December 19, 2024
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THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES
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Delta MEC Office Holiday Hours
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Happy Holidays from the Delta MEC Officers, pilot volunteers and staff!
Please note the Delta MEC office hours during the holiday period.
- Tuesday, December 24: Office Closed
- Wednesday, December 25: Office Closed
- Thursday, December 26: Office Closed
- Tuesday, December 31: Office Closed
- Wednesday, January 1: Office Closed
If you need assistance while the office is closed, please see below:
- For real-time actual or potential FAR 117 questions and concerns, please call the Delta MEC FAR 117 Hotline at 800-USA-ALPA.
- For all other inquiries that do not pertain to a possible or impending violation, please submit a Pilot Scheduling Report or an inquiry via the Scheduling Tracking System (STS).
- Contract Administration (Enforcement) can be reached via DART.
The Delta MEC wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Note: The next Delta MEC News will be published on January 9, 2025.
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*NEW* Engage Podcast Episode #52
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Episode #52: End-of-Year Update and Safety Message
Episode #52 of the Engage Podcast is now live! On this latest episode, Communications Chair Capt. Chris Hughes offers a recap of the news and latest happenings, and Casey Songster from Central Air Safety’s SMS Committee shares a message about positive safety culture.
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NYC SkyHop Global Drivers Strike
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SkyHop Global drivers in New York City recently became represented by Teamsters Local 210. In the last few months, SkyHop Global management has shown they are not serious about negotiating with the Teamsters. The Teamsters informed ALPA that SkyHop drivers went on strike on Sunday, November 24.
ALPA reminds all Delta pilots that per PWA Section 5 E. 5., you can arrange for your own transportation if the company-provided transportation is delayed more than 20 minutes or is not safe and suitable. If you feel that your personal safety is at risk by riding on ground transportation while the workers are engaged in a lawful, local strike, please do not hesitate to secure your own transportation and expense the cost.
Being on strike is a stressful time. We stand with our fellow union brothers and sisters at Teamster Local 210. As union members, we are strongest when we stand together in solidarity. During Contract 2019 negotiations, union members from various labor groups often joined the Delta pilots during our informational picketing events to show their support.
If you receive pushback on any transportation expenses, please submit a DART to the Contract Administration Committee, and make sure to attach any communications you received in response to your claims. ALPA will continue to provide updates to pilots as circumstances warrant regarding the ongoing transportation issues in NYC.
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Contract 2019 revised the methodology for establishing both domestic and international per diem to a more durable model tied to the US Government “CONUS” and “OCONUS” Meals and Incidental Expense (M&IE) rates (which adjust naturally as multiple factors affect the rates for individual markets).
Click here to read Contract Administration Bulletin 24-05: Per Diem Rates 2025.
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COMMITTEE NEWS
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Central Air Safety Committee (CASC)
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Labor Fatigue Roundtable
Pilot volunteers with the Delta MEC’s Fatigue Risk Management Team (FRMT), Fitness Review Board (FRB) and Central Air Safety Committee (CASC) attended a Labor Fatigue Roundtable on December 10-11, 2024, hosted by the United MEC at their headquarters in Chicago.
Attendees were from American, Alaska, Southwest, Spirit, UPS, FedEx, United and Delta – representing ALPA, Independent Pilots Association (IPA), Allied Pilots Association (APA) and Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA). Each property shared how their fatigue programs work, program organization, pilot pay protection, safety impacts of fatigue, as well as current fatigue program strengths, challenges and opportunities.
The attendees exchanged best practices, PWA/CBA wins and changes that can be made based on the precedent that has been set at other carriers. These volunteers gained valuable insight that will directly benefit Delta pilots by enhancing bid package review, increasing data access and sharing, better reducing the fatigue safety risk in the operation.
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Threat Toolkit: Using the EFB
This month’s Threat Toolkit reminds pilots of proper EFB use to minimize distractions. Click the following link to read now or find it under the ALPA Safety folder in Aerodocs.
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QCQ Run Times
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The Training Committee recently met with the Company to establish run times for next quarter’s QCQ. They are as follows:
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 | Pilots are highly encouraged to complete post-training surveys. Your feedback drives meaningful discussion about the relevance and applicability of our distance learning. Alternatively, pilots may provide feedback to the Training Committee at daltraining@alpa.org or via DART.
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Fitness Review Board (FRB)
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FFDR Best Practices
Click here to read a guide on how to submit a Fitness for Duty Report (FFDR). Topics covered include:
- Tips for a Good FDR
- FRB Pay Determination
- FRB Safety
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Contract Administration Committee
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Vacation Guide for Retirees
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Pilots retiring during the 2025-2026 vacation year (April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026) should expect an email from Crew Resources in December 2024 requesting how they would like to receive their earned vacation.
Pilots have three options to choose from, and possibly take action, on or before December 31, 2024:
- Bid Vacation, or
- Vacation Payout, or
- Bid and Vacation Payout Combination.
1. Bid Vacation
Retiring pilots that choose to bid all of their earned vacation will participate in the normal vacation bidding process beginning in January 2025 and will use it as awarded/scheduled.
- Profit Sharing Eligible: Yes, considered Annual Compensation
- Pilot Action Required: Yes, bid for vacation normally.
2. Vacation Payout
As specified in Section 7 G. 4., upon retirement, all hours in your vacation bank and any unused accrued vacation payout will be directed to your 401(k) account as a company contribution. Any amount that cannot be contributed to your 401(k) due to IRC limits will be paid directly to you as 401(k) “Excess” (i.e. cash), per Sections 26 M. 1. – 4.
