Alpa > Press Room > Walking the Line

United, Continental Pilots March on UAL World Headquarters

December 3, 2010 - More than 150 pilots converged on United Air Lines’ World Headquarters on Wednesday to express their displeasure with United’s continued practice of outsourcing. Braving a chilly, snowy Chicago day, the pilots walked in four orbits during the two-hour picketing event. United and Continental pilots were joined by their brethren from Delta, American, Mesa, AirTran, and ExpressJet. Read more.

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Hundreds of Pilots Turn Out for Newark, Houston Picketing to Support Continental, United Pilots’ Stand Against Outsourcing

November 24, 2010 - More than 650 pilots from Continental and United were joined by fellow ALPA pilots and members of other pilot unions in informational picketing in Newark on November 22 and in Houston on November 23 to stand united against management’s plans to continue and expand the practice of outsourcing flying to other airlines. Pilot participation exceeded 350 in Newark and 300 in Houston. Read more.

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CommutAir CLE Info Picket a Huge Success

October 29, 2010 - More than 75 ALPA pilots from 14 ALPA airlines answered the call, picketing at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Oct. 26, and sending a strong message to CommutAir management that the piloting profession will not accept any lowering of standards for regional airlines. Read more.

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Spirit Pilots Approve New Contract
Pay Raises, Industry-Leading Work Rules End Four Years of Talks

July 23, 2010 - Spirit Airlines pilots have ratified a new contract containing substantial pay raises and industry-leading work rules, following four years of talks and a June strike. Represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), 96 percent of the eligible Spirit pilots voted, with 74 percent approving the new agreement. Read more.

Jazz Pilots Ratify TA

July 9, 2010 - The Jazz MEC received the results of their TA ratification vote with a solid 86 percent of pilots voting in favour of the TA out of 90% who voted. “These are obviously very strong results,” said Captain Brian Shury, MEC Chair. “Our members have spoken with a clear and unequivocal, unified voice.” Read more.

Spirit Pilots Reach Tentative Agreement

June 18, 2010 - Spirit pilots reach a tentative agreement with management, ending the five-day strike. If ratified by the pilot group, the resulting new contract would include double-digit pay increases, as well as better benefits and work rules that recognize and reward the pilots’ contributions to the company’s success. Read more.

AirTran Pilots Pound the Pavement for New Contract

December 18, 2009 - Approximately 250 AirTran pilots marched on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, last Friday, to bring their demands for a fair contract before the public and media. On Wednesday, more than 50 pilots took the same message to General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, where they also protested the outsourcing of their flying to SkyWest.

Flash file Watch video coverage of the Atlanta event

Midwest Pilots, Employees Commemorate End of Legacy Midwest Airlines

November 6, 2009 - On Monday night, November 2, hundreds of Midwest Airlines pilots, flight attendants, and their families greeted the crew of Midwest Airlines Flight 210 at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wis. This flight marked the end of B-717 operations and the end of legacy Midwest Airlines.

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Flash file Watch the video commemorating Midwest Airlines Flight 210

Record Crowd Attends Continental Unity Event

September 11, 2009 - This past weekend, the Continental pilots held a landmark MEC unity event in Cleveland—one of the largest in ALPA history. During the three-day affair, nearly 600 pilots and family members attended the Cleveland Air Show to meet with other pilots and families, local council reps, MEC committee members, MEC chairman Capt. Jay Pierce, and ALPA president Capt. John Prater.

Read more about the unity event

Flash file Watch video coverage of the event

Hawaiian Pilots Vote on Strike Authorization, Picket Honolulu

August 28, 2009 - Hundreds of Hawaiian Airlines pilots conducted informational picketing outside Honolulu International Airport Tuesday as the pilots’ union began asking Hawaiian cockpit crewmembers to give their union leadership the authority to declare a strike.

