January-February 2016 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: » ALPA’s Guiding » Pilots Rock » Rethinking New Framework Out page 52 Year’s Resolutions page 5 page 51

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Air Transat Pilots Air Transport International of Air Wisconsin Alaska ALPA Atlantic Southeast Bearskin Calm Air Page 17 Canadian North CommutAir 2016 Compass Delta Endeavor Air Envoy Air ExpressJet FedEx Express First Air Hawaiian Island Air Jazz Aviation JetBlue Kelowna Flightcraft Mesa Piedmont PSA Spirit Sun Country Trans States United Virgin America Wasaya

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COMMENTARY 5 OUR UNION Set Our Sails The 6 PILOT COMMENTARY ALPA’s Leadership Role in Canada Pilotsof FEATURES ALPA 17 THE PILOTS OF ALPA Page 17 2016 2016 DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THE COVER Air Transat Delta Kelowna Flightcraft 7 PREFLIGHT Air Transport International Endeavor Air Mesa The more than 52,000 Air Wisconsin Envoy Air Piedmont members of the Air 49 CELEBRATING 85 Alaska ExpressJet PSA Line Pilots Association, Atlantic Southeast FedEx Express Spirit YEARS International operate Saluting “a Man Who Spoke Bearskin First Air Sun Country some of the hundreds for Pilots When They Needed Calm Air Hawaiian Trans States Canadian North Island Air United of thousands of flights that help a Voice” CommutAir Jazz Aviation Virgin America bring passengers and cargo Compass JetBlue Wasaya 50 ALPA@WORK safely and securely to their SOC Reviews Extensive Work destinations. This month’s cover of ASO illustrates just a fraction of the 51 HEALTH WATCH 52 OUR STORIES routes flown by ALPA members. Rethinking New Year’s Pilots Rock Out for Charities Cover illustration by Susan 7 Resolutions 53 THE LANDING Boulter and Eric Snow. Safeguarding the Environment Download a QR reader to your smartphone, scan the code, and 54 WE ARE ALPA read the magazine. ALPA Resources and Air Line Pilot (ISSN 0002-242X) is published­ 49 Contact Numbers monthly except for combined January/Feb- ruary and June/July issues by the Air Line Pilots Association, International,­ affiliated with AFL-CIO, CLC. Editorial Offices: 535 Herndon Parkway, PO Box 1169, Herndon, VA 20172-1169. Telephone: 703-481-4460. ROCK Fax: 703-464-2114. Copyright © 2016—Air Line Pilots Association, International,­ all rights reserved. Publication­ in any form UNITED without permission is prohibited. Air Line Pi- lot and the ALPA logo Reg. U.S. Pat. and T.M. Sunday October 25 Office. Federal I.D. 36-0710830. Periodicals 2pm-9pm postage paid at Herndon, VA 20172, and additional offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Air Line Pilot, PO Box 1169, Herndon, VA 20172-1169. Featuring: Two Trick Pony NO COVER! Canadian Publications Mail Agreement The Duke Street Kings (donations greatly appreciated) #40620579 Metro Haven All ages welcome Doc HaZe Canada Post: Return undeliverables to P.O. Join friends and flying partners in a fundraiser benefiting Box 2601, 6915 Dixie Rd, Mississauga, ON Pilots for Kids Charity and The Cause Foundation L4T 0A9. The Buffalo Rose, rockunited4.com 1119 Washington Ave. Golden, CO 80401 facebook.com/DenverRockUnited buffalorose.net

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4 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 OurUnion

atypical business models such as market- Set Our Sails distorting subsidies and flag-of-convenience schemes that threaten U.S. and Canadian ou can’t change the wind, but you pilots’ jobs and their airlines’ ability to compete can set your sails,” said Billie Joe internationally. For example, when Norwegian “YArmstrong, lead singer of Green Day. Air UK recently applied for exemption and At ALPA, our Constitution and By-Laws are permit authority to serve the United States, the fundamental principles that guide and ALPA strongly urged the U.S. government to inspire us, while at the same time creating con- seek more information about how the business sistency and driving change. model would affect jobs and the international Since they were first ratified on July 27, 1931, airline industry (see page 7). ALPA’s Constitution and By-Laws have set our Another of the objectives in ALPA’s Constitu- union’s standards and directed our work. The tion directs our union to exercise “ceaseless objectives they lay out construct the archi- vigilance” in advancing safety “in recognition of tecture in which all of ALPA’s activities take the high degree of public trust, confidence, and place––at the bargaining table, on Capitol Hill responsibility placed on the members.” I know I and Parliament Hill, and with regulators in speak for every one of ALPA’s members when I Washington, D.C., and Ottawa, Ont. say that we are deeply aware of and respect the The first objective in ALPA’s Constitution is confidence the public places in us every time “to provide repre- we fly. sentation for all POWERED BY PILOTS It’s for that members of the air- reason that ALPA Promote. Defend. Advance. line piloting profes- remains steadfast AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 5 sion; to promote the 8 in our resolve that interests of that profession; and to safeguard the FAA’s current pilot training and qualifica- the rights, individually and collectively,POWERED of its BYtion PI regulations,LOTS which stem from four fatal members.” As you’ll read in this issue’sPro 30mote. pilot De fend.airline Advance. accident investigations, remain firmly AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 85 group profiles (see page 17), while every group’s in place. Similarly, we will continue to push leaders make their own decisions about their for science-based flight- and duty-time regu- Smallest possible size for print POWERED BY PILOTS - approximately 2” x .5“ lations for all-cargo operations and call for negotiation’s course and content,(ALPA logo must be no smaller every than pilotPro mote. Defend. Advance. 1/4” per Co. branding guidelines) { AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 85 group also receives support, knowledge, and point-of-sale registration of small unmanned expertise of the extraordinary caliber only our aircraft systems. ALPA will also press for a full union offers. FAA reauthorization that ensures the safety of In 2016, our union’s 85th year, strategic transporting lithium batteries by air, advances organizing efforts will form a key element of mandatory installation of secondary cockpit our work to garner improved pay, benefits, barriers, and helps implement NextGen. career advancement, and job security for our This year, ALPA will do more than ever to members. ALPA’s success––and that of our promote a multilayered, risk-based approach industry––in this endeavor is also essential to to aviation security that includes equipping attracting new pilots to the profession. We are all-cargo aircraft with a reinforced cockpit door keenly aware that our best strategy for success and taking on threats such as laser attacks on always lies in our unity—whether it’s among airliners. We will also build on our long history the members of a single pilot group or among of work to promote pilots’ performance as well the pilots across our continent. as their health and welfare through ALPA’s Pilot In the months ahead, we will also continue to Assistance programs. advance labor as a whole across North America. The wind may change, but it’s ALPA’s Consti- In Canada, we welcomed the government’s deci- tution and By-Laws that set our union’s sails. sion to waive through 2016 certain reporting requirements for labour organizations (see page 12), but full repeal is needed to restore fairness and relieve an onerous administrative burden. Likewise, ALPA will continue to guard against Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA President

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 5 PilotC mmentary

repeal is Bill C-525, which amends the Canada ALPA’s Leadership Labour Code and other federal legislation deal- ing with the union certification/decertification Role in Canada process in the federal sector. A blatant attack on labour, the bill was designed to weaken unions. By Capt. Dan Adamus (Jazz Aviation), ALPA Repeal of this bill will simplify the process for Canada Board President federal employees to gain union representation— a benefit to all workers in Canada. n December 2015, ALPA’s Canada Board hosted ALPA pilots know the benefits of representation our annual reception in Ottawa, Ont. This has and the unity that comes with it. In 2016, ALPA I become “the” event on the holiday reception cir- is focused on continuing to grow and advance cuit for Canadian aviation industry stakeholders. our vision to represent all airline pilots in North During the reception, it struck me that the more America. Last year we welcomed Virgin America “The unifying power of than 100 people attending—a who’s who of govern- pilots, and we’re working hard to bring new pilot ment and industry representatives, ALPA members groups into ALPA. ALPA representation is and staff, and other Canadian airline pilots—came To that end, we’re exploring a possible merger key to supporting our together at ALPA’s invitation. I can’t think of any with AOA Canada, which represents the Canadian other organization that has this kind of cachet. pilots who fly for Cathay Pacific. We’re also ramp- members throughout In attendance was Minister of Transport Marc ing up our organizing efforts at Porter Airlines and their careers.” Garneau, who had just taken office in November. WestJet, with pilots at both airlines building and The minister’s chief of staff also attended, even training their organizing committees. And we con- though it was his first day on the job. That’s a pow- tinue to speak with other Canadian pilot groups to erful testament to ALPA’s leadership in Canada. gauge their interest in joining ALPA. Addressing attendees, Garneau said that he We’re well positioned for continued growth. looked forward to meeting with ALPA in 2016. Although some airlines downsized or shut down ALPA is also reaching out to other members of the in 2015, the encouraging news is that most airlines new government to ensure that our voice—the in Canada are hiring. To ensure that Canadian voice of pilots in Canada—is heard. We will con- pilots are the first to benefit from these job op- tinue to work with government officials to advance portunities, ALPA’s tireless work on the issue of our strategic priorities and promote the policy foreign pilots operating in Canada continues. Our recommendations we made in “State of Our Skies: efforts include advocating for the government to Canada,” which we sent to members of Parliament. adopt ALPA’s policy recommendations regarding ALPA’s leadership role is evident on all fronts. wet-leasing and other programs. As a result of our For example, ALPA, as part of a broad coalition of actions, a number of our furloughed members are aviation organizations, sent a letter to Garneau once again flying for Canadian airlines. in December, outlining our concerns related to The unifying power of ALPA representation is unmanned aircraft vehicles, and we stand ready to key to supporting our members throughout their engage in further discussions on this issue. We’re careers. I’ll close with one last example. also redoubling our efforts to push for new science- On December 11, Capt. Nick Little (Wasaya) died based flight- and duty-time regulations, and con- in an accident involving Wasaya Flight 127 north tinue to work closely with Transport Canada and of Pickle Lake, Ont. Without hesitation, ALPA law enforcement to combat the increasing threat representatives from Canadian Pilot Assistance from laser attacks. and our Critical Incident Response Program The new year started off strong with the National were on hand offering support and assistance. I Revenue minister waiving labour organization was among the ALPA pilots who attended Little’s reporting requirements under Bill C-377—the first funeral, where the CEO of Wasaya expressed step in repealing the legislation. Since it was first his profound thanks for all the support from the introduced in 2011, ALPA has worked to defeat C-377, Association. ALPA will continue to work closely which would have put an onerous administrative with the Wasaya Master Executive Council to help burden on labour organizations such as ALPA. throughout this process. Other legislation that ALPA has vehemently One more reason I’m so proud to be a part of opposed and the new government has vowed to this great union.

6 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 Photos: iStock.com „ „ > added subsidized capacity, added subsidized capacity, United said.“As they’ve to theUnitedArabEmirates,” between supplyanddemand has createdanimbalance Washington, D.C.,market and EtihadAirwaysintothe riers suchasEmiratesAirline the entryofsubsidizedcar- route forthepastsevenyears, ated theWashington–Dubai though wesuccessfullyoper- subsidized capacity.“Even flooding themarketwith Emirates, Etihad,andQatar state-owned carrierssuchas prevailing causestemsfrom Act, itpointedoutthatthe route undertheFlyAmerica U.S. governmenttrafficonthe reasons, includingitslossof the airlinecitedanumberof service onJanuary25.While Washington Dulles–Dubai nounced thatit’sendingits a bomb. have beenbroughtdownby Egypt andRussia,believedto crash ofajetflyingbetween Paris terroristattacksandthe airport securityafterthe of alargerpushtoincrease launder money.It’salsopart trances tosmugglegunsand ployees usedrestricteden- past twoyearsinwhichem- cision followsinstancesinthe security checkpoints.Thede- that enablethemtobypass employees whoholdbadges checks ofairportandairline that it’sincreasingrandom rity Administrationreported Airline Industry Airline DOMESTIC „ „ United Airlinesan- The TransportationSecu- NEWS News „ is investigating. The incident is investigating.Theincident FAA notifiedstatepoliceand flight landedsafely,andthe an altitudeof800feet.”The northeast oftheairportat that thedronewas“onemile January 1.Thecrewreported International Airporton Runway 22”atBostonLogan as itapproachedtolandon ing “anunmannedaircraft JetBlue crewreportedsee- has becomelessprofitable.” our Washington–Dubairoute „ Per theBostonGlobe, of Commerce, state and of Commerce, state and AFL-CIO, theU.S.Chamber broad supportfromthe is bipartisanandincludes the health-careexcisetax solution. Oppositionto fications areatemporary the accompanyingmodi- coverage. on variouskindsofhealth effects oftheexcisetax also initiateastudyofthe the books).Thedealwill and localtaxesalreadyon to theexemptionforstate other taxliabilities(similar excise taxdeductiblefrom Congress alsomadethe from 2018to2020. of thehealth-careexcisetax delay theimplementation extender deal,Congresswill As partoftheyear-endtax Health-Care ExciseTax This two-year delay and This two-yeardelayand In additiontothedelay, Legislative a

landed safely. landed safely. same runway.Thatflightalso for itsfinalapproachtothe a droneasitsaircraftcamein „ million more than million morethan of 2015—$59 the thirdquarter baggage feesin than $1billionin lected justmore U.S. airlinescol- tics reportedthat portation Statis- Bureau ofTrans- Transportation’s Update press flight reported seeing press flightreportedseeing crew ofanAirCanadaEx- ing information about the ing information aboutthe oppose. continues tosteadfastly International’s, whichALPA tion fromNorwegianAir This isaseparateapplica- applied foranewpermit. Norwegian AirShuttle,has Air UK,anewsubsidiaryof carrier permit,Norwegian application foraforeignair wegian AirInternational’s its considerationofNor- Transportation continues As theU.S.Departmentof Air CarrierPermit Applies forForeign Norwegian AirUK onerous taxrepealed. tinue itsfighttohavethe direction, ALPAwillcon- tax isastepintheright others. Whiledelayingthe local governments,and „ The Department of The Departmentof ALPA iscurrentlygather- came one week after the came oneweekafterthe

January-February 2016AirLinePilot ues tofightagainst them. fession, andALPAcontin- global airlinepilotingpro- to thewell-beingof tional, aresystemicthreats Norwegian AirInterna- business models,suchas airline industry. pilots andtheinternational UK’s potentialeffectson evaluating NorwegianAir tion, ALPAiscarefully with everynewapplica- its flightcrewswillbe.As employment structurefor ment. It’sunclearwhatthe oversight oftheUKgovern- subject tothelawsand United Kingdomairline, Norwegian AirUKisa bases theminThailand, Singapore contractsand and employsitspilotson al, whichisbasedinIreland Norwegian AirInternation- possible response.Unlike new entityasitconsidersa agreed topay$12mil- reported thatBoeinghas � quarter of 2014. quarter of2014. airlines collectedinthethird Flag-of-convenience Flag-of-convenience lion for failing to meet a lion forfailingtomeeta

deadline to submit service deadline tosubmitservice The Associated Press The AssociatedPress instructions that would instructions thatwould enable airlines enable airlines second-largest for second-largest for to reduce the to reducethe settlement is the settlement isthe announced. The announced. The the FAArecently other violations, other violations, airplanes, among hundreds of explosions on risk offueltank

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» International News

regulatory violations in FAA countries, the U.S. State touted that it’s the first in requires crews to report history. Department announced late the world to ever serve that their aircraft’s positions at last year. American, JetBlue, many passengers in a single least every 15 minutes. It’ll „„ According to the Los and United were among calendar year. Overall, the become effective in March Angeles Times, airfares were the first U.S. airlines to say airport’s 2015 passenger 2016 and applicable on Nov. down 5 percent in the Unit- they’ll seek approval to begin traffic was up about 5 percent 8, 2018. The new require- ed States during the first 10 scheduled services as soon as compared to 2014 traffic ac- ment also will be formalized months of 2015 compared to possible. Scheduled service cording to Miguel Southwell, as Amendment 39 to Annex the same period in 2014 and is expected to be phased in Hartsfield–Jackson’s aviation 6–Operation of Aircraft, Part down 8 percent worldwide, slowly to allow Cuba to build general manager. I. The new standard is the reported online travel site the infrastructure that will be outcome of recommenda- Expedia and Airlines Report- needed to accommodate the > INTERNATIONAL tions stemming from the ing Corporation. extra flights and passengers. NEWS disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 while „„ Air Transport World „„ USA Today reported that „„ The International enroute from Kuala Lumpur reported that Cuba and the Hartsfield–Jackson At- Civil Aviation Organization to Beijing, China, on March 8, United States have reached lanta International Airport Council announced that 2014. a bilateral arrangement celebrated the arrival of its it’s adopted a new track- to establish scheduled air 100 millionth passenger on ing standard for certain „„ The British Air Line Pilots services between the two Dec. 27, 2015. The airport international flights that Association (BALPA) is calling TakingOff our efforts in safety and security? In of the profession—ALPA’s Key Men— Powered by Pilots pilot welfare? In the future of our pro- were courageous enough to assemble Collectively, we—a fession? If we can’t answer a resound- to provide a unified voice for airline combination of ing “yes” to each of these questions, pilots. Today, ALPA members are a 52,000 pilots then it’s our obligation to reconsider continuation of that history. And to of the Air Line new approaches to our objectives and celebrate ALPA’s 85th anniversary on Pilots Association, the resources applied. Do the issues July 27, we’re paying tribute to the International and we tackle, the narratives we endeavor generations of airline pilots who em- the 300-plus staff to shape, and the efforts currently in braced this union’s mission and were members—have place help us to secure and enhance moved to action. This issue highlights a unified pur- our role as the most influential and ALPA’s first president, Capt. David pose: to promote, defend, and advance respected voice in the airline indus- Behncke, who was posthumously the safety and welfare of our airline described as “a man who pilots and the piloting profession. POWERED BY PILOTS spoke for pilots when they needed a voice… This purpose drives the daily efforts Promote. Defend. Advance. of our volunteer leaders and staff and and helped…to dig- AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 85 sets our goals and objectives as put nify the pilot’s place in a forward in the union’s strategic plan. try—representing all airline pilots in great new industry.” (See page 49.) As we move forward into 2016— North America?POWERED Only thoughtful BY andPIL OTS Eighty-five years later, the same ALPA’s 85th year of existence—we strategic decisionsPromote. and De executionfend. Advance. will holds true for the men and women AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 85 use this time to assess and evaluate keep us on that path. who carry ALPA’s torch today. The As- our objectives to ensure that they’re You’ll read in Capt. Tim Canoll’s sociation is indeed powered by pilots Smallest possible size for print POWERED BY PILOTS - approximately 2” x .5“ aligned with this purpose as we begin column(ALPA logo must (see be no smaller thanpage 5)Pr othatmote. Dethefend. Associa Advance. - and supported by staff who are hon- 1/4” per Co. branding guidelines) { AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 85 to develop our next strategic plan. Do tion’s Constitution and By-Laws “set ored to be a part of this union’s vision. our significant activities and actions our union’s sails.” Indeed, they point use the most current and innovative us in the direction this union has been Lori Garver, General Manager tools to promote, defend, and advance headed since the time the pioneers [email protected]

8 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 Photo: John Van Dusen/CBC News „ „ „ fensive weapons.” regulated andtreatedasof- lasers shouldbestrongly all butthelowest-powered secretary, said,“Webelieve McAuslan, BALPA’sgeneral laser incidentseachday.Jim equivalent ofaboutfour 2009 to1,442in2014—the UK haverisenfrom746in strikes aimedataircraftinthe report indicatesthatlaser A UKCivilAviationAuthority ons, reportedTravelWeekly. classified asoffensiveweap- for handheldlaserstobe that 10percent ofBritishCo- Research byBoeing estimates forest wasteintobiofuel. industry toturnleftover nered withCanada’saviation SmartBrief, Ryanair. Group, Lufthansaand EasyJet, InternationalAirlines groups—Air France–KLM, of Europe’sfivelargestairline World. Theallianceconsists ary, reportedAirTransport become operationalinJanu- rope (A4E),wasexpectedto association, AirlinesforEu- investigation inhistory. and mostexpensiveaviation 2014, makingitthelargest aircraft disappearedinMarch been searchedsincethe the seafloorhavealready than 30,000squaremilesof Coordination Centre.More the AustralianJointAgency according toastatementby will concludeinJune2016, the southernIndianOcean Airlines FlightMH370in search formissingMalaysia „ „ „ AAAE Security According toAAAESecurity A newEuropeanairline Per ABC News, Boeing haspart- the the \ appear to provide an unfair appear toprovide anunfair aircraft manufacturers that tions forChina’sdomestic China regardingtaxexemp- request consultationswith Trade Organizationto proceedings attheWorld United Stateshaslaunched the announcementthat tion, Internationalwelcomes “The AirLinePilotsAssocia- Agreements ment ofChineseTrade Government’s Enforce- Commends U.S. territory. takes indogsandcatsfromacrossthe Iqaluit HumaneSociety.Theshelter  „ more if needed. more ifneeded. and leavesthedooropenfor to Ottawa,Ont.,everyweek to fourkennelsfromIqaluit allows thesheltertoshiptwo agreement withFirstAir crowded. Thetwo-year Iqaluit shelterbecomes over- take dogsandcatswhenthe shelter in Gatineau,Qué.,to has apartnershipwith homes. to flyshelteranimalsnew the IqaluitHumaneSociety First Airhaspartneredwith be derivedfromforestwaste. lumbia’s aviationfuelcould Front

One of the many puppies at the One ofthemanypuppiesat \ „ Association that CBC Newsreportedthat The humane society Thehumanesociety Lines

mends theFAA’s announce- ciation, International com- “The AirLinePilotsAsso- Requirement UAS Registration \ the globalmarketplace.” safeguard faircompetitionin Open Skiesagreementsand Qatar abidebythetermsof must ensurethattheUAEand rules, theU.S.government olations ofinternationaltrade doing withChina’sallegedvi- airline jobsasaresult. ing tensofthousandsU.S. U.S. economyandthreaten- owned airlines,harmingthe other benefitstotheirstate- government subsidiesand giving billionsofdollarsin Qatar, whichrequirethat Arab Emirates[UAE]and States haswiththeUnited agreements thattheUnited enforcing theOpenSkies equally strongstandfor government totakean are respectedandenforced. ternational tradeagreements acting toensurethatU.S.in- global marketplaceandfor for faircompetitioninthe government forstandingup 2015. “WeapplaudtheU.S. president, inDecember said Capt.TimCanoll,ALPA’s international competitors,” economic advantageagainst \ “Just as the United States is “Just astheUnitedStatesis “ALPA callsontheU.S. ALPA LaudsFAA’s agreements by agreements by lateral airservice violating U.S.bi- tar arecurrently “The UAEandQa- added Canoll. marketplace,” to competeinthe a fairopportunity U.S. airlineshave

January-February 2016AirLinePilot the regulations.” nology, andenforcement of education, registration,tech- potential ofUASincludes recreational andcommercial while capitalizingonthe safeguard airtransportation ed Canoll.“ALPA’splanto U.S. nationalairspace,”not- we integrateUASintothe stand asthefirstpriority they purchase. involved withtheaircraft the rulesandresponsibility and operatorsareawareof to makecertainUASowners the futureasakeyelement registration requirementin industry onapoint-of-sale working withtheFAAand UAS. ALPAlooksforwardto for thosewhopurchasea the FAA’srulewillestablish come theaccountabilitythat velopment processandwel- registration-requirement de- point ofsale.Wesupportthe a mandatoryprocessatthe be mosteffectivethrough ALPA believestherulewill significant stepforward, requirement forUASisa U.S. nationalairspace. and operatingaUASinthe ity thatcomeswithowning purchasers theresponsibil- tions anddemonstrateto the enforcementofregula- requirement willfacilitate “The FAA’sUASregistration president, latelastyear. said Capt.TimCanoll,ALPA’s rying passengersandcargo,” they sharewithairlinerscar- their aircraftsafelyinskies owners andoperatorsfly a tooltohelpensurethat aircraft systems[UAS]as registration ofunmanned ment thatitwillrequirethe “Maintaining safety must “Maintaining safetymust “While theregistration

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10 » \ www.alpa.org/apps. the ALPAapp,availableat Known Crewmembertabon crewmember.org available atwww.known- on averageeachday. KCM morethan50,000times airlines arescreenedusing bers from55participating cessful program.Crewmem- ues tooperatethehighlysuc- triad partnershipthatcontin- tion SecurityAdministration,a approved bytheTransporta- with AirlinesforAmericaand improved incoordination three airportsbeforebeing initiative thatwastestedat pilots andflightattendants. screenings ofauthorized dited andenhancedsecurity program thatprovidesexpe- national Airport(MLI)tothe (ABQ) andQuadCityInter- que InternationalSunport ber 2015,addingAlbuquer- 63rd airportsinlateDecem- expanded toits62ndand \ shops to ALPA members at shops toALPAmembers at offer theseone-day work- consultants intheindustryto leading interviewpreparation ALPA haspartneredwiththe mainline airlines.Onceagain, gate theselectionprocessat fee-for-departure pilotsnavi- are plannedthisyeartohelp shops lastyear,severalmore series ofinterviewprepwork- Committee receivedfromits ALPA’s Fee-for-Departure Due tothepositivefeedback 2016 Workshops Plannedfor Known Crewmember(KCM Known Crewmember Quad CityAddedto Air LinePilot January-February 2016 \ \ More information is More informationis KCM beganasanALPA Additional Interview Additional Interview Albuquerque and and on the and onthe » ®

