Fellow Pilots,

I am humbled and honored to be elected as the Association’s 12th President during the 49th ALPA Board of Directors meeting. Per the ALPA Constitution & Bylaws, my four-year term – and those of the First Vice President, VP-Administration/Secretary and VP-Finance/Treasurer – will begin on January 1, 2023. My two-year term as Delta MEC Chairman ends this December 31. Elections for new MEC officers will take place, as scheduled, at our November Regular Meeting. Before I leave the MEC, I will ensure a successful and seamless transition to a new leadership team.

Our industry – and profession – are at a critical juncture as we move into a post-pandemic world. The third anniversary of the amendable date of our contract looms on the horizon. Inflation continues to erode our pay as the Company is financially solidly back in the black. The strike authorization ballot is open, and I encourage all eligible pilots to vote “In Favor” to empower the Negotiating Committee at the bargaining table. I remain fully committed to bringing our Section 6 negotiations to a successful conclusion during the remainder of my term as your Chairman. I will continue to use every resource available to deliver the comprehensive, industry-leading contract you have earned, but we need your engagement and vote to get over the finish line. The strike authorization ballot closes on October 31, at 2pm ET and I encourage you to reach out to the Strike Center with any questions.

My decision to run for ALPA President was not one I took lightly. It is time to have a strong pilot advocate, from the Delta pilot group, at the helm of the world’s largest airline pilot union. Our members are best served when line pilots drive the agenda. I will bring a bottom-up approach to the office of ALPA President. It has been my sincere privilege to serve as your Chairman over the last two years. Together, we successfully helped the Company recover from the dark days of the pandemic. We re-engaged in negotiations as we work to bring a hard-earned, industry-leading agreement to the Delta pilots.

I was proud to stand with you in solidarity on the picket line, showing management and the traveling public that Delta pilots are frontline leaders and that we must be recognized. Delta is earning record revenues as the Company continues to invest money in foreign carriers. It is past time for management to get serious at the bargaining table and recognize us. I cannot stress enough the importance of showing our unity through a resounding vote “in favor” on our strike authorization ballot.

I remain your dedicated Chairman until my last day. I have asked to delay my transition to President until the beginning of the new year to allow for my full attention to finishing negotiations and to make sure that the incoming MEC Administration is in place and ready to hit the ground running. I ask that you please stay engaged and involved. Our unity is the driving force behind our success.