|
May 21, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This past week, we met with the Company for negotiations and then attended a Special MEC meeting to brief your elected Union representatives. While we did make some progress, the pace has not improved from the week prior. The MEC thoroughly discussed the issue and agreed that, absent a significant change in pace, the expedited path was on borrowed time.
|
|
|
|
_3290420.jpg) |
|
This past Sunday, the Delta MEC hosted its Hogs, Hops, and Warbirds Family Awareness Event and Fly-In. More than 1,000 pilots, family members, and friends came out to Airbase Georgia in Peachtree City to enjoy great music, fun activities for the kids, excellent food and drinks, and the chance to connect with fellow ALPA members.
Attendees also had the opportunity to hear directly from MEC leadership and the Negotiating Committee who provided updates and insight into the current negotiating environment. Thank you to everyone who attended and showed your unity, especially as we pursue the next industry-leading contract for the Delta pilots. We would especially like to recognize the pilots and families who flew in for the event and made the event just that much more unique. Now, more than ever, your engagement with your Union is critical to ensuring our collective success.
Keep an eye out for a future MEC Family Day event coming to your base soon!
|
|
|
|
|
Pilots should be aware that the new sick leave year begins on June 1, 2026. The following are some important considerations regarding Delta pilot sick leave.
|
|
|
|
Unused sick leave hours in the current sick bank do not carry over to subsequent sick leave years. Pilots on active payroll who have completed their initial OE will receive their new annual allotments on June 1, 2026, except pilots on sick leave.
|
|
|
|
A pilot on sick leave in the current year that extends into the next sick leave year will continue to use the 2025-2026 sick bank until its exhaustion or the pilot’s return to work. Such pilots will not receive their new allotments until they report for a rotation, begin a reserve on-call day, or begin training in the subsequent sick leave year.
Note: The Company will not consider regular line days off and reserve X-days within a sick occurrence to be sick leave. Pilots should be aware that a sick occurrence prior to June 1, 2026, will count towards their 2026-2027 sick bank allocation if there is no scheduled rotation or on call day on their line after the start of their sick occurrence.
A pilot who exhausts their sick leave from this year, is placed on medical leave, and returns to work next sick year will receive their full (not prorated) allotment of sick hours when they complete all training required to return to flight duty, including OE.
Pilots who have used 50 or fewer hours of sick leave in the sick leave year ending May 31, 2026, will not be subject to any good-faith basis (GFB) inquiry by the Company under Section 14 F. 4. during the 2026-2027 sick leave year. It is important for pilots to be aware of their status in the new sick leave year in the event a CPO erroneously requests a GFB verification. Be advised, this measurement is based on all sick hours used. Hours excluded from sick lookback under MOU #25-05 are still counted towards hours used.
Pilots who have used 50 or fewer sick leave hours in each of the previous two sick leave years are exempt from the provisions of Section 14 F. 3. (>120 hour verifications).
Any further questions regarding the sick leave year or sick leave use may be directed to the MEC Contract Administration (Enforcement) Committee via DART or 1-800-USA-ALPA during normal business hours.
|
|
|
 |
|
USAPLAD attendees and Delta MEC Officers and volunteers
at the ALPA offices in Atlanta, GA.
The Delta MEC and USAPLAD union held a regular semiannual meeting at Delta MEC headquarters in Atlanta May 20, 2026. USAPLAD is an umbrella organization of all LATAM pilot groups in South America. Its mission is to coordinate between the LATAM pilot groups in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Paraguay, as well as with LATAM’s joint venture partner, Delta.
This coordination has become increasingly important as all LATAM pilot groups face blatant anti-union corporate policies such as intimidation, arbitrary firings, company unions (yellow unions), and a disregard for a positive safety culture. The legitimate LATAM pilot unions have proven their steadfast solidarity with our pilot group many times when Delta pilots needed assistance while in South America, most recently after an A330 engine failure in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Delta MEC is proud to stand with our brothers and sisters to the south and is ready to offer assistance to help improve LATAM’s work environment.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The Delta MEC continues to work with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to conduct statistically valid telephone polling of the pilot group. If called, please take just a few minutes to share your feedback with the Delta MEC.