) Front Front visit ALPA communicationsand on registrationinupcoming \ Committee. from theFee-for-Departure about theresourcesavailable » » Seminar Grievance Training sistant director of ALPA’s sistant director ofALPA’s support system. tant aspectofALPA’spilot the intricaciesofthisimpor- council representativesto teers andmasterexecutive introducing newpilotvolun- Grievance TrainingSeminar, States—late lastyearfora Piedmont, PSA,andTrans Air, EnvoyExpressJet, Atlantic Southeast,Endeavor eight airlines—AirWisconsin, ALPA hosted19pilotsfrom registration openingsoon: scheduled fortwocitieswith mistakes. of concern,andcommon interview questions,areas and coverletters,networking, background checks,résumés ing theapplicationproperly, ing process,tipsoncomplet- cover anoverviewofthehir- operator. Thepresentations interviewing withalargejet practices forsuccessfully to gethiredandthebest presentation onwhatittakes no cost. » » \ Look for more information Look formoreinformation ver, Colo.) Convention Center in Den- (Crowne PlazaAirport DEN: May24,25,and26 Herndon, Va.) (ALPA headquartersin IAD: April20,21,and22 Andrew Shostack, as- Currently, events are Currently, eventsare Each eventwillincludea Association Hosts Association Hosts to read more ffd.alpa.org toreadmore Lines resolution. resolution. and masterexecutivecouncilrepresentativestothenutsboltsofdispute  included participants from volunteers. The training for initialtrainingCIRP a widevarietyofairlines assistance volunteersfrom with morethan30pilot D.C., inmid-November2015 leaders metinWashington, Response Program(CIRP) tion (ASO)CriticalIncident ALPA’s AirSafetyOrganiza- tance CIRPVolunteers \ a particulargrievance. strengths andweaknessesof to usewhenevaluatingthe ance Committeemembers solid foundationforGriev- decide cases,providinga discussed howarbitrators Representation Department, labor relationscounselinthe process. ErinShields,senior besides theSystemBoard forms ofdisputeresolution Adjustment andalternative cases toaSystemBoardof preparing andpresenting a collectivebargainingto grievance mustbetiedto a grievanceandhow when adisputebecomes resolution—everything from nuts andboltsofdispute took thepilotsthrough Representation Department,

ALPA hosts its Grievance Training Seminar, introducing new pilot volunteers ALPA hostsitsGrievanceTrainingSeminar,introducingnewpilotvolunteers \ ASO TrainsPilotAssis- 8 5 4

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reminded that the ALPA reminded thattheALPA who liveintheseareasare members andtheirfamilies of theUnitedStates,ALPA cently affectedmanyareas tating weatherthathasre- In thewakeofdevas- In Need Relief toALPAMembers \ mal events. normal responsestoabnor- through thewidevarietyof to helpfellowpilotswork cal role-playingexperience line pilotvolunteerspracti- interactive modules,giving tions, thetrainingincluded Safety Board. National Transportation manufacturers, andthe ALPA pilotgroups,aircraft ALPA pilotgroups,non- ALPA sudokuonpage54. Solution tothismonth’s \ In additiontopresenta- 3 7 6 8 5 1 9 2 4 P4P Offers Disaster P4P OffersDisaster 8 5 1 9 2 4 3 7 6 9 2 4 7 3 6 1 8 5 2 4 8 6 9 5 7 3 1 6 1 9 3 8 7 4 5 2 5 3 7 1 4 2 6 9 8 4 6 2 5 7 9 8 1 3 7 8 5 4 1 3 2 6 9

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Photo: Kevin Cuddihy Mailbag Thank you Airline pilots don’t hear a Emergency Relief Fund, or \Calling Kids Who Like matching more than 5,300 \ lot of cheering. Nobody Pilots for Pilots (P4P), can Adventure and Travel teens around the globe. IYE douses them with ice provide help. The IYE Youth Exchange helps facilitate an appro- after they land safely and While insurance claims Program offers a two-week priate match, which often exit the aircraft. No, they can take weeks or even exchange program for airline results in lifelong friend- just go about their duties, months to process, and gov- families. Using their family ships. Teens and their fami- day in and day out, 365 ernment assistance may not flight privileges, teens aged lies communicate directly days a year, 24/7, making be available, P4P provides 14 to 19 are matched with a with the match family and sure that we arrive safely relief for the immediate, youth in another part of the build a relationship before at our destinations. extraordinary expenses world and spend two weeks the exchange. Program costs Thank you, ladies generated by widespread together in one teen’s home consist of a $300 application and gentlemen. Your disasters. Requests for and two weeks together in fee (fully refundable if an ap- airmanship and your assistance can include re- the other teen’s home. It’s a proved match is not located), dedication are grate- imbursement for temporary great opportunity to experi- the teens’ airline passes, and fully appreciated. housing, medical expenses, ence a different culture, spending money. Elmer Barney (USAF, Ret.) child care, primary residence hone foreign language skills, Exchanges are available repairs and debris removal, and enhance school résu- to Australia, Canada, France, and other costs. més. Germany, Italy, Spain, Swit- tact Camille Wheeler, IYE pro- Need help? Visit www. IYE has been creating zerland, the United Kingdom, gram director, at cwheeler@ alpa.org/relieffund and click international exchanges and more. intlyouth.org or visit www. on Apply for Assistance. for 21 years, successfully For more information, con- intlyouth.org.

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January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 11 12 • • • following local councils: certified electionresultsforthe Ballot andCertification Board As ofJanuary11,theElection • • • • • • following local councils: certified electionresultsforthe Ballot andCertification Board As ofDec.10,2015,theElection

nado, Secretary-Treasurer nado, Secretary-Treasurer PSA 69Capt.RobertJ.Coro- Kramer, Secretary-Treasurer Delta 66Capt.ThomasR. Secretary-Treasurer Delta 1F/OEricW.Criswell, (F/O Rep) David A.Hahn,ViceChairman Virgin America183F/O Rep) A. Estrada,Chairman(Capt. Virgin America183Capt.Tom (Seniority Block#3Rep) A. Harmon,ViceChairman FedEx ExpressCapt.Peter Schwab, Secretary-Treasurer ExpressJet 180F/ONeilC. (F/O Rep) G. Loveday,ViceChairman ExpressJet 176F/OMatthew Osborne, Secretary-Treasurer Delta 54F/OAndrewW. » American UniversityofPuertoRico spoke withapproximately and information,ALPApilots riculum withreal-timedata more. Enhancingthecur- audiovisual equipment,and flight simulators,airplanes, ment—and isequippedwith and airwaysciencemanage- ment (professionalpilot) aircraft systemsmanage- aviation degreeprograms— The universityofferstwo University ofPuertoRico. ficial visittoInterAmerican recently madeitsfirstof- The EducationCommittee Air LinePilot January-February 2016 New ALPA NewALPA Reps Education CommitteeUpdate Committee Members Travel to Inter CommitteeMembersTraveltoInter »

News News in the coming year. in thecomingyear. airline industrystakeholders working withALPAandother that he’slookingforwardto of morethan100,noting who addressedthecrowd of TransportMarcGarneau, appointed CanadianMinister In attendancewasnewly other Canadianairlinepilots. members andstaff, ernment andindustry,ALPA representatives fromgov- which broughttogether reception inOttawa,Ont., ALPA hosteditsannual RECEPTION TRANSPORT SPEAKSATALPA CANADA’S NEWMINISTEROF also participated. ron andaUPSfirstofficer, Guard’s 198thAirliftSquad- Puerto RicoAirNational Pabon, commanderofthe (United). Lt.Col.Humberto Air), andCapt.MarioSojo Orlando Rivera(Endeavor Monserrate (ExpressJet),F/O mittee chairman,F/OAlex (United), EducationCom- effort wereF/OMarkHaley forecast. Spearheadingthe piloting professionandjob faculty abouttheairline 35 aviationstudentsand Roundup Canada is eager to work with the new is eagertoworkwiththenew duty-time regulations.ALPA science-based flight-and ment topushforwardnew the newCanadiangovern- redoubling itseffortswith authorizing bill. tion reportingrequirements’ repeal ofthelabourorganiza- continue toworkforafull burden. In2016,ALPAwill an onerousadministrative to restorefairnessandrelieve reversal thatALPAcalledfor 2016—an importantpolicy labour organizationsthrough reporting requirementsfor minister recentlywaived The NationalRevenue MENTS; FLIGHTANDDUTYREGS LABOUR REPORTINGREQUIRE- at InterAmericanUniversityofPuertoRico.  nated byALPA’s Education This fieldtripwascoordi- in Chicago,Ill.,latelastyear. United Airlines’operations behind-the-scenes tourof Illinois Universitytooka University andSouthern Aviation studentsfromLewis United Operations Aspiring PilotsTour The Association is also The Associationisalso

ALPA pilots speak to aviation students ALPA pilotsspeaktoaviationstudents course. measure backontheright this long-overduesafety government leaderstoput Board president. (Jazz Aviation),ALPACanada minister; andCapt.DanAdamus Marc Garneau,CanadianTransport Capt. TimCanoll,ALPApresident; tion inOttawa,Ont.,are,fromleft, 

Attending ALPA’sannualrecep-

by companypersonnel. In critical decisionsaremade the floorwheremostof “Bridge,” whichisanareaon operation andwalkedthe to seethemanyfacetsof tions CenteratWillisTower visited theNetworkOpera- Rick Mladic(Delta,Ret.), Club facultyadvisorCapt. Air) andLewisUniversityACE F/O ThomasFogarty(Envoy Tim Mladic(EnvoyAir),and las Gibbs(EnvoyAir),Capt. pilot volunteersCapt.Doug- the pilotingprofession. prepare aspiringaviatorsfor Association’s outreachto Committee aspartofthe the omission. Delta. Weapologizefor Northwest andlater for thepilotgroupsat Standards Committee lishing theProfessional for hisworkinreestab- Pilot AssistanceAward on April2withALPA’s (Delta) asbeinghonored clude F/OTomThornton 36–37, wedidn’tin- “The Landing,”pages In December2015’s Correction Students, alongwithALPA

Left photo: Karen Sayre, Eikon Photography; far left: Anna Lou In Memoriam “To fly west, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check.”—Author unknown 2014 Capt. Troy R. Beatty III Delta November ALPA Capt. Jorge Suarez Evergreen January Capt. Robert V. Carroll Delta November 2015 Capt. William J. Cook United November Negotiations Capt. Roger A. Daniels United February Capt. Robert R. Duncan Alaska November Update Capt. Walter L. Howard Piedmont May Capt. Charles D. Eggleston TWA November The following is a summary Capt. D.L. Richardson Delta July Capt. Stanley E. Hannon Airlift November of the status of ALPA contract Capt. Keith J. Rynott Piedmont July Capt. Thomas E. Kelly, Jr. Northwest November negotiations by airline as of Capt. Thomas O. Pugh Delta August F/O Virgil W. Lane United November January 11: Capt. Joseph H. Stewart Pan American August Capt. Robert N. Lawrence Delta November Air Transat—A notice to bargain Capt. Aret E. Trask Pan American August was filed on Dec. 30, 2014. An ap- Capt. Donald A. Long Delta November plication for conciliation was filed Capt. Sylvain Cote Jazz September F/O Robert Lucas FedEx Express November on Nov. 20, 2015. Conciliation continues January 25–28. F/O Joseph W. Cross Wien September Capt. Paul R. Martz Delta November F/O Dominic Lorusso United September Capt. Kevin A. McGregor Delta November Air Transport International—A Section 6 notice was received on F/O Trace L. Waters Envoy September Capt. Thomas W. McKeown, Jr. FedEx Express November Dec. 5, 2014. Negotiations have Capt. James G. Ascah Allegheny October Capt. Rudolf W. Niemi United November been postponed until the first quarter of 2016. Capt. Ovid M. Baker United October Capt. Lawrence D. Olbright Delta November F/O David R. Basinger TWA October Air Wisconsin—A Section 6 F/O Peter Pedersen FedEx Express November notice was filed on Oct. 1, 2010. Capt. Bobby L. Hornback TWA October Capt. William E. Phillips IV Delta November Air Wisconsin filed for media- Capt. James R. Kerby United October Capt. Thomas W. Pitcher Delta November tion on June 17, 2013. Pilots and management reached a tentative Capt. P.F. Levix Pan American October Capt. Victor A. Popelars United November agreement on August 4. The pilots Capt. Thomas M. Lott Eastern October Capt. Gary N. Pressler Delta November rejected the tentative agreement on October 7. Capt. Donald N. McGugin, Jr. Northwest October Capt. Gary J. Price Northwest November S/O William F. Merrigan TWA October Atlantic Southeast—A Section Capt. Doug L. Robinson Jazz November 6 notice was filed on May 20, Capt. Crawford G. Pierce Comair October Capt. Dean E. Sunde Northwest November 2010. A joint Atlantic Southeast/ ExpressJet Section 6 notice was Capt. Albert H. Prest TWA October Capt. Louis B. Toney Delta November filed on March 28, 2011. The Capt. William G. Reynolds United October Capt. Charles J. Whitsett Delta Novembe pilots rejected a tentative agree- Capt. Jeffrey M. Shue Comair October Capt. Edward G. Wilburn Eastern November ment on Jan. 14, 2014. An ap- plication for joint mediation was Capt. Noel L. Smith Northwest October Capt. Shawn A. Ackerman Alaska December filed on Feb. 12, 2014. Mediation Capt. Theodore Studley, Jr. Delta October Capt. Guy E. Blake Eastern December is under way. Capt. Thomas R. Thomas Piedmont October Capt. Larry N. Brown Delta December Bearskin—A notice to bargain was Capt. Charles F. Timberg, Jr. Northwest October filed on Aug. 31, 2015. Negotia- Capt. Nicholas C. Little Wasaya December tions continue. F/O Gary L. Weller US Airways October Delta—A Section 6 notice Capt. Clem A. Wittman TWA October was filed on April 6. Pilots and Capt. William E. Abraham Eastern November management reached a tentative agreement on June 4. The pilots Capt. Weston H. Ament TWA November Compiled from information provided by ALPA’s Membership rejected the tentative agreement Capt. Dale A. Barrett Delta November Administration Department on July 10. Negotiations resumed on Dec. 22, 2015. ExpressJet—A Section 6 notice was filed on May 20, 2010. A addition, students explored (Daytona Beach, Fla., and mentorship and leadership joint Atlantic Southeast/Express- an empty B-777 at Chi- Prescott, Ariz., campuses), opportunities. Jet Section 6 notice was filed on March 28, 2011. The pilots cago O’Hare International Lewis University, Parks Contact Education@ rejected a tentative agreement on Airport, the crew flight- College, Purdue Univer- alpa.org if you’re inter- Jan. 14, 2014. An application for joint mediation was filed on Feb. planning area, and the sity, Southern Illinois ested in getting involved 12, 2014. Mediation is under way. United ramp tower. They University, University of in one of the existing ALPA First Air—A notice to bargain was also had an opportunity to North Dakota, and West- programs or starting a pro- filed on Aug. 31, 2015. Negotia- tions are under way. speak with United’s flight ern Michigan University. gram at your alma mater. Hawaiian—A Section 6 notice operations management Three new university-level was filed on Feb. 17, 2015. An ap- A group of aviation students team. For the grand finale, outreach efforts are under  plication for joint mediation was from Lewis University and Southern filed on Oct. 23, 2015. Negotia- students saw a water-can- way, including the one at Illinois University take time for a tions continue. non salute to an airplane Inter American University photo during a behind-the-scenes tour of United Airlines’ operations in JetBlue—A Section 6 notice was filled with veterans flown of Puerto Rico. ALPA plans filed on March 2, 2015. Negotia- Chicago, Ill. tions continue January 26–27, in from Seattle, Wash. to continue developing February 9–11, and March 15–17. Currently, ALPA has these programs as well as Mesa—A Section 6 notice was established Aviation Col- exploring opportunities filed on Sept. 10, 2010. Pilots and management reached a tentative legiate Education (ACE) with other industry-leading agreement on July 23. The pilots Clubs and/or mentoring aviation universities to rejected the tentative agreement programs at Embry-Riddle provide aspiring aviators on Oct. 2, 2015. Spirit—A Section 6 notice was Aeronautical University with structured industry filed on April 28, 2015. Negotia- tions are under way.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 13 » Have You Read?

The Pouakai By Capt. David Sperry (Hawaiian) “Boonie, this is how science works,” says the astrobiologist. “We gather data. We look ith what purpose would intelligent for correlations and trends. We come up with extraterrestrial beings visit us? questions and try to find ways to answer W Would they come in peace, or to them. It’s not all brilliant discoveries and exterminate us so that they could colonize eureka moments. It’s a hard slog through Earth? Many science fiction writers, joined hundreds of wrong turns and incorrect hy- now by Capt. David Sperry (Hawaiian), have potheses. We get piles of information, reams tackled this subject. of notes, and computers full of data. Some- For his first novel, Sperry, a Honolulu, where deep inside that pile of data, we may Hawaii-based B-767 pilot, has crafted The find what we’re looking for. Getting the right Pouakai, a sci-fi thriller set in Honolulu and information out of mountains of data points Pages: 332 (softcover) the waters, airspace, and tiny islands of the is hard work.” Publisher: IFWG southwestern Pacific. For his part, Boonie muses, “The thing about Publishing As the story opens, Capt. Mark “Boonie” pilots is that we’re never lacking in attitude Available at: Amazon.com Boone is pilot-in-command of a Seven Six or ideas. Our main focus at work is problem- flight from Honolulu to Australia, accompa- solving; from one second to another,…we are nied by a pair of F-22 fighters and a KC-10 constantly evaluating our position, attitude, tanker, when the airplanes are attacked by progress, and course.… I don’t know of an a flock of aggressive creatures that resemble industry with a higher percentage of Type A flying manta rays, each equipped with a large, personalities. It also means that most pilots forward-pointing spear. can’t leave their attitude in the cockpit.” So begins Boonie’s involvement in a desper- More of the action in The Pouakai takes ate academic and military effort to learn more place in a U.S. Navy submarine than in an about these and a second type of mysteri- airplane, but Boonie makes good use of ous life forms that have killed thousands of problem-solving skills honed in the cockpit people, crippled global transportation, created to save the human race from annihilation. mass starvation, and heightened tensions Full of action, The Pouakai, like all good sci- between Earth’s major military powers. ence fiction, will also make you think about Another tension is the inherent difference what might be. between the way the scientist and the pilot approach the world around them. —Reviewed by ALPA Communications Department Staff

On Investing Read a Good Book Lately? To read the latest issue number of pages, publisher, R 2015 Have you read a Te MMunITY • WIn ARLeS SChWAB CoInvesting oR The Ch STRATeGIeS & IdeASOn F Fundamental of On Investing from Analysis book that you’d like and where the book can be for Traders Page 19 Charles Schwab, go to Tax-Savvy to review for Air Line purchased. Reviews should Giving Page 25 Retirement Pilot? be e-mailed to Magazine@ www.schwab.com/ Tips for Women Page 28 alpa.org. If Air Line Pilot’s oninvesting. It’s an To have a review published editorial review board added benefit for mem- in the magazine, you must approves the review, your bers through ALPA’s be a member in good stand- review could appear in a partnership with Charles ing, and you cannot be the future issue of the Schwab & Co., Inc. as InveSTInG author of the book you’re magazine. the Association’s pre- WIThouT reviewing. Reviews should BoRdeRS be no longer than 350 words ferred financial services The world of investing opportunities Page 22 Happy reading!

10/7/15 6:24 PM and should include the provider. OI-Wi15-Q4-C1

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14 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 » Market Stats

North American Airlines’ Capacity Outlook 1H 2015 v. 1H 2014 1H 2016 v. 1H 2015 8.2% 8% Airline Industry Outlook 7% 6% 5% For 2016 5% 4% 4.1% 4% The passenger airline industry should post another strong year as low 3.4% 3% oil prices, minimal capacity growth, and relatively strong consumer 2.3% 2% demand remain in place for 2016. Cash flow should continue to be 1.5% 1% % Change in ASM s -3.5% strong in the low-fuel-price environment. Many carriers will continue 0%

to share this cash with shareholders in the form of stock buybacks and -1% dividends. Capital expenditures, e.g., new airplanes, are limited from -2% North American airlines as they continue to improve balance sheets. -3% -4% This year capacity is expected to grow slightly less than it did Domestic International Mainline Regional in 2015. Capacity for all of 2016 is expected to be up approxi- mately 3.5 percent, with the first half of the year showing larger increases than the second half. With capacity growth peaking North American Airlines’ Capacity Outlook early in the year, the industry should see better unit revenue 1H 2015 v. 1H 2014 1H 2016 v. 1H 2015 figures toward the latter half of the year. In 2015, this pattern was 6% 5.6% reversed, with unit revenues falling and capacity growing as the 5% 4.7% year progressed. 4.2% Domestic capacity is expected to increase more than interna- 4% 3.4% tional capacity again in 2016, due in part to the slowing global 3%

economy as well as the strong dollar. First-half domestic capacity % Change in ASM s from all North American airlines is scheduled to increase 3.4 per- 2% cent, while international capacity will increase only 2.3 percent. 1% Flying by mainline airlines is expected to increase 4.1 per- cent, while regional capacity flying is scheduled to decrease 3.5 0% percent as those carriers face staffing issues as well as upgauging U.S. Canada effects from mainline carriers. Capacity plans will differ by carrier. SOURCE: OAG and ALPA E&FA Department analysis. It should be noted Legacy carriers will show minimal gains overall, low-cost carriers that this analysis focuses only on scheduled data as reported to OAG will have more aggressive growth plans, and Canadian airlines will and only for the first six months of each year. Actual flown capacity will increase capacity more than U.S. airlines in 2016. differ from the scheduled capacity.

MARKETWATCH AIRLINES PARENT COMPANY STOCK SYMBOL 12/31/14 12/31/15 % CHG. Atlantic Southeast Airlines, ExpressJet SkyWest, Inc.1 NASDAQ: SKYW $13.28 $19.02 43.2% JetBlue JetBlue Airways Corporation NASDAQ: JBLU $15.86 $22.65 42.8% Hawaiian Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. NASDAQ: HA $26.05 $35.33 35.6% Alaska Alaska Air Group, Inc.2 NYSE: ALK $59.76 $80.51 34.7% Jazz Aviation Chorus Aviation TSX: CHR.B $4.55 $5.75 26.4% Bearskin, Calm Air Exchange Income Corporation TSX: EIF $23.20 $28.51 22.9% Air Transport International Air Transport Services Group, Inc. NASDAQ: ATSG $8.56 $10.08 17.8% Delta, Endeavor Air Delta Air Lines3 NYSE: DAL $49.19 $50.69 3.0% FedEx Express FedEx Corporation4 NYSE: FDX $173.66 $148.99 -14.2% United United Continental Holdings, Inc. NYSE: UAL $66.89 $57.30 -14.3% Air Transat Transat A.T., Inc. TSX: TRZ6 $8.78 $7.35 -16.3% Virgin America Virgin America, Inc. NASDAQ: VA $43.25 $36.01 -16.7% Envoy Air, Piedmont, PSA American Airlines Group, Inc.5 NASDAQ: AAL $53.63 $42.35 -21.0% Spirit Spirit Airlines, Inc. NASDAQ: SAVE $75.58 $39.85 -47.3%

1 SkyWest announced a $0.04 dividend on Dec. 29, 2015. ration, by-laws, or share capital structure, nor to the terms and conditions or the voting 2 Alaska Air Group announced a $0.20 dividend on Nov. 13, 2015. and ownership restrictions attaching to the Class A variable voting shares and the Class B 3 Delta Air Lines announced a $0.135 dividend on Nov. 4, 2015. voting shares. Pursuant to Transat’s articles of incorporation, the Class A variable voting 4 FedEx announced a $0.25 dividend on Dec. 10, 2015. shares may only be held and controlled by non-Canadians, and the Class B voting shares 5 American Airlines Group announced a $0.10 dividend on Nov. 3, 2015. may only be held and controlled by Canadians, and each class is automatically assigned 6 Transat A.T., Inc. announced the combination of Class A and Class B shares as of Nov. based on the Canadian or non-Canadian status of their holder. If a non-Canadian acquires 16, 2015. The trading of the Class A variable voting shares and the Class B voting shares Transat shares on the TSX, such holder will automatically be assigned Class A variable under a single ticker is limited solely to the administration of trading of the Transat shares voting shares. Similarly, if a Canadian acquires Transat shares on the TSX, such holder will on the TSX. This change does not involve any amendment to Transat’s articles of incorpo- automatically be assigned Class B voting shares.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 15 16 » depend on it.” batteries—lives of lithium shipments regulate it must [FAA], the for reauthorization attentionits to the “As Congress turns separate and manage aircraft.” screens by used controllers to safely Transportation System, driving the display the backbone for NextGen our Air Modernization, ERAM, or now is “The new system, En Route Automation Air LinePilot January-February 2016 —Capt. TimCanoll, ALPA’s presi- dent, inTheHill’s Dec.30,2015, — FAA administrator, in theDepartmentof Transportation’s Michael Huerta,FAAadministrator, Congress blog »

On the Record the On strengthen health-care reform.” reform.” health-care strengthen conceived from the get-go, and removing it will the middle class. The was ill- Cadillac tax preserve access to affordable carehealth for fromthe Cadillac being tax enforced will delay today. Cadillac tax of harmful Preventing “The House did good work passing atwo-year industry stakeholders. industry statements bysignificant informing membersofrecent these viewsbutratheris not necessarilyendorse documents. ALPAdoes clips, andotherpublic testimony, speeches,news compiled fromcongressional The quotesonthispageare January 4Fast Lane — Rep. JoeCourtney (D-Conn.) inaDec.18,2015,tweet blog

to the skies.”to the aircraft before take they their associated with responsibilitiesand are aware of rules the operators and owners ensure drone that requirementThis would pointat the of sale. registration mandatory to make Association of Line Air Pilots the commonsense proposal we agree the with step, necessary and important is an registration requirement to implement UAS a “While FAA’s the move Department, inaDec.15,2015,press the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades — Edward Wytkind Edward , president of release

Photo: Air Line Pilot Feature Article » PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

PilotsThe ofALPA 2016 ou are the driv- your quality of life as ing force of an you safely and efficiently Y industry, trans- deliver passengers and porting passengers and cargo to their destina- goods to all corners of tions. And it’s because of the globe…and you de- you that ALPA continues termine the direction of this mission. this organization. As we approach the threshold Turn the page and of 85 years of existence, read about the more this Association contin- than 52,000 fellow pi- ues the mandate that lots at 30 different pilot generations of men and groups who continue this women have set in mo- legacy as members of the tion—to enhance airline Air Line Pilots Associa- safety and security and tion, International.

