Delta Air Lines pilots will continue to picket at key Delta hubs across the United States. Delta pilots are planning a picket at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Tuesday over schedule and fatigue concerns. Following Tuesday's protest, a picket will be held at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Thursday.
Off-duty pilots will protest Delta management's scheduling policies, according to the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which have prompted pilots to fly long and exhausting journeys.
"Delta is trying to operate more flights with fewer pilots, leaving no wiggle room for weather delays and operational strains. We want management to come to the table to discuss our scheduling concerns," said in an ALPA statement.
About 13,000 Delta pilots are represented by the union. Delta Air Lines has seven pilot bases across the United States, five of which have already been picketed; Seattle and Minneapolis-Saint Paul will be added to the list this week. Delta isn't the only carrier with unhappy pilots. Pilots from Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines have lately made headlines for their worries regarding exhaustion and schedule.
"Pilots are mission-oriented and want to deliver the best service in the industry, but we are also humans with limitations," Captain Jason Ambrosi from the ALPA said. "Not every day is blue skies. Weather disruptions and other operational issues can cause flight delays and cancellations. Our customers deserve better."
