Delta pilots picketing outside of Salt Lake City International Airport. Photo credit: Lindsay Aerts, KSL NewsRadio.
SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, UT — Dozens of pilots picketed at Salt Lake International Airport Thursday, demanding that Delta Airlines fix their schedules.
Captain Evan Baach said Salt Lake is one of several Delta hubs pilots picketed.
“Our message is to Delta management that the airline is scheduling more flying with fewer pilots that are available to do the flying,” said Captain Baach.
Captain Baach represented the pilots who stood at the airport’s arrival section, stoic and holding signs as passengers drove up. Pilots held signs that said things like if “I look tired, I am.”
Baach said around 70 pilots were there, and they are all part of the Air Line Pilots Association.
“We’re working longer days that than we normal have and we have shorter time on layovers than we have historically have, and we’re picking up a record amount of overtime,” Baach said
Captain Baach said Delta acknowledged their concerns but the pilots want action.
Delta airlines provided the following statement to KSL NewsRadio.
This informational exercise by some of our off-duty pilots will not disrupt our operation for our customers. We continuously evaluate our staffing models and plan ahead so that we can recover quickly when unforeseen circumstances arise, and the resilience of the Delta people is unmatched in that regard. Pilot schedules remain in line with all requirements set by the FAA as well as those outlined in our pilot contract. All of our people, including our pilots, are working hard to restore our airline and deliver for our customers as we emerge from the pandemic. We are grateful for and proud of their efforts.
“We’re tired and we’re fatigued, and we want the company to meet with us and work on common-sense solutions and match the staffing that they’re scheduling with the pilots they have available,” Baach said.