POWERED BY PILOTS Promote. Defend. Advance. AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 85 January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 17 POWERED BY PILOTS Promote. Defend. Advance. AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 85

Smallest possible size for print POWERED BY PILOTS - approximately 2” x .5“ (ALPA logo must be no smaller than Promote. Defend. Advance. 1/4” per Co. branding guidelines) { AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL 85

Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

season completed using its new flexible fleet—a Air Transat program that allows for dual-qualified crew- members to work on widebody and narrowbody A CHANGING RELATIONSHIP aircraft depending on the season. This flexible- fleet model helped the company shed several By Julie Mayes, ALPA Senior Communications costly widebody aircraft and replace those with Specialist more B-737s. Last year, the MEC continued working closely n November 2015, the Air Transat Master with management to lobby against Canada’s Executive Council (MEC), through Capt. Tim controversial Temporary Foreign Worker Program, I Canoll, ALPA’s president, formally requested which allowed Air Transat’s direct Canadian com- AT A GLANCE that Canada’s newly appointed minister of Labour petitors to deploy temporary foreign workers to Pilots joined ALPA: intervene in the pilots’ negotiations for a new meet seasonal demands. In July 2014, Parliament 1999 contract, which expired on April 30, 2015. He not- mandated that Canadian airlines would no longer Number of pilots: 520 ed that the company’s last proposal would keep be allowed to staff such vacancies with foreign Air Transat’s flight deck crewmembers below the pilots to address seasonal variations in fleet Pilot bases: Montreal, Qué.; Toronto, Ont.; and industry standard. This request signaled a shift in capacity when unemployed Canadian pilots are Vancouver, B.C. the positive relationship the crewmembers have available for hire. Operations: The airline provides scheduled and “We’re prepared to roll up our sleeves in conciliation and reach a fair agreement charter flying, transport- that solidifies our place in the industry. But we will not shy away from the Canada ing more than 2.5 million Labour Code’s self-help provisions if that’s what it takes.” passengers to nearly 60 destinations in 30 had with management over the last several years. “Even though the government instituted countries each year “It’s with our help that Air Transat remained these changes regarding foreign workers, some Fleet: A310-300s and profitable through the tough times the company carriers used the program in 2014, which gave A330-200s and -300s, plus B-737-700s and faced,” said Capt. Patrice Roy, the pilots’ MEC them an unfair advantage,” acknowledged Roy. -800s chairman. “It’s time for management to invest in “This winter, however, the government refused our crewmembers the same way it’s invested in all temporary foreign workers, saying jobs must other Air Transat employees and executives. This be offered to Canadians first. We easily demon- can easily be accomplished by bringing us to par- strated to the regulators that Canada had enough ity within the industry and at levels comparable qualified pilots to fill those positions.” According to our direct competitors.” to Roy, given the rate Air Transat has hired new Top Photo: Two of Air Transat's Only a year ago, it seemed that short-term pilots over the last two years, he believes it’s now A310s at Toronto Pearson Inter- national Airport. sacrifices were paying off for the Air Transat impossible for a Canadian carrier to post profits crewmembers, who began contract negotiations through the use of cheaper foreign labor. Bottom Photo: Capt. David Bourbonnais and F/O Jean-Michel in February 2015. “The airline needed money, “Unfortunately, the partnership forged dur- Bourbonnais in Rome, Italy. and management came to the employees for ing our company’s darkest times and against help,” Roy said. “We took competitors looking to capitalize on our airline’s a leap of faith, hoping that misfortune is quickly eroding,” Roy said. “Man- with management and agement has taken positions in bargaining that labour working together the are not only regressive in nature, but ignore the carrier could reverse its mis- realities of today’s airline industry.” This led the fortune.” The crewmembers pilots to file for conciliation in the hopes that agreed to a pay freeze in a neutral government official could help the exchange for profit sharing. parties bridge their bargaining differences. “Our This hedging paid off as par- crewmembers are frustrated with management’s ent company Transat A.T., amnesia toward all the hard work we’ve accom- Inc. announced revenues of plished together before negotiations began,” $3.6 billion for 2013 and Roy said. “We’re prepared to roll up our sleeves $3.8 billion for 2014. Earn- in conciliation and reach a fair agreement that ings for 2015 appear to be solidifies our place in the industry. But we will even more promising, with not shy away from the Canada Labour Code’s self-

the company’s first help provisions if that’s what it takes.” Top photo: Jacques F/O Gendron (Air Transat)

18 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016

Air Transport International

FORWARD MOMENTUM Transport International ruled the day. However, we survived, and now it’s time to CONTINUING INTO 2016 move on.” The Grievance Committee was busy during By Capt. Tom Rogers, Air Transport International 2015, settling many grievances with the assis- Master Executive Council Chairman, and Kimberly tance of the National Mediation Board’s griev- Seitz, ALPA Senior Communications Specialist ance mediation services. Educational materials produced in 2014 provided a launching point hile 2014 was a troublesome year to help the company and the crewmembers for Air Transport International pilots, better understand the joint collective bargain- Photo: An Air Transport International B-757 on Wake Island in the Western the future began looking brighter ing agreement and to clarify specific areas of W Pacific Ocean. in 2015. From cutbacks in flying, significant the agreement. Consequently, fewer grievances downgrades, and furloughs in 2014, an improv- were filed, and those that were filed were ing global economy and declining fuel prices in settled in a more timely fashion. 2015 provided the boost the airline needed to The airline implemented an Aviation Safety AT A GLANCE increase its business. By mid-year, the carrier Action Program (ASAP) during the summer of Crewmembers joined began recalling some of its 100-plus furloughed 2015 after successfully negotiating an ASAP ALPA: November 2009 flightcrew members, and the Master Executive Memorandum of Understanding and Letter of Number of crewmem- Council (MEC) reported finishing the year with Agreement (LOA) with the pilots. According to bers: 130 active and 130 crewmembers actively flying. Rogers, more than 40 reports had been received 166 on furlough “We had a rough 2014,” said by October, which “made clear this Pilot base: Home-based Capt. Tom Rogers, the pilots’ MEC “We had a rough program has been very successful. Corporate headquar- chairman, “and we faced those 2014, and we faced The information we’ve gathered ters: Wilmington, Ohio challenges head-on. Our pilots are will enhance safety and operational those challenges Operations: Combi now poised to move into 2016 head-on.” awareness at the airline. The com- passenger, military, and focused on our battle for a fair pany and union safety committees cargo operations around contract and motivated to make the company are working well together to solve any issues.” the world a success while continuing to fly safely around The success of the program has prompted the Fleet: Currently oper- the globe.” MEC and company to begin work on a Flight ates nine B-757s, five of The pilots’ collective bargaining agreement Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) program. which are freighters and became amendable in May 2014, and while The pilot group also successfully negotiated four are combis, and five B-767 freighters the pilots’ MEC Negotiating Committee and a lengthy international trip sequence LOA in management were able to make significant 2015. The LOA provided some relief from the progress on a few administrative sections in company’s line construction rules dealing with 2014, negotiations on the more challenging op- a clause in the contract that calls for a minimum erational and economic topics stalled in 2015. 10 days off per bid unit for international opera- “The airline’s business expansion and subse- tions like the previous Bahrain DHL freight quent recalls consumed a large chunk of time in operation that ended in 2014. 2015, so it was difficult to schedule negotiating Last year also saw the airline continuing to sessions,” Rogers said. “This year, we are fully move into the modern era with the company in- prepared to reengage the company and resume vestigating the use of electronic flight bags and normal negotiations.” developing ACARS, ADS-B, and CPDL programs On March 6, 2015, the two-year fence con- that will hopefully be implemented sometime in tained in the 2012 seniority award between 2016. Considering that the airline was operating the airline and Capital Cargo came down, which a DC-8 just three years ago and the B-757/-767 allowed the pilot group to act as one unified is considered a new aircraft, these are major ac- body. “The last two years have been a challeng- complishments for the company and the pilots. ing time for all of us,” acknowledged Rogers. “We definitely saw a move in the right direc- “Uncertainty about the company’s financial tion in 2015,” Rogers said, “and I see continued condition and where this merger would ulti- forward momentum into 2016. This pilot group

Photo: Capt. Tom Rogers (Air Transport International)mately take the combined crewmembers of Air continues to push ahead.”

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 19 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

MEC was able to put a sum-positive contract in Air Wisconsin front of the pilots, but were unable to gain the kinds of major increases pilots are expecting to HOPE AND UNCERTAINTY see in the current environment,” Suhs said. “We got the message, and hopefully Air Wisconsin By Rusty Ayers, ALPA Senior Communications management has gotten the message, too. Our Specialist pilots expect a larger investment in this pilot group and the future of this company.” or Air Wisconsin pilots, 2015 ended in much Meanwhile, the MEC’s slogan, “Do I Have a the same way that it began—with hope Future Here?” remains relevant as the clock F but also uncertainty. The airline gained a ticks toward 2018, when the contract exten- new lease on life thanks to a contract extension sion with American comes to an end. Not with its sole mainline partner, but pilots strongly unlike other fee-for-departure carriers, more rejected a tentative contract agreement, leaving pilots are leaving Air Wisconsin than are being future negotiations in limbo. hired. Slowing that outflow will help all of the In late April, Air Wisconsin senior management airline’s stakeholders as it continues to look for Photo: Capt. Jeff Pruett, left, the pilots’ former Master Executive personnel notified employees that they had ex- opportunities to grow. Council vice chairman, and Capt. tended the carrier’s relationship with American Despite the attrition, the pilot group con- Carl Fleming, Council 51 chairman, Airlines for an additional two years. The jet ser- tinues to live up to its motto of “Adunasse greet employees at the airline’s 50th anniversary luncheon. vices agreement with American had been sched- Excellentiam” (Unified Excellence). The MEC uled to conclude at the end of 2015, leaving the has adopted a “next-man-up” strategy and has regional carrier without a mainline partner. been successful in recruiting new volunteers to continue the high standard of service the pilot “Despite the attrition, the pilot group continues to live up to its group has become accustomed to. Committees motto of ‘Adunasse Excellentiam’ (Unified Excellence).” are fully staffed, and the MEC has successfully weathered frequent leadership changes as AT A GLANCE “The pilot group and our fellow Air Wisconsin elected representatives and officers move on employees were able to exhale a bit after de- to other airlines. Pilots joined ALPA: tails of the extension were released. It gave us During the past year, the pilots established a 1982 some clarity, stability, and time. It gave every- new Community Involvement Committee, which Number of pilots: 781 one two more years to put their personal plans has built a volunteer network in each of the Headquarters: Appleton, in motion,” said Capt. Chris Suhs, the pilots’ airline’s pilot domiciles and has participated in Wisc. Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman. charity events and community service projects in Domiciles: New York, Then in August, the pilots and the company Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and Norfolk N.Y. (LGA); Norfolk, Va.; reached a tentative contract agreement after and Virginia Beach, Va. They also participated, and Philadelphia, Pa. (PHL); more than five years of negotiations. The continue to participate, in ALPA-PAC and ALPA’s and Washington, D.C. (DCA) agreement maintained the pilots’ status as the legislative Calls to Action. To commemorate Air highest-paid 50-seat jet pilots in the country; Wisconsin’s 50th anniversary, the pilots spon- Operations: Air Wiscon- sin Airlines Corporation kept them at or near the top of their peers in sored an all-employee luncheon at the airline’s operates nearly 500 retirement, vacation, and other benefits; and headquarters in Appleton, Wisc. daily departures to 70 also improved their per diem. As Air Wisconsin begins its next half century, cities in 26 states and Pilot leaders unanimously endorsed the the pilots hope their airline’s reputation for 3 Canadian provinces, agreement, and the MEC mounted a month- providing safe and reliable service will lead carrying nearly 6 million passengers annually long information campaign, with multiple road to more business, especially now that Ameri- shows, crew room visits, and Family Awareness can Airlines has completed its merger with US Fleet: 71 CRJ200s dinners throughout the system. Airways. “We’ve been a US Airways carrier for But the pilots decided the agreement didn’t more than a decade, and as we transition from have enough added value, especially with the US Airways Express to American Eagle, we’re industry influx and the pilot pay shortage be- looking forward to opportunities for growth coming more apparent. Sixty-seven percent of and hope that Air Wisconsin management can the pilots voting rejected the agreement. provide another 50 years of stable employment “Our negotiators did an outstanding job of for the men and women who have made this blocking management’s ongoing attempts to airline great and who will continue to make it a

seek concessions from us at every turn. The great airline for years to come,” Suhs said. Photo: Rusty Ayers

20 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 Alaska

PLOTTING A COURSE FOR THE YEARS AHEAD sense to the company. By Jenn Sutton, ALPA Senior Communications “Our goal is to work with the company Specialist throughout the duration of the contract and Photo: An Alaska B-737 sits on the ramp in Kodiak, Alaska. resolve as many issues as possible, as quickly laska pilots enter 2016 at the halfway as possible, rather than allowing them to ac- point of a five-year contract they ratified cumulate for years until Section 6 negotiations A in 2013. The past two-plus years have begin,” said Capt. Paul Stuart, the pilots’ MEC AT A GLANCE seen growth in Alaska’s pilot ranks and ongoing Negotiating Committee chairman. “This allows Number of pilots: 1,730 efforts to improve the pilots’ contract and qual- pilots to see continued improvements in a more as of January 1—up ity of life. The year ahead will bring a continued timely manner and means that we should have from 1,583 on Jan. 1, emphasis on protecting and improving the fewer items to discuss after openers are ex- 2015, and 1,490 as of pilots’ career interests and quality of life while changed. We then are able to start working on Jan. 1, 2014 preparing for Contract ’18 negotiations. our cornerstone issues—wages, work rules, job Operations: Alaska Alaska’s pilots have seen their group grow security, and benefits—earlier in the process.” Airlines, together with its partner regional airlines, from 1,472 pilots at the start of 2013 to 1,730 In addition to meeting with the company’s serves more than 111 on Jan. 1, 2016. Some of that growth was due negotiating team, the MEC and Alaska’s execu- cities throughout the to the airline adding destinations in 2015—in- tives also meet during the MEC’s quarterly United States, Canada, cluding cities in the central and eastern U.S. as meetings. These meetings allow the MEC and Mexico, and Costa Rica. well as two cities in Costa Rica. Growth and hir- Alaska management to have frank conversa- With hubs in Anchor- age, Alaska; Los Angeles, ing are expected to continue throughout 2016, tions, under nondisclosure agreements, about Calif.; and Portland, Ore.; although at a slower pace than 2015. the company’s strategic direction and issues Alaska calls Seattle, Knowing that the company was planning for important to improving and protecting the Wash., home. The carrier growth throughout 2015, the pilots’ Master quality of life for Alaska pilots. offers more nonstop Executive Council (MEC) and its Membership Resolving issues between Alaska pilots and flights from Seattle than any other carrier Committee worked with the airline and ALPA’s management throughout the duration of the Fee-for-Departure Committee to Fleet: 147 B-737s, in- cluding 20 -400s, 5 -400 host a pilot open house for ALPA “We’ve been executing the plan we developed and combis, 1 -400 freighter, pilots, which was held last April in are always working on ways to improve the lives of 14 -700s, 61 -800s, 12 Seattle, Wash. our pilots and their families.” -900s, and 34 -900ERs “That event was an overwhelm- ing success,” said Capt. Chris Notaro, the pilots’ contract was a key strategy adopted in the MEC chairman, who began working to create an MEC’s 2012 strategic plan and was reaffirmed open house at the airline after hearing about when the plan was updated in 2014. Another similar United MEC events that took place in comprehensive review and update of the stra- 2014. “Not only were 20 ALPA pilots offered tegic plan will take place this year. formal job interviews—and ultimately job of- In the meantime, the MEC and its committees fers—at the end of the open house, Alaska’s hir- will continue to introduce improved methods ing team also has continued to call ALPA pilots for sharing information with the pilot group. they met at that event to offer interviews, and This includes a communications app for the some additional job offers as well.” pilots, working to update the MEC’s website, The MEC and its committees continue to and increasing face-to-face interaction among look for ways to improve pilot quality of life. MEC leaders, ALPA volunteers, pilots, and their Just as they did throughout the previous families. contract, the Negotiating Committee and the “We’ve been executing the plan we devel- company have met on several occasions since oped and are always working on ways to im- Contract ’13 was ratified. During these meet- prove the lives of our pilots and their families. ings, they attempt to resolve issues as they Those efforts have not, and will not,

Photo: Capt. Mark Skibinski (Alaska)arise in ways that benefit the pilots and make end,” Notaro said.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 21

Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

AT A GLANCE first officers every month and allows newly upgrad- Pilots joined ALPA: Atlantic Southeast ed captains to fly as first officers, thereby acting as 1987 a staffing buffer in months when the airline doesn’t First ALPA contract: MAINTAINING PROFESSION- have enough qualified first officers. The LOA also 1989 contains many other quality-of-life and reserve-rule Number of pilots: 1,544 ALISM DESPITE CHALLENGES improvements. active The professional relationships ExpressJet man- Pilot bases: Atlanta, Ga.; By F/O Joel Goldetsky (Atlantic Southeast), Master agement and the MEC officers have built over time Dallas, Tex.; and Detroit, Executive Council Communications Committee have brought about improvements to the airline. Mich. Their relationships have existed for years, and “MEC Headquarters: Atlanta, he path toward a joint collective bargaining officers have always fostered an open-door policy Ga. agreement (JCBA) has proven difficult fol- with our management team,” said Capt. Tony Mid- Fleet: 58 CRJ200s, T lowing the merger of Atlantic Southeast and dendorff, the pilots’ MEC chairman. “The relation- 41 CRJ700s, and 28 ExpressJet. After five years of unsuccessful negotia- ship between the MEC and ExpressJet management CRJ900s tions, the Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet Master is as good as anyone could hope, considering one Executive Councils (MEC) agreed with management represents labor and the other management.” to negotiate improvements to their respective This policy is not just limited to management—it contracts since the carrier’s management refused also applies to the pilots. The MEC has worked hard to meet the combined pilot group’s needs under a to facilitate an open-door relationship. Middendorff JCBA. In October 2015, the parties began efforts to personally hosts lunch meetings with pilots who “The MEC office, from modify their current transition and process agree- are in Atlanta, Ga., for annual recurrent training. His the support staff to ment by agreeing to separate contract extension goal for the MEC is to be visible, approachable, and the officers, commit- talks followed by a resumption of JCBA negotiations connected to the pilots on the line. Additionally, the tee members, and sometime in the future once the airline returns to MEC has a cohesive comradery. “The MEC office, profitability. from the support staff to the officers, committee other volunteers, is Despite the tenuous nature of negotiations, the members, and other volunteers, is a collection of a collection of tal- pilots have maintained unprecedented profes- talented and dedicated people,” said Middendorff. ented and dedicated sionalism. Although the airline has faced a fleet “It’s a great place because of all the good people, people.” reduction, a shrinking seniority list, and recruiting and that, in turn, produces a better result. There’s a difficulties due to the rapidly evolving pilot short- feeling of being part of the team here.” age, its on-time departure, arrival, and completion As with every regional airline in this constantly factor metrics have constantly ranked among the changing environment, recruiting new first officers top of the airline’s regional competitors. As a result, remains challenging. The MEC is currently in nego- ExpressJet management has expressed its apprecia- tiations for a contract extension with pay increases, tion to the pilots for their hard work and the quality quality-of-life gains, and other improvements. of service they provide the airline’s partners. However, achieving continued contractual gains is Photo: From left, F/O Branden The MEC has played a significant role in helping difficult when the current agreement is already near Dungy, Capt. Brian Desgain, Capt. Ken Armstrong, F/O Chad Ream, management find areas to enhance operational an industry-leading level. and Capt. Tony Middendorff. efficiency, which resulted in the airline’s increased With new first officer pay increases and contin- productivity and the pilots’ improved quality of life. ued operational improvement, the MEC is cautiously Following the pilots’ rejection of the optimistic about the future. Reflecting on the tentative JCBA in 2013, ExpressJet man- progress that’s been made, Middendorff acknowl- agement not only underwent changes in edged, “I have held many roles, both personally and personnel, but also implemented many professionally. Being a pilot is the best job I’ve ever operational improvements. In October had, and being elected to lead our pilot group as 2015, the airline began distributing MEC chairman is, by far, the most honorable.” electronic flight bags to the combined There’s no doubt that fee-for-departure airlines ExpressJet pilot group. Shortly thereaf- are facing challenging times due to the pilot pay ter, the Atlantic Southeast MEC and the shortage and recruitment challenges, which are company agreed to Letter of Agreement expected to continue as new pilots look for the next (LOA) 14, which was ratified by 87 per- best thing in first-year pay and/or a signing bonus. cent of the voting pilots. That agreement Unfortunately, an excellent training department, requires the company to upgrade a quality-of-life protections, and consistent, reliable

specified number of service are often overlooked. Photo: Matt F/O Ringen (Atlantic Southeast)

22 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016

Bearskin STAYING THE COURSE

By Jen Lofquist, ALPA Senior Communications Specialist

or Bearskin pilots, 2015 was a welcomed uneventful year, seeing little change after benefit to our F the reorganization of the airline in 2013. operation as the pilots being hired As the employees and the company recovered don’t have the experience required to upgrade Photo: Capt. from that reorganization, which saw three base to captain for at least a year or two.” Dan Parnham takes off from Runway 07 at Thunder Bay closures, the parking of airplanes, and pilot lay- On the negotiating front, the pilot group’s International Airport. offs, this past year brought a return to normalcy current contract became amendable on Dec. 31, and an emphasis on established services and 2015. After reviewing the results of a contract commitments. survey that was sent to the pilots, the Bearskin The company refocused opera- Negotiating Committee and the AT A GLANCE tions on its core market in North- “Our desire is that MEC set a course to achieve a fair Pilots joined ALPA: western Ontario. With routes to 11 each pilot hired at contract for the pilots while pro- 1997 (became an ALPA- cities in Ontario as well as Win- Bearskin has a long moting the company’s business represented pilot group nipeg, Man., the 50 Bearskin pilots career at the airline plan. “We started negotiating this when CALPA merged with ALPA) fly scheduled and charter flights and experiences the past November, and we’re hoping year-round, operating 11 Fairchild to reach a tentative agreement Number of pilots: 50 quality of life he or Swearingen Metroliners that each sometime in the first quarter of Pilot base: Thunder Bay, carry 19 passengers. she wants and de- this year,” Parnham noted. Ont. In addition, Bearskin contin- serves while helping “The last two contracts have Headquarters: Thunder ues to partner with Hope Air—a our company grow seen a pivotal shift in the rela- Bay, Ont. Canadian charity that provides free and prosper.” tionship between the MEC and Operations: Scheduled flights to Canadians, almost half of the company,” acknowledged and charter passenger whom are children, who can’t afford to travel to Parnham. “This new harmonious relationship service receive the medical attention they need—do- has been reflected at the bargaining table, with Fleet: 11 Fairchild nating seats on its airplanes to the charity. the pilot group and the company focusing on Swearingen Metroliners The pilot group’s small size has proven to be commonsense solutions that meet the needs of its strength, helping the group remain unified both parties.” during the recent challenges the airline has Bearskin pilots and the company have been faced. However, this committed, long-term core engaged in interest-based negotiations, a pro- group of pilots may be changing as attrition cess in which the two parties don’t exchange at the airline is on the rise. Approximately 5 positions or proposals, but instead explain their percent of the pilots are leaving each month— interests and the underlying problems they with first officers the overwhelming majority of wish to solve. “By using interest-based negotia- departures. tions, our goal is to achieve not only what’s “We haven’t seen pilot attrition like this in a best for Bearskin pilots, but what’s best for our very long time,” said Capt. Dan Parnham, the pi- company’s long-term business plan,” Parnham lots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman. noted. “And I’ve never seen this many first officers “We’re fortunate that the pilots and the com- leave. Historically, we’ve seen two first officers pany have a mutually respectful and cooperative resign for every 10 captains leaving the air- relationship. This is evidenced by our nine-year line,” added Parnham. “Regional airlines have run without filing a single grievance, which we typically hired captains from other airlines; but hope continues,” said Parnham. “Our desire is with the low entry pay at regionals and good that each pilot hired at Bearskin has a long ca- captain pay and working conditions at Bearskin, reer at the airline and experiences the quality of captains aren’t applying to other regionals like life he or she wants and deserves while helping

Photo: Capt. Dan Murray (Bearskin) they once did. This has proven to be a huge our company grow and prosper.”

