Explore every episode of the podcast The Alaska Pilots Podcast

In this episode, Co-hosts Alaska Communications Chair David Campbell and Hawaiian Communications Chair Mike Davis interview Alaska MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Hawaiian MEC Chair Larry Payne. Captains McQuillen and Payne discuss the vision they share for the collective future of a combined pilot group and the critical importance of pilot unity, engagement, and feedback in upcoming contract negotiations. 

In addition to the episode’s audio content, please watch the video linked below to hear more from the two Union Chairs and other pilots from each carrier.  

VIDEO  

JOINT MEC WEBSITE 

A Tentative Agreement (TA) has been reached between the Alaska Master Executive Council and Alaska Airlines which will soon be up for a ratification vote by the Alaska Airlines pilots. This TA would extend the current contract’s amendable date by 16 months while providing two additional annual pay increases. In this episode Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell discusses the details of this TA with MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm. 

Full Language Tentative Agreement

The Alaska Master Executive Council oversees more than 40 pilot support committees, which are run by dedicated pilot volunteers (overseen by elected leaders) working daily for their peer union members, who are Alaska pilots. Much of their work goes unnoticed, but today we are shining some light to show what these committees do. Our ongoing goal is to periodically spotlight the incredible work our dedicated volunteers do on behalf of our pilots, as we've done in the past. Join host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell as he speaks with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Professional Standards Committee Chairman Scott Hathaway, Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (DEBI) Committee Chairman Mario James, and DEBI Vice Chair Jenn Taylor as they speak more on these committees’ work. 

For an earlier episode highlighting other committees working within the umbrella of Pilot Assistance, including HIMS, Aeromedical, CIRP, and Professional Standards, click on the link below. 

CALL ALPA FIRST 

In the recently negotiated contract, higher pay rates and additional employer contributions to defined contribution (DC) plans were secured. As a result, these benefits will cause more pilots to exceed annual IRS limits on amounts that may be contributed to the PISP 401(k). Company contributions to 401(k) exceeding these limits spills into pilots’ paychecks, thereby limiting potential tax-deferred and dues free retirement savings. The Alaska Pilots’ Retirement and Insurance (R&I) Committee, professional ALPA staff and other subject matter experts have researched multiple tax-advantaged avenues to address the spill issue. Join host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell as he discusses this issue and the solutions being worked on with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, R&I Committee Chairman Shane Wrobel, R&I Committee member Jerry Traphagen, and ALPA Benefits Specialist Phil Borgman. 

Alaska pilots may find additional information, including an animated video, FAQs, dates for upcoming coffee sits, and more by clicking here.

Attraction and retention of Alaska Airlines pilots remains a key focus for the Alaska Master Executive Council. In this episode, Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell discusses why the San Fransisco base has not seen a meaningful increase in lines, issues surrounding vacation in 2024, why attraction and retention is an issue that should concern all pilots and how solutions require proactive involvement with the MEC. Campbell is joined by MEC Chair Will McQuillen, Scheduling Committee Chair Scott Rubin, and Negotiating Committee Chair David Wilhelm.

Vacation Podcast Episode

Vacation Bidding for 2024

The Alaska Pilots have secured a market rate adjustment keeping them in line with the industry and providing for additional wage increases above those previously scheduled on September 1, 2023.  In this episode Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Negotiating Chairman David Wilhelm discus how this Market Rate Adjustment was derived.  Also discussed are other elements to address the issue of attracting and retaining pilots.

Captain Will McQuillen’s Chairman Letter

Negotiating Committee Update

LOA 23-08 [One-Time MRA Exception]

The Market Rate Adjustment (Section 3.A.4) to Alaska Airlines pilots’ salaries is effective September 1. In this episode, Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses this time frame and the current market conditions that should affect the compensation of Alaska Airline Pilots. He is joined by MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Membership Committee Chairman Brad Beachler. Other topics briefly discussed are how to handle a trade request denial, the Pilot Mentorship Program, and volunteerism.

