ALA-HAL: JCBA Update and Fleet Announcements

Negotiations with Alaska Management for a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) continue, with limited progress since the start of the year for the Alaska and Hawaiian pilot groups. At the same time, Alaska Airlines recently announced major fleet changes, including the addition of five new freight aircraft (one A330, four 737s) and the future transition from the Boeing 717 to the 737-800 for interisland Hawaii flying. To outline the pilot protections provided by the Transition and Process Agreement (TPA), and to update pilots on the status of the JCBA negotiations, we have the Co-Chairs of the Joint Negotiating Committee, Captain David Wilhelm (ALA) and Captain Doug Grant (HAL). The guests discuss the current slowdown in JCBA negotiations and the path ahead. They also dive into the TPA protections involved with a future fleet transition, and the difficulties entailed in opening a new Honolulu 737 base. In this conversation: 00:00 - Introductions 02:11 – JCBA Negotiations Status 04:18 – Unresolved and Reopened JCBA Items 09:24 – JNC Expectations and Future Plans 11:59 – New Freight Aircraft 14:09 – 717 Replacement and the TPA 21:56 – Final Thoughts