Delta Pilots

The Delta Master Executive Council of @ALPAPilots, representing 18,000+ Delta Air Lines pilots.

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Chairman’s Letter
Captain Eric Criswell

Fellow Delta Pilots,
Your MEC met in special session last week to receive a comprehensive update from the Negotiating Committee (NC) on the status of negotiations. As announced in the MEC Alert you received at the conclusion of that meeting, the MEC unanimously determined that the accelerated negotiations path is no longer possible and that we are now on a more traditional Section 6 timeline.
As we discussed in our recent Engage Podcast, NC Chairman Bill Finlay and I sat down with senior Company leadership back in March and proposed the expedited process and included improvements to trip coverage as part of our proposal. This framework was a direct result of numerous signals by Flight Operations Management that it was, in their opinion, the singular biggest driver of their operational issues. Your MEC subsequently authorized this path as a direct result of that conversation.
Your NC exchanged openers with the Company on April 7 and led with trip coverage because our team had a workable solution in hand. By June, we had reached substantial agreement on that framework. We solved the problem the Company told us mattered most, in a way that protected our pilots' quality of life and that we are confident you would support.
Delta's operational woes are unfortunate and avoidable, but they are neither of our making nor solely ours to fix. Make no mistake – the friction in trip coverage is entirely of the Company’s making. Between the abuse and subsequent elimination of batch sizes, the short-sighted decision to neglect staffing during Delta’s “centennial” year, and our pilots’ desire to protect their families from nuisance calls at all hours of the day or night, these problems did not appear overnight. Despite all of that, we brought a productive set of ideas to the table because we are stakeholders in this airline too. None of us takes satisfaction in watching hundreds of flights cancel on a blue-sky day.
Instead of reciprocating our goodwill, the Company expanded its demands well beyond those initial discussions, and well past anything that is realistic to accomplish on an accelerated timeline. As the recent Negotiators’ Notepad outlines, management has pressed to reverse reroute protections, permanently lock down both line holder and reserve pilots' ability to adjust their schedules, and water down premium compensation for reserve pilots. Some of the flexibility that management is targeting has existed for pilots since at least C2K, and none of it has ever prevented this airline from running a successful operation. We have repeatedly communicated that those items are not at the root of the operational chaos and are ultimately unratifiable, but they remain part of management's ask to this day.
We focused on a condensed list of high-value, straightforward items that you identified in our comprehensive contract survey and ongoing polling. Our opener outlined items such as compensation, retirement, vacation, hotels, deadheads, commuter policies, travel benefits, and scheduling enhancements. Every one of those priorities came from you, and to date, the Company has not made a meaningful proposal addressing any of them. During one of the most profitable stretches in this airline's history, management spent the spring and summer trying to claw back your longstanding contractual rights rather than address the problems they created through their own decisions.
Let me be clear. Concessions were never available in exchange for an expedited agreement, nor are they available in full Section 6. Delta has posted a profit every year since C2019 was implemented in 2023 and through the first two quarters of 2026.
Your MEC and your NC will not fund management's operational failures with your contract.

Read the rest below

https://t.co/RUJYY994s1

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

During @ALPAPilots' Air Safety Forum on Wednesday, September 16, ALPA honored four volunteers who received Presidential Citations for their service in each focus area of the Air Safety Organization (ASO): jumpseat, pilot assistance, security, and safety.

Delta pilot Capt. Robbie Fernandez was honored for nearly two decades of volunteer leadership, protecting jumpseat access and supporting the pilots who depend on it. Congrats, Capt. Fernandez!

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Yesterday we welcomed 66 new Delta pilots - plus one pilot returning to work - who began New Hire Orientation on September 8!
By the numbers:
66 pilots joined this class
1,424 pilots hired so far in 2026
18,175 pilots currently on the Delta seniority list
2,168 total new hires projected for 2026
This class brings experience from across the industry, including military aviation, regional and major airlines, and international carriers.
Class Snapshot:
88% civilian / 12% military*
5 USAF and 3 USN pilots
Average flight time: 5,000 hours
Flight time range: 1,550-20,000 hours
Average age: 36 (youngest 25, oldest 61)
31% came from ALPA-represented DCI carriers
*Figure reflects each new hire's most recent employer before joining Delta.
Where They Came From:
Endeavor (20), SkyWest (23), Spirit (9), PSA (1), Southwest
(1), United (1), EVA Air (1), Qantas (1)
Aircraft & Base Awards:
A320 - 16 NYC, 7 MSP, 5 SLC
737 - 12 NYC, 7 ATL
A220 - 10 MSP
767 - 9 ATL
Welcome to the Delta pilot group - fly safe, and we're proud to have you with us.