- All calls will come from the number 603-397-0660
- Caller ID on landlines will indicate "UNH Surv Ctr”
- Caller ID on cell phones will indicate “NH Call”
- Calling times are between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. (time zone appropriate)
- UNH will interview 600 pilots (randomly selected)
- UNH will attempt to call you back if your sampling quota is not yet met.
As more carriers add “spam blocking” technology – some pilots (dependent on carrier) may receive a warning by their carrier that says “spam likely” when the call comes through. This warning gets generated based on the volume of calls UNH makes. UNH, in collaboration with industry groups, is working on solutions to this issue, but currently, has no viable alternative other than notifying the pilots in advance. They can choose to add UNH’s number to their contacts, and as a result, will not receive a warning.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
This week, ALPA hosted a new hire class for 49 pilots that began New Hire Orientation on May 12, 2026. This year, Delta has hired 722 pilots, and there are currently 17,727 pilots on the seniority list.
Class Demographics:
16 Military Pilots: 33%*
- 12 USAF, 2 NAVY, 1 USMC, and 1 U.S. Army
33 Civilian Pilots: 67% - See previous carriers below:
Lowest Time: 1,521 hours (USAF)
Highest Time: 8,000 hours (Spirit Airlines)
Average Time: 3,648 hours
Ages:
- Oldest is 52 years
- Youngest is 25 years
- Average age is 36 years
*Only military aviators coming to Delta directly from their branch included in this figure.
|
|
|
|
|
The Delta MEC will meet in regular session June 8-12 in Park City, UT. During the meeting, your elected Union representatives will receive updates from MEC Officers, select committees, and act on resolutions, including those brought forward from line pilots at recent local council meetings. The MEC will also receive briefings from the Negotiating Committee about current contract negotiations with the Company.
Any member in good standing may attend the MEC meeting during open session briefings. If you would like to attend, please email MEC Secretary Shane Corbett at shane.corbett@alpa.org for more information.
Meeting Location
2417 W High Mountain Rd
Park City, UT 84098
Open Speaking Time – Tuesday, June 9
The Delta MEC will host open speaking time on Tuesday, June 9, from 12:30 - 1 p.m. Any member in good standing may address the MEC during this time. Speaking time will be divided evenly between participants, up to a maximum of 10 minutes per speaker. Please email MEC Secretary Shane Corbett at the email above if you would like to participate.
Park City MEC Meeting PUB Event
The Delta MEC invites all Delta pilots and their families to the June MEC Meeting Pilot Unity Building (PUB) Event on June 10. The event will take place at the Summer Pavilion at Utah Olympic Park from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Right at 7 p.m., the Flying Ace All-Stars will perform a high-flying private freestyle show! See some of the world’s best skiers and snowboarders perform acrobatic feats as they soar up to 60 feet in the air before landing in the Park’s Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool. You don’t want to miss this incredible performance!
Utah Olympic Park features two free museums, which are open until 6 p.m., and are located right next to the Summer Pavilion. More info on park activities can be found at utaholympiclegacy.org.
Members of the Delta MEC, Contract 2026 negotiators, and committee volunteers will be in attendance. Food and beverages will be provided. No RSVP is required. Families are encouraged to attend even if their pilot is out flying the line. Please bid off your schedule so you can attend this great PUB event! The Delta MEC looks forward to seeing you there!
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Delta MEC Offices will close early at 12 p.m. ET on Friday, May 22, 2026, and will be closed on May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day.
If you need assistance:
This Memorial Day, the Delta MEC reflects on the courage and sacrifice of our fallen heroes. We are forever grateful for their service to our country.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue Sheets Update for Grievance Tracker
View the latest Issue Sheets that summarize violations and grievances listed on the CA’s Grievance Tracker.
|
|
|
|
|
Fly Confirmed for Less Guest Passes
In a recent newsletter, we discussed Delta’s update to the Fly Confirmed for Less (FCFL) program introducing guest passes and wanted to further highlight this new benefit.