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 23

Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

spread out over such a wide area. Calm Air pilots understand that we’ll have obstacles to face and challenges to meet to secure our future and the future of the carrier. If the company feels this move is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the airline, then we’ll work to make sure we both get what we want and need.” Before taking over the Winnipeg–Rankin Inlet– Churchill route, the pilots and management ne- gotiated a letter of understanding (LOU). Through the LOU, pilot negotiators were able to secure increased credit value earned with the Rankin flying. “We’re midway through our five-year collective agreement,” Cowan explained, “but we used this opportunity to negotiate and secure a small benefit for our pilots that compensates for the lost quality of life due to the new flying

Photo: F/O Kevin Desrochers in schedule.” the cockpit of an ATR. The MEC continues to work with management Calm Air to address the concerns and issues the new flying has created. “The pilots are trying to look at the “Calm Air pilots under- WORKING TOGETHER FOR A change objectively,” said Cowan. “It’s not an ideal stand that we'll have situation, but most know that the change made obstacles to face and SOLID FUTURE sense for the long-term viability of the company and their careers.” The MEC has always acknowl- challenges to meet By Kimberly Seitz, ALPA Senior Communications edged that many of the pilots prefer to stay to secure our future Specialist at Calm Air rather than move to larger carriers and the future of the because of the lifestyle the carrier offers. carrier.” t was a year of transition for Calm Air pilots Outside of the new Arctic flying, Calm Air as they adjusted to new flying due to the continues its strong presence in the Northern I company’s changed business model. Midway Manitoba market, with the Dornier 328JET through 2015, Calm Air management entered performing the bulk of the airline’s scheduled AT A GLANCE into an agreement with First Air regarding operations. On the cargo side, the airline retired serving the territory of Nunavut. “Calm Air has its last Hawker Siddeley HS 748 freighter in June Pilots joined ALPA: traditionally covered the Kivalliq region of last year. The British 1960s-era airplane was used 1997 Nunavut, serving the communities that line the to haul freight throughout Northern Manitoba and Number of pilots: 91 ac- Hudson Bay,” explained Capt. Dan Cowan, the the Arctic. “It was the workhorse of the Calm Air tive and 2 on furlough pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman. operations for many, many years,” Cowan said. Pilot bases: Thompson, “We’ll continue to serve those communities. In “It’s the end of an era, and the airplane will be Man., and Winnipeg, addition, Calm Air has entered into a long-term missed.” An ATR 72 that’s been reconfigured to Man. wet-lease agreement with First Air.” The airline haul freight has replaced the Hawker. Headquarters: Win- is wet-leasing a B-737 that First Air operates The MEC reported moderate hiring in 2015, nipeg, Man. to serve the Winnipeg–Rankin Inlet–Churchill which compensated for the modest pilot attrition. Operations: Sched- route. Starting the year with 90 pilots, the airline ended uled passenger and cargo service throughout The airline’s revised flying schedule has cre- the year with 91 pilots on its seniority list. Northern Manitoba ated a hub-and-spoke network, which is now Cowan noted the MEC continues to monitor and Nunavut, includ- centered in Rankin Inlet instead of Churchill, Man. any possible changes to Canadian flight- and ing destinations along The change has prompted the company to lease duty-time regulations and rest requirements that the western shores of a hangar and build a crew house in Rankin Inlet. Transport Canada’s Canadian Aviation Regula- Hudson Bay and into the high Arctic “Management feels this will allow the company to tion Advisory Council Flight Crew Management become stronger moving forward and maintain a Working Group report might bring about. The Fleet: 7 ATR 42s (one freighter), 4 ATR 72s (two solid presence in the Arctic,” said Cowan. MEC remains optimistic that newly elected Prime freighters), and 2 Fair- “The Arctic is a tough market in which to com- Minister Justin Trudeau will move forward quickly

child Dornier 328JETs pete,” Cowan added, “because the population is with the report’s recommendations. Photo: Capt. Brendan Potter (Calm Air)

24 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016

Canadian North

AIRLINE CONTINUES ON A which provided opportunities to COURSE OF DIVERSIFICATION fly into Dominica and El Salvador. And while the airline’s By Kimberly Seitz, ALPA Senior Communications charter flying for Celebrity Cruise lines out of Photo: A Canadian North B-737 Specialist Ottawa, Ont.; Québec City, Qué.; Halifax, N.S.; touches down at Calgary Interna- tional Airport. Moncton, N.B.; and London, Ont., was down in ost airlines appreciate a drop in oil 2015 due to slower ticket sales, the airline is prices and celebrate the resulting “well-positioned to serve the cruise line for M increase in profits. But for Canadian years to come,” Goudreau said. From January North pilots, falling oil prices means less char- through April this year, Canadian North will ter work serving the oil sands of Northwestern transport 1,300 visitors from Moncton and Canada and a potential for furloughs as that fly- Halifax to Palm Beach, Fla., in its agreement ing decreases. However, the company has been with Celebrity Cruises. fervently seeking more charter work, which AT A GLANCE “The diversification of the airline has now has Canadian North pilots flying to the Pilots joined ALPA: warmer climes of Mexico and the Caribbean. provided additional opportunities for the 2011 “The airline continues to diversify, which is company and the pilots.” Number of pilots: 122 helping to curtail pilot furloughs,” said Capt. active, 16 on furlough, Olivier Goudreau, the pilots’ Master Executive A code-share partnership between Canadian and 12 on leaves of Council (MEC) chairman. “While we’re watching North and First Air—which has the two carriers absence one segment of our flying decrease, we’re see- partnering on three-quarters of the airlines’ Pilot bases: Edmonton ing the southern destination charter segment scheduled flying—appears to have lowered and Calgary, Alb. increase.” yearly operating costs for Canadian North by Headquarters: Yellow- Goudreau noted that “there will soon be a roughly $10 million. And according to Gou- knife, N.W.T., with offices polar bear in Mexico,” referencing the polar dreau, this should provide even more opportu- in Edmonton, Alb. bear logo that emblazons Canadian North air- nities for growth. Operations: Sched- craft. According to Goudreau, Canadian North “The diversification of the airline has pro- uled flights and cargo services throughout signed a wet-lease agreement with Air Transat vided additional opportunities for the company Nunavut and the North- to operate weekend flying out of Calgary and and the pilots,” said Goudreau. The pilot group west Territories, as well Edmonton, Alb., to the sunny destinations of has 122 active pilots, with 12 pilots on leaves as charter operations Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Cabo San Lucas, of absence and 16 on furlough, and Goudreau is throughout Canada, the Mexico, which started in December 2015 and cautiously optimistic that recalls could start as United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean will continue throughout the winter months. early as the first quarter of this year. Canadian North pilots operate scheduled Amid the airline’s continued diversification, Fleet: 4 B-737-200s, 10 B-737-300s, and 2 Dash passenger service to major communities in the MEC is preparing to negotiate a new col- 8-100s the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, which lective agreement. Goudreau said the MEC and can include landings and takeoffs on remote Negotiating Committee will begin working with ice and gravel runways in the Arctic, as well as ALPA staff early this year to develop a strategic charter and cargo flights throughout Canada, plan that will support contract negotiations that the United States, and now Mexico and the begin in the fall. Caribbean. The airline recently retrofitted a “It’s been a gloomy time to be a Canadian B-737-300 to a combi, giving the aircraft more North pilot,” said Goudreau. “But the MEC contin- versatility to transport passengers, cargo, or a ues to work with the company to identify ways combination of both at the same time. to grow the airline, which will hopefully lead to a Along with the new scheduled weekend recall of our furloughed pilots, while we continue passenger service to Mexico, the pilots to provide high-quality service to our passengers continue to fly charter operations for the and our growing charter busi- Canadian Football League under a three-year ness.” contract that was signed in 2014 and for the

Photo: Marco Dotti Marco Photo: Canadian men’s soccer team,

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 25

Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

CommutAir

MOTIVATION IS EVERYTHING plus across-the-board increases in each year of the agreement. It also adds a new company By Rusty Ayers, ALPA Senior match for retirement contributions and lowers Communications Specialist pilot health-care premiums. The airline’s motivation to reach a quick s the pilots of CommutAir learned in deal became clearer in early November, when Photo: F/O Ken Woods (left) and 2015, great things can happen when CommutAir announced that United Airlines was Capt. Tracie Wood. A management is motivated to bargain adding 40 Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets to the quickly. carrier’s fleet of 22 Dash 8-Q200/300 turbo- In near record time, a little more than two props. The first ERJ arrived on the property in months after opening talks in September 2015, late November, and the jets are expected to the Master Executive Council's (MEC) pilot enter service in April of this year. negotiators completed negotiations on a new “The contract was written to reflect the new four-year contract. The collective bargaining aircraft that are coming,” Bassett said. “We agreement took effect on December 1, four negotiated new rates for the jets, and also gave AT A GLANCE years to the day after CommutAir celebrated its the company some contractual relief in the first Founded: 1989 first-ever pilot contract on Dec. 1, 2011. two years of the agreement to make the new That first contract took three years to ham- aircraft transition easier.” Pilots joined ALPA: 2008 mer out, but there’s The airline has begun a world of difference training 14 Dash 8 Number of pilots: “We hope the combination of higher Approximately 160 between bargaining pay, better benefits, rapid upgrades, captains as the “initial in 2008 and 2015, ac- cadre” of ERJ crews Pilot bases: Newark, N.J., and the United career-progression and Dulles, Va. cording to Capt. John who will complete FAA Bassett, the pilots’ MEC program will help us rapidly ramp up certification require- Headquarters: South chairman. hiring and enable us to staff the new ments. Thereafter, Dash Burlington, Vt. “The regional airline aircraft.” 8 pilots can move to the Operations: CommutAir environment is chang- ERJ in accordance with operates 650 flights each week to 29 cities in ing rapidly now, and every fee-for-departure their seniority and new contractual bidding the Midwest, Northeast, airline is scrambling to attract new pilots. rules. New-hire pilots will be assigned to either and Canada under Our owners recognized that new reality; and the turboprops or the jets based on company a capacity-purchase combined with excellent preparation by our needs. agreement with United Negotiating Committee, the result was a very CommutAir’s agreement with United also Airlines pilot-friendly contract,” Bassett said. includes a first-ever career-progression program, Fleet: 17 37-seat Dash The pilots overwhelmingly ratified the new whereby CommutAir pilots will have a path to 8-Q200s and 5 50-seat Dash 8-Q300s. The com- contract after two quick weeks of road shows jobs at the mainline if they meet United’s hiring pany has announced it and crew room visits at pilot bases in Dulles, standards and other conditions. When combined will add 40 50-seat ERJ Va., and Newark, N.J. Eighty-two percent of with the pilot-training agreements CommutAir 145s to its fleet in 2016 eligible pilots cast ballots; of those voting, 90 has in place with Kent State University and percent voted in favor of the agreement. several other aviation programs, the career- The 2015 contract builds on a letter of agree- progression program potentially gives would-be ment (LOA) ratified in 2014 that increased new- aviators a direct path from the classroom to an hire pay and added industry-leading commuter eventual seat on a United flight deck. language. But even with the LOA, CommutAir “We hope the combination of higher pay, was having great difficulty retaining pilots; the better benefits, rapid upgrades, and the United pilot group had shrunk by 25 percent in recent career-progression program will help us rapidly years, with 180 pilots on the seniority list in ramp up hiring and enable us to staff the new 2015, down from a high of 240 pilots the year aircraft,” Bassett said. “Turboprop and jet pilots before. are equally eligible for the career-progression The new contract boosts pay for the entire program, so everyone on the property will have group, with increases as high as 20 percent for an opportunity with the mainline regardless of

first officers and 8–12 percent for captains, what they fly.” Photo: Ken F/O Woods (CommutAir)

26 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016

AT A GLANCE Founded: 2007 Pilots joined ALPA: 2007 sometime in 2016. The pilots’ three existing Compass Number of pilots: More seniority blocks will be realigned in January, than 700 and they hope to elect a full slate of represen- Pilot bases: Minne- 2015: A REBUILDING YEAR tatives by early spring so that they can leave apolis–St. Paul, Minn.; custodianship. Los Angeles, Calif.; and By Rusty Ayers, ALPA Senior Communications Powering the airline’s growth was a new Seattle, Wash. Specialist agreement with American Airlines last year that Headquarters: Minne- added a fleet of 20 new American Eagle ERJ apolis, Minn. or Compass Airlines pilots, 2015 could be 175s. The airline had previously only flown as a Management: Compass considered a “rebuilding year”—one of Delta Connection carrier, and the addition of a is one of three airlines uncertainty and transition, but one with the new partner led to many changes, including the owned by Trans States F Holdings, Inc., including promise of exciting new opportunities. closure of Compass’s Detroit, Mich., domicile and Trans States and GoJet The pilot group has grown rapidly thanks the opening of a new pilot base in Seattle, Wash. to new aircraft and a new agreement with Like other fee-for-departure airlines, Compass Operations: Compass flies more than 4 million American Airlines. At the same time, hundreds has had difficulty recruiting new pilots. Its re- passengers annually of its most senior pilots have left via a flow- sponse has been to offer a $10,000 signing bonus for Delta Connection through agreement with Delta Air Lines. The to new first officers, as well as tuition reimburse- and American Eagle, result has been severe growing pains that ment for pilots who become flight instructors at averaging 180 flights compelled ALPA’s Executive Council to put the company-approved flight schools. Unfortunately, daily to more than 50 destinations in the pilot group into custodianship in November the airline unilaterally instituted the bonuses United States, Mexico, 2015 because the Compass Master Executive without negotiating with the pilots, forcing them and Canada Council (MEC) couldn’t recruit, elect, and retain to dispute the bonus program. In November, Fleet: 6 Embraer E170s leaders fast enough to replace those who were the parties were able to settle that dispute and and 56 Embraer E175s leaving. Typically ALPA places a pilot group into resolve a number of other outstanding grievances

custodianship because the group’s airline has and issues. The pilots and the company agreed to shut down. increases in first-year pay, the ability to further “We’ve had an almost complete turnover of raise first-year pay with increases in other pay our group in the past two to three years as pilots steps at certain trigger points, in-base hotels for have flowed through to Delta and new pilots all pilots four times per month, stable medical have been hired,” explained Capt. Anthony insurance premiums for one year, and a number Zerafa, the interim seniority block #2 representa- of other smaller items. tive, who until recently was the only remaining While the quest to elect long-term represen- member on the three-member MEC. “We’ve tatives continues, the pilot group has been well grown to 700 pilots, but more than half are still served by its cadre of committee volunteers. on probation.” Junior pilots have swelled the volunteer ranks, That’s a challenge, Zerafa said, because building an infrastructure that bodes well for the probationary pilots can’t vote in union elections. future. Photo: Will Outlaw’s first flight as a And the fact that the MEC uses a seniority block “Our volunteers have been the glue that’s held captain, operating a Compass E170 representation system has exacerbated the the group together this past year,” Zerafa said. at Chicago Midway International problem. “We expected growing pains, and we’ve had Airport. “Seniority blocks work great at airlines with them, but the future looks very bright for us.” a single pilot base or stable hiring, but less so when there’s a lot of turnover as we’ve had here,” Zerafa noted. “We’re in a situation where there’re huge numbers of new-hire pilots com- ing into the junior block, but fewer and fewer pilots are in the senior blocks—so keeping continuity has been very challenging.” ALPA national had authorized the MEC to expand to five block representatives once the group reached 700 nonprobationary pilots, but Zerafa and fellow Compass custodian Capt. Paul Stuart (Alaska) said the pilots may

Photo: Compass Flight Attendant Dorothy Traxler seek to change their representation method

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 27

Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

AT A GLANCE Scott Martin, vice chairman; F/O Christopher Kern, Number of pilots: Delta secretary-treasurer; and F/O James Johnson, 12,911 the F/O rep. Capt. Michael Poggi, chairman; F/O Joint ventures and alli- A PATH FORWARD; ADVANCING Nathaniel Brown, vice chairman; and F/O Adam ances: SkyTeam Alliance McFarland, secretary-treasurer, will represent and joint ventures with THE PROFESSION Council 81. Air France–KLM–Alitalia, Negotiations have not been limited to Section Virgin Australia, Virgin By Kelly Regus, ALPA Senior Communications Atlantic, and Aeromexico 6 bargaining, and mid-contract letters of agree- (pending final approval) Specialist ment have produced improvements in 2015 as in previous years for the Delta pilots. In yet the Pilot bases: Atlanta, Ga.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Detroit, elta Air Lines experienced another year latest example, the MEC and Delta management Mich.; Los Angeles, Calif.; of record financial success in 2015. The took an unprecedented and important step to ad- Minneapolis–St. Paul, D airline’s balance sheet continues to vance their mutual commitment to flight safety. Minn.; New York City, strengthen, and it’s arguably the envy of the air- On Nov. 20, 2015, the MEC voted unanimously to N.Y.; Salt Lake City, Utah; line industry. Delta’s 2016 financial projections ratify the “CrossTalk” Letter of Agreement. This and Seattle, Wash. are very favorable as well. The carrier’s plans for groundbreaking agreement was the culmina- Headquarters: Atlanta, the foreseeable future call for continued pilot tion of a three-year effort to allow the combined Ga. hiring and modest fleet growth. use of FOQA data and ASAP reports in the safety Hub cities: Amsterdam; Against the airline’s robust economic backdrop, review process. It permits the use of these two Atlanta, Ga.; Cincin- nati, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; the Delta pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) important safety review tools, while maintaining Minneapolis–St. Paul, began 2015 focused on preparing for contract important job-protection provisions for Delta Minn.; New York–La- negotiations, with the current pilot working agree- pilots. The MEC’s Central Air Safety Committee Guardia; New York–JFK; ment (PWA) becoming amendable on Jan. 1, 2016. continues to advocate and innovate the concept Paris–Charles de Gaulle; In early spring of last year, Delta management ap- of a “fair and just corporate culture” at Delta with Salt Lake City, Utah; and Tokyo–Narita proached the MEC with the idea of an expedited regard to flight operations safety. negotiations with a goal of reaching an agree- As the airline evolves and grows via interna- Operations: 224 desti- nations in 57 countries ment six months ahead of the amendable date. tional alliances and joint ventures, the MEC has on six continents These negotiations did result in an early tentative responded to protect and enhance the pilots’ job agreement, but the pilot group ultimately rejected security. Along with the pilots of Delta’s respec- Fleet: More than 800 mainline airplanes con- the agreement in the membership-ratification tive airline partners, the pilots continue to ac- sisting of A319s, A320s, process. After a change in MEC leadership in tively participate in the SkyTeam Pilot Alliance, A330s, B-717s, B-737s, September and extensive polling and surveying which meets twice a year as a group, and then B-747s, B-757s, B-767s, of the membership throughout the fall, the MEC individually as necessary. The alliance is com- B-777s, MD-88s, and Negotiating Committee recommenced Section 6 mitted to respecting each pilot groups’ flying MD-90s negotiations for a new PWA in late December. and to enforcing the labor provisions contained Newly elected representatives will take office in Open Skies agreements. Photo: Delta jets parked on the apron at Hartsfield–Jackson in March 2016 for Councils 44 and 81. Council 44 Looking ahead, 2016 will be a significant year Atlanta International Airport. officers are Capt. Sam DeRosa, chairman; Capt. for the Delta pilot group. On January 1, the PWA became amendable under Section 6 of the Rail- way Labor Act. The Delta MEC has reengaged in Section 6 negotiations. The pilots have made their negotiation priorities clear to the MEC, and the MEC is committed to transparency and to honor- ing pilot input throughout the negotiating process. The PWA stipulates that if an agreement isn’t reached by March 31, 2016, the MEC and Delta management will jointly file for mediation with the National Mediation Board. The MEC is fully prepared for this option if an agreement can’t be achieved by the end of March. Going forward, the MEC’s goal is to achieve, and have the pilots ratify, an agreement that advances the profession and reflects the Delta pilots’ contri-

bution to Delta’s unprecedented success. Prosser Brandon Photo:

28 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016

ated with operations at our hub Endeavor Air airports, Endeavor is achieving record success, consistently POISED FOR GROWTH generating maximum payouts through the airline’s Operation- IN 2016 al Performance Rewards pro- gram.” In a mid-year message to By Kimberly Seitz, ALPA Senior Communications Endeavor employees, CEO Ryan Specialist Gumm noted, “We now sit at 10 straight months Photo: In preparation for its return from long-term storage at at or above goal for our controllable comple- the boneyard in Kingman, Ariz., successful partnership between En- tion factor, which was highlighted by our streak Endeavor Air N8943A is readied deavor Air pilots and management, which in May of 21 days, 23 hours, and 58 minutes for flight. A capitalized on the strength of contract between controllable cancellations.” enhancements achieved in 2015, has poised In addition to contract enhancement and op- the airline for growth in 2016. At the beginning erational performance, the MEC has maintained of 2016, the capstone in that partnership is a pilot-retention payment plan, which pays each “We’re looking at ways to support growth through improved training pilot $20,000 per year in three installments for and staffing efficiency, and in return we’re seeking pay, quality-of- continued employment. These payments halted life, commuting, and reserve work rule improvements.” pilot attrition to other fee-for-departure carriers that Endeavor was experiencing in late 2014 and attracted many new pilots to the airline with its focus on contract compliance. As a measure AT A GLANCE top-of-the-industry first officer compensation— of success in that area, the Grievance Committee Pilots joined ALPA: about $45,000 a year for new hires. The pay- has seen a greater than 50 percent reduction in 1988 (as Express Airlines ments will continue for all pilots on the proper- incoming pilot issue forms. Much of the progress I before its name change ty—including new hires starting with their date can be attributed to the ongoing and collabora- to Pinnacle in 2002 and of hire—through the end of 2018. In addition, tive remedy request process, a monthly meeting Endeavor Air in 2013); by the end of 2015, the pilots’ Master Executive between MEC and company representatives that purchased Colgan Air in 2007; purchased Me- Council (MEC) successfully negotiated a Mutual identifies and attempts to resolve pilot issues saba Airlines in 2010 Benefit Letter of Agreement that increased pilot short of the full-blown grievance process, result- compensation and enhanced work rules. ing in timely payments to pilots whose contrac- Number of pilots: 1,500 The MEC expects to continue to negotiate with tual rights have been violated. The company then Pilot domiciles: Detroit, the company to amend wages well in advance takes the data from remedy requests and works Mich.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and New York’s of the expiration of the retention-payment with the departments involved to prevent future JFK and LGA program so that market-rate compensation will recurrences of known issues. The company’s suc- Operations: More than once again be reflected in pilot pay scales. cessful implementation of FLICA Open Time Man- 850 daily flights as Delta “We’re looking at ways to support growth ager to automate trip requests has also helped Connection to more through improved training and staffing ef- ensure that contractual rules are followed. than 100 cities across ficiency,” said Capt. Jonathan Allen, the pilots’ November of last year marked the exit of the United States and MEC chairman, “and in return we’re seeking pay, N8943A, a CRJ200, from long-term storage. Canada quality-of-life, commuting, and reserve work Endeavor has parked nearly 100 CRJ200s in Fleet: 36 CRJ200s and rule improvements.” Kingman, Ariz., over the past three years, and 81 CRJ900s Throughout 2015, new-hire class sizes the return to service of that airplane—coupled steadily increased to the point that multiple with continual increases in pilot hiring—is clear classes per month were started late in the year. evidence that the airline has rounded a corner Hiring kept pace with the rate of attrition, and and is headed in a positive direction. “With continuing increases in monthly hiring should al- aircraft beginning to return from long-term low the company to grow for the first time since storage, strong operational performance, a exiting bankruptcy in 2013 as a wholly owned steady stream of new pilots, and ongoing con- subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. tract enhancements, there’s been a noticeable According to Allen, the quality of the airline’s improvement in pride and morale among our operation has steadily improved. “Delta has rec- pilots,” Allen said. “It’s creating positive mo- ognized Endeavor’s operational performance,” mentum, and it’s self-reinforcing. I’m excited Allen said, “and in spite of the challenges associ- for what 2016 will bring.”

