April 23, 2026
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Last week, the Negotiating Committee met with the Company in Atlanta for the first full week of substantive discussions at the table for Contract 2026.
Both sides introduced their respective proposals, and the talks have been frank and constructive. ALPA and the Company both brought subject matter experts to analyze each other’s proposals. In addition, we discussed scheduling-related issues currently affecting the pilot group.
Negotiations resumed this week at the same location in Atlanta. The Negotiating Committee will continue to keep the pilot group informed as progress is made and will provide another update in next week’s MEC News.
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On Friday, April 17, 2026, the Delta MEC filed MEC Grievance 26-19 – Pre-Plotted Rest. The MEC Contract Administration (Enforcement) Committee, the MEC Scheduling Committee, and MEC Leaders made multiple attempts to resolve this dispute with Delta management prior to filing the grievance, but we were unable to reach an agreement.
The grievance alleges violations of PWA Section 23 E., Section 23 S., Section 23 V., and other related sections. The Company’s current practice was devised unilaterally and outside of the collective bargaining process. The parties have already expended significant negotiating capital over multiple bargaining cycles to devise a well thought-out scheduling system, which balances Company needs and pilot preferences by comparing reserves available vs. reserves required. The Company’s actions deprive Delta pilots their contractual rights to schedule flexibility by denying PCS requests when actual (not manipulated) pilot staffing should allow them to be honored.
Further, the arbitrary placement and removal of pre-plotted rest does not constitute a proper assignment or award, which results in the abrogation of pilot seniority for reserve rotation and short-call assignments or awards.
The Company’s shift to pre-plotted rest is just one of many recent actions that Delta and its Flight Operations management team have taken that negatively affect pilot quality-of-life and erode pilots’ rights under the PWA. The Contract Administration (Enforcement) Committee has identified these infractions and is using all means at its disposal to address these problems. For more information on this and other grievances, please visit the MEC Grievance Tracker.
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Note: This podcast was recorded on April 1, 2026, prior to the 2026 1Q earnings call. Though some of the numbers referenced in this podcast have been slightly revised, the 2026 1Q earnings once again demonstrate Delta’s ability to generate a revenue premium. Total revenue for the quarter was a record-setting $14.2 billion, up nearly 10% from the same time last year.
As openers have been exchanged and Section 6 negotiations are officially underway, the noise is getting louder– with record profits, premium demand, inflation, and global instability. So, what’s real and what actually matters for pilots heading into Section 6? In this episode, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with ALPA’s Senior Economic & Financial Analysis (E&FA) Analyst Rushi Patel to break down the numbers behind the headlines and decipher what they mean for pilot leverage right now. Delta is delivering record revenue and profitability, driven by a structural shift towards premium demand, strong brand positioning, and diversified revenue streams.
This conversation cuts through the noise:
- Why Delta and United are capturing over 100% of industry profits
- The real impact of premium cabin strategy and shifting demand
- How resilient the current economic environment actually is
- What inflation, oil, and geopolitics mean (and don’t mean)
- Why these negotiations are unique and not a repeat of the previous cycle
Bottom line: Pilots are entering negotiations from a position of strength.
Be informed. Be engaged. And understand the moment.
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This week, ALPA hosted a new hire class for 47 pilots that began New Hire Orientation on April 14, 2026. This year, Delta has hired 536 pilots, and there are currently 17,587 pilots on the seniority list.
Class Demographics:
8 Military Pilots: 17%*
- 4 USAF, 1 USN, 2 USMC, and 1 German Air Force
39 Civilian Pilots: 83% - See previous carriers below.
Lowest Time: 2,000 hours (USAF)
Highest Time: 14,700 hours (Frontier Airlines)
Average Time: 4,352 hours
Ages:
- Oldest is 52 years
- Youngest is 25 years
- Average age is 27 years
*Only military aviators coming to Delta directly from their branch included in this figure
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Join Us at Airbase Georgia – A Family-Friendly Aviation Event
Hosted by the Delta MEC!
The Delta MEC invites all Delta pilots, families, and friends to a Family Awareness event in Peachtree City, GA, at Airbase Georgia on Sunday, May 17, from 3 to 7 p.m. During the event, attendees can enjoy the festivities, meet the MEC Officers and Negotiating Committee, and learn more about their role in the process of securing a stronger future for us all. The strength of our unity comes from both pilots and the important people in our lives who support us every day.
