Airline workers might strike – here's what that means for your holiday travel plans

There's a little bump in the runway ahead, but we think it's going to be ironed out. 

Pre-pandemic contract negotiations between Delta pilots and the airline were put on hold in February 2020 and resumed in January of this year – and now talk of a strike is in the air. As reported by NPR, 96 percent of Delta’s pilots participated in a strike authorization vote on Tuesday last week – that’s 15,000 pilots in action – and 99 percent of them voted in favor of a strike. Before we all get flustered, let’s look at what that really means. Turn the panic dial down to 2.

When is the strike?

Hold those horses; there isn’t a strike yet. There’s just willingness to strike.

Why are Delta pilots willing to go on strike?

They’re part of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, which said in a press release that, “The Delta pilots are working under pay rates, contractual provisions, and benefits negotiated in 2016,” and that negotiations for a new agreement began in April 2019. In other words, they are way overdue for their contract to be renegotiated.

Should pilots be paid more?

Chair of the Air Line Pilots Association Capt. James Abrosi said in the press release that Delta “rebounded from the pandemic” and posted record revenues for the third quarter. We'll let you draw the inference there. Abrosi also said that the pilots’ aim is to reach agreement and avoid a strike.

Will the strike impact Thanksgiving?

No, your jaunt to Grandma’s for turkey and all the fixin’s is safe (although Christmas might be another matter). In order for the pilots to strike, the National Mediation Board must determine that additional mediation efforts wouldn’t work and offer one last chance to arbitrate the dispute. If either party declines to continue arbitrating, there’s a 30-day cooling off period (during which Grandma’s pecan pie will be devoured, no worries) and then a strike is permitted – or management can lock out the pilots.

Can I get a refund for my ticket?

You don’t need one! For now, operations are as usual. Let’s hope the issue gets resolved quickly so that Delta’s pilots are flying the December skies alongside Santa’s sleigh.