Trans States Pilots Protest Corporate Greed over Family Need

July 26, 2009 - Trans States pilots were joined by family members and Air Tran and United pilots during an informational picketing event Sunday at Washington Dulles International Airport. The joint picketing/family awareness activity was designed to protest corporate greed over family need and TSA management’s refusal to earnestly participate in the negotiations process to reach a deal on their contract. Pilots and their families also visited the Smithsonian Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center after the picketing event.

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Continental Pilots Send Message at Continental Stockholders Meeting

June 10, 2009 - The Continental Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), conducted informational picketing today at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Houston, site of the Continental Airlines annual stockholders meeting.

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Pinnacle Pilots Picket Memphis Shareholders Meeting

May 22, 2009 - Pinnacle pilots yesterday conducted informational picketing at the 2009 Pinnacle Airlines Shareholders Meeting to mark the fifth year of their contract negotiations. The pilots urged management to bring this round of bargaining to a close; substantial progress has been made in recent weeks, and the pilots want that progress to continue.

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AirTran Pilots Protest Five Years of Frustration

May 22, 2009 - Nearly three dozen AirTran pilots picketed at the company’s annual shareholder meeting Wednesday near Orlando, Fla., where the airline is based. The pilots have been in contract talks for nearly five years, and frustration with management’s foot-dragging at the bargaining table is mounting.

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Jazz Pilots Show Strength in Unity
Receive $5 Million MCF Grant for Strategic Preparedness

May 7, 2009 - More than 130 Air Canada Jazz pilots and their families joined ALPA President Capt. John Prater for their first official “Strength in Unity” rally on May 2 in Toronto to kick off the commencement of pilot contract negotiations scheduled to begin soon.

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Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Picket Honolulu Airport, Launch Advertising Campaign to Jump-Start Stalled Negotiations

April 6, 2009 - Saying “Two years is too long” to wait for a fair contract, Hawaiian Airlines pilots picketed at Honolulu International Airport and took out ads in Hawaii’s largest newspapers on Monday in an effort to jump-start stalled negotiations with management.

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Alaska Pilots, Families Rally to Reach Agreement

March 7, 2009 - Hundreds of Alaska Airlines pilots and family members turned out in Seattle, Anchorage, and Orange County, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, for Family Awareness Rallies, less than 12 hours after the Negotiating Committee reached an agreement in concept with management for a new contract.

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Trans States Pilots Picket Washington Dulles

November 25, 2008 - Trans States pilots conducted informational picketing at Washington Dulles International Airport today to protest their management’s refusal to earnestly participate in the negotiations process. Walking with the TSA ALPA members were fellow pilots from Comair, American Eagle, ExpressJet, and Air Wisconsin.

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Flash file Watch video coverage of the picketing

Trans States Pilots Picket at Lambert-St. Louis International

November 20, 2008 - Nearly 40 ALPA pilots braved a frigid morning in St. Louis to participate in the first informational picketing event by Trans States Airlines pilots in more than 3 years. During the 3-hour silent picket held at Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, the pilots’ silent protest drew many passersby, local news media coverage, and scrutiny from Trans States management.

Midwest Pilots Take Picketing Efforts in New Direction

October 31, 2008 - On Friday, October 31, a contingent of Midwest Airlines pilots staged a peaceful demonstration in Southeast Milwaukee at the exclusive lakefront estate of Midwest Airlines CEO Timothy Hoeksema. The event was conducted at the entrance to the private driveway Hoeksema shares with several neighbors.

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Evergreen Crewmembers Informational Picket at JFK
Pilots and flight engineers march to express dissatisfaction with limited advancement in contract negotiations

October 27, 2008 - Evergreen International Airlines (EIA) crewmembers, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association Int’l (ALPA), conducted informational picketing on Monday at JFK International Airport. In the fourth year of negotiations, Evergreen crewmembers have seen minimal progress at the bargaining table and little interest from senior-level management to come to an agreement for a new contract, despite the involvement of a mediator. Flightcrew members for the cargo airline have not had a new contract since 1999.

