##  Be nice, be standard, be professional: How one pilot makes the Delta Difference 



In the latest installment of her series featuring the remarkable people who make Delta a great place to work, E.V.P. and Chief People Officer Allison Ausband sits down with First Officer Jeannine Smith to talk about her journey to becoming a Delta pilot.



Allison Ausband, E.V.P and Chief People Officer

Wed, 07/01/2026 - 12:00

LAX-based First Officer Jeannine Smith always had the best view at the air shows she frequented with her dad as a child. As the youngest of four girls, she always got the primo spot perched atop her dad’s shoulders.



Her passion for aviation sprang from those days gazing skyward at stunt planes, spawning a career that has taken Jeannine all over the world in her time as a military pilot and 35 years at Delta. She flew the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter during Operation Desert Storm for the U.S. Air Force before joining Delta as a second officer on the Boeing 727 in 1991.

 

 

 

 

  *Jeannine before her first flight as a second officer at Delta.*  Since then she’s flown the 737 and 777 (but Jeannine said her time now flying the A350 has made her an Airbus convert).

Jeannine’s approach to serving her colleagues and customers is just as impressive as her resume. Read on to learn more about why we’re lucky to have her here at Delta.

 

 

 

 

  *E.V.P. and Chief People Officer Allison Ausband sits down with First Officer Jeannine Smith to talk about her journey.*  

**Allison Ausband:** How do you delight our customers every day – what’s your approach to that?



**Jeannine Smith:** I like to go out in the jetway and say hello to people. I hand out trading cards and start a nice conversation with them. If someone is a nervous flyer or worried about their connection, it’s nice to make them feel comfortable.



**AA:** What’s your advice to new pilots?



**JS:** The easy, short answer is wear sunscreen – because we’re getting a lot of sun! The other thing is when you go into the bag room in LAX, there is a big sign on the wall that says: “be nice, be standard, be professional.” And when I see that, I smile and think, “This job is pretty easy if you do those three things.” You show up, you know your job, you do your job and you be nice.



**AA:** What’s been your most significant memory after 35 years?



**JS:** When I was a second officer, we were carrying the remains of a veteran. He was being escorted by his best friend. I heard he was on board, so I went back and I talked to his escort about him. And then I asked the captain if I could make a nice PA. I asked everyone to turn their TVs off, turn their music off. I think everyone thought, “uh-oh, there’s something wrong with the airplane.” But I was just able to say how I felt about it and how much I appreciated our service members.



**AA:** There were very few female pilots when you started. How was that?



My first day at Delta, there were 32 of us in the room. I was the youngest, and it was very regimented so I had the back right seat. The first hour, a gentleman came in and said, “Number 42, stand up!” And I was told I was the 42nd female pilot ever hired by Delta. So that was kind of funny!

 

 

 

 

  *Jeannine with her new hire class at Delta. (Pictured standing, far right.)*  **AA:** How do you build rapport with each flight crew?



**JS:** It starts with introducing yourself and getting to know their names. … Delta flight attendants are the nicest, most hardworking and empathetic people I know. When I see them working as hard as they do, I’m lucky to work with them.



**AA:** What is your favorite travel destination?



**JS:** Sydney, Australia. I love flying on our South-Pacific routes.



**AA:** What’s your favorite on-board snack?



**JS:** Those little square shortbread cookies with chocolate – because we don’t have those on the international flights!









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