Who do trip protections actually protect at Delta?

Who do trip protections actually protect at Delta? Hint: It’s not us Delta Flight Attendants, that’s for sure!

Instead of being pay protected from cancelled rotations like at other carriers, at Delta we only have two options: become “time available” for the entire footprint of our original trip for pay, or go unpaid with “Priority Pickup (PPU).”

That’s right; if we sign in for a trip, show up to the airport, and our trip is canceled or removed through no fault of our own, we are forced to sit availability (otherwise known as “reserve”) of the original trip.The only way to get paid for something that wasn’t our fault.

This applies even if you’re off A-days, and availability assignments actually go before A-day assignments in the order of assignments.

Additionally, if you choose availability in order to be paid, and are released for rest without an assignment, Delta Flight Attendants are NOT provided with a hotel.This means commuters are stuck figuring out accommodations at the last minute, when hotel prices are high and availability is low.

Our “pay protection options” at Delta aren’t much of an “option”. If you choose “PPU”, you forego all pay guarantees of your original trip credit, allowing you “priority” over picking up whatever trips are in open time.

“Pay protection?” Not with our current work rules.

Unlike other airlines, we aren’t protected from reroutes on our replacement flying.

Meaning, for example, if you had a 1-leg trip with a long layover on your line, you could be forced to work a 4-leg day with minimum rest in order to be pay protected. Trip holders are consistently rerouted when A-Day Flight Attendants are available for reassignment, with seniority offering little protection.

This leads to 0 schedule integrity at Delta and seniority violations. No matter the assignment or seniority, we’re all effectively on A-Days every time we sign in, with no recourse or protections to hold anyone accountable.

At United, Flight Attendants have pay guarantees in the event their flights cancel or change. United Flight Attendants also have clear contractual reassignment rules for when a flight cancels. Alaska Flight Attendants recently negotiated 150% trip credit pay anytime a line-holding Flight Attendant is rerouted, and both also have pay protection without being forced on full-length reserve for pay. In addition, Flight Attendants can pick up trips over the pay-protection, essentially doubling their money.

Reroutes, rescheduling, or trip modifications all lead to lost time and pay with no protections from management. We pay the price in situations where it wasn’t our fault!

At Delta, management holds all the cards, and our trip “protections” only protect management, not Delta Flight Attendants. With a union, we can have a legal and permanent voice in creating a more equitable system by Flight Attendants, for Flight Attendants, that protects Flight Attendants. We need black and white work rules, not “pay protection options” that leave us between losing pay or eroding our seniority.

Trips cancel at the last minute but our bills, time, and the plans we make with friends and family shouldn’t. Delays, cancellations, and reroutes are inevitable, we work in aviation after all, but we shouldn’t be punished for it. We should be properly compensated for when it happens. We need real pay protections in a contract that respects seniority and doesn’t burden us with losing days off or sitting on call.

We are the Delta Difference, and it’s time our work rules and our pay reflect it!