DHL Pilots to UPS Management: Don’t Pick Up Our Cargo

July 25, 2008 - On Thursday, more than 60 ALPA members from ASTAR and other groups picketed in front of UPS World Headquarters in Atlanta to protest the proposed agreement to take on all DHL’s North American flying.

Hundreds Gather for United Family Unity Rally in California

June 16, 2008 - Hundreds of pilots, flight attendants, machinists and members of other unions gathered on Thursday, June 12 in Woodland Hills, Calif., for the United Family Unity Rally.

Continental pilots demonstrate in Houston to show solidarity

June 11, 2008 - The Continental pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l. (ALPA) demonstrated today at the Continental Airlines headquarters in Houston and at local Sam Houston Park to show their solidarity and tell management that “the loan is due.” Over five hundred Continental pilots participated in the event, as well as pilots from other ALPA carriers and independent pilot unions. At the rally, they were joined by their families, Continental employees from other unions and representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

Alaska Shareholders, Board of Directors Hear from 400 Pilots

May 22, 2008 - More than 400 Alaska Airlines pilots picketed in Seattle, Anchorage and Orange County on Tuesday in conjunction with the Alaska Air Group Shareholders Meeting. Outside the meeting at the Boeing Museum of Flight in Seattle, more than 300 pilots were joined by more than 50 other uniformed Air Group employees, including Horizon Air pilots who are also in negotiations for a new contract. Pilots from carriers including United, FedEx, Continental, Delta, and UPS joined the picket as well.

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May 1, 2008. Pinnacle Pilots Send Strong, Unified Message to Management

May 1, 2008 - Nearly 150 Pinnacle pilots, joined by other ALPA pilots and others, marched in front of the corporate headquarters of Pinnacle management in Memphis, Tenn., protesting the glacial pace of their contract negotiations, now in their fourth year. Management continues to ignore the pilots’ contributions to the success of the airline.

Read more about the picketing

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Pilot Action Draws TSA Chief

March 19, 2008 - March 19, 2008 will not go down in history as the day pilots were finally treated with dignity at screening. But it may be the day that makes that day possible. ALPA pilots picketed Washington National Airport and the Transportation Security Administration headquarters demanding the agency fix the screening process.

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“Intolerable!”
ALPA pilots picket coast-to-coast to back British Airways pilots

March 15, 2008 - In a stirring show of cross-Atlantic unity, ALPA pilots conducted informational picketing across the United States on Saturday to demonstrate solidarity with their union brothers and sisters at British Airways (BA) as they fight their management’s attempt to start a new airline without using pilots from their seniority list.

Continental Pilots Swarm New York Financial District

March 12, 2008 - More than 500 pilots from Continental and other ALPA pilot groups sent a strong message to New York City’s financial markets: management must deal with pilots to build successful airlines.

The Continental pilots’ March 12 Unification Rally in the Financial District and Battery Park was supported by ALPA leaders and SPSC members. Among the pilot groups represented were Alaska, Delta, ExpressJet, and United. Speakers included Continental MEC chairman, Capt. Jay Pierce, local union representative Capt. Al Brandano, and ALPA president, Capt. John Prater.

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Champion Pilots Hit the Pavement

January 15, 2008 - More than 30 pilots demonstrated their union solidarity by participating in “Operation Full Court Press,” an informational picketing event outside Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City on Tuesday evening. Hosted by Champion Air pilots, the protest—conducted prior to the Washington Wizards/New York Knicks basketball game—was staged to recognize Champion Air’s three-year anniversary of negotiations with a management team that is less than willing to come to the negotiating table to discuss an industry-average contract. ALPA pilots from ASA, ATA, Continental, Delta, ExpressJet, Pinnacle, and TSA, as well as members of the Writers Guild of America, joined the picket line.

