Like you, your fellow members of the Air Line Pilots Association, International have aimed aluminum at a runway thousands of times, watched the rabbit disappear into the fog, kicked out the crab in the touchdown zone, and done the thousand little and big things you do to convert kerosene into passenger seat miles or cargo ton miles. They’ve also elected their local executive council and master executive council reps, voted tentative agreements up or down, and used ALPA’s resources, credibility, and clout to make the airline industry more competitive, more secure, and ever safer. Many of their issues are your issues, too, so please take the time to read the profiles included within the next 32 pages, including your own. A United B757-200 sits at the terminal at San Francisco International Airport. Photo by F/O David Kolodziej (United) January 2014 Air Line Pilot 15 THE PILOTS OF ALPA 2014 AirTran Pilots Navigate a Turbulent Transition by Toni C. Vacinek the AirTran Master Executive Southwest operations during ALPA Senior Council (MEC), the pilots have 2014 with the final AirTran Communications Specialist overcome numerous ordeals flying being completed that can accompany an acqui- around year’s end. ATN at a Glance uring 2013, the pilots sition of this magnitude. “This coming year will Pilots joined ALPA: 2009 of AirTran Airways The Milwaukee (MKE) bring the integration of the Pilots: 1,000+ Dbecame immersed in B-737 domicile was closed in majority of the premerger Pilot domiciles: Atlanta, Ga., the transition to Southwest March, and those MKE-based AirTran pilot group,” says and Orlando, Fla. Airlines. More than 500 pilots pilots were sent to their Capt. Mark Hatten, the pilots’ Headquarters: Dallas, Tex. completed training to be- awarded positions, some MEC chairman. “Throughout Operations/services: AirTran come Southwest line pilots. becoming Southwest first of- the entire process, the Airways, a wholly owned As 2014 begins, more than ficers and some remaining at constant has been the pro- subsidiary of Southwest 1,000 pilots remain at AirTran. AirTran to then fly the B-717. fessionalism of the AirTran Airlines Co., offers coast-to- coast and near-international Last year was full of The Orlando (MCO) base for pilots. With all that this pilot service with around 340 flights multiple challenges relating AirTran B-737s was closed by group has weathered, it con- a day to 35+ domestic and 7 to the Southwest acquisition. September, and those pilots tinues to rally and support near-international destinations. The company’s decision to were sent across the partition each other in every situation, Fleet: 72 B-717s and 33 B-737s sublease AirTran’s B-717 fleet to Southwest first officer making the needs of fellow to Delta left the pilot group positions despite several pilots the overall priority.” disenchanted and angered. senior pilots holding B-717 The MEC’s primary focus An arbitration process dealing captain awards. These and this year will be the single with the sublease and its other unexpected changes representation of both the effect on the ratified integra- from the ratified agreement AirTran and Southwest pilot tion agreement began in have caused disruption and groups as operations will September 2012 and came to financial harm to AirTran be combined by the end of a close in November 2013. At pilots. the year. And while ALPA’s stake were captain positions, As the transition continues leaders and staff remain com- compensation, and base and the number of pilots mitted to making available preference. working under the AirTran all union resources to the In May, an collective bargaining agree- AirTran pilots, preparations arbitrator de- ment declines, the MEC for change in union represen- termined that continues the business of tation must move forward. the complaint representing its pilots. Many The MEC leaders recognize was within the officers, committee chair- the value in a single, unified jurisdiction of men, and volunteers have pilot group at Southwest and the dispute transitioned to Southwest, plan to continue working resolution and other AirTran pilots have with the Southwest Airlines process. The stepped in to do the work. Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) second arbitra- With more than 600 pilots to blueprint the process and tion brought a expected to remain at AirTran establish a suitable time line. disappointing throughout the summer, the In 2014, the remaining conclusion to MEC’s efforts to represent AirTran pilots will take part the process their interests will continue. in the final integration of the when the AirTran pilots saw the two airlines and the eventual AirTran Local Executive arbitrator rejected AirTran Southwest Atlanta pilot single-carrier status. This Council 71 chairman Capt. pilot claims and declined to domicile open on Aug. 1, group of pilots will conclude Jim Gallagher and (former) remedy the problems pro- 2013. This bittersweet a proud chapter of airline AirTran F/O Christi Taylor duced by the B-717 sublease. event brought back several history and begin the next in the cockpit of their Throughout both the former AirTran pilots who chapter as Southwest Airlines B-717. Taylor transitioned arbitrations and the wait- had already transitioned to pilots. The final and lasting to Southwest Airlines in ing period in between, the Southwest and demonstrated legacy of AirTran pilots will February 2013. AirTran pilot group main- a more tangible blending of be one of excellence, dignity, tained consummate profes- the operations. AirTran routes and regard for their fellow sionalism and unity. Led by will continue to transfer to pilots. 