Engage Alert: Negotiations Opening Monday - Raise the Bar. Hold the Line.

This is an Engage Alert with a critical update regarding contract negotiations and an important strategic development. Next week, opening proposals are to be exchanged, marking a major milestone in the Section 6 process and the beginning of the next phase for Delta pilots. In this episode, MEC Chairman Captain Eric Criswell and Negotiating Committee Chairman Captain Bill Finlay join us to outline the strategy, priorities, and expectations moving forward - including the announcement of a more accelerated and focused negotiation path. The union is pursuing an approach centered on a concise set of high-value priorities targeting pay, retirement, and quality of life, with the goal of delivering significant and meaningful gains on a shorter timeline. But one message is clear: Early does not mean discounted. Any agreement must meet pilot expectations and stand on its own value, regardless of timing. If that standard is not met, the MEC is fully prepared to pivot to a more traditional, comprehensive approach. This conversation also addresses: Why this strategy is being pursued now How pilot feedback is directly shaping priorities What happens if the Company doesn’t engage Lessons learned from past negotiations What pilots should expect in the months ahead Both Captain Criswell and Captain Finlay make this clear: Delta pilots are firmly in the driver’s seat. This is a deliberate strategy designed to capture value sooner without sacrificing leverage or outcomes. Stay informed. Stay engaged.