Episodes

2 days ago
2 days ago
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.

Monday Aug 21, 2023
Market Rate Adjusted Pay
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Monday Aug 21, 2023
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.

Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Market Rate Adjustment
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
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.

Saturday Jun 10, 2023
State of the Union, June 2023
Saturday Jun 10, 2023
Saturday Jun 10, 2023
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.
Washing State Cares Fund Tax Communication
Jump Seat Communication including links to FOM language and the revised CSA Bulletin

Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Implementation Update and State of the Union
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
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.

Friday Feb 03, 2023
2023 State of the Union and New LOAs
Friday Feb 03, 2023
Friday Feb 03, 2023
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

Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
Reassignment, Cancelation, Delay, and Severe Irregular Operations
Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
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.

Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
CBA 2022 Implementation: When and Why
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
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

Saturday Oct 29, 2022
Contract 2022 Implementation
Saturday Oct 29, 2022
Saturday Oct 29, 2022
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.

Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
TA 8: Ratification Process, What Happens Next
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
Wednesday Sep 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