In simple terms, the program now allows individuals outside of your standard eligible pass riders — such as friends or other guests — to take advantage of FCFL travel. Earlier this year, all eligible employees received four FCFL Guest Passes. These passes will expire and replenish with four new passes each year on your Delta anniversary date.
There are several important rules regarding the use of these passes. With the exception of Secondary Companions and Nondependent Children, any guest using an FCFL Guest Pass must travel with a PPR pass rider on the same confirmed reservation. Jumpseat travel or non-rev travel does not qualify as accompanying the guest. Secondary Companions and Nondependent Children still require use of a guest pass, but do not need to travel with an accompanying PPR rider.
Guest passes can be accessed in TravelNet under Leisure Travel > Fly Confirmed Discount Programs. From there, select “Manage My Account” to add FCFL guests.
Once a guest pass has been booked and ticketed, travelers have 24 hours to cancel under the Risk-Free Cancellation policy and may submit an ASK HR ticket to have the guest pass reinstated. After the 24-hour period, the guest pass is considered used, and any cancellation will result in an eCredit issued to the traveler for the value of the reservation.
Please reach out with any questions or clarification, and as always continue submitting DARTs.
|
|
|
|
|
TTK - Ferry Operations and Maintenance Flying
Ferry operations encompass a wide range of flying that our pilots perform every day, from simple positioning legs with or without a flight attendant crew, to maintenance ferries involving inoperative systems or even aircraft damage.
This TTK breaks down the different types of ferry and maintenance flying you may encounter and highlights the threats and resources available to pilots when assigned these challenging operations.
|
|
|
|
What Do We Do If We’re Not Okay?
If you recognize that you’re not okay, the most important step is... the first one! Perhaps that step is practicing self-care. Physical activity, meditation, and prioritizing sleep can all significantly improve mental wellness. The simplest step is to talk to someone you trust. Whether it’s a loved one, a fellow pilot, or connecting with a PAN volunteer—don’t wait to be in crisis before reaching out. Taking that first step may feel uncomfortable and heavy, but can have a major positive impact on your life.
One benefit of talking with a PAN volunteer (besides the confidential and empathetic support they provide) is that they can help you understand the various resources available to you. Today’s pathways are far more pilot-friendly than in the past, with options that allow you to get help while protecting your medical and career. The earlier you reach out, the more options you have—and the easier it is to get back to feeling like yourself again. To be connected to a PAN volunteer, call 1-888-4DAL-PAN or request a volunteer reach out to you on your schedule.
|
|
|
|
|
I Can’t Stop
Many pilots who reach out to DPAC share the same words, “I can’t stop, no matter how hard I try.” Once they begin using their substance of choice, stopping becomes extremely difficult—they often continue until they’re extremely intoxicated, pass out, or a black out occurs.
This isn’t surprising; loss of control is a hallmark symptom of substance use disorder. Some may wrongly assume this is a lack of willpower or a moral failing, but that’s not the case. Substance use disorder is a medical condition. Those affected require proper treatment to safely separate from their substance of choice.
DPAC is here to help pilots access the care they need so they can return to the flight deck, free from the weight of this disease.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Vacation Move-Up Bidding
|
|
The deadline for submitting vacation move-up requests is June 1 at 8 a.m. ET.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Social Media
|
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!
|
_3290468.png) |
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
Flight Experiences
|
|
Share your experiences as a pilot, including interesting flights, challenges, and memorable moments. This can include both professional and personal experiences!
|
|
|
#WingViewWednesday
|
|
Please submit photos of your favorite Delta jets from your professional or leisure travels!
|
|
|
DPN Events Photos and Videos
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Feedback?
|
Do you have any feedback or ideas for MEC News? Let us know at DALComm@alpa.org!
|
|
|
This message is brought to you by the Delta MEC Communications Committee.
If you no longer wish to recieve these communications, unsubscribe
|
|