Hogs, Hops and Warbirds will feature whole hogs roasted on site by The Curious Pig and a keg trailer featuring spring beer selections from Line Creek Brewing. For kids, there will be bounce houses, inflatables, and face painting along with other activities, plus the chance to explore police and fire trucks up close. Not to mention the event is located at Airbase Georgia, home to many unique and historic warbirds!
Pilots are encouraged to fly in to attend this event! Those who RSVP will receive no tie-down fees and based aircraft fuel prices from Falcon Field.
RSVP now to help show us your interest and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win one of our giveaway prizes! While an RSVP is not required to attend, it is strongly encouraged to help with planning. An Uber voucher is also available here for attendees!
Giveaway Prizes Include:
1st Prize: A warbird ride at Airbase Georgia
2nd Prize: A tabletop Airbus A350 model
3rd Prize: $50 gift card to The Curious Pig restaurant
Special recognition will be given to the pilot who has flown the furthest to attend the fly-in!
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ALPA Call to Action: Urge Congress to Pass Stronger Aviation Safety and Mental Health Bills
After a recent recess, Congress returned to Washington last week and got to work on two critical pieces of aviation-related legislation.
The House passed the ALERT Act, their version of legislation in response to the PSA 5342 accident at DCA last year. The ALERT Act included most of the NTSB safety recommendations, but unfortunately does not implement the strongest available pro-safety measures. Unlike the ROTOR Act, the ALERT Act avoids a straightforward and timely requirement to equip our airplanes with the full suite of ADS-B In safety technology that enables pilots to utilize comprehensive traffic awareness, traffic alerting, and collision avoidance systems to improve safety.
The differences between the ALERT Act and Senate-passed ROTOR Act will have to be settled before the legislation can become law, and ALPA will continue to advocate during the conference process for the most safety-forward legislation – including taking the best parts of both bills. An updated Call to Action has been published on ALPA’s website where pilots can urge their members of Congress to ensure that the safety-critical provisions of the ROTOR Act are included in any final legislation.
In the Senate, the Mental Health in Aviation Act unanimously advanced from the Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation. Like its House passed counterpart, this legislation would improve aviation safety by addressing longstanding barriers that discourage pilots and air traffic controllers from reporting mental health issues and seeking care. With this strong bipartisan momentum in the Senate, ALPA is hopeful that a floor vote will be called soon that will ultimately lead to final passage. Pilots are encouraged to complete ALPA’s updated Call to Action and urge their senators to pass this critical legislation now.
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Scheduling Reference Handbook - Rev. 21 - April 2026
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Fatigue Survey Extended!
The Fitness Review Board (FRB) is extending its fatigue survey to April 30, 2026! This survey assesses current fatigue levels and evaluates the effectiveness of existing fatigue management processes. The information gathered from this survey will help guide the FRB’s efforts to reduce fatigue-related calls in 2026. Thank you to all who have already participated in this survey!
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April 2026 TTK - Charter Operations
This month's Threat Tool Kit covers threats commonly seen during charter operations. From narrow taxiways at unfamiliar airports to nonstandardized ground handling at small FBOs, charters require pilots to be particularly vigilant to keep the operation safe and compliant.
SFO TCAS Mode Policy Change
Effective April 20, 2026, TCAS TA/RA mode is required for all approaches into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) unless an alternate procedure is specifically directed. TCAS TA-Only mode is no longer authorized at SFO or any other Delta-served airport, except when required by a QRH/ECAM procedure, MEL procedure or remark, or another approved alternate procedure. This policy change follows a comprehensive Safety Risk Assessment (SRA) conducted by Delta Flight Operations and Flight Safety, with technical input from the Central Air Safety Committee.
The SFO 10-7A page will be updated in early May to reflect this change. In the meantime, crews should review the latest Company Remark in Mission+ and brief on this policy change when flying into SFO.
Additional instrument and visual approach changes to Rwy 28L/R at San Francisco are expected later this year. For any questions about this policy change or associated safety concerns, please submit a DART or file an ASAP.
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Why Am I Receiving a Bill from ALPA for 2025 Dues?
ALPA’s Membership Committee actively tracks pilot status and dues. Each spring, the Membership Administration of ALPA completes a reconciliation process for the previous dues year per Article IX, Section 5 of ALPA’s Constitution and By-Laws. For the vast majority of pilots who choose payroll deduction as their means of dues payment, Delta is responsible for the deduction and collection of dues. Despite this, certain situations can cause a pilot’s dues to be under-collected during the year. During the latest annual dues reconciliation audit, over a thousand pilots were identified that may be affected.
