PODCAST · business
The Alaska Pilots Podcast
by Alaska MEC
Alaska MEC Podcast. Discussions and interviews with ALPA leaders and committee chairs about issues effecting airline pilots.
Episodes
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ALA-HAL: JCBA Negotiations Update (Sept. 2026)
On Labor Day, the Alaska-Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee met for the latest round of bargaining with Alaska management. While some progress was made, there are still critical items unresolved. To discuss the current state of negotiations after 18 months of bargaining, this episode features…
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ALA-HAL: Grievance and Contract Enforcement
One of the core functions of a labor organization is ensuring the contract is appropriately enforced. In this episode, ALA Grievance Chair Larry Freer and HAL Grievance Chair Iam Bouret discuss how our Grievance Committees operate behind the scenes to defend our contracts. The two Chairs and…
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JCBA Update & Fleet Announcement
18 months into JCBA negotiations, talks have slowed with key sticking points around pay banding for larger narrowbodies, vacation and sick leave provisions, and other cost and control items. The Transition and Process Agreement (TPA) is guiding how new and growth aircraft are assigned—recently...
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JCBA Update: Where We Are and What Remains
In this episode of the Alaska Pilots Podcast, MEC Chair Drew Coyle and NC Chair David Wilhelm provide a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) update. They discuss how we got here, how pilot feedback is shaping the work at the table, where progress has been made, and why the remaining…
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ALPA's Role Behind the KEF Launch
This Alaska Pilots Podcast episode takes us behind the scenes of what happens when Alaska Airlines announces a new destination. Using Keflavík as the example, we walk through the work that takes place beyond the route announcement itself, hotel and transportation planning, security…
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Where We Stand/Officer Update
In this episode of the Alaska Pilots Podcast, hear about a general overview of the state of the union, updates on the JCBA/merger, and associated timelines. Some other included topics will cover a recap of the previous months' work, updates from your newly elected officer group, and also touch on...
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San Diego Base & Bid
This episode goes into details about the San Diego base, how it came to be, and the contractual language that is associated with vacancy and displacement bids. Joining the discussion is the Alaska Chair – Will McQuillen, Membership Chair – Tom Samson, and Membership Committee Member – Will...
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ALA-HAL: State of the Merger After SOC
With Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines attaining Single Operating Certificate (SOC) status at the end of October, the two airlines are now a single carrier from the FAA’s perspective. To discuss how this marks an important transition for our pilot groups, Alaska MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Hawaiian…
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Summer 2025 State of the Union
In this episode, Communication Chair Kyle Johnson sits down with MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Executive Admin Drew Coyle. This is a summer update highlighting important issues such as block in times, September ALV, hiring/growth, and jumpseat priority. Other merger related issues are also...
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ALA-HAL: Aircraft Orders, New Base, and JCBA
In this episode, our Alaska and Hawaiian MEC Chairs, Will McQuillen and Larry Payne, sat down to provide their thoughts on the recent announcements about the Seattle 787 base and the future aircraft orders. The discussion also touched on the status of JCBA negotiations and what pilots can expect...
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2025 Mid Year Update
In this episode, Communication Chair Kyle Johnson sits down with MEC Chair Will McQuillen, Executive Admin Drew Coyle, and Negotiating Committee Chair David Wilhelm. A mid-year State of the Union is the focus for this podcast. There are discussions about the latest Joint/MEC meeting that took…
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ALA-HAL Merger Status Update (May 2025)
In this episode, our Alaska and Hawaiian MEC Chairs, Will McQuillen and Larry Payne, as well as our Joint Negotiating Committee Co-Chairs, David Wilhelm and Doug Grant, all sat down to provide an update on the status of our Alaska-Hawaiian merger and the state of our Joint Collective Bargaining...
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Joint MEC Meeting, Merger Update, and OTRPB
In this episode, Communications Chair Kyle Johnson sits down with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Executive Admin Drew Coyle, and Negotiation Chair David Wilhelm to discuss topics such as JCBA, SLI, and Company milestones. Also discussed, an overview of an agreement on premium pay reserve blocks...
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Merger Update
In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell discusses updates about the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines with MEC Chair Will McQuillen, Vice Chair Garin Tentschert, Secretary Scott Rubin, and Treasurer Dan Richards. Also discussed are the issues…
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Meet the Negotiating Committee Chairs of the Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Pilots
With the merger transaction between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines now final, the separate pilot groups from each carrier will continue the process of combining into one. A significant part of that includes negotiating a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) under which the new combined…
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First Joint Alaska/Hawaiian MEC Episode
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...
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Tentative Agreement Reached on Contract Extension and Additional Annual Pay Increases
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…
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Transition Process Agreement Reached
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...
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MEC Officer Round Table
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…
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Voluntary Reduced Bid Options (VRBO) & PBS
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...
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Transitions
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...
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State of the Union, February 2024
This episode includes conversations among Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell, MEC Chair Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm, Scheduling Chair and MEC Secretary-Elect Scott Rubin, and Strategic Planning Chair Brad Beachler. McQuillen gives some details of the recent MEC...
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Alaska Pilots Get Ready for PBS
Preferential bidding will go live on April 1 for the May bid period. Now is the time for Alaska pilots to become familiar with the new system so that they may achieve the best possible outcome in the bid award. A great number of resources have been created to facilitate this learning including...
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Merger: Process Discussion
On December 3, Alaska Airlines announced an agreement with Hawaiian Airlines to merge. Pending regulatory approval, this announcement begins a long process that will conclude with a merged pilot group working under a single Collective Bargaining Agreement. In this episode, Host Strategic...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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CBA 2022 Implementation: When and Why
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...
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Contract 2022 Implementation
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…
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TA 8: Ratification Process, What Happens Next
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...
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TA 7: Vacation
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.
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TA 6: Reserve
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.
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TA 5: Trip Ownership, Displacement, and Commuting
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.
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TA 4: Trading
Learn about how this tentative agreement will change pilots’ ability to adjust their schedules. Find more information at AlaskaPilots.org.
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TA 3: PBS and Trip Construction
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...
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TA 2: Scope and Career Security
Hear how this tentative agreement addresses job security for pilots. Watch the animated video SCOPE: Protect, Provide, Prepare. Find more information at AlaskaPilots.org.
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Tentative Agreement Reached
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...
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Negotiations Update September 9, 2022
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,...
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Negotiations Update
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...
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Negotiations Update
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.
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Special MEC Meeting Recap
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...
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Negotiations Post April 1 Informational Picket
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…
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Alaska Pilots Vote to Authorize Strike
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…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Alaska Pilots Podcast have?
The Alaska Pilots Podcast currently has 98 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Alaska Pilots Podcast about?
Alaska MEC Podcast. Discussions and interviews with ALPA leaders and committee chairs about issues effecting airline pilots.
How often does The Alaska Pilots Podcast release new episodes?
The Alaska Pilots Podcast has 98 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Alaska Pilots Podcast?
You can listen to The Alaska Pilots Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Alaska Pilots Podcast?
The Alaska Pilots Podcast is created and hosted by Alaska MEC.
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