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The Alaska Pilots Podcast — Business
The Alaska Pilots Podcast

Alaska MEC Podcast. Discussions and interviews with ALPA leaders and committee chairs about issues effecting airline pilots.

Copyright: © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.

Latest Episodes:

ALA-HAL TA: Section 7 – Vacation Nov 13, 2026

Show notes

The new ALA-HAL Tentative Agreement (TA) contains some significant changes for our pilots on the subject of Vacation. The Alaska system of vacation represents something entirely new for Hawaiian pilots, and there are also changes that affect both pilot groups, like the increased value for each vacation day. To help analyze how the Alaska system works, and what’s been changed through the TA, we have Israel Young and Travis Kilcommons of the Joint Negotiating Committee.

For Alaska and Hawaiian pilots who would like more details on the proposed TA, please visit our Alaska-Hawaiian joint contract site for all our current contract resources.

ALA-HAL TA: Sections 5/6: Expenses & General Nov 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we’re combining two sections of our Tentative Agreement (TA) into one podcast: Section 5 (Expenses) and Section 6 (General). Expenses can cover everything from per diem to hotels to crew meals, while General is a catch-all for items like crew rest facilities and crew lounges. Breaking down these sections, we have Joint Negotiating Committee Co-Chairs David Wilhelm and Doug Grant.

For Alaska and Hawaiian pilots who would like more details on the proposed TA, please visit our Alaska-Hawaiian joint contract site for all our current contract resources.

ALA-HAL TA: Section 4 – Vacancies Nov 12, 2026

Show notes

Vacancies determine how pilots change from flying one aircraft type to another, how they change bases, and when they upgrade from First Officer to Captain. Our new ALA-HAL Tentative Agreement (TA) offers new revisions to the system by which pilots make those changes. To discuss the new language, we have Joint Negotiating Committee members Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz and Israel Young.

For Alaska and Hawaiian pilots who would like more details on the proposed TA, please visit our Alaska-Hawaiian joint contract site for all our current contract resources.

ALA-HAL TA: Section 3 – Compensation Nov 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of our Tentative Agreement (TA) explainer series, our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) members explain how our pay rates were determined, what new pay overrides our pilots will be eligible for, and the nuances in how the rates and overrides are applied. Join JNC members Israel Young and Brandon West as they outline Section 3: Compensation.

For Alaska and Hawaiian pilots who would like more details on the proposed TA, please visit our Alaska-Hawaiian joint contract site for all our current contract resources.

ALA-HAL TA: Section 1 – Scope Nov 12, 2026

Show notes

In our first episode breaking down specific sections of our new ALA-HAL Tentative Agreement (TA), Joint Negotiating Committee members David Wilhelm and Brandon West discuss the topic of Scope. Section 1 of the TA outlines multiple protections to our flying as pilots. In this episode, we cover the ways that our small aircraft restrictions, code share and joint venture protections, and mandatory minimum crew limits all work together to ensure our jobs are secure.

For Alaska and Hawaiian pilots who would like more details on the proposed TA, please visit our Alaska-Hawaiian joint contract site for all our current contract resources.

ALA-HAL TA: Overview Nov 10, 2026

Show notes

The Alaska and Hawaiian MECs have approved a Tentative Agreement (TA) for a new Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement. Now the TA heads to the pilot group for their consideration and votes on ratification. To discuss the new TA, including the negotiating process that led us here, and the work ahead for our pilots as they learn the details, we have Alaska MEC Chair Drew Coyle and Hawaiian MEC Chair Larry Payne. For Alaska and Hawaiian pilots who would like more details on the proposed TA, please visit our Alaska-Hawaiian joint contract site for all our current contract resources.

ALA-HAL: JCBA Negotiations Update (Sept. 2026) Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

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 our elected pilot leaders, Alaska MEC Chair Captain Drew Coyle and Hawaiian MEC Chair Captain Larry Payne, offering their perspective.

In this discussion, the MEC Chairs go over the recent negotiating developments, why the MECs are drawing public attention to the ongoing negotiations, and what pilots can do to help in the near future.

In this conversation:

0:00 – Introduction

1:04 – Recent Negotiations Progress

2:59 – Remaining JCBA Items

4:40 – Public Engagement Events

11:31 – Labor Day and Unity

13:30 – The Value of Pattern Bargaining

14:53 – Patience vs. Speed in Negotiations

16:37 – Final Thoughts

ALA-HAL: Grievance and Contract Enforcement Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

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 their respective committees monitor contract violations and advocate on pilots’ behalf for remedies whenever violations occur. Their work requires comprehensive contract knowledge, historical research and analysis, strategic problem solving, dedication, and resolve.

In this episode, we discuss the recommended steps pilots should take if they are affected by a potential contract violation, then provide an overview of the process from the perspective of the Grievance Committee, including ways a grievance could be resolved and the potential timeline to get that resolution.

If you have a potential contract violation to report, click the links below or visit our respective MEC websites for more details.

Alaska Pilots: Click here to file a pre-grievance.

Hawaiian Pilots: Click here to file a CCR.

JCBA Update & Fleet Announcement Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

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 assigning 737 freighters to Alaska pilots and an A330 freighter to Hawaiian pilots until seniority list integration (SLI).

The TPA protects minimum fleet and block-hour levels for each pilot group until SLI, complicating plans to replace Hawaiian 717s with 737-800s in Honolulu. If the JCBA is ratified, SLI could take up to about 13 months to complete; next negotiation meetings are scheduled for August 18–19. Pilots are encouraged to stay engaged through updates and local events.

JCBA Update: Where We Are and What Remains Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

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 issues are critical to getting this right. This episode is designed to give you a clear understanding of where we stand—and why continued engagement matters as negotiations move forward.

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