Source: ALPA
Delta pilots picketed at Delta’s largest hub in Atlanta, Georgia, to protest the airline’s scheduling practices that have caused pilots to fly long days or work additional days to keep the airline running. With spring break and the summer travel season approaching, the Delta pilots are demanding improvements to schedules that impact employees and passengers alike.
“We’re picketing today because it’s time for Delta management to fix our schedules,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, chairman of the Delta Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA). “We’ve flown record amounts of overtime during the pandemic to help Delta operate its schedule and get our passengers safely to their destinations. In many cases, pilots are flying long after their day or trip was supposed to end. Delta cannot continue to operate the schedule at redline with no room for error.”
Capt. Ambrosi emphasized that the Delta pilots always put safety first. “ALPA’s motto is “Schedule with Safety.” As frontline leaders, we are the last line of defense to stopping the operation when pilot fatigue becomes a factor. However, too often we are being pushed to our limits as Delta tries to add back flying and capture revenue. We’re here today to tell management that they need to listen to their pilots and fix fatiguing schedules.”
The Delta pilots are currently in negotiations with management for a new contract. These talks resumed in January after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. ALPA is proposing solutions to scheduling issues as part of these negotiations but is also asking management to address fatiguing schedules now.
“Pilots are mission-oriented and want to deliver the best service in the industry, but we are also humans with limitations. Not every day is blue skies. Weather disruptions and other operational issues can cause flight delays and cancellations. Our customers deserve better,” said Capt. Ambrosi.