Pilot Group Updates Pt. 1: Alaska & Hawaiian, Air Canada & WestJet, JetBlue & Spirit

2023 was a historic year for ALPA with record contracts, picketing events, and membership growth. In part one of this two-part series of interviews, ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sits down with the chairs of several pilot groups to discuss the challenges and successes they earned this year, and how they’re continuing to support ALPA members.

Beginning late last year, the pilots at Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines kicked off a series of strong contracts across the union when they successfully negotiated huge wins in their new contracts. Capt. Ambrosi talks with Capt. Will McQuillen (Alaska) and Capt. Larry Payne (Hawaiian) about the tactics and collaboration that helped their success.

Also in this episode, Capt. Ambrosi talks with the Air Canada pilot group’s chair, First Officer Charlene Hudy, and the WestJet chair, Capt. Bernie Lewall. The Air Canada pilots are currently negotiating a new contract, while the WestJet pilots narrowly averted a strike this past spring to secure their new contract. Capt. Lewall also shares updates on the pilot group’s merger with Sunwing. Finally, Capt. Chris Kenney (JetBlue) and Capt. Ryan Muller (Spirit) discuss how they’re working to protect their pilot groups as the government decides if the two airlines will be allowed to merge.