FAQs

E27: Contract Improvements in Training Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, Captain Tony Rohloff from the Training Committee visits with Host First Officer Ryan Argenta to discuss improvements and changes to the Training section of the new contract. Tune in to learn more about increased training pay, premium pay treatments, AE awards and bidding for training, a once-in-a-career training mulligan, and much more. (Recorded April 11, 2023)

E26: Pilots Are Still Fatigued - A Discussion with the Fitness Review Board Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta discusses with First Officer Matt Loveday, Fitness Review Board (FRB) Chairman, the issue of fatigue that still plagues pilots due to a grueling operations schedule despite being in the shoulder months. Matt explains while pilot fatigue calls are still at an all-time high, there are many pilots not calling in fatigued but rather pushing through and writing to the FRB afterwards. Matt and Ryan go through what a fatigue call to the Duty Pilot looks like and options pilots have for calling fatigue or unfit for duty. They also speculate how the new contract improvements will affect fatiguing rotations and pilot fatigue levels alike. As Delta begins ramping up the operations tempo for the summer travel season, this episode is a must listen and a great reminder for all pilots. (Recorded March 27, 2023)

TA Episode 9: Scheduling Part 2 Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

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)

TA Episode 8: Scheduling Part 1 Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

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)

TA Episode 7: Hours of Service, Quality of Life and Pay Improvements Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

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)