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Spirit Pilots Conduct Informational Picketing in Detroit on December 10

December 10, 2007 - The Spirit pilots recently sent their management the message that it is taking far too long to get the fair and equitable contract that they deserve.

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Spirit Pilots Rally Against Management

November 1, 2007 - More than 25 Spirit pilots recently held an informational picketing event outside of Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to continue sending their message to management that they are not backing down from obtaining a fair contract. The pilots were joined by their fellow ALPA brothers and sisters from Polar Air Cargo, ASTAR Air Cargo, Champion Air, and other pilot groups. Several days before the event, the ALPA Corporate Rat made an appearance on the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale as Spirit pilots and their families held a beach party rally to let their management know that they are ready to “take it back.” More than 120 were in attendance for a day of fun, food, and great music. The Spirit pilots are currently in mediated negotiations and were recently awarded a $2 million grant from ALPA’s Major Contingency Fund by the Association’s Executive Board.

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Champion, Pinnacle Pilots Rally to Protest Slow Progress of Negotiations

October 11, 2007 - The Champion Air and Pinnacle Airlines pilots conducted their first joint ALPA pilot rally in recent history on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. The historic event to protest the cumbersome negotiations process endured by each pilot group for nearly 3 years was coordinated by First Officer Tracy Webb, the Champion SPC chairman, and Capt. Erik Addy, the Pinnacle SPC chairman.

Watch video footage of the rally: DSL/Cable | Dial-Up

ASTAR Pilots And ALPA President Picket Management

September 18, 2007 - ALPA’s president, Capt. John Prater, joined nearly 150 ASTAR Air Cargo pilots as they kicked off informational picketing in downtown Wilmington, Ohio, on September 13 to show their continued unity in achieving a fair contract. After 3½ years of contract negotiations, management continues to deliberately stall and make unfair concession demands on pilots.

Trans States Pilots Rally Against the Rat

August 15, 2007 - In an expression of frustration over protracted negotiations and in recognition of the first anniversary of the amendable date of their contract, Trans States Airlines pilots and pilots from other ALPA and non-ALPA pilot groups gathered in St. Louis on August 10 to rally against the rat—Trans States management.

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June 14, 2007 - About 60 Alaska pilots—joined by their families, Alaska flight attendants, and ALPA pilots from Continental, FedEx, and Horizon—picketed outside the Alaska Air Group Shareholders Meeting in Anchorage Tuesday afternoon. ALPA President Capt. John Prater joined the pilots on the picket line, at the shareholders meeting, and at a post-meeting rally.

Read more about the picketing

Continental Pilots Rally at Shareholders’ Meeting on June 12

June 12, 2007 - Just under 100 Continental pilots participated in a rally held in conjunction with the Continental shareholders meeting today, Tuesday, June 12 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Houston.

ALPA and Other Transportation Unions Rally in Washington, D.C.

May 18, 2007 - More than 200 ALPA pilots, family members, and staff rallied May 17 for the 2007 Transportation Day of Action in front of the U.S. Capitol to declare “Enough Is Enough” to Washington politicians who’ve turned a deaf ear to their transportation worker constituents and allowed airline managements to manipulate union, pension, and bankruptcy laws.

Watch video coverage of the rally: Windows Media file DSL/Cable | Dial-Up

More Than 200 United Pilots Conduct Info Picketing at UAL Shareholders Meeting in Chicago

May 11, 2007 - More than 200 pilots on Thursday told United CEO Glenn Tilton, shareholders and the board of directors that a fairness and equity problem is permeating the upper ranks of the airline’s management. Carrying signs and placards proclaiming, “Fix It Now!” and “UAL CEO: $40 Million. Labor $0. This is Sharing?,” pilots and other employees reminded management that the time has come for it to recognize and respect labor’s sacrifices and contributions made during the airline’s darkest economic days.