Most pilot contracts have traditionally included provisions for an annual raise. The current Alaska Airlines pilot contract includes, for the first time, additional language requiring a comparison between the contractually guaranteed pay increase and the current market-rate pilot salaries. This potential difference may cause the annual pay rate increase to be adjusted upwards.

Alaska Airlines Pilots may read MEC Chairman Capt. Will McQuillen’s latest Update and his letter to CEO Ben Minicucci and CFO Shane Tackett here.

In this episode, Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses the state of the Union with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, Scheduling Committee Chairman Scott Rubin, and the new Negotiating Committee Chairman David Wilhelm. Topics include recent work by the Negotiating Committee including uniforms, pay increases scheduled for September, scheduling, and CBA 2022 implementation progress.

July Scheduling Summary

Washing State Cares Fund Tax Communication

Jump Seat Communication including links to FOM language and the revised CSA Bulletin

In this episode host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses progress on implementation of CBA 2022 and the state of the union including, MOU 23-02, Third Step trading, Jumpseat listing, and other topics. Joining Campbell are MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner, Strategic Planning Chairman Drew Coyle, and Scheduling Chairman Scott Rubin.

VolunteerALA@alpa.org

MOU 23-02 [Premium Trip and Reserve Amendments]

Third Step Instructions

This episode describes the state of the union, including progress made over the last year, areas of current focus, and how Alaska pilots move the profession forward. Three new Letters of Agreement (LOA) have been signed, which collectively represent improvements to the collective bargaining agreement and benefits to the Alaska pilots.

Join Host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Strategic Planning Chairman Drew Coyle as they discuss these issues.

If you are interested in volunteering with your MEC, please send an email to VolunteerALA@alpa.org.

LOA 23-01 Unused Sick Leave at Retirement

LOA 23-02 SIO Amendment

LOA 23-03 Airbus Retention Program

In this episode MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Scheduling Chairman Scott Rubin discuss and clarify differences between a reassignment, a cancelation, and a delay. There are pay implications to each of these categories. The recent ice storm in Seattle and Portland created examples of each of these categories. The most recent Negotiating Committee Update is a useful companion communication and is linked below.

Negotiating Committee Update

In this episode, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Scheduling Committee Chairman Scott Rubin further discuss the CBA implementation process. A number of ALPA resources are mentioned in this episode which are linked below.

Scheduling Floor Pilot Volunteer Hotline Number: 833-30-FLOOR or (833) 303-5667

Pilot Peer Support Number: (309) 777-ALPA or (309) 777-2572

Negotiating Committee Update of November 11, 2022

Payroll Committee Update

MOU 22-06 [CBA 2022 Implementation]

Scheduling Committee Stan Notes

On July 25, a negotiated Transition Process Agreement (TPA) was unanimously ratified by the Master Executive Councils of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell discusses the details of that agreement with MEC Chair Will McQuillen, ALA Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm, and Executive Administrator Drew Coyle. Also discussed is the recent agreement made between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines management and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on a 10-day extension to the timeline for antitrust review. This agreement extends the deadline to August 15, 2024.  

Full Language TPA

MEC Chair's Message

123.45: TPA Reached

Order an ALPA Pin

Order a Blue ALPA Lanyard by sending an email to the ALA office administrator.

The Alaska Airlines pilots recently ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. The process of implementing these new work rules has begun in earnest. This episode discusses the work being done to ensure that the process moves forward expeditiously and the need for pilots’ solidarity to remain strong. Join host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell as he speaks in further detail on these topics with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner, Scheduling Committee Chairman Scott Rubin, Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue and his Vice Chair Drew Coyle.

MOU 222-06 CBA 2022 Implementation

Negotiating Committee Update 10-28-2022

The Tentative Agreement (TA) approved by the Alaska MEC is now before the pilot members to consider for approval. This episode discusses the process of completing the full language TA which is expected to be available by Friday, September 30, events where one may learn more about the TA, such as roadshows and airport sits, and the balloting process. Host Strategic Communication Chairman David Campbell is joined by MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue, and Strategic Planning Vice Chairman Drew Coyle.