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 29

Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

Envoy Air

A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY three years, and the time to flow to American should fall to less than six years. For existing By Capt. Ray Igou (Envoy Air), Master Executive Envoy pilots who’ve endured aviation’s “lost Council Communications Chairman, and Kimberly decade” resulting from the aftermath of 9/11, Seitz, ALPA Senior Communications Specialist this information may seem hard to believe, but the MEC has corroborated management’s claims. AT A GLANCE he Envoy Air pilots began 2015 imple- Another program designed to strengthen menting a contract designed to provide American’s cradle-to-grave career path is Pilots joined ALPA: the forward-looking economics that Envoy’s partnership with at least 40 aviation 1995 (although Sim- T American Airlines needed to build a viable colleges and universities to provide a pipeline mons had been an ALPA member since 1986, future for the airline, the pilots, and the em- instructor program. The program makes qualified after the National Media- ployees, and ended the year with not only a certified flight instructors Envoy employees with tion Board’s ruling that solid pathway to a career at American but also company benefits while they gain their required the four airlines serving contract improvements. flight time by teaching. They are then ready to American Airlines— “For Envoy pilots, the road has been long and take their place on an Envoy flight deck and their Executive, Flagship, Simmons, and Wings hard,” said Capt. Sam Pool, the pilots’ Master place in the seniority line to flow to American. West—constituted a Executive Council (MEC) chairman, “but at long Coupled with the flow-through agreement, new single airlines, the Eagle last there’s light at the end of the tunnel. For the Envoy pilots have a clear career path to fly at pilots established a first time that light is not a train American. single MEC). In 2014, headed at us but is instead the American recently projected the company name was “The road to recov- changed from American possibility of a brighter future.” ery was painful in it would hire 1,500 pilots by the Eagle to Envoy Air The new agreement provided many ways...but we’ve end of 2017. Envoy expects that for 40 new Embraer 175s with op- more than 300 pilots will flow to Number of pilots: 1,984 turned a corner, and tions for 90 more. It also improved American during each of the next Pilot domiciles: Chi- the road ahead is cago, Ill., and Dallas–Fort job security for all Envoy pilots by two years, which will drive a large Worth, Tex. increasing the number of Envoy markedly improved.” number of upgrades at Envoy. “It pilots offered a no-interview flow seems that Envoy is destined for Headquarters: Irving, Tex. through to American. career progression and movement the likes of “Currently, every pilot on our property has the which hasn’t been seen by this pilot group in Fleet: 37 ERJ 140s, 118 ERJ 145s, 4 ERJ 175s, right to flow to American without any interviews recent memory,” noted Pool. and 35 CRJ700s or candidate-selection testing,” Pool explained. As the fee-for-departure industry continues to “New pilots who choose to come to Envoy will decrease due to the pay-shortage-induced pilot also flow to American without any additional shortage, Envoy has slowly reclaimed lost flying, Photos: New Envoy Air Pilot-to- Pilot volunteers attend an inten- interview process other than that required to be attrition has slowed, and projected fleet trans- sive one-day training program in hired at Envoy.” fers have been delayed. The pilots have attained ALPA's Herndon, Va., offices in Since January 2013, 548 of the 890 pilots industry-leading contract improvements; they November 2015. that American has hired have been Envoy are no longer stranded in base with no hotel pilots. Envoy currently fills at least 50 when flights are canceled or don’t connect; com- percent of every new-hire class muter pilots are afforded hotels before and after at American. their trips or blocks of reserve days and may According to Pool, new request up to four hotel stays in base per month equipment, rapid upgrades to aid in commuting; the commuter policy allows not dependent on increases for up to six failed attempts to commute to work in aircraft, and solid career (with more allowed at the discretion of the chief progression are opportunities pilot); and open time is now paid at 150 percent that other regional airlines just with critical coverage and junior man paid at 200 can’t provide. Management has percent with four-hour minimums. indicated that, because of the “The road to recovery was painful in many number of pilots flowing to ways,” Pool acknowledged, “but we’ve turned a American, pilots hired today will corner, and the road ahead is markedly im-

see upgrade time fall to below proved.” Photos: Chris Weaver

30 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016

in terms of controllable ExpressJet flight completions for 16 straight months. CONTRACT EXTENSION Despite the sluggish NEGOTIATIONS AIM TO pace of negotiations throughout most of 2015, the Photo: F/O Joe Mauro, the PROVIDE STABILITY MEC has worked diligently to improve the pilots’ ExpressJet Pilot-to-Pilot chair- current contract through a series of memoran- man, conducts a preflight safety check. By F/O Jake Bell (ExpressJet), Master Executive dums of understanding. These agreements have Council Communications Committee matched language in the contract to current FAR Part 117 interpretations, improved the n the two years since ExpressJet pilots rejected process of receiving moving benefits follow- AT A GLANCE a concessionary tentative agreement in 2014, ing a base closure or displacement, and added Pilots joined ALPA: progress toward an acceptable joint collec- language that supports the pilots’ use of their I 2004 tive bargaining agreement with merger partner recently issued electronic flight bags. The MEC Number of pilots: 2,122 Atlantic Southeast has continued at a slow pace. also reached an agreement with the company active That changed in October 2015 when the company to implement an employment leave of absence Pilot bases: Chicago, approached the Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet that allows a pilot who leaves for a major or Ill.; Cleveland, Ohio; Master Executive Councils (MECs) with a desire to low-cost carrier to retain his or her seniority at Houston, Tex.; Newark, explore short-term, nonconcessionary, separate ExpressJet for 60 days with the ability to easily N.J.; and Dallas–Fort contract extensions in lieu of a joint agreement. return during that time. Worth, Tex. The ExpressJet MEC, after carefully analyzing The MEC also recently completed a three- Operations: Flying as how a contract extension would alter the pilots’ month all-pilot test phase of the SmartPref pref- United Express and strategic plan, is now engaged in regular, intense erential bidding system. During the test phase, American Eagle, Express- discussions with the company and is working pilots had the chance to “parallel bid” with Jet serves destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and to secure financial and quality-of-life improve- SmartPref to compare schedules the system cre- Canada ments in the extension of Contract 2004. ated to their actual schedules awarded through Fleet: 171 Embraer “While our retirement, insurance, and long- ExpressJet’s current line-bidding system. The E145/135s. ExpressJet is term disability are the best in the fee-for-depar- SmartPref development process included nego- the world’s largest E145 ture [FFD] market, our pilot group has not had tiating work rules specific to the system. Pilots operator a pay raise in more than five years,” said Capt. will eventually have the opportunity to vote on Dave Allen, the pilot group’s MEC chairman. whether SmartPref will be implemented as the “This extension will allow legacy ExpressJet airline’s primary bidding system. pilots to keep the cornerstones of their contract Despite the dramatic improvements “While our retirement, insurance, as well as make financial gains. In addition, a the company made in the last year, and long-term disability are the ratified extension will create some stability at a 2015 didn’t come without some bad best in the fee-for-departure [FFD] time when stability is most important.” news for the pilots. Due to decisions market, our pilot group has not had Both the company and the MEC have been made by its mainline partner, Ex- attempting to place ExpressJet in a favorable pressJet was forced to close its pilot a pay raise in more than five years.” position in the ultra-competitive FFD market. domiciles in Denver, Colo.; Kansas City, After a series of leadership changes at both the Mo.; and Dulles, Va. The company also returned upper management and MEC levels and follow- several E145s that were operating under unprof- ing the pilot groups’ rejection of the tentative itable contracts with United. agreement in January 2014, the company began This downsizing, however, placed ExpressJet in to make great strides toward improving its op- a favorable staffing position, which allowed it to erational efficiency, performance, and relations accept 16 E145s from American Airlines to fly as with labor groups. American Eagle. ExpressJet opened a Dallas–Fort The improvements have worked, and Express- Worth, Tex., base in March to support this flying. Jet has been ranked the top-performing regional As ExpressJet looks to the future, both the carrier in terms of on-time arrivals and fewest company and the MEC continue to negotiate customer complaints in recent Department of and explore options that will create the stability Transportation Air Travel Consumer Reports. And needed for ExpressJet to gain new flying and as of late November, legacy ExpressJet has also extend the contracts of the aircraft currently on

Photo: Capt. David Witwer (ExpressJet)been the top-performing United Express carrier the property.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 31 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

FedEx Express

PILOT RESOLVE LEADS TO and maintaining a nonstop online question-and- answer bank required a continuous effort. Before NEW CONTRACT we left Memphis, Tenn., to present the agreement to our various bases, we provided a tremendous By Courtney Bland, ALPA Senior Communications amount of information to our pilots,” explained Specialist Dyer. “We employed a multitude of communica- tion methods designed to more effectively reach ast year could have ended vastly differ- our pilots and their families across the globe. ent for FedEx Express pilots. Frustrated by We worked to provide the facts to our pilots so L management’s approach to negotiations that they were fully informed when it came time and a variety of unilateral company scheduling to make their ratification decision. The pilots AT A GLANCE decisions designed to compensate for manage- responded with a tremendous amount of interest Pilots joined ALPA: June ment’s self-induced staffing shortages, the pilots and participation. We hope to build on this suc- 1993–1996; rejoined endured frustrations and challenges for the first cess by continuing to utilize these methods as a ALPA in June 2002 half of the year. Uncertainty associated with the permanent part of our operation.” First ALPA contract: election of a new Master Executive Council (MEC) As the FedEx pilots move into 2016, what was October 2006 chairman and secretary-treasurer in July, as well once an expectation—the implementation of the Number of flightcrew as normal turnover on the MEC, industry-leading contract—is members: 4,156 created the potential for more “Our bargaining effort finally a reality and in full swing. Headquarters: Memphis, negotiating delays and rocky and our immediate future However, other issues have Tenn. labor relations over the second were quite uncertain for taken the place of bargaining Fleet: 114 B-757s, 29 half of the year. updates and mediation sessions. B-767s, 27 B-777s, 71 most of the year. But in the Instead, the new MEC leaders “Properly implementing the A300s, 17 A310s, 46 end, tough decisions were MD-10s, and 59 MD-11s hit the ground running, nego- agreement and seeing that it’s tiations moved forward with made, and our pilot group enforced are critical, but there the assistance of the National conducted a respectful and are other challenges that still Mediation Board, and the pilots thoughtful tentative agree- must remain a priority. Lithium stayed unified and dedicated ment ratification vote.” batteries, environmental condi- to the task at hand. The result tions in our workplace, security was an industry-leading contract and a renewed concerns both inflight and around our operations, energy to tackle post-ratification issues. “We and the development of a new strategic plan had numerous challenges as we moved through are just a few of our ongoing challenges. We’re 2015,” said Capt. Chuck Dyer, the pilots’ MEC steadily moving forward on these issues,” said chairman. Dyer. The ratification process demonstrated the tal- The 4,156 FedEx Express pilots are spread ents of the many FedEx volunteers, the resource- across the globe, with eight councils located ful staff, and most importantly, the involvement in four domiciles as well as pilots assigned to of the pilots. Soon after reaching the tentative foreign duty in Hong Kong, China, and Cologne, agreement, the MEC began a very robust educa- Germany. Understanding the communications tion process—using technology and face-to-face challenges that this global group faces, the MEC meetings to inform pilots of the particulars of the continues to engage its members through a tentative agreement. The MEC provided webcasts, variety of communication methods designed to live phone-in sessions with the Negotiating Com- better reach pilots, including its MEC website, mittee, road shows, videos from subject-matter interactive conference and video calls, video experts detailing various sections of the agree- messages, e-mails, and text messaging. ment, and a continuously updated question-and- With more than 375 airports served worldwide, answer section on the MEC website. the airline has an extensive and varied fleet. The By the end of October, the vote had concluded pilots deliver approximately 3.9 million packages and the pilots had approved the contract. “Con- and 11 million pounds of freight daily to more ducting tentative-agreement presenta- than 220 countries and territories, including tions around the world every address in the United States.

32 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 two Hercs were flown by First Air First Air crews for almost 20 years. The fleet changes have led to furloughs and massive disruptions and dis- COPING WITH CHANGE Photos: The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 placements as the pilots who remain have (top) was one of First Air’s workhorses By Rusty Ayers, ALPA Senior Communications had to change bases, seats, and aircraft within before it was replaced by newer ATR turboprops (below). Specialist the operation. “We currently have about 25 crewmembers on our furlough list, which may ike most of the other airlines serving not seem like much until you remember that our Canada’s Arctic regions, First Air ended airline only has about 100 active pilots total,” AT A GLANCE 2015 in a state of transition as it juggled Black said. L Pilots joined ALPA: assets and code-share arrangements in an effort First Air maintains code-share agreements 2008 to achieve the necessary balance for a viable, with several airlines in the region that allow Number of pilots: 122, sustained operation. the involved flying partners to sell seats on with 25 on furlough “We’ve seen some significant furloughs and certain flights in each other’s respective flying Pilot bases: Ottawa, fleet changes as our airline supplements flying networks. The goal of these relationships is Ont.; Yellowknife, N.W.T.; with other carriers,” said Capt. Peter Black, the to provide operational efficiencies by sharing Iqaluit, N.U.; and Edmon- First Air pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) the ability to tailor capacity to meet changing ton, Alb. chairman. “It’s been a very difficult financial market needs. Headquarters: Kanata, environment for all the northern airlines.” For example, Summit Air now flies Summit Ont. Even in the best years, First Air constantly Avro RJ85s in First Air colors under a wet-lease Operations: Scheduled skates on the edge of profitability because of its arrangement on routes formerly flown by First and chartered passenger extremely difficult operating environment, with Air’s own B-737-200s. At the same time, First Air and cargo operations; high costs and low revenues. And 2015 was not is using ATRs to fly cargo routes to Thunder Bay, more than 225,000 passengers and 25 mil- its best year. Ont., for CargoJet. Other code-share agreements lion kilograms of cargo Owned by the Inuit people of Northern Qué- and route swaps are in place with Calm Air. transported annually bec, the airline connects major Canadian cities “The challenge is to find the right aircraft for Fleet: 4 B-737-200s like Edmonton, Alb.; Montréal, Qué.; Ottawa, the right route. It’s not an Airbus versus Boeing (two combi, two passen- Ont.; and Winnipeg, Man.; with 29 destinations in situation. In the north, we have a huge variety of ger), 3 B-737-400s (two the country’s northernmost territories—an area airframes, and our management has been trying combi, one passenger), the size of India but with fewer than 100,000 very hard to simplify the fleet to make it as eco- and 10 ATR 42s residents. The pilots often fly in extreme nomical as possible. But every change impacts weather conditions to deliver passengers and the pilot group,” explained Black. vital cargo to far-flung communities where the To address pilot concerns about Even in the best years, First Air “airport” may consist of a wooden shack next to job stability and improve crewmem- constantly skates on the edge of a few thousand feet of hard-packed gravel. ber quality of life, the MEC initiated profitability...and 2015 was not its In addition to providing scheduled and charter contract talks late last year. The best year. service, the airline offers contract work to busi- MEC surveyed the members to as- nesses harvesting Canada’s natural resources, sess pilot priorities, and MEC negotiators began including oilfield workers and diamond miners. meeting with management in December. However, revenues for these operations ebb and In addition to maximizing operational efficien- flow based on the state of the world economy. cies, management also appears to be maximiz- In 2015, the company downsized its fleet of ing its labour negotiations efforts—the company older B-737-200s specially equipped to oper- is simultaneously entering talks with ate on gravel. First Air’s pair of ATR 72s left the its flight attendants airline in 2015 when they were sold to Hawaiian and aircraft mainte- Airlines’ new interisland turboprop subsidiary. nance personnel as The company is currently bringing on board well as the pilots. “new to the airline” ATR 42-500s, which will be Originally a divi- a first for a Canadian airline. And in April, the sion of Bradley Air carrier sold its last Hercules L-382 to Anchorage- Services, First Air based Lynden Air Cargo, marking the end of an celebrates its 70th era in Arctic aviation. Long a common sight at anniversary this

Photos: Capt. Jason Miller (First Air)First Air’s western hub in Yellowknife, N.W.T., the year.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 33 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

AT A GLANCE tions. The first sessions with the mediator will Number of pilots: 606 Hawaiian begin in January. Headquarters: Honolulu, “All we’re requesting is to fairly participate in Hawaii CLEAR SKIES the incredible success the airline has benefited from. A large part of the success is due to the Operations: Hawai- pilots’ many years of living with a concessionary ian and its turboprop By Rusty Ayers, ALPA Senior Communications subsidiary operate more contract,” Lee explained. “Both the company and Specialist than 160 daily flights the public should know that there’s no reason connecting six Hawaiian s the pilots of Hawaiian Airlines look why Hawaiian pilots should earn 35–45 percent islands and more than forward to 2016, they see clear skies less than our fellow airline pilots.” 200 flights systemwide. It offers nonstop service A ahead—especially if they can complete a In addition to increased pay, the pilots are to the Hawaiian islands new contract this year. seeking to complete improvements to their from 11 gateway cities The airline continues to impress observers retirement system, a task begun in the 2010 on the U.S. mainland and with its service and on-time performance as it contract. Another key issue the pilots want to also has direct, nonstop successfully resists ongoing competition from define is scope, as Hawaiian continues to expand flights from Honolulu to American Samoa, Tahiti, new and traditional rivals, posting record profits internationally and grow its interisland subsid- Australia, New Zealand, while building cash reserves and raising its stock iary created in 2012. South Korea, Japan, and price to all-time highs. And next year, the airline Ohana by Hawaiian uses nonunion pilots to China will begin taking delivery of new midsize aircraft operate turboprops that fly into airports too Fleet: 18 B-717-200s; that could be game changers. small for the carrier’s B-717s. In 2015, Hawaiian 8 B-767-300ERs; 22 All in all, Hawaiian is in an enviable position— announced it would expand its existing fleet of A330-200s, with options except when it comes to contract three passenger ATR 42s by adding for 4 more; 3 ATR 42s; and 3 ATR 72Fs. On talks with its pilots, which have “To attract the most three ATR 72Fs and launching a new order: 6 A330neos, with slowed down after getting off to a skilled and qualified interisland freight operation. options for 6 more; 18 fast start last fall. pilots to fly these According to Lee, the pilots are A321neos, with options “The goal is to have a contract keeping a close eye on the feeder for 6 more that reflects industry wages, retire- new aircraft, we need carrier operation. “Our pilot work- ment, and work rules,” said Capt. an agreement that's ing agreement places very specific Hoon Lee, the Hawaiian pilots’ in line with what our restrictions on the Ohana opera- Master Executive Council (MEC) peers are making.” tion. We’ll continue to monitor the chairman. “The pilots have spoken: situation and ensure that Hawaiian We will accept no contract that is worth less Airlines and Hawaiian Holdings comply with our than that of our peers who are flying the same current agreement,” he said. types of aircraft and who have the same level of After several years of expanding into new professional responsibility.” international markets, Hawaiian spent 2015 up- The pilots spent a year preparing to open Sec- grading its existing fleet, standardizing seating tion 6 talks in 2015. With Hawaiian posting re- for all of its interisland B-717s, and adding new cord profits and its share price rising by almost lie-flat seating and other long-haul business 500 percent over the past few years, the pilots travel amenities to its A330s. The carrier has were hoping that bargaining would be limited to aggressively competed with much larger rivals Photo: Capt. Anaseini Kamelia Zarka (left) and F/O Bryan Shirota a few key issues and that an agreement would for coveted landing slots at Tokyo, Japan’s at Lihue Airport on the island of be reached quickly. Haneda Airport. Kauai. But despite this record profitability, The airline is also looking forward to major management has asked changes in its transpacific service, preparing for pilots to “buy back” any new A321neos that will begin arriving in July pay increases by trading 2017. The midsize narrowbodies will replace for other items, which is B-767s by 2020, opening new opportunities and a nonstarter for the pilot routes between the islands and the U.S. main- group. As a result, in Oc- land that currently don’t make economic sense tober 2015 the pilots and for the airline because of its larger aircraft. the company jointly filed “To attract the most skilled and qualified for federal mediation after pilots to fly these new aircraft, we need an making only negligible agreement that’s in line with what our peers are

progress in direct negotia- making,” Lee asserted. Photo: Karin Rushforth

34 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 Island Air

PILOTS FACE UNCERTAIN Island Air an- nounced in fall 2014 that it was delaying use of FUTURE the new aircraft pending a new fleet and route study. Meanwhile, the airline has yet to announce Photo: An Island Air ATR 72 on By John Perkinson, Staff Writer refleeting plans, and the two new airplanes are approach. currently gathering dust, parked on a tarmac in he pilots of Island Air find themselves in a Tucson, Ariz. holding pattern as they await their carrier’s Citing losses of more than $21 million for T next move. Following significant reductions 2014, Island Air approached its employees for AT A GLANCE in fleet, staffing, and route structure in 2015, concessions in early 2015. However, the pilots Founded: 1980 the company indicated that an end-of-the-year and management were unable to reach an Pilots joined ALPA: announcement would finally reveal Island Air’s agreement, and the carrier soon publicized that 1989 repositioning plans. As this issue goes to press, it would downsize its operation by reducing Number of pilots: 42, the news media reported that owner Larry Ellison the markets it served and the number of daily with 38 active wants to sell the airline, so the pilots continue flights—part of an effort to bolster its cost and to wait and see what’s in store for the struggling revenue structure. Operations: Island Air operates more than 135 Hawaiian intraisland carrier. Consequently, Island Air shut down its Kauai weekly flights between Oracle Corporation CEO Ellison, one of the operations and furloughed employees, reducing its Honolulu International wealthiest men in America, purchased Island Air flight operations to three airports: Honolulu Inter- Airport and Kahului Air- in 2013 with plans to refocus its operations to national, Kahului on the island of Maui, and Lanai. port and Kahului Airport provide intraisland transportation to and from Island Air, which once served destinations and Lanai Airport his upscale resorts on the island of Lanai. Ellison, throughout the Hawaiian islands, has been fac- Fleet: Five ATR 72s who acquired a 98 percent stake in Lanai the ing stiff competition from Ohana by Hawaiian, a previous year, is currently overhauling his Four subsidiary of Hawaiian Airlines that operates a Seasons Manele Bay and the Four Seasons Lodge fleet of ATR 42-500s. Hawaiian also offers service at Koele resorts, with renovations expected to be between the islands using its complete in 2016. fleet of B-717s. “If we begin to grow again, the airline is But here’s the challenge: Lanai Airport, which Once viewed as a white knight likely to have trouble finding qualified serves these resorts, has a single, restricted who would save the airline, El- pilot candidates. Hawaii is an expensive 5,000-foot runway, limiting the kinds of aircraft lison remains an enigma. To date place to live, and there are so many op- that can access it. Island Air is one of only two he’s been reluctant to recapital- portunities for young pilots right now.” scheduled airlines serving the airport, and the ize this asset. Most surprisingly, carrier’s aging fleet of ATR 72s continues to Island Air management has yet to come forward experience reliability issues resulting in routinely with a long-term strategic plan for the airline. canceled flights and stranded passengers. Al- “We’ve lost pilots who have moved on to Hawai- though reliability has improved in recent months, ian Airlines and other mainline carriers,” acknowl- settling on a more effective aircraft type to move edged Morris, who expressed concerns about what the operation forward has been at the center of it will take to replace them. “If we begin to grow Island Air’s challenges. again, the airline is likely to have trouble finding “In 2014, the pilots signed a new aircraft qualified pilot candidates. Hawaii is an expensive letter of agreement with management, regard- place to live, and there are so many opportunities ing management’s plans to upgrade the airline’s for young pilots right now,” he said. fleet with either Dash 8-Q400s or ATR 72-600s,” Island Air began operations in 1980 as said Capt. James Morris, the pilot group’s Master Princeville Airways, operating two DHC-6 Twin Executive Council (MEC) chairman. The airline Otters between Honolulu and Kauai’s Prince- later acquired two Dash 8-Q400s with plans to ville Airport. The airline continued to add routes purchase more. Island Air even trained a portion and, seven years later, Aloha Airlines’ parent of its pilots to fly the new aircraft. “However, the company, Aloha Airgroup, purchased Princeville company went through a series of senior leader- Airways and renamed it Aloha Island Air. In 1995, ship changes, and the -Q400s were never entered the airline simplified its moniker to

Photo: WikipediaPhoto: into service,” noted Morris. Island Air.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 35 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

