THE PILOTS OFA L PA 2 012 or the pilots of Calm airline currently has 16 pilots work hard for the pilots.” Air, who fly sched- who will fly that aircraft. With benefits such as an Fuled passenger and The MEC’s main focus for employer-matched pension cargo service throughout 2012 will be preparing for plan, an employee share northern Manitoba, Nunavut, negotiations, as the pilots purchase plan, a fairly flexible and the western shores of are rounding out year five of schedule, and competitive Hudson Bay and the high a six-year contract, which is salaries, Calm Air provides a set to expire in early 2013. lifestyle appealing to many The MEC is looking forward pilots, Cowan says. “We’re still to negotiations and working a fairly young pilot group, but Calm Air to improve on what the the demographics are slowly pilots feel is “an already very changing,” says Tremaine. “I Pilots Catch Arctic, positive change is good contract,” says Cowan. think we will see more pilots definitely in the wind. “The number of pilots who staying at Calm Air for the An Updraft “It’s an exciting time at are leaving the airline has balance of their careers.” And Reap the company,” says Capt. dropped significantly since “As pilots on the job, we Positive Dan Cowan, the pilots’ last year, and we’ve been always have the support of our Master Executive Council Changes (MEC) chairman. The By Lynn Konwin, ALPA number of pilots increased Senior Communications by approximately 15 to 20 Specialist percent in 2011, and the parent company, Exchange Income Corporation (EIC), is bringing on new aircraft— D328 jets to begin service in early 2012 for medical services travel as a result of the company’s securing a contract with the govern- ment of Nunavut. Though an increase in new hires, expansion of service, and newly acquired equipment are A Calm Air HS748 on short final at Churchill Airport in welcome, these gains come Manitoba, Canada. with certain challenges. “We welcome the positive direction expanding and changing our company, and one of our goals in which we’re heading, but fleet consistently enough to will be working with manage- there is also a huge challenge keep the training department ment to ensure that Calm Air for the MEC to ensure that our here very busy.” continues to be an airline that new pilots are provided with Cowan and the other pilots aspire to work for, not the proper tools to succeed MEC members, Capts. Lance leave from,” says Cowan. and that our MEC continues Tremaine, the vice chair, and to use the resources available Richard Cenerini, the secre- to us,” says Cowan. “One big tary-treasurer, believe frequent CMA at a Glance lesson I’ve learned is to use communication is necessary n Pilots joined ALPA: 1997 the expertise and experiences to remain a strong and unified n Number of pilots: 117 of other ALPA pilot groups pilot group. “We try to com- n Operations: Scheduled passenger such as the one at Bearskin municate as much as we can and cargo service throughout northern Manitoba and Nunavut, the newest and Airlines, which is also owned with our pilots,” Cowan says. largest territory in Canada, including by the EIC.” Cowan also credits “The MEC flies a full block so destinations along the western shores of the Jazz MEC with assisting there is always time for mem- Hudson Bay and into the high Arctic. them through the complex bers to meet and talk with n Pilot bases: Thompson and process of bringing on new us to express concerns and Winnipeg, Man. n Headquarters: Thompson, Man. equipment and routes by offer opinions,” notes Cowan. n Fleet: 6 Saab 340s, 1 Hawker Siddeley helping to establish a formula “The MEC leaders will do our HS748, 2 ATR 72s, 5 ATR 42s, and 2 D328s for pay rates for the D328. The absolute best to make sure we to be put into service in early 2012 January/February 2012 Air Line Pilot 29.