Find more information at AlaskaPilots.org.

PBS Hotline: (833) ALA-PBS1 or (833) 250-7271

Learn about the changes to vacation and how vacation will interact with preferential bidding (PBS).

Find more information about the TA at AlaskaPilots.org.

Call the PBS Hotline for questions related to PBS, or using vacation in a PBS system: (833) ALA-PBS1 or (833) 252-7271.

This tentative agreement contains major changes to the reserve system designed to improve reserve pilots’ quality of life. Additionally, there are a number of positive changes for pilots who commute to work.

Find more information at AlaskaPilots.org. 

This tentative agreement includes several changes to protect pilots’ schedule and days off. It also includes new compensation or monetary incentives in the instances where trips are changed.

Find more information at AlaskaPilots.org. 

Learn about how this tentative agreement will change pilots’ ability to adjust their schedules.

Find more information at AlaskaPilots.org. 

This tentative agreement includes a preferential bidding system (PBS) as the delivery process for monthly schedules. Hear about ALPA’s enhanced control over trip construction and how PBS will work.

Many terms may be unfamiliar. Some may find the glossary below helpful while listening to this episode.

Find more information at AlaskaPilots.org.

PBS Hotline: (833) ALA-PBS1 or (833) 250-7271

Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Glossary

Average Line Value (ALV)

The average Credit value of all lines in a Base Position.  ALV will include all known Credit in that Base Position.

Correct Line:

The initial line the Pilot should have been awarded had a PBS Misaward not occurred.

Credit Window

Credit range within which a line may be awarded.

Denial Mode

A process in PBS that:

• is performed after PBS is unable to award a Pilot a line consistent with his or her bid preferences, seniority, known absences, the FARs, and the CBA, and within the Minimum Credit Window,
• is utilized after shuffle and prior to Secondary Line Generation (SLG), and ignores, one at a time, a Pilot's preference(s) to avoid flying a specified trip or a trip with specified criteria (e.g., number of duty periods in a trip, departure time of trip, number of flight segments per duty period) or the Pilot’s preference to avoid flying on a specified Calendar Day, in an effort to award a line within his or her Minimum Credit Window.

Fill to Threshold

A tool in PBS that is utilized prior to Denial Mode, and continues to award trips to each Pilot's line, if possible, until such line is at or above the threshold.

Force Priority Stack Date on SLG

A tool in PBS that ensures a Pilot who is awarded a line during the SLG process is awarded a trip that is scheduled to operate on the specified priority stack date.

Max Followed By Time

The maximum time between trips that are awarded via the "Followed By" bid statement.

Max Iteration

A parameter in PBS that limits the number of trips PBS considers when attempting to construct a line.

Max Passes

A parameter in PBS that limits the number of attempts by PBS to award lines to all Pilots in a Base Position.

Max Reserves

A parameter in PBS that limits the number of Pilots permitted to be awarded a Reserve Schedule in a Base Position.

Maximum Stack Height

A parameter in PBS that limits a stack after all Pilots in the Base Position are awarded a line.

Priority Stack Date

A designated date that is unstacked before PBS unstacks any other date. Priority stack date is limited to days which receive Holiday Pay.

Reduced Lower Limit (RLL)

A line that is awarded below the minimum Credit value for the Month when the Pilot could not legally be awarded a line within the Credit Window.

Secondary Line Generation (SLG)

The final PBS process, used after Shuffle and Denial Mode, that ignores a Pilot's bid preferences in an attempt to construct a line for the Pilot.

Shuffle

A tool in PBS that:

• is utilized after PBS is unable to award a Pilot a line within his or her line credit window which complies with his higher priority bid preference(s)
• removes a trip(s) which had been awarded in accordance with such bid preference(s) and searches for combinations of trip(s) which comply with his or her lower priority bid preference(s), and
• is utilized prior to Denial Mode.

Stack

The number of duty periods that remain in Open Flying Time on a given Calendar Day at the end of a bid run.

