The Alaska Pilots Podcast Alaska MEC
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Alaska MEC Podcast. Discussions and interviews with ALPA leaders and committee chairs about issues effecting airline pilots.
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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 options will be awarded based on seniority. Also discussed, are data and trends on the first two cycles of bidding using PBS.
LOA 24-04 VRBO -
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 bidding. MEC officer terms started on March 1. Perhaps the biggest transition facing pilots is the merger between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. In this episode, each of these topics will be discussed.
Included in these show notes are a table and flowchart of the monthly PBS bidding timeline. If they don’t show on the device you are using, scroll down and select “Episode Website” to view.
PBS BIDDING TIMELINEAll Times Seattle Local
1st 0900 - 7th 1200
NavBlue Bidding Open
7th 1200 - 11th 1600
Trading closed for Last 10 Days of Month
11th by 1600
Awards Published in Crew Access
11th 1700 - 13th 1500
Secondary Reserve Bidding Open
13th by 2100
Secondary Reserve Bid Award
14th at 0900
Trading for BBH Open
16 at 0900
Trading for Reserves Open
Letter to CEO Mr. Minicucci
Request to Negotiate Transition and Process Agreement
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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 and Joint MEC meetings that occurred in January. Wilhelm explains the Incentive Line (IL) LOA (24-01) including the provision suspending reserves’ ability to pick up flying on their days off while the LOA is in use as well the replacement of LOA 22-06 with LOA 24-02 which enhances reserves’ ability to pick up work on days off when the IL LOA is not in effect. Rubin discusses preferential bidding which will start on April 1 for the May bid period and explains where to find training materials. Finally, Beachler discusses upcoming unity events.
For answers to questions about the new reserve system, please listen to episode 61, TA 6: Reserves. -
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 three rounds of mock-bidding beginning on Monday, February 12. In this episode, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Scott Rubin and other members of the Joint Preferential Bidding System Working Group (JPWG) including Captains Ben Brooks, John Owens, and Jake Woods explain how and where to find these training materials and discuss the details of the final implementation timeline. Pilots may find additional support by using one of the contact methods below.
Send a DART – Use the PBS topic
Call the PBS Hotline 833-252-7271 – Rings all ALPA members of the PWG. If no answer leave a message for a callback.
For company support, e-mail Pilot_PBS_Support@Alaskaair.com (search PBS and it will pop up)
Additional information on PBS is available on prior Podcast Episode #58 PBS and Trip Construction.
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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 Communications Chair Capt. David Campbell discusses the steps required before a merger will be complete as it relates to pilots. Broadly, these steps include negotiating a Transition Process Agreement and a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement, merging the pilot Seniority Lists, and finally merging the respective Master Executive Councils into what will become the new governing body of the merged pilot group. Campbell is joined by MEC Chair Capt. Will McQuillen, MEC Executive Administrator Drew Coyle, and Alaska Merger Committee Chair Capt. Greg Wertz.
Pilots of either carrier may submit questions via the DART system.
DART.alpa.org
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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 implementation progress, and staffing.
Customer Reviews
Good stuff.
Keep it up, kids.
Refreshing new option...
In an age when I’m obligated to read a myriad of posts, bulletins, updates & briefs, the chance to relax and soak in all the great information and nuance of a long form interview is greatly appreciated. Well done!
Alaska Pilots podcast
What an invaluable resource to disseminate accurate information to the pilots. Keep up the good work boys and girls. We are behind you!