16 Air Line Pilot January 2014 Air Transat Navigating Troubled Waters by Jen lofquist “The fleet [letter of under- Temporary Foreign Worker ALPA Senior standing (LOU)] signed in 2010 Program has long threatened Communications Specialist was very much the product the airline piloting profession of the time. The LOU could in Canada—and Air Transat s 2013 comes to a not ensure the sustainability in particular, because of its close, the flightcrew of Air Transat and our jobs,” holiday travel focus—by tak- Amembers of Air says Roy. “We were inventing ing jobs away from furloughed Transat continue to navigate a unique operating model Canadian pilots. Some of the a number of challenges, as we went along. We ended problems were based in the including working with a new up with a multitype internal government’s lack of under- Master Executive Council ‘accordion’ fleet, with several standing of the airline piloting (MEC), dealing with unhelp- of our pilots having ful government actions, and dual qualifications.” transitioning to a new in- The old LOU was house fleet. based on a model of In May 2013, the MEC reciprocity and on experienced its own chal- traditional staffing lenges as new leaders were rules. These had to put into place due to a sudden be completely revised turnover. Working with ALPA to work with the new national officers and legal fleet arrangement. The counsel, temporary leaders new LOU ratified in were quickly selected; a 2013 delivers signifi- temporary MEC chairman was cant benefits—pilots named with the sole duty of with dual qualifications Capt. Patrice Roy, the temporary MEC chair, in the cockpit. holding elections as quickly as will continue to earn their possible for MEC chairman, applicable widebody salary profession. For instance, there vice chairman, and secretary- when flying B-737s, pilots seemed to be confusion treasurer. These officers will flying B-737s will retain their between a type rating and a hold their positions until permanent bases even during pilot certificate. Also, although February 2014. seasonal operations, and pilots Citizen Immigration Canada “Without effective leader- will enjoy better salary protec- called for reciprocity between ship, no group functions prop- tion and recognition of service the number of foreign workers erly,” comments Capt. Patrice in a higher classification. coming into Canada and the Roy, the pilots’ temporary MEC However, most importantly, number of Canadian pilots chairman. “We were able to the pilot group will have a having foreign opportunities, lean on ALPA national to help stable level of employment— no clear standard existed as to us find a way for our pilots to crewmembers will be able to what that reciprocity meant reconnect with the leadership, shift from one aircraft type to in practice. ALPA’s Canada and we needed to rebuild trust another during seasonal highs Board and Government within the organization.” and lows in traffic. In addition, Affairs Department lobbied In the midst of the change the profit sharing the group in Ottawa, Ont., for stronger in MEC leaders, Transat A.T. accepted in 2012 in lieu of language and a distinct defini- TSC at a Glance (the parent company) an- salary increases has paid off, tion of reciprocity. Pilots joined ALPA: 1999 nounced in May 2013 that with each pilot receiving a 7 “Although this past year has Number of pilots: 425 when its charter contract percent bonus in 2013. been challenging,” says Roy, Headquarters: Pierre E. with CanJet expires in May The first B-737 will be “we have moved forward by Trudeau International Airport, 2014, it will not be renewed, introduced in February 2014, unifying not only within our Montreal, P.Q. and Air Transat’s fleet will be to be followed by four more group, but with the other pilot Pilot bases: Montreal, P.Q.; Toronto, Ont.; and Vancouver, B.C. brought in-house. The pilots permanent B-737s by May 1. groups in Canada. It’s only by were pleased as they had been An additional challenge cooperation that Air Transat Fleet: 9 A310s and 12 A330s, plus 5 B-737s arriving in 2014 eager to operate all Air Transat stems from a situation cre- pilots can work through these flying since negotiating the ated not at the airport, but in difficult times and come out charter contract in 2010.