Threshold

The target Credit value for each line in each Base Position in a Bid Period.

Trailing Line Value (TLV)

The twelve (12) Bid Period rolling average of the ALV for a Base Position.

Unstack

A tool in PBS that assigns trips to Pilots in such a way as to prevent a stack that is greater than the Maximum Stack Height.

Vacation Any

A function applied during the PBS award process in which vacation days may be moved as needed so as to avoid conflicts with preferred trips. Vacation Any does not change the number of vacation days or the Credit of the awarded schedule.

Virtual Credit

A credit value applied to an activity or absence only during schedule construction in PBS.  Virtual Credit has no value once the schedule is awarded.

Hear how this tentative agreement addresses job security for pilots.

Watch the animated video SCOPE: Protect, Provide, Prepare.

Find more information at AlaskaPilots.org.

The Alaska Airlines MEC has voted to approve a Tentative Agreement (TA) which will soon be subject to pilot ratification. This is the first of a seven-episode series detailing the changes found within the TA. In this episode, Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell and guests provide an overview of what pilots will see in the TA. He is joined by MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, MEC Secretary Garin Tentschert, MEC Treasurer Scott Mokos, and Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner. 

More information about the TA may be found at AlaskaPilots.org.

When the MEC approves a tentative agreement, it will promptly be announced to pilots via email and a Textcaster message. Alaska Airlines pilots may find a signup link to Textcaster on the members’ page of AlaskaPilots.org.

In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell, discusses the conclusion of last week’s negotiations session, and what to expect next week with Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Strategic Planning Committee Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue.  

In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell speaks with Chair Will McQuillen, Vice Chair Garin Tentschert, Secretary Scott Rubin and Executive Administrator Drew Coyle about the MEC’s work over the last several weeks including scheduling, merger progress, rumor control, and other ongoing projects.

IFALPA Global Pilot Survey

Please complete the survey using login password: vffd24

Reserve Preferencing Instructions

Join Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, and Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner as they discuss the current state of negotiations and what pilots may expect from the special MEC meeting scheduled to begin on August 29.

In this episode Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses the state of negotiations with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue.

In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell speaks with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner, and Strategic Planning Vice-Chairman Drew Coyle about the Special MEC Meeting that concluded on July 1.

There will be upcoming opportunities for pilots and their families to meet with their ALPA elected leadership, including a Pilot and Family Town Hall in Los Angeles on Friday, July 22, and an open house held at the Seattle MEC office on Thursday, August 4. Check your email and our Facebook Groups for more information on these events.

Join host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell as he discusses the recent increase in pace of contract negotiations with Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner and MEC Chairman Will McQuillen. Also in this episode, Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue and McQuillen discuss how the MEC’s strategic plan has brought us to where we are now and how the MEC will continue to leverage it to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion in the form of a ratifiable Tentative Agreement.

On May 25, a strike authorization ballot sent to the Alaska Airlines pilots closed. With nearly 96 percent of members participating, an overwhelming 99 percent of Alaska pilots authorized union leaders to call a strike if necessary and after the parties are permitted by the National Mediation Board (NMB) to take that action.

Following the initial announcement of this ballot, Alaska management requested to meet with ALPA. That request was honored and on May 24 – 26 the two parties sat at the negotiating table in direct talks. In today’s episode, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue, and Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discuss the significance of this historic vote and the outcome of this week’s negotiations.

On April 21, the Alaska Airlines Pilots Master Executive Council (MEC) unanimously voted to approve a strike authorization ballot. While the pilot group is not on strike now a “yes” vote will authorize the MEC to call a strike if mediation is unsuccessful, all the procedures of the Railway Labor Act have been exhausted, and the National Mediation Board allows the Alaska Airlines pilots and management to exercise self-help at the end of a cooling off period.

In this episode, host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell speaks with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue about what this ballot means and why the MEC felt management’s actions at the bargaining table make this step necessary.

Listeners may find this flow chart of the Railway Labor Act’s negotiations process helpful.

