The Alaska Pilots Podcast

State of the Union, November 2023

Following the third Quarter MEC Meeting, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell speaks with MEC Chair Will McQuillen, MEC Executive Administrator Drew Coyle, and Scheduling Committee Chair Scott Rubin about the state of the union. Some topics discussed are basing, contract implementation progress, and staffing.

Alaska Pilots’ MEC Committee Profiles: Professional Standards and DEBI

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 

Elevate Your Retirement Benefits: 401(k) Spill Solutions

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.

State of The Union: SFO Base, 2024 Vacation

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

Market Rate Adjusted Pay

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]

Market Rate Adjustment

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.

State of the Union, June 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.

 

July Scheduling Summary

Washing State Cares Fund Tax Communication

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

VolunteerALA@alpa.org

Implementation Update and State of the Union

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

2023 State of the Union and New LOAs

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

Reassignment, Cancelation, Delay, and Severe Irregular Operations

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