The Alaska Pilots Podcast

State of the Union, June 2021

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.

SCOPE: Protect, Provide, Prepare

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

Look for the MEC in a City Near You

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 MEC’s Strategic Plan

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.

Leading the Puck

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.

Facing Forward: 2021

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.

Important Holiday Message for Pilots and Families During What May Be a Stressful Holiday: CALL ALPA FIRST

Learn more about your union’s resources and how ALPA may assist you if holiday stress is impacting you or your family. ALPA has a number of committees whose purpose is to provide direct assistance to pilots. These have been organized under the umbrella of Pilot Peer Support (PPS) and consist of HIMS, Professional Standards, CIRP, and Aeromedical. In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell speaks with chairmen from each of these committees. Learn how you, or your flying partner, may be assisted by them and the value of calling ALPA first.

Helpful Links:

Pilot Peer Support Call (309) 777-2572; (309) PPS-ALPA

HIMS

Professional Standards

CIRP

Aeromedical

End of 2020 and Look to the Future

MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner, and Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue discuss closing out year 2020 and what is facing the pilot group in the near future with host Communications Chairman David Campbell. Topics include the recent EIL recalls, the removal of vacation open time, vaccines, and grievances.  

FAQ For Pilots Returning From EIL.

 

Management’s Unapproved Changes to Vacation Open Time Trading

Shortly before the pilots’ contractual provision to trade vacation days was to begin, in a process known as open time vacation trading, Vice President of Flight Operations announced to the pilot-union leaders that he intended to remove available days from the open time availability—a step never taken in the past. Despite objections from ALPA (the union representing Alaska Airlines pilots) management moved forward with their plan. In this episode, host Strategic Communications Chairman Captain David Campbell discusses, among other topics, the Company’s changes with MEC Chairman Captain Will McQuillen and Negotiating Committee Chairman First Officer Chris Gruner.

 

Listeners may also be interested in reading the latest Chairman’s Message dated November 2, 2020 in which MEC Chairman McQuillen addresses this topic.

The Turning Point Represented by October 1

October 1 was a significant day for the pilot group at Alaska Airlines; it marked a turning point of sorts. Join host Captain David Campbell as he discusses this with MEC Chairman Captain Will McQuillen, and what this means for negotiations with Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner. Also covered in the episode is the desire management had to turn off important rules used to generate pilot’s flying schedules in the software program called The Optimizer. These rules are in place for safety, to mitigate fatigue, and to improve quality of life. ALPA was able to convince management to leave these time-tested rules in place for the upcoming bid month. It is our expectation that management will not attempt to make similar changes in future months. Listen to the episode to hear a full account of the interesting work ALPA undertook to protect their pilots.

Throughout this episode references are made to links in the show notes. Below are those links in the order they occur.

Tribute video to our pilots who chose early retirement

The new In The Loop page of the AlaskaPilots.org website and Facebook Group page. In The Loop Web Page   Facebook Group

Telephonic polling conducted by the University of New Hampshire begins on Monday October 5. Calls will come from (603) 397-0660 and be identified as either UNH Surv Ctr or NH Call. On some phones, this call may be identified as “Scam Likely.” We suggest pilots add this phone number to their contact list so that, if randomly selected, the call will reach them.

The November Scheduling Committee Summary

Position Bid 2021-04 Information and FAQ

Pilot Peer Support: 309-PPS-ALPA (309-777-2572)

Pilot Peer Support (PPS) is a group of ALPA pilot volunteers who are trained to talk about any personal or professional problems pilots may be experiencing. PPS volunteers listen and offer confidential and nonjudgmental support as well as information to help them make informed decisions. A PPS volunteer can help with any issue without jeopardy to the pilot’s career. PPS volunteers are not counselors or mental health professionals—they are fellow pilots trained to provide empathy and support to deal with life’s stresses, with access to appropriate resources to help you make the next step.