Family members of pilots are encouraged to learn more through a committee designed for them. Please go to AlaskaPilots.org and follow the FONE link found on the top right margin.

On March 10, the Alaska Pilots’ Negotiating Committee released a comprehensive term sheet covering the union’s solutions to the issues concerning pilots. In this episode host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Scheduling Chairman Scott Rubin discuss that term sheet.

The most impactful and immediate way to show support for these efforts is to join us for the all-base rallies and informational picket on April 1. Follow the link for more information.

April 1 Informational Picket

RSVP to the All-Pilot-All-Base picket. 

On April 1, 2022, the Alaska Airlines pilots will conduct informational picketing in each of the five bases which include: Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In this episode host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses the importance of physical displays of unity and resolve with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue.

Learn more at AlaskaPilots.org.

On February 3, the Alaska pilots conducted an informational picket at an event in New York City where the COO and EVP Constance Von Muehlen of Alaska Airlines was speaking. In this episode host Communications Chairman David Campbell is joined by MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, MEC Secretary Garin Tentschert, and Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee (SPSC) Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue. They discuss their experiences at that event as well as upcoming mediated negotiations sessions, the next picketing event coming up on April 1, and other SPSC events.

Links of interest:

Video of Constance Von Muehlen Walking the Picket Line

The Railway Labor Act Flow Chart

Informational Picketing Leaflet, New York City

Family Outreach and Negotiations Education Committee (FONE)

In this episode Podcast Host, Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses the Railway Labor Act (RLA), including what it means to be in mediated negotiations and the process of being released before engaging in a legal strike. ALPA’s Senior Advisor and Chief Negotiator Bruce York, along with Senior Labor Relations Counsel Zach Henige join this episode to discuss what to expect during RLA mediation and what tactics are available to us to advance the pilots’ goals. Bruce York has been negotiating airline contracts for more than 40 years and shares his experience regarding ways management teams have in the past attempted to stymie the work of ALPA. Also on this episode are MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner.

This week the pilots’ Negotiating Committee, including Chris Gruner, began negotiations in the presence of a mediator, Mike Tosi, assigned by the National Mediation Board. Pilots may recall, the company stated it was filing for mediation with the intention of moving negotiations to a conclusion. Alaska pilots may read the committee’s update detailing the results of these three days of mediated negotiations.

The Alaska Airlines pilots have been negotiating with their company for nearly three years in attempts to bring the contract more in line with their industry peers. On January 19, 2022 the parties met to conduct the first mediated session with the assistance of a national mediator assigned by the National Mediation Board (NMB).

RLA Flow Chart

In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell speaks with MEC Chair Will McQuillen, Scheduling Chair Chandler Blair, and Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm about the recent Letter of Agreement 24-04 which will create the option to bid for a reduced bid credit value. These bid options will be awarded based on seniority. Also discussed, are data and trends on the first two cycles of bidding using PBS. 

LOA 24-04 VRBO 

This episode discusses how management’s failure to address recurring weather issues affect pilots, the eroding culture at Alaska Airlines, and the Company’s inconsistent COVID-19 policies that are outside of industry best-practices. Additionally, the history and details of Severe Irregular Operations (SIO) is explained. For Alaska Pilots, references to contractual and LOA language addressing SIO may be found in the MEC Update of December 26. In addition to MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, Communications Chairman David Campbell welcomes Contract Compliance Chairman Mike (Rino) Reinmuth and Scheduling Committee Chairman Scott Rubin.

For Alaska Pilots:

Contract Compliance Phone Number: (888) 767-2228

This episode discusses how management’s failure to address recurring weather issues affect pilots, the eroding culture at Alaska Airlines, and the Company’s inconsistent COVID-19 policies that are outside of industry best-practices. Additionally, the history and details of Severe Irregular Operations (SIO) is explained. For Alaska Pilots, references to contractual and LOA language addressing SIO may be found in the MEC Update of December 26. In addition to MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, Communications Chairman David Campbell welcomes Contract Compliance Chairman Mike (Rino) Reinmuth and Scheduling Committee Chairman Scott Rubin.

