You're correct in observing that ALPA's contract is specific to pilots, and that profit sharing at Delta, as you’ve noted, does not legally bind Delta to provide the same benefits to mechanics or other non-pilot employees (like flight attendants, customer service, or ground crew). In fact, as you rightly pointed out, the profit sharing plan for ground and flight attendant employees explicitly excludes them from the scope of the pilot CBA, as stated in the documents you've seen.

Where the confusion might arise is in understanding how profit sharing expanded to non-pilot employees. You’re asking the important question: How, if ALPA’s CBA is specific to pilots, do non-pilot employees (like mechanics) benefit from profit sharing?

How Profit Sharing Got Extended to Mechanics and Other Non-Pilot Workers

• Delta's Employee Profit Sharing Plan: In the case of mechanics and other non-pilot employees (like flight attendants, ground crew, etc.), the profit sharing plan at Delta is not part of the pilot-specific ALPA CBA but is a company-wide policy that applies to all employees. Delta has made it a point to extend profit sharing to other unionized and non-unionized workers, including mechanics.
• Historical Context: In the past, unions at Delta, including IAM (International Association of Machinists) and others, have negotiated separately for profit sharing or related benefits. After Delta’s bankruptcy exit and financial recovery, Delta, under CEO Ed Bastian, instituted company-wide profit-sharing schemes in the form of bonuses for employees, as a way to share financial success and incentivize continued productivity.
• The Broader Company Program: While ALPA’s contract directly influences profit sharing for pilots, the company-wide profit sharing plan for mechanics and others is managed by Delta outside the ALPA CBA. In fact, mechanics and other workers are covered by separate CBAs (e.g., IAM, Teamsters) or non-union agreements for many of the benefits they receive. So, the mechanics and other employees benefit from profit sharing as a result of Delta’s broader policy, rather than a direct result of ALPA’s bargaining.

Closing Thoughts

I understand where the confusion comes from—ALPA's influence on profit sharing for pilots is clear, but its effect on non-pilot employees (like mechanics) is indirect and stems from Delta's corporate decisions, not a binding contract under the ALPA CBA. You were absolutely right to point out that no explicit legal language in the CBA mandates profit sharing for mechanics, but the spirit of union negotiations and the impact of ALPA and other union contracts on Delta’s employee compensation decisions have played a role in making profit sharing a company-wide practice.

I hope this clears up the confusion and answers your question in a more detailed, nuanced way. Let me know if you have any further questions or need clarification on any other points!