There are five main reasons why you may receive a bill in May:
Front-Loading Your 401(k) Contributions
If most or all your paycheck went toward your 401(k) early in the year, there may not have been enough remaining funds to cover dues. Per PWA Section 27. B. 7, Delta is not responsible for withholding dues if there is not enough money remaining after all other deductions are made. Most who front-load their 401(k) are aware by now, but many pilots either by choice or omission do not allocate enough of their net paycheck to cover ALPA dues.
Profit sharing Payment (February)
Dues may not have been deducted from your profit-sharing payment issued in February. If you allocate any or all of your Profit Sharing payout to your HSA, 401k, or Emergency Savings and do not allow enough remaining in the “Cash” payout to deduct the full amount of your ALPA dues and DPMA dues, none will be deducted from the check and you will be billed later for the dues owed to ALPA and DPMA.
Timing After Probation
If your probation period ended earlier than expected because you flew 400 or more hours months prior to your one year anniversary, dues deductions may not have started right away.
Missed or Partial Deductions
Dues may have been missed or only partially deducted from one or more paychecks.
Deferred Membership Classification
If you were in a deferred membership classification (SI, ML, PL, F1, GP, SN) and have since returned to work, your deferred dues are now active. Dues Check Off (DCO) is often not ‘turned on’ by Delta Payroll after a return from MLOA, PLOA, or SLOA.
Please keep in mind that if you are currently in a deferred class (Furloughed, Personal Leave, Military Leave, Grievance Pending, or Sick Leave), your balance is not due until you return to active line flying or other obligated membership status. It is important to note that PL and ML status does not take effect for 90 days after the beginning of your leave, so you could currently be on military leave and still considered an active pilot at this time.
If you would like to verify your dues amount owed, you can calculate your dues-eligible income from your year-end paycheck in 2025, multiplied by 1.85%. Dues eligible income includes Flight Advance, Flight Pay, Profit Sharing and Shared Rewards.
If you receive a bill in May for the 2025 dues year, the amount owed will NOT be automatically deducted from your paycheck. You must remit payment directly to ALPA by check or by electronic bill pay through your bank.
If you find that your outstanding balance represents a financial burden, you may be eligible for a Payment Arrangement Plan. Per Article IX, Section 6 of ALPA’s Constitution and By-Laws, this arrangement would allow you to remit your outstanding obligation in monthly installments.
If you have any questions regarding your 2025 dues reconciliation, please contact membership@alpa.org.
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Pilot Volunteers Needed!
The Contract Administration (Enforcement) Committee is seeking pilot volunteers to help Delta pilots via phone, email, and DART with questions or issues related to anything in the PWA (other than Scheduling, Training, and Retirement & Insurance). The most common topics are Sick Leave, Advanced Entitlements, Vacation, and Leaves of Absence.
A working knowledge of these areas is necessary, but training will also be provided. Previous experience in contract work is preferred but not required. Volunteers normally work one week a month (Four- or Five-day weeks), 6 to 12 months per year in the ALPA office in Atlanta.
Hotel accommodations are provided for volunteers who commute to Atlanta. Pilots wishing to express a new interest or update a prior application can click here to complete the Volunteer Interest Form—Select Contract Administration from the committee interest pull-down menu at the bottom of the page. Pilots who have previously submitted this form are not required to re-apply and will be considered based on their applications on file.
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Is CBD Safe for Pilots?
Following numerous questions regarding the use of commercially available CBD products—such as oils, supplements, and gummies—the DPAC aims to provide clarity and guidance on this topic.
Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, even if it’s legal in the employee’s home state. The Department of Transportation (DOT) tests pilots for the presence of THC. Even trace amounts of THC from CBD products may be detected in a drug test.
It’s important to know that the labeling of many commercially available CBD products may be misleading because the products may contain higher levels of THC than what the label states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently certify the levels of THC in CBD products, so there is no federal oversight to ensure that the labels are accurate.
Since the use of CBD products could lead to a positive DOT drug test result, safety-sensitive employees should exercise extreme caution when considering whether to use CBD products. The use of CBD products is not a legitimate medical explanation for a positive THC result.
Where can I find more information?
If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse and would like to confidentiality speak to a DPAC volunteer, please use the following contact information:
Because of the sensitive nature of your situation, you will only speak to the DPAC chairman or vice chairman. Your phone call is confidential and never recorded.
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Vacation Move-Up Bidding
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The deadline for submitting vacation move-up requests is May 1 at 8 a.m. ET.
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Social Media
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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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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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Feedback?
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Do you have any feedback or ideas for MEC News? Let us know at DALComm@alpa.org!
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