For Alaska Pilots:

Contract Compliance Phone Number: (888) 767-2228

This episode reflects on some of the accomplishments of the Alaska Airlines pilot group, which include efforts on trying to secure a market-based contract and comments from MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, SPSC Chairman Ronan O'Donoghue and SPSC Vice Chairman Drew Coyle on the state of the industry and the path the MEC is taking to safeguard the pilot group's future.

Hear from union leadership about the final MEC meeting of 2021, an update on ALPA’s Do the Right Thing campaign, polling results, and what’s next in the national mediation process.

Upcoming Coffee Sits

If you will be passing through SeaTac, please join MEC members in the North Concourse:

• Sunday, November 21, 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Coffee & Pizza
• Monday, November 22, 8:00 a.m. – 1100 a.m. Coffee & PastriesTuesday,
• November 23, 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Coffee & Pastries

Remember, the holidays may be a time of increased stress for some. If you need any assistance, call ALPA first. Pilot Peer Support volunteers are standing by 24/7 at (309) 777-ALPA or (309) 777-2572.

Alaska Air Group, INC. SEC Form 10-Q

Portions quoted in this episode may be found under Item 5 on page 48 and the highlighted section beginning after page 50.

ALPA’s Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council, launched an aggressive campaign to inform the public that negotiations between the pilots and the company have stalled. While Alaska Airlines’ management repeats its core value – to “Do the Right Thing” – it fails to live up to it by rejecting the pilots’ desire to bring their contract into parity with industry peers. Hear the pilots’ union leadership correct the company’s narrative. You can also help show support for the Alaska pilots by following them on social media.

AlaskaPilots.org

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

LinkedIn

After three days in private mediation with Alaska Airlines, the talks ended on September 20, 2021. ALPA’s negotiating team had suggested private mediation—employing the assistance of a private mediator who is a nationally-known labor relations expert well versed in the airline industry to explore whether any efficient pathways to a comprehensive agreement existed. ALPA proposed this process to explore every avenue to address contract goals consistently voiced by Alaska pilots, but unfortunately the Company’s positions did not reflect the commitment required to move negotiations constructively forward. The pilots’ union has been clear that substantial improvements to both job security and work rules are essential; pilots have serious concerns over both of these contract areas, and these sections are clearly deficient when compared to other pilot contracts in the industry. These areas have been addressed by management teams at peer airlines where they have agreed to significant improvements over what the Alaska pilots currently have.

Contract negotiations between the @AlaskaPilots and @AlaskaAir are not progressing at a pace consistent with the market-based changes that the pilots are seeking. The pilots’ union has recommended (and Alaska Airlines management has agreed) to hire a third-party facilitator for limited mediated discussions. This episode discusses why the pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) made this decision, what it expects to achieve during these talks, and other work in progress to achieve the priorities in negotiations the pilots have identified.

Listeners may be interested in documents mentioned in this episode including the Comprehensive Contract Opener and a video about the MEC’s work to stop company furloughs at Alaska Airlines with the support of the Alaska Pilots. Video Link.

Alaska MEC leadership will be on the road hosting more pilot and family events as part of   West Coast Cookout Tour as it continues in Southern California on August 26, and heads to Mesa, AZ August 30, and Las Vegas NV September 1. Click here for details.

Pilots Hold Fast to their Bargaining Expectations

In this episode, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner discuss with host Communications Chairman David Campbell the commitment ALPA leadership has in maintaining and pressing for the contract improvement priorities identified by Alaska pilots. Those goals are clear, consistent, long overdue, and are driving the efforts of the Negotiating Committee.

San Francisco Crew Base

Given that Alaska Airlines has been vague on whether they would maintain a pilot domicile in San Francisco, ALPA conducted its own research on the viability of keeping a crew base in that city. Also in the episode, Chairman McQuillen reveals what ALPA discovered.

This episode recaps some of the significant events over the last month, in particular the latest developments at the negotiating table, the latest MEC efforts related to the San Francisco base, the West Coast Cookout Tour and more.   