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

👀

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Happy Labor Day.

Today we recognize the skill and dedication of Delta pilots and the protections generations before us secured by standing together.

The MEC has approved a full contract opener reflecting your priorities, with negotiations resuming Wednesday.

Watch for a package arriving at home. Wear the lanyard. Display the bag tag. Show your support.

Check your email for the full message from MEC Chairman Eric Criswell.

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Delta pilots came together in Boston for an evening of unity, fellowship, and giving back.
During the event, the Delta Pilots Charitable Fund presented a $5,000 donation to @rareridersbikefund, a Delta pilot-founded charity that provides adaptive bicycles to children with disabilities—giving them greater freedom, mobility, and independence.
Delta MEC Chairman Eric Criswell and Negotiating Committee Chairman Bill Finlay also addressed those in attendance with updates on the work ahead.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped support a cause making a meaningful difference in children's lives.
Head to https://t.co/bWQoEw5LGi to learn more about how we give back to Delta Pilot affiliated charities and how you can too!

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

We welcomed 56 new Delta pilots who began New Hire Orientation on August 18.

By the numbers:
• 56 pilots joined this class
• 1,306 pilots hired so far in 2026
• 18,207 pilots now on the Delta seniority list
• 2,168 total new hires projected for 2026

This class brings experience from across the industry, including military aviation, regional and major airlines, international carriers, cargo operations, and corporate flying.

Class Snapshot:
• 82% civilian / 18% military*
• 8 USAF and 2 USN pilots
• Average flight time: 3,500 hours
• Flight time range: 1,550–13,100 hours
• Average age: 35 (youngest 25, oldest 59)

Where They Came From:
Avelo (1), Contour (1), Envoy (4), GoJet (1), Horizon (2), Mesa (1), Piedmont (3), Republic (6), SkyWest (6), American (1), Southwest (1), United (1), Air Busan (1), Frontier (1), JetBlue (2), Kalitta (2), Spirit (7), Sun Country (3), and Corporate (1).

Aircraft & Base Awards:
• A320 — 11 DTW, 5 NYC, 5 SEA
• 737 — 11 DTW, 6 LAX
• A220 — 5 MSP, 3 SLC
• 767 — 7 NYC
• 717 — 3 DTW

The next new hire class began Indoc on August 25, with their New Hire ALPA Briefing scheduled for September 1.

Thank you to all the volunteers, staff, and the New Hire Orientation Team who continue to welcome our newest union members.

Welcome to the Delta pilot group. Fly safe, and we’re proud to have you with us.

Military percentage reflects only each pilot’s most recent employer. Prior military service is not captured if a pilot worked for another carrier before joining Delta.

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Part 4

In this breaking Engage Alert, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with MEC Chairman Captain Eric Criswell and Negotiating Committee Chairman Captain Bill Finlay following the MEC's unanimous decision to pivot away from the accelerated bargaining timeline and toward a more traditional Section 6 negotiation. Criswell and Finlay explain what led to the decision, including the company's pursuit of concessionary changes to longstanding pilot protections involving reroutes, schedule flexibility, reserve rules, payback days, and other provisions the union says pilots would not ratify. They also discuss the company's lack of meaningful engagement on key pilot priorities and why the accelerated path ultimately became untenable. With the bargaining strategy now changing, the discussion turns to what comes next: the expected negotiating timeline, the upcoming MEC meeting in Boston, increased communication and pilot involvement and what the MEC and Negotiating Committee will need from the pilot group as negotiations enter a new and potentially longer phase.
Listen on Spotify at the following link

https://t.co/XQZ8GsnTfN…?
si=-6gGaMUrQFO-PrFcJDKQmg&utm_source=copy-link

#aviation #pilots #union #travel

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Part 3

In this breaking Engage Alert, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with MEC Chairman Captain Eric Criswell and Negotiating Committee Chairman Captain Bill Finlay following the MEC's unanimous decision to pivot away from the accelerated bargaining timeline and toward a more traditional Section 6 negotiation. Criswell and Finlay explain what led to the decision, including the company's pursuit of concessionary changes to longstanding pilot protections involving reroutes, schedule flexibility, reserve rules, payback days, and other provisions the union says pilots would not ratify. They also discuss the company's lack of meaningful engagement on key pilot priorities and why the accelerated path ultimately became untenable. With the bargaining strategy now changing, the discussion turns to what comes next: the expected negotiating timeline, the upcoming MEC meeting in Boston, increased communication and pilot involvement and what the MEC and Negotiating Committee will need from the pilot group as negotiations enter a new and potentially longer phase.
Listen on Spotify at the following link