- Profit Sharing Eligible: No, not an Active member of seniority list at time of payout.
- Pilot Action Required: Yes, see below.
3. Bid & Vacation Payout Combination
Retiring pilots that chose this option will bid some of their earned vacation and also leave some vacation hours in their vacation bank for payout after retirement. All normal bidding rules will apply, see note below.
- Profit Sharing Eligible: Yes, if used prior to retirement; no, if paid out after (see Option 2, above).
- Pilot Action Required: Yes, see below.
Pilot Action
Option 2 or 3 must be submitted through Delta’s Retiree Vacation SmartSheet on or before December 31, 2024. If your request needs to be changed, submit a new request on or before December 31, 2024 (doing so will override any previous submission).
Notes:
- Option 2 or 3: Each vacation hour remaining in their bank upon their retirement will be paid at the lowest pay rate of the category the pilot held in the last bid period in which they performed service as a pilot (e.g. while on sick leave, prior to disability).
Contract Awareness Bulletin 24-03 “Profit Sharing Plan Payout for 2024” and the Retirement and Insurance Handbook are also good resources for retirement planning.
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Aviation Security Handbook
The Aviation Security Handbook is a quick reference guide for Delta pilots. Click here to read the latest information. Topics covered include:
- Aircraft Security
- Layover Security
- Global Entry
- Laser Illuminations
- Federal Air Marshals (FAMs)
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Delta Pilots Assistance Committee (DPAC)
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Important Information About Calls to DPAC: 833-DAL-DPAC
Many pilots hesitate to contact the Delta Pilots Assistance Committee (DPAC) due to misunderstandings about how these calls are managed. Specifically, some believe that contacting DPAC automatically enrolls them in the HIMS program at Delta. This is not true.
Pilots do not enter the HIMS program until they specifically request to do so. The decision is entirely up to the pilot.
What to Expect When Calling DPAC:
- Pilots are connected with a DPAC member who has personal experience with the HIMS process.
- The DPAC member can answer questions about addiction, substance abuse, and the HIMS process, as well as share their personal experiences.
- All calls are safe, confidential, and can last as long or as often as needed to help the pilot make an informed decision about entering the HIMS program.
- No information shared during the call is disclosed to Delta unless the pilot chooses to enter the HIMS program.
- Calls to 833-DAL-DPAC are routed only to the DPAC chairman, vice chairman, or base chairman, ensuring that pilots in need are connected with trained volunteers who can assist them.
- Your phone call is confidential and never recorded.
If you have concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. DPAC is here to provide support, guidance, and clarity—at your discretion and on your terms.
The following resources provide additional information about HIMS | DPAC:
DPAC Member Contact information:
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Retirement & Insurance (R&I)
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Year-End Reminders
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The Retirement and Insurance (R&I) Committee reminds pilots of the following deadlines as the end of the year approaches.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): You must use any funds in your FSA by December 31, 2024. All 2024 claims must be filed no later than March 31, 2024. You may roll over up to $640 of unused FSA money to your 2025 FSA (assuming you elected an FSA in 2025)
- Delta Health Rewards: Pilots must complete two of the three required actions for you and your spouse (if married) to receive full Delta Health Rewards benefits. You can complete these actions on the Share Care app.
- ALPA Accident & Critical Illness Insurance: If you have ALPA’s Accident & Critical Illness insurance, you must complete the Wellness Benefit (i.e., doctor’s visit, optometry visit, etc.) to qualify for up to $800 in rewards.
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Military Affairs Committee (MAC)
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Year-End Reminders
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- Profit Sharing
The Company has already started to validate this year’s military duty for profit sharing purposes. Unless you are contacted directly by the Company requesting your orders, you do not need to submit anything.
- Holiday MLOA Reminders
Most military pilots are used to notifying the Company of their military duty via iCrew which will normally drop an entire rotation. This is not the case when your duty includes days within a holiday APD period. Even if the military duty you are entering is outside of the APD period, but the remainder of the rotation is, you may get an error from iCrew. The easiest method to notify the Company of your duty is via the military leave log. Keep in mind that rotations in the APD holiday period may be split, leaving portions for you to operate. Ensure that any required travel to/from the location of your military duty is protected by using a travel day on either or both ends of your military duty time as permitted under FOM 27.5.7.2.
- VA Disability Reminder
Ensure you accurately report all VA disability benefits on your FAA medical application. Failure to do so will likely result in your FAA Medical being revoked, enforcement action, or both! Please submit a DART to the MAC if you have any additional questions.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
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C66 Meeting
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: TWA Hotel – Villains and Legends Room
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C001 Meeting
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: ALPA Office
7900 International Blvd. (Room TBD)
Bloomington, MN
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
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Do you want to be featured on our social media channels? Check out the social media theme(s) below and send your photos and videos to DALComm@alpa.org for consideration!
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Flight Experiences
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Share your experiences as a pilot, including interesting flights, challenges, and memorable moments. This can include both professional and personal experiences!
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#WingViewWednesday
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Please submit photos of your favorite Delta jets from your professional or leisure travels!
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Feedback?
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Do you have any feedback or ideas for MEC News? Let us know at DALComm@alpa.org! You can also view all MEC News editions and other publications at this link. |
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DPN Events Photos and Videos
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Please submit any photos or videos you took at DPN events to be considered for posts on social media or highlights in Delta MEC News.
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