If you haven’t had a chance to watch the MEC’s video concerning Scope, you may watch it here.

Upcoming dates and locations for the West Coast Cookout Tour may be viewed here. Keep checking back as more dates will be added.

Job security is an important part of any career. Scope language in modern pilot collective bargaining agreements is designed to protect current flying, provide opportunities for growth of a pilot group, and prepare for unexpected events. In this episode, we shed more light on this issue as it relates to Alaska Airlines pilots. Follow the link below to watch the video referenced in this episode which the Alaska MEC released recently.

SCOPE

March has marked several significant transitions for the Alaska pilots and their elected leaders. This episode covers some of those important changes. The implementation of Contract 2022 will be complete in May when pilots begin working under the first monthly schedules built using preferential bidding. MEC officer terms started on March 1. Perhaps the biggest transition facing pilots is the merger between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. In this episode, each of these topics will be discussed. 

Included in these show notes are a table and flowchart of the monthly PBS bidding timeline. If they don’t show on the device you are using, scroll down and select “Episode Website” to view.  

PBS BIDDING TIMELINE All Times Seattle Local

 1st 0900 - 7th 1200

NavBlue Bidding Open

 7th 1200 - 11th 1600

Trading closed for Last 10 Days of Month

 11th by 1600

Awards Published in Crew Access

 11th 1700 - 13th 1500

Secondary Reserve Bidding Open

 13th by 2100

Secondary Reserve Bid Award 

 14th at 0900

Trading for BBH Open

 16 at 0900

Trading for Reserves Open

Letter to CEO Mr. Minicucci 

Request to Negotiate Transition and Process Agreement 

Unity and solidarity empower the Alaska MEC’s Negotiating Committee to achieve the pilots’ priorities in the next contract. Solidarity is built through trust and transparent dialogue between elected union leaders and the pilots they represent—a task complicated during COVID-19 restrictions. Listen now to the innovative ways the MEC will overcome this obstacle to be on the road connecting with its pilots.

Alaska pilots are negotiating improvements to their Collective Bargaining Agreement. Hear from ALPA leaders and ALPA’s Lead Economic and Financial Strategist Liz Spear about why now is the time for our Company to agree to long overdue improvements. Details of the union’s work may also be found in the MEC’s Strategic Planning Executive Summary which is also discussed in this episode. Part of that summary includes the MEC’s perspectives on the recent changes to executive management at Alaska Airlines. The MEC recently updated and released its Strategic Plan to the Alaska Airlines pilots.

To read the Strategic Plan Executive Summary, Alaska Airline pilots may logon to the AlaskaPilots.org website and click on the Strategic Plan link.

Join host Communications Chairman David Campbell as he speaks with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chairman Chris Gruner, and Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue about some of the issues facing Alaska Airlines pilots such as vaccinations, what the union knows about the Company’s basing plans—particularly in San Francisco, the MEC’s work to update its Strategic Plan, and negotiations.

As we turn the page to 2021, now is the time for the Alaska Pilots to continue the work of negotiating improvements to their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). In this episode, host Captain David Campbell speaks with Master Executive Council (MEC) officers—Captain Will McQuillen, Captain Joe Youngerman, Captain Scott Mokos and Captain Garin Tentschert. Most of their discussion will reference and add more detail to a four-minute video message released last week. We recommend you watch that video—linked below—before listening to this episode.

VIDEO LINK

Terms and references in this episode that may be unfamiliar to some listeners:

Canoll: Captain Tim Canoll served as the Air Line Pilots Association International’s president from 2015- 2019.

CBA: Collective Bargaining Agreement.

SME: Subject Matter Expert. These are pilots who are committee volunteers and have special skills, knowledge, and experience who help support the Alaska MEC. While these pilots volunteer their time on behalf of, and to improve the lives and safety of their fellow pilots, their work almost always creates an ancillary benefit to the company. Some examples include adding an important level of safety, cost savings, and ensuring flight operations processes run smoothly. The company receives these benefits at minimal, and in many cases, no cost.