https://t.co/je5U5BFOor?
si=-6gGaMUrQFO-PrFcJDKQmg&utm_source=copy-link

#aviation #pilots #union #travel

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Part 2
In this breaking Engage Alert, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with MEC Chairman Captain Eric Criswell and Negotiating Committee Chairman Captain Bill Finlay following the MEC's unanimous decision to pivot away from the accelerated bargaining timeline and toward a more traditional Section 6 negotiation. Criswell and Finlay explain what led to the decision, including the company's pursuit of concessionary changes to longstanding pilot protections involving reroutes, schedule flexibility, reserve rules, payback days, and other provisions the union says pilots would not ratify. They also discuss the company's lack of meaningful engagement on key pilot priorities and why the accelerated path ultimately became untenable. With the bargaining strategy now changing, the discussion turns to what comes next: the expected negotiating timeline, the upcoming MEC meeting in Boston, increased communication and pilot involvement and what the MEC and Negotiating Committee will need from the pilot group as negotiations enter a new and potentially longer phase.
Listen to the full episode here:

https://t.co/je5U5BFOor?
si=jD5V-WeHQg6qU2ItDzkV3w&utm_source=copy-link

(Screen shot to copy/paste)

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

In this breaking Engage Alert, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with MEC Chairman Captain Eric Criswell and Negotiating Committee Chairman Captain Bill Finlay following the MEC’s unanimous decision to pivot away from the accelerated bargaining timeline and toward a more traditional Section 6 negotiation. Criswell and Finlay explain what led to the decision, including the company’s pursuit of concessionary changes to longstanding pilot protections involving reroutes, schedule flexibility, reserve rules, payback days, and other provisions the union says pilots would not ratify. They also discuss the company��s lack of meaningful engagement on key pilot priorities and why the accelerated path ultimately became untenable. With the bargaining strategy now changing, the discussion turns to what comes next: the expected negotiating timeline, the upcoming MEC meeting in Boston, increased communication and pilot involvement and what the MEC and Negotiating Committee will need from the pilot group as negotiations enter a new and potentially longer phase.

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

@kpottermn https://t.co/pLC3aUBN8S You deserve a reliable airline.

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

We welcomed 68 new Delta pilots who began New Hire Orientation on August 4.

By the numbers:
• 68 pilots joined this class
• 1,199 pilots hired so far in 2026
• 18,100 pilots now on the Delta seniority list
• 2,168 total new hires projected for 2026

This class brings experience from across the industry, including military aviation, regional and major airlines, cargo carriers, and corporate flying.

Class Snapshot:
• 88% civilian / 12% military (6 USAF, 1 USMC, 1 USN)
• Average flight time: 3,632 hours
• Flight time range: 1,550–11,300 hours
• Average age: 33 (youngest 24, oldest 56)
• 29% came from ALPA-represented DCI carriers

Our newest pilots received awards across ATL, DTW, MSP, NYC, SEA, and SLC, flying the A220, A320 family, 717, 737, and 767 fleets.

Thank you to the volunteers, staff, and New Hire Orientation Team who helped welcome our newest union members.

And the hiring continues: the next class began Indoc on August 11, with their ALPA New Hire Briefing scheduled for August 18.

Welcome to the Delta pilot group. Fly safe, and we’re proud to have you with us.

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Yesterday, we had the privilege of welcoming Delta’s newest pilot class as 50 new hires began New Hire Orientation.

By the numbers:
• 50 pilots joined this class
• 1,131 pilots hired so far in 2026
• 18,032 pilots now on the Delta seniority list

This class reflects a wide range of aviation backgrounds, including military, regional, major airline, cargo, corporate, and charter experience.

Class Snapshot:
• 82% civilian / 18% military (8 USAF, 1 USMC)
• Average flight time: 3,450 hours
• Flight time range: 1,550–12,270 hours
• Average age: 32 (youngest 24, oldest 55)
• 6% came from ALPA-represented DCI carriers

Our newest pilots will be based across ATL, DTW, MSP, NYC, and SEA, flying the A220, A320 family, 717, 737, and 767 fleets.

A huge thank you to the volunteers, staff, and New Hire Orientation Team who helped welcome our newest union members.

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

Status of Negotiations

[Delta Pilots @Delta_Pilots]

#unity