AT A GLANCE and answers. Pilots joined ALPA: Jazz Aviation “If schedules prevented a pilot from at- 1997 tending a road show, we wanted to make sure Number of pilots: FLYING ON that questions were answered and concerns 1,400—the most of any addressed,” said Capt. Claude Buraglia, the Canadian ALPA pilot By Jen Lofquist, ALPA Senior Communications pilots’ MEC chairman. “Company representa- group Specialist tives were also on hand to explain in detail the Pilot bases: Vancou- pilot mobility agreement (PMA) negotiated with ver, B.C.; Calgary, Alb.; azz Aviation pilots began 2015 in a far dif- Air Canada. It was vital that each pilot was given Toronto, Ont.; and Mon- ferent position than where they were at the every opportunity to get information in every treal, Qué. J end of 2014. As the year closed, the pilots way possible.” Headquarters: Dart- were in endgame negotiations with the com- The PMA was essential to Jazz’s capacity- mouth, N.S. pany for a new agreement. Less than a month purchase agreement (CPA) with Air Canada being Operations: Ap- later, they ratified that agreement by the largest extended through 2025. Jazz pilots who added proximately 9.9 million margin in the pilot group’s history. That contract their name to the PMA list agreed to move to Air passengers annually, with 710 daily flights to significantly changed the future for the airline Canada. In return, Air Canada agreed to allocate 74 destinations across and its pilots. at least 80 percent of its hiring to names on that Canada and the United Jazz—the largest fee-for-departure carrier list until the full list was exhausted. For the CPA States for Air Canada—serves more than 9.9 million to take effect, at least 625 Jazz pilots had to Fleet: 24 Q400 passengers each year and flies to more domestic agree to be on the PMA list. The reality was that NextGens, 24 CRJ200s, destinations than any other Canadian airline. the Jazz pilots were considering an agreement in 16 CRJ705s, 30 Dash Before beginning negotiations, the pilots and principle at their own airline, while at the same 8-100s, and 28 Dash 8-300s the company agreed to move toward a business time they were asked to consider a potential model that was more in line with that of other future at another. Air Canada Express carriers. The pilots’ Master However, going from a captain at Jazz to a first Executive Council (MEC) Negotiating Committee officer at Air Canada would entail a significant and the company reached a tentative agreement reduction in pay. To compensate, the contract “...Our commitment that was as innovative as it was far-reaching. included a flow incentive payment (FIP), which to protecting and On Jan. 13, 2015, the MEC agreed in principle would ease the difference in pay for the first enhancing the ca- to a 10-year agreement that contains a career- four years. If the pilot accepted a job offer from reers of every Jazz progression mechanism for Jazz pilots to move Air Canada, the FIP pays out over four years by pilot remains, and we to Air Canada while also including substantial augmenting the pilot’s Air Canada salary. If the continue to look for improvements and protections for those pilots pilot declined the employment offer but agreed who chose to remain at Jazz. In a cross-country to retire from Jazz, the pilot could take the FIP as new opportunities to tour spanning two weeks, the MEC, Negotiating a retirement incentive. do so.” Committee, and Communications Committee On January 29, the vote closed with nearly all visited the four pilot bases in Montréal, Qué.; Jazz pilots participating in the ballot, and more Toronto, Ont.; Calgary, Alb.; and Vancouver, B.C. than 95 percent of those voting were in favor of While all Jazz pilots were encouraged to at- ratification. Just three days later, the agreement tend the road shows in person, the MEC taped took effect. Only eight months after signing the Photo: A Jazz Aviation Q400 at the road shows and put each one online for agreement, Jazz reaped the benefits as it was Toronto Pearson International Airport. later viewing, creating a resource of questions awarded 10 more aircraft by Air Canada. The work, however, is far from done. The contract, though it spans 10 years, incorporates three amendable periods. The first amendable period occurs this year, so the Negotiating Com- mittee will be exploring additions and modifica- tions to the agreement. “It would seem that after signing a 10-year agreement, we could rest on our laurels for a bit,” said Buraglia. “But nothing could be further from the truth. Our commitment to protecting and enhancing the careers of every Jazz pilot remains, and we continue to look for

new opportunities to do so.” Photo: Capt. Glenn McMullin (Jazz Aviation)

36 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 ing payroll deductions for ALPA JetBlue dues. A checkoff arrangement with the company was a top priority for ASPIRING TO INSPIRE the MEC, and after more than a year of discussions, the MEC and the By Julie Mayes, ALPA Senior Communications company were able to agree on the Specialist logistics for and implementation of dues checkoff. he past 20 months have been a time of The MEC also continues to work

growth and progress for the 2,600-plus with the airline to provide ALPA pilot represen- Photo: A JetBlue airplane parked T pilots who voted overwhelmingly to join tatives with company-paid flight pay loss and at Cyril E. King Airport in St. ALPA in April 2014. Launching an aggressive mem- to integrate select MEC committees into the Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. bership drive, setting up a committee structure, company’s day-to-day operation while continuing and starting negotiations for a first collective bar- to foster a professional working relationship with gaining agreement are just a few of the highlights. JetBlue’s senior management—an important step In April 2015, the pilots’ Negotiating Committee in ensuring that the Association can play a role in AT A GLANCE began bargaining with the airline, the fifth largest providing the best future for JetBlue and its pilots. Pilots joined ALPA: in the U.S., for the group’s first contract under “As pilots, we are very much leaders in JetBlue’s 2014 Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act (RLA). With company culture and part of the brand that con- Number of flightcrew sessions taking place nearly every month in 2015, tinues to make this business grow,” noted Bigham, members: More than the Negotiating Committee and the company have who added that the MEC and the company have 3,100 reached tentative agreements on several sections built a good working rapport but have faced sig- Pilot bases: New York, of a contract. nificant challenges along the way. N.Y.; Boston, Mass.; Fort “Our first priority has always been to ensure While MEC leaders continue to focus on achiev- Lauderdale and Orlando, that our pilots achieve the working conditions ing the pilots’ first contract, the growth of the Fla.; and Long Beach, Calif. they, like the other outstanding members of this airline brings about new challenges for the pilot profession, absolutely deserve,” said Capt. Jim group in 2016. Last year, profits soared for the Headquarters: Long Island City, N.Y. Bigham, the pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) airline, due in part to the launch of Mint in June chairman. “Our negotiators are working hard to 2014 and several new routes to Latin America and Fleet: A320s, A321s, and E190s build a contract that will finally give us the quality the Caribbean, including charter service to Cuba. of life we have earned and deserve.” The airline expects to hire 250–350 additional Last year also saw activity outside of Section pilots this year. The company has identified pilot 6 negotiations. The MEC negotiated with the recruitment as a potential future issue and has company to enhance the pilots’ quality of life by launched a new recruitment improving check-in requirements for reserve pilots and pilot training program “As pilots, we are very much leaders in Jet- and resolving previous disputes to ensure that called Gateway 7. The MEC Blue’s company culture and part of the brand lineholders wouldn’t have to work longer than six opposes the program on the that continues to make this business grow.” consecutive days unless specifically waiving that grounds that the company rule. receives thousands of applications from qualified Additionally, with the assistance of the MEC pilots who have thousands of hours of experience officers and ALPA staff, the Grievance Committee and are ready to fly for JetBlue. The MEC also negotiated and applied a full-scale RLA griev- maintains that any recruitment program should ance and System Board process to deal with not undermine or weaken current FAA regulations, disciplinary disputes over obligations created by which ensure that safety is paramount. existing company manuals. The committee also Also taking on a wider safety mission, JetBlue established a dispute tracking system through the pilots are very much a part of the active army of MEC website that allows pilots to manage filed ALPA pilots who advocate for pilots’ rights and disputes—piggybacking on the online technol- safety and have joined their fellow pilots in lob- ogy already in place for the pilot data reporting bying members of Congress in Washington, D.C. system. The goal is to resolve disputes between “We have the most critical responsibility in this pilots and management at the chief pilot level industry as its champions of safety,” said Bigham, instead of the dispute escalating and being filed who, along with Capt. Mike McMackin (JetBlue), an as a grievance. ALPA executive vice president, has taken a leader-

Photo: Capt. Adam Willis (JetBlue) Another key victory was successfully negotiat- ship role advocating on Capitol Hill.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 37 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

Kelowna Flightcraft

CONTINUED UNCERTAINTY transported as “belly freight.” “There’s an oversaturation of belly-freight car- FOR PILOTS riers,” said Lewis, “and Kelowna has discovered a niche market to convey oversize cargo on the By Kimberly Seitz, ALPA Senior Communications cargo deck of our DC-10s. Kelowna is capital- Specialist izing on all opportunities, such as transporting prototype cars and aircraft engines.” Photo: A Kelowna DC-10 parked he beleaguered Kelowna Flightcraft pilots The downturn of 2014 wasn’t over, however, at Santa Maria Airport in the Azores. have faced a high degree of uncertainty as pilot furloughs continued to decimate the T during the past two years, and 2015 ranks of the MEC and the pilot group. Starting proved especially challenging for a pilot group the year with 120 pilots, the pilot group has that was placed into custodianship in late fall. only 35 pilots actively flying Kelowna’s fleet of AT A GLANCE “The custodianship is designed to allow the DC-10s and Convair 580s, which are used to fly Master Executive Council [MEC] the breathing freight for Purolator out of British Columbia. Pilots joined ALPA: 1997 (became an ALPA- room it needs to rebuild our volunteer infra- “When we lost the Canada Post flying, the represented pilot group structure,” said F/O Nathan Lewis, the pilot company investigated starting a new cargo when CALPA merged group’s MEC custodian. “Of the 10 core leader- operation with its fleet of B-727s to provide do- with ALPA) ship positions on the MEC, only three remain, mestic freight service to feed the international Number of pilots: 90 and we’re all pulling double and triple duty. The flying performed by our DC-10s,” Lewis noted. pilots on the seniority MEC requested that the pilot group be placed “That vision never materialized, and by mid-July, list—35 active, 52 on into custodianship to give those of us who re- all our B-727 pilot positions were eliminated.” furlough, and 3 on leave main the opportunity to more fully utilize ALPA’s Additionally, by early August five DC-10 crews Pilot bases: Toronto, resources while we catch our breaths.” were unexpectedly cut from the roster. Ont., and Vancouver, B.C. The biggest challenge the pilots faced in “Our existing senior pilots are now being tran- Headquarters: Kelowna, 2015 was negotiating a concessionary collec- sitioned to fly our remaining DC-10s, and they’re B.C. tive agreement with a company with few future being trained in some cases by our more junior Fleet: Convair 580s and prospects. In 2014, Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd un- pilots who will ultimately be furloughed,” said DC-10s successfully bid to retain its Canada Post Group Lewis. “To say the situation is demoralizing is an of Companies service agreement to transport understatement.” 1,000,000 pounds of air freight nightly across Despite the major setbacks, Lewis remains Canada. That flying ended March 31, 2015. cautiously optimistic that things will improve in Pilot attrition 2016 as the company continues to slowly build “The custodianship is designed to allow the Mas- skyrocketed with the its presence in the international cargo and charter ter Executive Council [MEC] the breathing room it 2014 announcement, segment of the industry, which has included needs to rebuild our volunteer infrastructure.” but the MEC was flying pigs to Russia and bulls from Spain to Peru. cautiously optimistic “Kelowna can’t rely totally on these types of char- about the future of the carrier after the com- ters,” Lewis acknowledged, “but it can continue pany revealed it had potential additional flying to build on the international flying and provide opportunities. more career stability to the pilots who remain.” The pilots now perform scheduled interna- In October, Lewis (then acting MEC chairman) tional DC-10 flying twice a week from Toronto, requested that ALPA’s Executive Council place Ont., through Moncton, N.B., and onto Brussels, the MEC into custodianship to give the remaining Belgium, to deliver fresh seafood. “We can get pilot leaders an opportunity to assess the reper- the live eel, lobster, and oysters to market more cussions of the summer’s turmoil and investigate quickly and thus provide a better quality prod- available options, e.g., moving from a two-council uct,” Lewis said. pilot group to a one-council pilot group. The company (now called KF Aerospace) also “We need to make sure we stabilize as a compa- works with a Europe-based sales agent to secure ny,” said Lewis, “and once Kelowna finds its place additional general cargo to bring back on its in this new environment, we’ll be better positioned return flights to Canada. According to Lewis, the to make better decisions. I hope we’ll be in a posi-

airline can transport oversize cargo that can’t be tion to exit custodianship in the summer.” Photo: S/O Carlos De Matteis (Kelowna)

38 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 AT A GLANCE Pilots joined ALPA: 1987

ing the state of the industry and the airline’s Number of pilots: More than 1,250 Mesa current finances. E&FA analysts stated that they were given unprecedented access to the Pilot bases: Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston, company’s books and forecasts and performed STARTING A NEW CHAPTER Tex.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and their own valuation of the company. Washington, D.C. It was clear from discussions at the road By Jen Lofquist, ALPA Senior Communications Headquarters: Phoenix, shows that the agreement fell short for much of Specialist Ariz. the pilot group. Despite addressing base pay, the Operations: Mesa Air s 2015 came to an end, Mesa pilots agreement failed to improve first officer pay— Group operates as found themselves in familiar territory: which starts at a staggeringly low $22 an hour. American Eagle and A new Master Executive Council (MEC) It also didn’t include any improvements to the United Express. It serves leaders, a new Negotiating Committee, and new company-provided health care, which few of the 97 cities, 34 states, airplanes—but no new contract. However, the pilots use due to its high cost. Outside of base Canada, and Mexico with 580 daily departures pilot group is rebuilding with the expectation pay, there were small improvements to salary. of finally achieving a fair contract. During the ratification process, the MEC Fleet: 1 CRJ200, 20 CRJ700s, 64 CRJ900s, In August 2015, after more than five years of worked to help create an online calculator that and 30 ERJ 175s, with negotiations, the pilots’ Negotiating Commit- showed each pilot the real value of the con- 18 additional ERJ 175s tee secured a tentative agreement, which it tract, often resulting in significant pay increas- on order presented to the MEC. Despite the company’s es over the life of the contract. This calculator growth, a thorough review of Mesa’s finances included per diem increases as well as the revealed that the airline had slim profits to elimination of base pay. However, on October share with its pilots. Yet the Negotiating Com- 2, the pilot group overwhelmingly voted down mittee attempted to get as much of that profit the agreement, with only 14 percent voting in as it could for the pilot group while also solving favor of ratification. the long-standing base pay issue—often cited Just days after the vote, the “Our pilots wanted to see improve- in polling as the pilots’ number one priority. company announced an agreement ments in almost every section of our The base pay problem stemmed from the with United Airlines to add 15 new contract, from pay to health care previous contract, which allowed the company Embraer 175s to the property, which to pay pilots on reserve, vacation, or sick leave will necessitate hiring approximately to per diem—all areas that lag far the 50-seat aircraft scale—despite having only 150 first officers and result in cap- behind those of our competitors.” one 50-seat aircraft on the property. The pilots tain upgrades for 75 pilots. fought this repeatedly through grievances In November, the MEC met in Phoenix and and arbitrations, but to no avail. They felt the voted in Hughes as the new MEC chairman only way to address the pay issue was at the and Capt. Christopher Gill as vice chairman, bargaining table. as well as a new Negotiating Committee. The “Our Negotiating Committee was given the MEC discussed the results of an online survey unenviable task of negotiating with a company conducted shortly after the pilots rejected the with limited resources and numerous issues tentative agreement. Photo: Capt. Bob Carlise, who recently to solve,” said Capt. Andy Hughes, who was “Although we commend the work of our retired, at Washington Dulles Interna- elected MEC chairman in November 2015. “Our Negotiating Committee, especially given the tional Airport. pilots wanted to see improvements in almost circumstances, it simply wasn’t enough for every section of our contract, from pay to the vast majority of our pilot group,” said health care to per diem—all areas that lag far Hughes. “The pilot lead- behind those of our competitors.” ers will now go back and At the August MEC meeting, the MEC made adjust our negotiating pri- the difficult decision to unanimously support orities to better meet the the tentative agreement. Road shows began needs of this group. Mesa later that month. MEC officers, Negotiating Airlines is growing, and Committee members, and ALPA Representa- the pilots are a vital part tion, Economic & Financial Analysis (E&FA), of that success. Every pilot and Communications staff traveled to Dallas on this property deserves a and Houston, Tex., and Phoenix, Ariz., for three fair and equitable contract. days of road shows in each domicile. Each show And they shouldn’t have to included a briefing from E&FA staff highlight- wait any longer for it.”

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 39 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

However, the airline has been losing some pilots Piedmont due to attrition. One of the big draws to Piedmont for new PILOTS WELCOME JETS hires is the seniority-based, flow-through program the pilots negotiated through Letter By John Perkinson, Staff Writer of Agreement 19. The agreement allows senior Piedmont pilots to flow to fellow AAG carrier ollowing years of uncertainty with parent- American Airlines, based on available pilot job company bankruptcies and consolidations, opportunities, without having to undergo the Photo: Passengers board a Pied- mont Dash 8 at Albany Interna- F Piedmont Airlines has finally emerged as a normal hiring process. tional Airport. significant player within the new American Air- “The flow is working well,” noted Freedman, lines Group (AAG). And with the promise of new who added, “right now, we have pilots transi- aircraft coupled with growth opportunities—in tioning to American every month.” The growth AT A GLANCE the form of both expedient upgrades and a from added equipment will likely mean an Pilots joined ALPA: negotiated flow-through agreement—Piedmont expansion of Piedmont’s route structure. Mean- 1984 pilots are beginning to reap the benefits. while, first officers are upgrading to captain at Number of pilots: 397 Piedmont is in the process of supplement- Piedmont usually within two years. Pilot bases: Harrisburg ing its fleet of 37 De Havilland Dash 8s with 20 But despite these positive changes, members and Philadelphia, Pa.; Embraer ERJ 145s. The carrier already has one of the Piedmont MEC share some concerns. Roanoke, Va.; and Salis- of these new jets sitting on the ramp at Salis- “With the constant turnover, we’re losing tal- bury, Md. bury–Ocean City–Wicomico Regional Airport, in ent,” observed Freedman. “The pool of potential Headquarters: Salisbury, Salisbury, Md., where the airline is based. How- candidates for staffing various MEC committees Md. ever, that particular airplane is being used for is drying up because those with experience Fleet: 37 DHC-100s and training purposes. Piedmont anticipates delivery are retiring or moving on to the mainline.” 300s and 1 ERJ 145 of a new jet each month beginning in February, Other fee-for-departure (FFD) pilot groups are which the carrier will immediately place into witnessing this same trend, and Freedman said service at its brand-new pilot base. that they’re collectively working through the As- “The growth in Up until last month, Piedmont maintained sociation’s national FFD Committee, considering pilot domiciles at Salisbury; Harrisburg, Pa.; solutions such as sharing committee workloads Piedmont’s fleet has Roanoke and Charlottesville, Va.; and New Bern, among pilot groups in a code-share or other also increased the N.C. However, with the new fleet make-up, the relationship. airline’s demand for airline opted to close Charlottesville and New Change isn’t limited to operational growth at new pilots. Piedmont Bern and create a new base at American Airlines’ Piedmont. The airline in May 2015 appointed a was able to sustain mid-Atlantic hub in Philadelphia, Pa. The domi- new president, Lyle Hogg, who previously held monthly new-hire cile opened in January as a Dash 8 operation and the position of US Airways vice president of will expand to include ERJ 145s beginning in Flight Operations. Later this year, Piedmont will classes of between February. introduce electronic flight displays—pilots will 15 to 20 pilots during Transitioning to a new fleet type is affecting be issued iPads, eventually eliminating the need much of 2015.” nearly every aspect of the carrier’s operation. for paper flight manuals and charts. “The FAA is virtually recertifying Piedmont Providing stability amid this evolving environ- Airlines,” said Capt. Bruce Freedman, the pilots’ ment, the Piedmont pilots continue to enjoy the Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman, one advantages of a favorable contract negotiated of the first pilots slated to transition to the ERJ in 2014, which secured pay, benefit, and other 145. According to Freedman, the FAA has kept quality-of-life improvements. the airline busy, carefully reviewing all of its “The pilot group is guardedly enthusiastic that manuals and policies. the airline appears to have more direction,” said The growth in Piedmont’s fleet has also Freedman. “Getting the jet equipment gives our increased the airline’s demand for new pilots. senior pilots who aren’t going to take the flow Piedmont was able to sustain monthly new-hire through something to look forward to. It makes classes of between 15 to 20 pilots during much them feel like the airline will be here when they of 2015. Freedman noted that the Piedmont retire so that they will be able to collect their pilot roster has expanded sig- pensions. It also gives the younger members nificantly since last something to be happy about, knowing that they

year. can upgrade faster,” he said. WikipediaPhoto:

40 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 PSA

PILOTS EXPERIENCE in line with that of the other two American Airlines Group’s GROWTH, CHANGE regional subsidiaries, Envoy Air and Piedmont. By Julie Mayes, ALPA Senior Communications Spe- “This new contract language cialist, and John Perkinson, Staff Writer provides our members with easier access to Photo: From left, F/O Carlos Loaiza, F/O the American cockpit,” Ricks noted. “It creates Sam Laskey, Capt. Jimmy Huftalen, and Capt. Travis Ricks, the pilots’ Master his past year was one of growth and an opportunity for nearly 100 pilots per year, Executive Council chairman. change for the pilots of PSA Airlines. Now nearly double the number we were previously T fully entrenched in the American Eagle sending. In addition, we’ll work with both PSA network, the PSA pilot group has expanded its and American management again in mid-2016 to ranks to nearly 1,200, up from more than 900 revisit this process.” pilots the airline employed at the beginning of As part of the negotiations, the group success- 2015. fully removed a pay freeze that applied to pilots AT A GLANCE “Our pilot group grew tremendously during with fewer than 12 years of service at PSA who the last year, and we’re working to make sure declined the opportunity to fly for American. Pilots joined ALPA: 1988 each member has the opportunities and re- Now, any pilot who wants to stay at PSA or who sources needed to continue progressing within wants to delay this transition to the mainline will Number of pilots: Nearly 1,200 our profession,” said Capt. Jason McConnell, not be penalized for this decision. who served as Master Executive Council (MEC) Pilot bases: Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati and Day- chairman for the latter half of 2015. This growth “Our pilot group grew tremendously ton, Ohio; and Knoxville, has brought about a quick succession of MEC during the last year, and we’re work- Tenn. leaders—in just two years, McConnell is the third ing to make sure each member has the Operations: PSA Airlines, of four pilots to serve as MEC chairman. opportunities and resources needed Inc. is a wholly owned His predecessors, Capts. Mark Hinczynski and subsidiary of American Jesse Coeling, moved on to mainline carriers, to continue progressing within our Airlines Group, serving a recent trend among fee-for-departure airline profession.” more than 80 destina- tions in more than 30 pilots that has depleted the MEC’s volunteer states ranks. Fortunately for the PSA pilots, McConnell The MEC will continue to reevaluate this ar- remains with the airline, returning to his previ- rangement, giving special attention to potential Fleet: 35 CRJ200s, 24 CRJ700s, and 34 ous role as the group’s Dayton Local Executive recruiting challenges, changes to regulations, CRJ900s Council chairman. unpredictable attrition rates, adjustments to “We anticipated some of the current turnover, the airline’s aircraft delivery schedule, and so the MEC has been able to stay engaged and economic or industry changes, among other keep our pilot group focused on achieving its considerations. core goals,” said Capt. Travis Ricks, the current However, every silver lining has its black MEC chairman, who took office on January 1. cloud, and the situation at PSA is no different. Ricks brings to his new post the experience of “Our airline’s recent growth has been affected serving as a previous Contract Enforcement by higher-than-expected attrition,” Ricks ob- Committee chairman. served. “We want to not only attract and hire Adding to this change, the MEC Negotiating those who want to one day fly for American, but Committee last October reached an agreement also those who might prefer to remain at PSA with management, revising the current Special by capitalizing on improved working conditions Selection Process (SSP), which addresses the and quality of life. These measures will help PSA process by which PSA pilots are able to flow to remain competitive among its peer airlines.” American Airlines. Last fall, the airline broke ground on a new The new pilot flow-up procedure (PFP) 69,000-square-foot maintenance hangar at achieved three goals the pilots sought going into Dayton International Airport, near the airline’s negotiations: to remove the interview process, headquarters. In addition, a fourth crew base to increase the number of pilots flowing to just opened at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky

Photo: Capt. Chase Manson (PSA) American, and to put the group’s agreement International Airport.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 41 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

to work toward a deal before the contract’s Spirit August amendable date. The Negotiating Committee met repeatedly with management GETTING READY FOR A NEW throughout the spring in hopes of coming to an agreement. By summer, however, it was clear CHAPTER that talks would need to extend past August to resolve outstanding issues. The MEC’s Commu- By Jen Lofquist, ALPA Senior Communications nications Committee and Strategic Preparedness Specialist Committee members stand ready to provide the necessary information to the pilots in order to ess than a decade ago, Spirit was a small evaluate a tentative agreement in the event one Photo: Spirit airplanes lined up at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood operation with fewer than 400 pilots and is quickly reached or, alternatively, to keep the International Airport. L only three domiciles. Today, Spirit has more pilots organized and informed during a lengthier than 1,200 pilots, six domiciles, and is adding Section 6 process. new airplanes in unprecedented numbers. The “Spirit is growing faster than any other U.S. AT A GLANCE airline has more than 100 Airbuses on order airline—we’re adding airplanes and routes in Pilots joined ALPA: and will receive 52 in the next two years. And record numbers. Spirit is also the most profitable 1996 the group has been in intense negotiations for U.S. airline, with no end in sight,” said Ackerman. Number of pilots: 1,269 an amended agreement for more than eight “These numbers do not happen in a vacuum. Pilot bases: Atlantic City, months. Spirit pilots have actively contributed to this N.J.; Chicago, Ill.; Dallas, As a result, bringing stability to Spirit has been success—and we expect our contract to reflect Tex.; Detroit, Mich.; Ft. especially challenging. As the airline contin- these contributions.” Lauderdale, Fla.; and Las ues to add domiciles, routes, and destinations, The pilots’ last contract negotiations conclud- Vegas, Nev. the pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) has ed in June 2010, when, after almost four years of Headquarters: Miramar, worked to ensure that every pilot is represented. negotiations during which the company sought Fla. As new domiciles have opened, the pilots have substantial concessions, the pilots went on a Fleet: 29 A319-100s, 42 created a regional system of Local Executive five-day strike. The final agreement, reached A320-200s, 2 A321- Council (LEC) representation to ensure that under the supervision of the National Mediation 200s, and 4 A321-200 growth does not create any lapse in contractual Board, resulted in a contract with industry-lead- Spaceflexs, with an ad- ditional 22 A320-200s, protection. ing work rules and substantial raises for both 45 A320neos, 30 A321- “We’ve wanted to keep our LEC representa- captains and first officers. With an improved 200 Spaceflexs, and 10 tion consistent so that there wasn’t a divide contract in place and the opportunity for quick A321neos on order between more established bases and newer upgrades based on a significant expansion in ones,” said Capt. James Ackerman, the pilots’ fleet size, there was an influx of new pilots at the MEC chairman. “Instead, we’ve created LECs that carrier. Not surprisingly, this expansion present- span two or more domiciles so that our MEC can ed its own challenges. fully represent our pilots while being nimble “It’s important that all Spirit pilots, regard- enough to respond quickly less of when they came onto the property, are “It’s important that all Spirit pilots, regard- to situations.” involved, informed, and engaged,” said Acker- less of when they came onto the property, That ability to respond man. “There’s simply no way that we could go are involved, informed, and engaged. There’s immediately was tested this into a ratification process for a new contract with simply no way that we could go into a rati- past summer as Spirit dealt a group that isn’t unified.” fication process for a new contract with a with a major operational To this end, the MEC has engaged in an ag- group that isn’t unified.” disruption. The pilot group gressive communications campaign, including acted quickly to provide a weekly chairman’s audio message, regular temporary relief to contractual limits on flying, Payday Hotlines, and negotiations updates. The allowing Spirit to recover and return to normal group has also hosted numerous pilot unity- operations in a matter of days. However, the building events, including an event last year MEC and union representatives were careful to featuring a bonfire containing traditional paper keep track of each instance in which the com- Jepp manuals after they were replaced by far pany used the relief to ensure that the affected lighter electronic flight bags. As negotiations pilot was provided an appropriate remedy. continue, the pilot group remains hopeful that Early in 2015, the pilots agreed to meet with the 2010 agreement will soon be as outdated as

the company outside of Section 6 negotiations the old Jepp manuals. Photo: Dave F/O Waalewyn (Spirit)

42 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 more public awareness with a Sun Country successful informational picket in late April at Minneapolis–St. Paul SOLIDARITY LEADS TO International Airport. “One of the most powerful BREAKTHROUGH CONTRACT tools the Railway Labor Act al- lows labor is the ability to tell our By Rusty Ayers, ALPA Senior Communications story through the news media. Specialist Our unity showed the public that we were unified and committed nity, strategic planning, and robust two- to our cause, and the analysis that way communications can solve a lot of ALPA’s Economic &Financial Analysis Depart- Photo: Capt. Brian Roseen, left, U problems and produce lots of progress. ment provided proved that our requests were the pilots’ Master Executive Just ask the Sun Country pilots. reasonable. This gave us all the credibility we Council chairman, and Marty After being in negotiations for five years, and needed,” said Roseen. Davis, chairman of Sun Country Airlines, shake hands following with talks at a standstill, the pilots ended 2015 Negotiations intensified over the summer the contract-signing ceremony in with a new contract that’s leaps and bounds ahead after the company proposed its “first, last, and Minneapolis, Minn. of their years-old, bankruptcy-era agreement. final” offer, which the pilots rejected categori- “Our goal from the outset was to negotiate a cally. Having been in federal contract that clearly established us among our mediation since 2012, ALPA “We’re optimistic. We’re rebuilding our re- fellow pilots flying B-737s and A320s. We’ve successfully petitioned the lationship with management and our own- achieved that goal and can finally put the past National Mediation Board ers and now want to focus our attention behind us and look forward,” said Capt. Brian (NMB) to begin holding on helping our airline grow and compete.” Roseen, the pilots’ Master Executive Council mediation sessions at its (MEC) chairman. Washington, D.C., headquarters. At the same The pilots ratified the new five-year agree- time, the pilots’ Strategic Preparedness Commit- ment in late October by an 87 percent margin, tee began laying the groundwork for a potential AT A GLANCE with 94 percent of the group’s 250 members strike. Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, asked Founded: 1982 casting ballots. The deal included 20 to 30 per- the NMB in July to release the pilots from media- Pilot joined ALPA: 1996 cent pay increases on the November 1 signing tion, and by mid-September pilot negotiators date, with additional across-the-board raises believed they had reached an impasse. Number of pilots: Ap- totaling 21.5 percent during the remaining four But in late September, thanks to nonstop proximately 250 years of the contract. Other compensation-relat- intervention by the NMB and movement by both Pilot base: Minneapolis– ed items were also increased, including dead- sides, the parties reached a tentative agreement St. Paul, Minn. head pay and company retirement contributions. that resulted in the contract that was signed Operations: Based “The 87 percent approval was outstanding, a month later (see “Earning Their Place in the in Mendota Heights, Minn., Sun Country flies and the 94 percent participation was even bet- Sun,” December 2015). scheduled service to ter. But the number that really got us to where Over the last few months, the union and man- 35 destinations in the we needed to be was 100—that is, the 100 per- agement have worked together to implement United States, Mexico, cent of the pilots who approved our strike vote,” the new agreement. The airline, which previous- Costa Rica, and the Roseen explained. ly was having trouble attracting and retaining Caribbean, 15 of which are operated year-round. It was that unanimous strike vote, announced new pilots, has seen an uptick in hiring. Passen- The airline also operates at a packed local council meeting in February, ger bookings are up, and the carrier continues charter flights to numer- that gave the MEC and the Negotiating Commit- to expand, including adding new service from ous locations worldwide tee the clout they needed to convince manage- Minneapolis to Denver, Colo., later this year. and is a leading operator ment that the entire pilot group, not just a hand- Sun Country also became the first U.S. airline to of “Honor Flights” for veterans ful of pilots, was demanding industry-standard fly direct from New York, N.Y., to Cuba last March wages and was willing to do as much as the law when the U.S. resumed diplomatic relations with Fleet: 21 B-737NGs, with more aircraft leased allowed to get them. the country after more than 50 years. seasonally In response, management threatened to shut “We’re optimistic,” Roseen said. “We’re down the airline, a strategic misstep that gener- rebuilding our relationship with management ated massive negative publicity and intense and our owners and now want to focus our at- news media attention in the airline’s hometown tention on helping our airline grow and

Photo: Rusty Ayers of Minneapolis, Minn. The MEC generated even compete.”

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 43 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

Trans States

CRUISING AT ALTITUDE which endured more than five years of negotia- tions for our previous contract.” By Kimberly Seitz, ALPA Senior Communications Now the pilots and company are negotiating Specialist a letter of agreement for a preferential bidding system (PBS), together with other contractual AT A GLANCE he last year was a very good one for the changes that will further enhance the company’s pilots at Trans States Airlines. The pilots’ efficiencies and the pilots’ quality of life. Ac- Airline founded: 1982 T Master Executive Council (MEC) negoti- cording to Barnes, “Talks have been productive. Pilots joined ALPA: ated a contract extension that improved pay, It’s a complicated process to redefine Section 25 1994 benefits, and quality of life, and the company [Scheduling] of the contract to provide a founda- Number of pilots: 497 announced an expansion of pilot bases, the ar- tion for success, but we’re optimistic we can Pilot bases: Chicago, Ill.; rival of new jets, and quick upgrades from first reach a deal on PBS that benefits both sides.” Denver, Colo.; St. Louis, officer to captain. The Trans States pilot group continues to Mo.; Raleigh–Durham, “The improvements that we negotiated in the grow, with steady hiring necessary to staff the N.C. (opening in 2016); recent contract extension agreement reward additional jets added to the property in 2015. and Washington Dulles, Va. our pilots for the work they’ve done to make the That growth resulted in an expansion of the company so successful,” said Capt. Zach Barnes, pilots’ Washington Dulles, Va., domicile and Headquarters: Bridge- the pilots’ MEC chairman. “Negotiators for both the addition of a new Denver, Colo., domicile in ton, Mo. sides found common ground between the needs 2015 and Raleigh–Durham later this year. More Operations: More than of both the company and the pilots and were aircraft also means that the time it takes a pilot 237 daily flights serving more than 70 cities able to reach an agreement that the majority to upgrade remains low—at around a year, ac- as United Express and of pilots could support.” The company needed cording to Barnes. American Eagle; carried improvements to entice new pilots during its re- He added that the current success of the more than 2.5 million cruiting efforts, and the pilots wanted enhance- company and level of satisfaction within the passengers in 2015 ments to their pay, benefits, and quality of life. pilot group have been boosted by the positive Fleet: 29 ERJ 145s “Of particular note, at the time the three-year working relationship between labor and man- extension was approved it included the highest agement. “We meet with Capt. Keith Stamper, first-year first officer pay [$35.81 per hour] in our director of Flight Operations, regularly to

Top Photo: A Trans States air- the U.S. regional industry,” Barnes said. The con- mitigate contract compliance issues before they plane parked at Chicago O’Hare tract extension also included annual cost-of-liv- become grievances,” Barnes said. This coopera- International Airport. ing pay increases for all pilots, an increase to the tive relationship with management has resulted Bottom Photo: The sun shines pilots’ per diem rate, a reduction to the percent- in only three outstanding grievances at the end on a Trans States airplane at age pilots pay for health-insurance premiums, of 2014 and only four grievances filed in 2015. Washington Dulles International Airport. an increase to the company’s 401(k) contribu- “These regularly scheduled labor-relations tions, a signing bonus, and meetings go a long way toward fostering a suc- other improvements. cessful working relationship between manage- “The majority of our ment and the pilots,” Barnes said. pilots realize that this The pilot group still faces challenges in 2016, extension, which provided Barnes admitted. An uptick in attrition—with immediate gains in quality the pilots moving on to the mainline carriers of life and pay, is signifi- that have bigger aircraft—has created some cantly more beneficial than difficulties staffing committees with volunteers. engaging this company in “It’s vital to the continuing success of the MEC traditional Section 6 con- that we keep our committees fully staffed with tract negotiations,” noted volunteers so that we can properly support our Barnes. “We were able to pilot group,” acknowledged Barnes. reach this deal a mere three “It was a good year for Trans States pilots,” weeks after our contract’s Barnes concluded, “and I’m optimistic that de- amendable date, which is a spite the ongoing challenges we face, there will monumental achievement be continued growth and success for the pilots

for this pilot group, and the airline in 2016.” Photos: Capt. Zach Barnes (Trans States)

44 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 United

PILOTS CONTINUE TRADITION OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS INVOLVEMENT

By C. David Kelly, ALPA Senior Communications In 2015, 31 new-hire classes at United had 100 Photo: Capt. Jay Heppner, left, the Specialist percent participation in ALPA-PAC. United pilots’ Master Executive Council chairman, accepts the J.J. O’Donnell “We’re obviously leaving the airline and our Trophy from Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s nited pilots have a long history of involve- pilot group in good hands,” said Heppner. president. ment in government affairs, and 2015 was On the hiring front, the MEC remained active in U certainly no exception. Taking advan- recruiting new-hire pilots for United Airlines this tage of relationships cultivated on Capitol Hill past year. The MEC hosted a series of successful throughout the years, United pilots marched on fee-for-departure (FFD) pilot open houses, which AT A GLANCE the front lines battling the many threats to airline helped potential United pilots learn what it takes Pilots joined ALPA: 1932 pilots’ careers, including foreign ownership, the to get on a United flight deck. Behind the leader- U.S. government’s failure to enforce Open Skies ship of F/Os Bill Patterson and Mark Segaloff, the Number of pilots: Ap- proximately 12,500 agreements, flag-of-convenience schemes, and the MEC worked with United Human Resources and absence of commonsense laws requiring second- Pilot Recruitment personnel to host a series of Pilot bases: Chicago, Ill.; ary cockpit barriers on all airliners. United pilots webinars and conferences for ALPA’s FFD pilots Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; Guam; Houston, have constantly been engaged by participating in and friends and family members of United pilots Tex.; Los Angeles and meetings with members of Congress, taking part in to help them learn about the interview and hiring San Francisco, Calif.; ALPA’s Calls to Action, and contributing to the As- process at the airline. New York City, N.Y.; and sociation’s Political Action Committee (ALPA-PAC) In addition to helping fellow ALPA pilots at FFD Washington, D.C. and/or the United Pilots Political airlines join the ranks at United, Headquarters: Chicago, Action Committee (UPPAC). “Our careers are worth the MEC believes it owes a debt Ill. “During my years as an ALPA fighting for, and United to military pilots who have served Fleet: A319s, A320s, volunteer, I’ve always taken pride pilots have always led the nation. Helping them become B-737s, B-747s, B-757s, in how politically astute United that fight....” pilots with United is one way of B-767s, B-777s, and B-787s pilots have become and remain,” repaying that debt. said Capt. Jay Heppner, the United pilots’ Master “United has a proud history of filling its flight Executive Council (MEC) chairman. “We’ve faced decks with military veterans over the years,” said so many obstacles to our careers over the years, Heppner. “Hiring veterans is a win-win for the perhaps none more than what we face today. airline and our pilot group. We appreciate that the That’s why we continue to see so many of our Pilot Recruiting Department has worked with us members step up and participate in the process. to help those who have dedicated so much to our United pilots are well known by representatives in country learn what they need to do to continue Washington, D.C. We have a voice in the process their careers outside of a military aircraft.” that is respected and heard. The MEC plans to conduct more open houses, “It’s so important for all of us to be aware of webinars, and conferences in 2016 to continue to an ever-changing environment in our industry,” help recruit the best and brightest aviators to join added Heppner. “Our careers are worth fighting the ranks of United pilots. for, and United pilots have always led that fight. Over the past year, the MEC has welcomed a It’s always been part of the culture of the United number of fellow ALPA pilot groups—including pilot group to leave the profession in better shape Air Wisconsin, ExpressJet, Jazz Aviation, JetBlue, than we found it for the next generation of pilots. and Spirit—to its new MEC conference center in It’s that spirit that motivates so much of our pilot Chicago, Ill. The conference center’s central loca- group’s involvement in the legislative process.” tion makes it optimal for many ALPA pilot groups United pilots were recently honored with the to conduct MEC meetings, strategic planning J.J. O’Donnell Trophy, which recognizes the ALPA conferences, Negotiating Committee meetings, pilot group that, through new-hire participation and other gatherings. “We look forward to hosting and increased donations from pilots on the senior- additional meetings for our fellow ALPA pilots

Photo: Eric Davis ity list, prioritizes ALPA-PAC during the past year. during the coming year,” said Heppner.

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 45 Air Line Pilot Feature Article / PILOT GROUP PROFILES 2016

the organizing effort moving. “We didn’t want Virgin America an organizing victory that left a fractured pilot group in the aftermath. We carefully crafted our IT WAS TIME messages to make sure pilots knew we were reasonable in our goals and wanted everyone By Katy Adams, ALPA Senior Communications to be part of the union we would build at Virgin Specialist America,” explained Youngerman. After the NMB election, the temporary repre- Photo: At ALPA’s 117th regular he time had come for Virgin America pilots sentatives led a successful membership drive Executive Board meeting in to be heard collectively by management. with 95 percent of the eligible Virgin America October 2015, are, from left, Capt. Joe Youngerman, then T And on June 5, 2015—the day of the pilots joining ALPA within 90 days. The MEC temporary Master Executive National Mediation Board (NMB) election—their started making committee appointments and Council secretary-treasurer; Capt. voice was loud, unified, and strong. Of the 95 drafted a policy manual. In October, the Virgin Jose Palacios, then temporary MEC chairman; Capt. Tim Canoll, percent of eligible Virgin America pilots who America pilots were represented at ALPA’s ALPA president; and F/O Ronan voted, 75 percent voted in favor of joining ALPA. Executive Board. O’Donoghue, LAX Local Executive The overwhelming vote was the result of a Elections for permanent local representatives Council 181 vice chairman. year-long drive that began in June 2014, when were held in October and November. And, in a group of Virgin America pilots met with ALPA December, the permanent Virgin America MEC representatives to discuss union representation. elected permanent MEC officers: Youngerman, The company’s decision to reduce pilot flexibili- MEC chairman; Capt. Keith Louis, MEC vice chair- AT A GLANCE ty, not follow its own rulebook, and purposefully man; and Capt. Steve Darling, MEC secretary- Pilots joined ALPA: carve the pilots out of any significant payout in treasurer. 2015 Virgin America’s IPO were all factors that helped According to Youngerman, staffing commit- Number of pilots: More the organizing drive quickly gain momentum. tees while building the group’s internal structure than 600 After securing contact information and build- and working with management on various issues Headquarters: Burlin- ing a strong Organizing Committee, the pilots has been more time consuming than the pilots game, Calif. collected authorization for representation anticipated. Operations: Virgin election cards from a majority of pilots in one In November, the MEC Contract Study Com- America operates more of the fastest organizing drives in ALPA history. mittee met with ALPA staff to review resources than 180 daily flights Seven core organizers, supported by roughly 50 and develop a time line and work plan for serving 24 destinations organizing volunteers, decided that it was time negotiations with the company. ALPA’s Eco- Fleet: A320s and A319s to hold the airline accountable for its broken nomic & Financial Analysis Department prepared promises and to bring the pilots’ compensation and distributed an industry comparison that and quality of life more in line with other major provided pilots with data about peer compensa- U.S. airlines tion and work rules. Just a few weeks later, the committee created an internal poll that will help “It’s a seven-day-a week job, but we also realize the importance of the MEC and Negotiating Committee assess the informing our pilot group about the progress that’s being made. Pro- pilots’ goals for their first union contract. The viding consistent communications goes a long way toward keeping pilot group is also working to finish letters of the group unified.” agreement with the company to address some interim scheduling issues, provide an interim But getting to that point was no easy task. “We dispute resolution mechanism, and better estab- have a wide range of age groups and back- lish safety programs and their protocols. grounds at Virgin America, so understanding our Later this year, the pilot group will open pilots’ various points of view was important. And formal contract negotiations with management. we needed everyone to understand, regardless “We have an aggressive negotiation time line of their own circumstances, that voting ‘yes’ for and will work hard to deliver a contract that ALPA representation was something that we all allows the company to continue to improve its needed to do,” said Capt. Joe Youngerman, the business performance while still living up to pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman, a long-overdue promise to share that success who also served as the temporary secretary- with us,” noted Youngerman. “We want to make treasurer. Virgin America a career destination for pilots, Open lines of communication and a good or- not just a stepping-stone to a better one. That’s

ganizing strategy were instrumental in keeping something management should want as well.” Photo: Chris Weaver

46 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 Wasaya

TURNING A CORNER where they spent time discussing problems that Photo: Two Wasaya Beechcraft 1900s both groups recognize must be fixed for the parked on the ramp at Sioux Lookout Airport. By John Perkinson, Staff Writer airline’s continued restructuring efforts to truly become successful. ith company restructuring nearly While the pilot group appears to be making complete and pressure to accept inroads with the Wasaya’s senior management, AT A GLANCE W concessions behind them, the pilots it continues to face challenges with several mid- Airline founded: 1989 of Wasaya Airways are hopeful that they can level managers who view the pilots’ collective Pilots joined ALPA: begin a new chapter with their airline. During agreement as an unnecessary distraction. To 2008 the restructuring phase that took place for much combat this situation, the pilot group maintains Number of pilots: 78 of the last two years, the airline, which serves a robust dispute resolution system where they communities throughout Ontario, pressured often turn to the government’s Federal Media- Pilot domiciles: Thunder Bay, Pickle Lake, Sioux labor groups, including the pilots, to renegotiate tion and Conciliation Services (FMCS) to provide Lookout, and Red Lake, their contracts. an experienced conciliator to assist the parties in Ont. “The company unilaterally cut our benefits mediating their disputes. “While grievances can Hub: Thunder Bay, Ont. and pension,” noted Capt. James Harding, the pi- take time to process, we’ve found that mediation Fleet: Beech 1900Ds, lot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC) chair- under the auspices of the FMCS has expedited Cessna Caravan 208Bs, man. “However, we grieved this action, went resolution to our disputes in a manner that both Hawker Siddeley 748s, to mediation, and the lost money was awarded parties generally find satisfactory,” said Harding. and Pilatus PC-12s back to the pilot group,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that we even have to go down These days, Wasaya is beginning to show signs this path, but we remain optimistic that through of growth. The airline is looking at new routes to our new senior management team, the days of complement its flying network and is consider- willfully and intentionally violating our collective “The company uni- ing a fleet upgrade. The carrier is also hiring agreement will soon come to an end.” laterally cut our pilots but, like many regional carriers, is having The MEC served its notice to bargain just after benefits and pension. difficulty finding qualified candidates. Harding the new year and looks forward to a collaborative attributes the growth and recent pilot optimism and efficient round of collective bargaining under However, we grieved to the airline’s new senior management team. Rodyniuk’s leadership. The MEC leaders continue this action, went On June 8, 2015, Michael Rodyniuk became the gearing up for negotiations to ensure that they to mediation, and airline’s latest president and CEO, succeeding represent their members’ goals for what will be the lost money was Tom Morris. Rodyniuk brought with him several the third contract since joining ALPA. awarded back to the experienced executives, including new Vice Meanwhile, the airline has added service to pilot group.” President of Finance and CFO Nick Purich, who Sandy Lake and Big Trout Lake in Ontario and together take a more businesslike approach to offers new nonstop service from Thunder Bay to the operation—one that has been welcomed by Webequie and Pikangikum. The carrier recently the airline’s 11 First Nation owner communities removed one of its Dash 8s from service; howev- and the pilot group. Under its new leaders, the er, the other Dash 8 continues to operate, flying Ontario carrier is already seeing improvements gold-mining charters to the northwest portion of in on-time performance, baggage and cargo the province. Wasaya also added a B-1900 to the handling, and general customer service. fleet and is contemplating the possible addition In addition to the airline’s revamped op- of Saab 340s to its aircraft mix later this year. eration, the new management team is actively Wasaya maintains hubs in Thunder Bay and engaging Wasaya’s pilot leaders. “Mr. Rodyniuk Sioux Lookout, Ont., offering scheduled and has contacted us on several occasions to share charter passenger and cargo service. The carrier information and genuinely solicit feedback. We transports food, clothing, bulk fuel, and other es- appreciate his efforts and look forward to what sentials to 25 remote communities in Ontario. we hope will be a mutually beneficial relation- Sadly, the year ended on a somber note with ship,” Harding said. As part of this effort to es- the loss of Capt. Nick Little, who on Decem- tablish a good rapport, the MEC officers invited ber 11 was operating Wasaya Flight 127 that Rodyniuk to the ALPA Canada Board holiday crashed in Pickle Lake, Ont. The accident is still

Photo: WikipediaPhoto: reception in Ottawa, Ont., this past December under investigation.

