shifting topics, I think we need UAL deadhead language but what is UAL vacation setup and why is it better than ours?
I think the way our vacation is awarded is better (from what I understand) but how does there accural compare to ours.
honest question

Flight benefits aren't in the contract at all. I guess I shouldn't be upset about anything that isn't in there. Thanks!

UAL would better, but FedEx really has it figured out!

Exactly. Non Delta family members going ahead of Delta retirees, on Delta metal. A recent change and a bad one. I could support ONLY the pilot getting S3A going to work but nothing else. Especially on Delta metal.....

I think that’s a reasonable take, at least I can certainly see the logic (I’m a 9E guy). I do want to point out that while my wife gets S3A when we nonrev, my parents do not. They get S3CR when they nonrev, which translates to them not nonrevving much. It’s only active 9E employees and immediate family getting S3A. And yes S3A is very helpful for commuting, which is 95% of what it gets used for in my household.

I think there’s also logic to giving some priority to active employees and families, even at the regional level. If you want to talk “fairness,” I think considering the contribution a 9E pilot’s spouse makes to Delta’s bottom line versus a mainline parent would be a worthy mental exercise. I am not demeaning the value of parents in any way—I just think that given what 9E employees contribute to the operation, saying that my wife’s S3A “ruins” a mainline parent’s nonrev benefits is a weak argument. For that matter, today I would go behind most mainline spouses and kids on my own 9E metal.

Having said that, speaking personally, I would not feel comfortable getting a Delta One upgrade on a transoceanic flight before a mainline retiree. I value the decades of contribution they made, and I hope someday to have the schedule flexibility to nonrev across the pond and put my money where my mouth is. Assuming we ever get over covid.

As a professional S3B rider, located in 9E country, my only option now is changing airlines. I have had great success with Allegiant. Full fare $48 round trip. Much better than sweating ATL. Bye, bye for now Widgy.

Since the change took affect, my parent has been bumped eight times in 10 attempts, compared to one time in 20+. I understand it doesn't seem like it makes much of a difference, but your wife is not the only one that got the new benefit.