The DPS President’s Award is the most prestigious award given by Delta Professional Services and includes a presentation, custom plaque, and 50,000 Unstoppable Together points (a $500 cash value).

Delta Professional Services (DPS) recently awarded its inaugural DPS President’s Award to an extraordinary individual, Carly Crockett, whose journey from adversity to triumph serves as an inspiring testament to resilience, passion, and the unwavering spirit of a true aviator.

DPS President Marc Lippens expressed his excitement about the award, saying, “I’m very excited that we’re launching the President’s Award. Every year it will go out to a member of our team that goes above and beyond and shines a light on who DPS is.” He further added, “The inaugural award goes to someone who embodies everything that DPS is. Carly is everything that I would want a DPS Instructor to be, and everything a DPS employee should be. She is someone who loves her job and loves the people she gets to work with. She is an amazing person, an incredible leader in the Women in Aviation organization, and unfortunately for us, she’s about to go back and fly. To Carly – congratulations, we love you, we’ll miss you, and well done.”

Carly’s story:

Carly’s aviation journey began later than most, following her graduation with a degree in Biology, Society, Environment from the University of Minnesota. Raised in an aviation family, with her father serving as a Delta A330 Captain, Carly decided to follow in his footsteps after witnessing his genuine happiness in his career.

Her career took an unexpected turn on March 13, 2020, during a routine flight into Atlanta. A seemingly minor incident turned into a life-changing event when her right arm went limp, leading to a shocking diagnosis of Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The subsequent journey involved chemotherapy, surgeries, and a remarkable recovery. Amidst her medical challenges, Carly found solace and purpose at Delta Professional Services in 2021. Hired as an FTPI on the A320 fleet, Carly embraced the opportunity to teach at her dream airline, highlighting her dedication and passion for aviation. Her colleagues, mentors, and the DPS family became an integral part of her support system.

“Teaching here at DPS, it wasn’t just a fresh start, it was a chance for me to see that the unpredictable is nothing to shy away from,” Carly said. “I have a life now that I love more than the one that I led before getting sick. It is brighter and comes with a family, a team, that I am so incredibly proud to be a part of.” 

Carly’s impact at DPS has been nothing short of remarkable. As an A320 FTPI, she took on responsibilities ranging from instructor interviews to designing Principles of Instruction training and contributing to Delta Connection manual revisions as a Project Leader. Her commitment to excellence extended beyond her role, as she became a DPS Wellness Champion and a recruiter at aviation events like Oshkosh and Women in Aviation.

Despite facing two recurrences of cancer in her lungs in 2021, Carly remained resilient. Her determination to continue her education led her to complete a master’s degree in aviation management from the University of North Dakota. Overcoming physical challenges, she obtained her A320 type rating and received her first-class medical, a significant achievement marking her return to the skies.

Carly’s journey at DPS symbolizes resilience, determination, and the power of community support. Her colleagues describe her as a source of inspiration, with a constant smile that even scan days couldn’t dim. The DPS President’s Award rightfully recognizes Carly Crockett as a beacon of hope and a reminder that the unpredictable can be faced with unwavering courage.

“If given the choice to go back to the before, before cancer, I would not. I am now in the process of returning to work as a regional Captain, but DPS will forever be a place that I feel a part of,” Carly said about her experience. “I dream of the day that I get the opportunity to wear Delta wings and be back in the training center here, where I feel at home. I will admit, occasionally, I’d have students leave my class, not knowing of my situation, and they’d say, ‘See you on the line!’ A huge grin would shoot across my face, and I’d always respond, ‘See you there!'”

As Carly prepares to return to work as a regional Captain, she remains deeply connected to the DPS family. Her dream of wearing Delta wings and returning to the Training Center reflects the impact that DPS has had on her life, shaping a future she now loves more than ever.