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2016-0102-ATP-ALPA-FP.indd 1 12/9/15 9:30 AM Photo: Air Line Pilot archives Celebrating piloting profession. today’s airlineindustryandthe and peoplewhohelpedshape takes alookattheissues,events, Years,” inaseriesofarticles, sary thisJuly,“Celebrating85 to celebrateits85thanniver- Editor’s note:AsALPAprepares Writer Staff Perkinson, John By Voice” A Needed They Pilots Spoke for “A Man Who Saluting When When

8 5 I during ablindingsnowstorm. engines failedoverWesternSprings,Ill., himself sufferedinjuriesin1934whenhis for saferoperatingstandards.Behncke part ofitsreasonforexistence—topress accidents, promptingtheAssociation—as of thesepilotswouldlaterdieinaircraft 27, 1931,toestablishtheAssociation.Many at theMorrisonHotelinChicagoonJuly Men) toaprivatemeetingBehnckecalled these professionals(knownastheKey commonplace. whim. Notsurprisingly,accidentswere norm, andaviatorscouldbefiredona vacation time.Pilotpushingwasthe hourly flyinglimitationsoranyregular no hopeofaraise,andtherewere earned aslittle$150amonthwith tation wasrudimentaryatbest.Pilots noble causeunselfishlyanddevotedly.” most ofitinservicetoothers,pursuinga of lifethatisgiventofewus.Hespent observed, “DavidL.Behnckelivedthekind Pilot dedicatedtothisindustrypioneer a legendintheairlineindustry. Dave Behncke,ALPA’sfirstpresidentand couldn’t goitalone.ThatpilotwasCapt. successful inrightingthesewrongshe together, fullyunderstandingthattobe He hadtheforesighttobringothers the servicehewasprovidinghisairline. and thathiscompensationdidn’treflect lishment of laws to set minimum rates lishment oflaws tosetminimumrates ALPA’s first president, but it was his vision ALPA’s firstpresident,butitwashisvision for the Association that represents his for theAssociationthatrepresentshis Behncke had a remarkable career as Behncke hadaremarkablecareeras It’s easytounderstandwhatled24of In thelate1920s,cockpitinstrumen- A specialMay1953issueofTheAirLine In additiontolobbying fortheestab- basic operational safety protections basic operationalsafetyprotections recognized thathisprofessionlacked n theearlydaysofairtravel,onepilot his sights on national airline policy. his sightsonnationalairlinepolicy. true legacy. He understood that the true legacy.Heunderstoodthatthe nation’s airlines were powerful and nation’s airlineswerepowerfuland La Guardia by his side, Behncke set La Guardiabyhisside,Behncke set that pilot contracts could be only that pilotcontractscouldbeonly marginally effectivewithoutleg- and Mayor of New York Fiorello and MayorofNewYorkFiorello islative andregulatorybacking. President Franklin Roosevelt President FranklinRoosevelt With influentialfriendslikeU.S. the Line, irregularities. when investigatingaccidentsandother tor, anddefendantallatthesametime should serveasjudge,jury,prosecu- He madethecasethatnosingleagency for anindependentairsafetyboard. Decision 83),Behnckealsoadvocated the earlydays,NationalLaborBoard’s of payandmaximumhoursflying(in place inagreat newindustry.” a firm,hairyhand, todignifythepilot’s a voice…andhelped,ifsometimes with who spokeforpilotswhenthey needed a briefmoment…insaluteto a man everywhere willcometoattention for butions: “Todayairlinepilotsand flyboys aviation pioneer’sextraordinarycontri- Paul Harveyhadthistosayaboutthe 1953, ABCRadioNetworksbroadcaster Line Pilots’Associations. of theInternationalFederationAir ALPA, healsoservedasthefirstpresident of UnitedAirlines.Duringhistimewith Air Transport,whichlaterbecamepart military service,wenttoworkforBoeing Airlines and,followingabriefreturnto neapolis–St. Paul,Minn.,forNorthwest U.S. mailbetweenChicago,Ill.,andMin- aerial barnstormingshow.Heflewthe I armytestpilotandlateroperatedan Wisconsin nativeservedasaWorldWar the unionandhirereplacementworkers. limiting management’sabilitytosidestep effective meanstosettledisputeswhile would provideALPAmemberswiththe amendment tothisimportantlegislation Act. Heunderstoodthataddingapilot the AssociationunderRailwayLabor also responsibleforhelpingmaneuver to alignALPAwithotherunions.Hewas with theAmericanFederationofLabor was inthenation’sinterest.” as anindividualwhosepersonalwelfare portraying theprofessionalairlinepilot not function.Behnckehadsucceededin cog withoutwhichthesystemcould sional airlinepilotastheindispensable “Congress hadcometoregardtheprofes-

Flying As GeorgeHopkinsnotedinFlying Following Behncke’s death on April 14, Following Behncke’sdeathonApril14, Before hisdaysatALPA’shelm,the Behncke movedquicklytoaffiliate January-February 2016AirLinePilot which recounts ALPA’s history, which recountsALPA’shistory,

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Photos, Please To view more photos from ALPA’s Air Safety Organiza- @ tion Steering and Oversight ALPA work Committee meeting, scan the Advancing the Profession…Pilots & Staff QR code.

riers that have ALPA-represented pilots SOC Reviews Extensive have yet to establish Pilot Assistance Committees, and Capt. Murray Munro (Jazz Aviation), the Canada Pilot Assistance Work of ASO Group chairman, said the key to growing By John Perkinson, Staff Writer this program is education. “Every time we Unauthorized individuals trying to LPA’s Air Safety Organization strap into the access cockpit jumpseats continues to be (ASO) Steering and Oversight a problem, said F/O Rich Odbert (FedEx Ex- A Committee (SOC) assembled at the pilot’s seat, we press), ALPA’s Jumpseat Council chairman, Association’s Herndon, Va., offices Dec. manage risk.” who encouraged pilots-in-command to 15–16, 2015, for an end-of-year meeting to check all required forms of identification. discuss safety, security, and pilot assis- CAPT. JOE DEPETE, ALPA’S FIRST In a separate presentation, Capt. Mark tance policies and projects and to make VICE PRESIDENT AND NATIONAL Harrison (FedEx Express), the ASO com- plans for the new year. SAFETY COORDINATOR munications coordinator, announced “Every time we strap into the pilot’s plans for promoting the ASO in 2016 and seat, we manage risk,” said Capt. Joe Capt. Frank Cheeseman (United), ALPA’s showed the “Get to Know Your ASO” DePete, ALPA’s first vice president and Human Factors and Training Group chair- video, which explains the organization’s national safety coordinator, in his opening man, said that he’s been busy helping the structure and function. “We have to get the remarks, emphasizing the important work FedEx Express Master Executive Council message out,” said Harrison, emphasizing of the ASO. develop an updated program that better the importance of communicating what DePete, who moderated the event, integrates human factors into its pilot the ASO does to broaden its reach and added, “I hate to hear, ‘It’s never been done training programs. grow its ranks. that way’ or ‘we can’t do that,’” noting that Improving communications among In addition, Capt. Jim Bigham (JetBlue), he wants ASO leaders to feel empowered technical group chairmen to help them his pilot group’s Master Executive Council to do their jobs. He thanked these officers better coordinate their efforts and resolve chairman, briefed the SOC on JetBlue’s for their talent, passion, and professional- problems is a priority, said Capt. Brian proposed ab initio pilot training, which the ism, adding that he hoped the meeting also Moynihan (Alaska), who spoke to the com- airline refers to as its Gateway 7 program. would provide them with an opportunity mittee as its new Safety Council chairman. During Tuesday night’s dinner, Capt. to “talk shop” and share ideas. The SOC also listened to discussions Charles Hogeman (United), ALPA’s Avia- As part of the two-day agenda, safety centered on security-related projects tion Safety chairman, presented a plaque technical group chairmen briefed the and concerns. Capt. Robert Hamilton to Capt. Bill de Groh (Envoy Air) for his committee on current priorities, offering (PSA), ALPA’s Security Council chairman, nearly decade of service as ALPA’s Aircraft personal observations and answering ques- covered a variety of topics, including the Design/Operations Group chairman. De tions from the group. Among these presen- importance of instilling a security mindset Groh is stepping down from this position tations, Capt. Rip Torn (Delta), chairman of in new pilots and the training available to as he transitions to a new airline. ALPA’s Air Traffic Service Group, discussed help facilitate this effort. Current members of the SOC include the union’s participation at the National Capt. Louise Cullinan (Mesa), the DePete; Hogeman; Capt. Wolfgang Koch Air Traffic Controllers Association “Com- Critical Incident Response Program Group (Delta), ALPA’s Aviation Security chair- municating for Safety” conference in 2015. chairman, shared what took place at the man; Capt. Jerry McDermott (United), He noted that ALPA pilots participated in first-ever Pilot Assistance Workshop, which ALPA’s Pilot Assistance Group chairman; two of the conference panel discussions. included the establishment of the Global and Capt. Brian Shury (Jazz Aviation), Capt. Steve Jangelis (Delta), who chairs Pilot Support Network. Capt. Pat Cowle ALPA’s Canadian representative. The SOC the Airport Ground and Environment (United), ALPA’s Aeromedical Group chair- is responsible for reviewing ASO matters Group and serves as the ASO’s Air Safety man, talked to the committee about the involving programs, priorities, policy, vice chairman, talked about the work of rare but very serious concern of aerotoxic budget, expiring terms of office, and the FAA Air Traffic Organization–created syndrome—exposure to toxic chemicals membership needs. The committee also Airport Construction Advisory Council that can emanate from synthetic jet engine evaluates proposed projects, determining and working group, which looks at the op- oils. appropriate budget levels for assignments

erational impact of airport improvements. In Canada, several of the country’s car- the group approves. Perkinson John Photo:

50 » Air Line Pilot January-February 2016 Health Watch

Photo: iStock.com L pledges each year. After all, the Centers pledges eachyear.Afterall,theCenters common goalsforpeoplemakingthese improved fitnessareamongthemost chology pointsoutthatweightlossand many ofusdon’tfullyconsider. habits, orevenlifestyles—anotionthat cess oftenhingesonourabilitytochange new yearoftenfallshortofourgoal.Suc- make acommitmentatthestartofeach ourselves, butthevastmajorityofuswho tions reflectsanadmirabledesiretobetter desired goals.Theinspirationforresolu- By ALPA Staff ALPA By Resolutions Year’s New Rethinking A studyintheJournalofClinicalPsy- how we go about achieving our how wegoaboutachievingour year’s resolutionsneedtorethink et’s faceit,mostofuswhomakenew

demned to push a huge boulder up a hill, demned topushahugeboulderuphill, Greek mythology,Sisyphuswascon- characterized asthe“Sisyphuseffect.”In capable ofdoingatayoungerage. resolution basedlargelyonwhatyouwere no gain,”tooliterally.Bewareofmakinga because peopletaketheadage,“nopain, they seeatthebeginningofyear report anuptickinthenumberofpatients many doctorsandphysicaltherapists our desiredresults.It’snotsurprisingthat the bartoohighandsimplycan’tattain are unrealisticgoals.Wesometimesset mindsets andouroldhabits. we haven’tcommittedtochangingour ary manyofusbegintobackslidebecause be ontherightcourse.However,byFebru- plan toreachourgoals,andweappear Canadians 18andolderareobese. ernment reportsthatalmost20percentof percent areobese,andtheCanadiangov- Americans over20areoverweightand35 reports thatapproximately70percentof for DiseaseControlandPrevention 2. 1. keep, considerthefollowingadjustmentstohelpstaycourse: If you’vemadeahealth-relatedresolutionthisyear,onethatyouintendto MAKING ITWORK Another shortsighted goal can be Another shortsightedgoalcanbe At therootofmanyfailedresolutions We begineachJanuarywithaflight Don’t aspire Tweak yourthinking—Don’taspire cerns, consult your personal physician. cerns, consultyour personalphysician. live with.Ifyouhavequestions orcon- weights andstretching—thatyou can routine—one thatalsoincludes lifting don’t overdoit.Establishaworkout gressive cardiovascularexercise, but want toreplaceawalkwithmoreag- your currentlevelofactivity,youmay Know yourlimitations—Basedon the day’sactivities. exercise butalsotodecompressfrom Use thisasanopportunitytogetsome location, walkonthehoteltreadmill. at alayoverhotelinquestionable ute walkeveryday.Ifyou’restaying Instead, committotakinga30-min- to loseacertainnumberofpounds. 5. 4. 3. success andlong-termhealthbenefits. we approachthisthatcandetermineour definitely thewaytogo,butit’s ing andmakingtherightfoodchoicesare eating healthycanbeachallenge.Exercis- at manylayoverhotels,workingoutand the numberofpoorfoodchoicesoffered the disruptionstopilotsleeppatterns,and sedentary natureofanairlinepilot’swork, healthier lifestyle.Giventhesomewhat that yourecognizeneedtoleada improve yourfitness,chancesaregood to makearesolutionloseweightor resolutions, yearafteryear. ourselves compelledtosettheverysame of uswhofollowthispatternmayfind and inconsistentworkoutroutines.Those back intoourunhealthyeatinghabits diet andexerciseplan,sometimesslipping pounds arelost,wethenstrayfromour to loseasetnumberofpounds.Whenthe process foreternity.Manyofusresolve watch itrollbackdown,andrepeatthis vides optionsfor hotel-room workouts. gyms; andtheAugust 2011issue, whichpro- 2013 issue, whichfeatures anarticleonairport workout appyou canuseanywhere; theMay 2015 issue, whichhighlightsaneasy-to-use ditional info, includingonesfrom theDecember Check outpast“HealthWatch” columns for ad- Need More Motivation? exercise thegoal. cising toreachagoal;makeroutine Keep going—Don’tstartoffbyexer - community areimmeasurable. benefits ofbeingpartaworkout friends orfamilyjoinagym.The “accountability buddy.”Workoutwith to reportsomeoneelse.Selectan with yourfitnessgoalsifyouhave Go social—You’remorelikelytostick routine thefollowingday. about it.Simplyresumeyourworkout happen fromtimetotime.Don’tworry day’s schedule?Assumethatthiswill just don’thavetimetofititintothat cising becauseofalengthytriporyou Stick withit—Whatifyoumissexer- Be honest with yourself. If you decide Be honestwithyourself.Ifyoudecide

January-February 2016AirLinePilot

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52 www.alpa.org/ourstories Stories Our O » of thing more often,” Gruver chuckled. of thingmoreoften,” Gruverchuckled. the BuffaloRose wisheswe’ddothiskind drinks toRockUnitedattendees. “Infact, made morethan$9,000selling foodand ing lastOctober’sprogram,the Saloon than happytohosttheeventgratis. Dur- for free.TheBuffaloRoseisalso more don’t havetobuyaticket;thebandsplay for theevent. gether,” andthisideabecametheimpetus about howwecouldgetourbandsto- with whatIheard.startedtothink catch oneofbands,andIwasimpressed groups. “MywifeandIwenttoDenver their freetime,playedforColorado-area several tripswithfirstofficerswho,in for morale,”hesaid. thought aneventlikethiswouldbegood bankruptcy, andotherchallenges,I thrown overallofuswith9/11,United’s cause ofthecold,wetblanketthatwas United employeesclosertogether.“Be- for thelastfouryearsasawaytobring nized thisannualcharitableconcert band Stone’sThrow,Gruverhasorga- Bass playerfortheformerColorado-area moter, B-737Capt.JeffGruver(United). United Airlinescommunity. Foundation, charitiescloselytiedtothe donated toPilotsForKidsandtheCAUSE this yeartotalednearly$20,000,were proceeds fromthisspecialevent,which name ofRockUnited.Mostimportantly, ees—graced thestage,jammingin feature Unitedpilotsandotheremploy- Metro Haven,andDocHaZe—bandsthat Two TrickPony,theDukeStreetKings, in Golden,Colo.,tolistenlivemusic. By John Perkinson, Staff Writer Staff Perkinson, John By Charities For Pilots Air LinePilot January-February 2016 Rock United’s approach is simple. You Rock United’sapproachissimple.You Gruver notedthatyearsagoheflew At theheartofRockUnitedisitspro- the historic Buffalo Rose Saloon the historicBuffaloRoseSaloon people huddledintothehallsof n Oct.25,2015,morethan500 Rock Out Rock “That yearweraisedmoneysolelyforPi- pilots—people Iknew,”saidGruver. Zeppelin andBlackSabbath. classic-rock coversfrombandslikeLed noting thatthegroup’splaylistfeatured “We tendedtoplaylater,”heremembered, Throw, playedthefirstcoupleofyears. only abandortwo.Gruver’sgroup,Stone’s and friends,somechoosetostayfor lighter farefirst.Peoplebringtheirfamilies hotel stays,andahostofotheritems. lator time,guitars,sportsmemorabilia, items likeridesonaerobaticflights,simu- runs duringtheshow.RockUnitedraffles large-scale rafflethatGruver’swife,Linda, The moneycomesfromdonationsanda United benefitcharities? played lastOctober. individual Facebook pages of thebandsthat be sure to“like” thepage. Alsocheckoutthe visit To learnmore aboutRock United, Rock United rockunited4.com The CauseFoundation Pilots forKidsCharityand in afundraiserbenefiting Join friendsandflyingpartners Doc HaZe Metro Haven The DukeStreetKings Two Trick Pony Featuring: “The first year, all four bands included “The firstyear,allfourbandsincluded The musiclineuptendstostartwiththe So howdoesRock

Denver RockUnitedonFacebook and facebook.com/DenverRockUnited UNITED ROCK 2pm-9pm October 25 Sunday (donations greatly All ageswelcome 1119 WashingtonAve. NO COVER! The BuffaloRose, Golden, COGolden, 80401 appreciated) buffalorose.net keep coming. to runthisevent foraslongpeople ing forUnitedbeforeheretires andplans says hehasaboutninemoreyears offly- others alsocontributetheirtime. festival’s always-amusingemcee. Many audiences entertainedeachyearasthe Capt. Karl“Kru”Kruegerhelpskeeps bands aren’tparticipating.AndUnited always abighelp,evenwhentheir founding fathers,addingthatthey’re refers tothesegentlemenasthefour managing manyofthedetails.Gruver Lamotte haveallbeeninstrumentalin Miller andF/OsJamesLewisAndre United Capts.LarryHawkinsandBryan he andLindacan’ttakeallofthecredit. a lotofworktoputtogetherandthat acknowledged thatRockUnitedtakes playing thebassguitarsinceage12, head withaBroncosgame,”Gruversaid. of ouraudienceifwetriedtogohead-to- turnout. “We’dprobablylose20percent would beparamounttoachievingagood arranging futureconcertsatthistime uled toplay.RockUnitedrealizedthat week whentheNFLteamwasn’tsched- during aDenverBroncosbyeweek, this year’slineup. tendant andarampworkerwerepartof least oneUnitedemployee.Aflightat- that playsinthefestivalmustincludeat this event.”Gruvernotedthateveryband employees involvedifweweretogrow that wewouldneedtogetotherUnited lots ForKids.However,wesoonrealized Andre Lamotte,F/OJamesLewis,andGruver. Above: Fromleft,UnitedCapt.BryanMiller,F/O Left: Capt.JeffGruver(United)playinghisbassguitar. Jam Session Hoping to catch Rock United? Gruver Hoping tocatchRockUnited? Gruver The formerAirForcepilot,who’sbeen By chance,theveryfirstshowwasheld

Photos: Courtesy Capt. Jeff Gruver (United) ALPA Pilots Safeguard the Environment On Every Flight Every day, airline pilots work to protect the environment, safely enhance e ficiency, limit noise, and save money. Here are just a few examples of how airline pilots who transport both passengers and cargo ly green every day and on every light when safely able, and where operaionally approved.

Using Shuting down single-engine unnecessary outbound taxi power during inbound taxi

Minimizing use of auxiliary Using reduced power units Flying with verical precision separaion navigaion minimums Exercising Employing coninuous descent technology- arrival and enhanced opimized descent departure procedures procedures Choosing opimal speed light plans Operaing at opimal alitude

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 53 54 ALPA » Secretary Administration/ Vice President– Couette Capt. William President Capt. TimCanoll information onALPA’s national For completebiographical Officers National Air LinePilot January-February 2016 State Apt. New address Airline Member # Name PO Box1169,Herndon,VA20172-1169 ALPA MembershipAdministration label onthebackcover—andsenditto clip outthisform—alongwiththemailing new [email protected];or 1-888-359-2572, thenpress3;e-mailyour Please callMembershipAdministrationat HAVE YOUMOVED?

QR code. alpa.org orscan the officers, visitwww.

Resources Treasurer Finance/ Vice President– Helling Capt. Randy Zip City President First Vice Capt. JoeDePete

Photos: Chris Weaver nine 3×3sub-gridsthatcomposethegridcontainalldigitsfrom1to9. Complete thesudokupuzzlesothateachcolumn,row,andof ALPA Sudoku States ExpressJet, PSA,Trans Atlantic Southeast, tional, AirWisconsin, Air TransportInterna- (Air Wisconsin)  Massey (Delta)  vice presidentsrepresent,visitwww.alpa.org/evp. For moreinformationonwhichpilotgroupsexecutive Executive Vice Presidents

Capt. ChrisSuhs Capt. Andrew 8 5 4

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Contact Numbers America Sun Country,Virgin Island Air,Mesa, Alaska, EnvoyAir, Stuart, Jr.(Alaska)  (United)  9 2 1

Capt. Paul Capt. Paul Capt. LarryBeck

4 7 1

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Wasaya Air, JazzAviation, Canadian North,First Bearskin, CalmAir, Aviation) AirTransat, Adamus (Jazz  (FedEx Express) Sklenka  6 1 9 3 7 4 5 2

Capt. Dan Capt. Dan Capt. Russell

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Piedmont, Spirit Air, Hawaiian,JetBlue, CommutAir, Endeavor McMackin 

Capt. Mike Capt. Mike

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Editor in Chief Sharon R. Bhagwandin Associate Managing & Production Editor Susan Fager ALPA Information Numbers Staff Writer John Perkinson Senior Advocacy Writer Linda Shotwell The following ALPA resources may be reached by e-mail or by dialing, toll-free, 1-888-359-2572 Magazine/Graphic Designer Susan Boulter (1-888-FLY-ALPA). Once connected, press the # key on your phone and dial the last four digits of the number listed below. However, the ALPA main number, ASPEN, the Membership and Insurance toll-free ePublishing Editor Jesica Ferry number, and Membership Administration numbers need to be dialed directly. Web Coordinators Chris Weaver, Suzi Fenton Supervisor, Creative Services Kelly M. 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To subscribe go to Balloting ([email protected]) 703-689-4262 703-689-4105 www.alpa.org/subscriptions or call 703-481-4460. 703-689-4173 Information Technology Retirement and Insurance Advertising: Any advertising appearing in Air Line Cashiering ([email protected]) and Services ([email protected]) Pilot cannot be construed as being an endorsement 703-689-4385 ([email protected]) 703-689-4114 by the Air Line Pilots Association, International or its 703-689-4237 Communications Strategic Member Development members. The publisher reserves the right to reject, ([email protected]) Legal ([email protected]) and Resources discontinue, or edit any advertisement. 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Membership Administration ALPA Headquarters: 1625 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036 To obtain membership account information or to update your records or your postal or e-mail address via the Internet, go to the My ALPA area of Crewroom.alpa.org; or dial the toll-free number 1-888-359-2572 Postmaster: Send address changes to Air Line Pilot, (1-888-FLY-ALPA) and choose menu option 3,3. Listed below are the telephone numbers of MEC offices. PO Box 1169, Herndon, VA 20172-1169. Air Transat–TSC MEC Delta–DAL MEC Mesa–MAG MEC 1-888-337-2033 404-763-4925 602-306-1116 Other Organizations ALPA Aeromedical Office 303-341-4435 Air Transport International– Endeavor Air–PCL MEC *North American–NAA MEC ALPA Federal Credit Union 1-800-747-2349 ATI MEC 855-PCL-ALPA 513-257-7662 505-263-8838 Envoy Air–ENY MEC Piedmont–PDT MEC ALPA Accident/Incident Hotline Air Wisconsin–ARW MEC 817-685-7474 339-987-1277 If you are involved in an accident, incident, or alleged 1-800-ALPA-ARW ExpressJet–XJT MEC PSA–PSA MEC violation of a federal aviation regulation, contact your Alaska–ALA MEC 206-241-3138 281-987-3636 703-481-4444 local or central air safety chairman, regional safety chairman, or the worldwide ALPA accident/incident Atlantic Southeast–ASA MEC FedEx Express–FDX MEC Spirit–SPA MEC hotline at 202-797-4180 (collect calls are accepted) 404-209-8566 901-752-8749 1-855-SPA-ALPA for an immediate response 24 hours per day. As a Bearskin–BRS MEC First Air–FAB MEC Sun Country–SCA MEC backup number, call 703-892-4180. 807-628-5683 1-877-459-3272 952-853-2393 To report a safety problem or airspace system deficiency,­ call 1-800-424-2470 or e-mail Calm Air–CMA MEC Hawaiian–HAL MEC Trans States–TSA MEC [email protected]. 204-471-1000 808-836-2572 412-780-9036 Canadian North–CNP MEC Island Air–AIS MEC United–UAL MEC 2016 EBCB Schedule 780-718-6012 808-838-0188 847-292-1700 The Association’s Election and Ballot Certifica- tion Board’s schedule for counting ballots is *CanJet–CJA MEC Jazz Aviation–JAZ MEC Virgin America–VRD MEC February 10, March 10, April 11, May 10, June 1-800-959-1751 1-800-561-9576 435-962-0951 10, July 11, August 10, September 9, October 11, CommutAir–CMT MEC JetBlue–JBU MEC Wasaya–WSG MEC November 10, and December 9. 440-985-8579 603-303-2195 807-624-7270 Any ALPA member in good standing may be *Compass–CPZ MEC *Kelowna Flightcraft–KFC MEC present as an observer during any meeting. Contact 952-853-2373 905-630-4341 the Association’s Membership and Council Services Department for scheduling. *Pilot group in custodianship

January-February 2016 Air Line Pilot » 55 Take care of your ground crew.

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