The SSP was just extended to all 2015 hires to date, with a separate announcement for future new hires to come in the next couple of weeks.
MEC Reaches TA on Delta Interview Program for 2015 Hires
In light of record profits at mainline carriers and robust hiring forecasts, we know that many of our pilots are focused on career progression. As you are no doubt aware, our current career progression path, the SSP, originally applied only to those pilots who were on our property at the time of the bankruptcy concessions. The amendment to the Bridge Agreement that became effective earlier this year further extended the SSP to those pilots on property as of its date of signing, January 6, 2015.
At that time, management also indicated that Delta was exploring the manner in which it might implement a future program to attract new hires by guaranteeing a Delta interview to Endeavor Air pilots who were not covered by the SSP. Indeed, many of our recently-hired pilots were told by the company that some type of guaranteed interview program was being developed.
The MEC advised management that a Letter of Agreement formalizing an interview program for our existing pilots who were not covered by the SSP was both important and appropriate. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that we have reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with the company that would create a modified SSP (to be called the “Updated SSP” or “uSSP”) for pilots currently on the seniority list, but who are not eligible for the SSP or EtD.
Like the SSP, the uSSP provides for a one-day interview process, and allows those pilots hired between January 7, 2015, and July 1, 2015, to apply immediately. uSSP interviews would be scheduled in seniority order among applicants following completion of SSP interviews. Many pilots expressed to us that they felt there was value in achieving a single-day interview opportunity and in knowing whether they were successful Delta candidates sooner rather than later, and in that regard this program resembles the SSP.
The uSSP differs from the SSP by including a service requirement–meaning a pilot who receives a CJO under the uSSP will not be offered a Delta class date until he serves 2 years as an Endeavor Captain. While the MEC would have preferred to avoid a service requirement, we are also aware that the vast majority of successful SSP candidates will have served well over 5 years as a pilot at Endeavor prior to starting class at Delta, and this requirement will essentially enable Endeavor to achieve a like amount of service from the pilots hired over the past 6 months. Once uSSP pilots have completed their required service, they will move to Delta at a rate of 12 per month, measured similarly to the SSP.
Pilots who are hired after July 2015 will be eligible for a separate guaranteed interview program at Delta. We anticipate that the company will announce the details of that program within the next few days.