Scores of Northwest Employees Rally in Detroit Against Executive Greed

April 20, 2007 - More than 250 Northwest Airlines employees rallied yesterday in Detroit to voice their anger with Northwest executives and their plan to use employee pay cuts to reward themselves with $400 million, when the company emerges from bankruptcy. Northwest pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and ground workers were joined by ALPA pilots from Champion, Continental, ExpressJet, Mesaba, Pinnacle, Spirit, United, and US Airways as they picketed at the DTW Metro Airport and rallied at a nearby park.

Northwest Airlines Pilots Picket in MSP

March 8, 2007 - Northwest Airlines pilots, including their entire Master Executive Council (MEC), picketed yesterday at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport to inform management that the pilots deserve and expect to share in the airline’s success. Northwest pilots also expressed their anger that Northwest management will soon announce a new executive compensation plan that will reward the same executive team that led the airline into bankruptcy.

Comair Rally Draws Big Guns

February 5, 2007 - One day after the bankruptcy judge delayed issuing a ruling on Comair managements’ requests for a strike injunction and to strip parts of the 1113 proposal that would benefit the pilots, more than 350 pilots and family members rallied to show their dissatisfaction. They were joined by ALPA leaders, including president, Capt. John Prater, and vice-president, Capt. Bill Couette.

Comair Pilots Continue to Walk the Line

December 14, 2006 - Comair pilots conducted informational picketing on Wednesday at the Cincinnati airport Delta terminal.

ALPA Joins D.C. Rally to Restore Worker’s Rights

December 8, 2006 - ALPA pilots and staff joined scores of other unions in a rally today in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol to demand that the next Congress restore and honor the rights of airline pilots and other working Americans.

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ASTAR Pilots Picket Company, Demand Contract After Three Years of Talks

December 8, 2006 - Angry over managements’ deliberately slow pace in negotiating a new contract, more than 70 pilots of ASTAR Air Cargo picketed in downtown Miami, home of the ASTAR corporate offices, and at the Plantation, Fla., corporate offices of DHL on December 6. The informational picketing served as a public display of the pilots’ unity and frustration with the lack of progress in their contract negotiations. The ASTAR pilots were joined by several pilots from Polar Air Cargo, including several MEC leaders.

Comair Pilots Picket at Delta’s Doorstep

December 6, 2006 - Comair pilots conducted informational picketing December 6 outside the Atlanta corporate offices of Comair parent company, Delta Air Lines. The pilots carried signs with slogans like “It’s not the cost of labor/ It’s the lack of leadership” and “Talk to us, not to the bankruptcy court.” The pilots were protesting Delta and Comair managements’ decision to sidestep the negotiations process and file an 1113(c) motion. The court will rule on whether Comair management is allowed to repudiate the pilot contract and impose terms of employment.

Pinnacle Pilots: Taking It to the Streets

December 5, 2006 - Nearly 200 pilots, flight attendants, and one giant rat shut down a major business route in front of the Pinnacle Airlines company headquarters in Memphis, Tenn., to demonstrate against management’s greed and unwillingness to negotiate a contract that recognizes the pilots’ contribution to Pinnacle’s continual profits.

Watch video coverage of the picketing: Windows Media file DSL/Cable | Dial-Up

Pinnacle pilots: “We’re not going anywhere”

November 8, 2006 - With the unwavering resolve “we’re not going anywhere,” Pinnacle pilots rallied today in Minneapolis to protest management’s refusal to seriously negotiate their contract for more than a year.

ALPA’s president, Capt. Duane Woerth, and Pinnacle MEC chairman, Capt. Wake Gordon, have recorded a video, championing the pilots’ resolve to protest management’s intransigence.

“The pilots’ message is simple: We want management to come to the table and negotiate a fair contract,” Woerth said. “This is a company that’s making money, a company that’s growing, and it has a pilot group that is energized and should be optimistic. Now management has a decision to make--deal with us now or deal with us later.”

Pilots and management remain far apart on issues such as retirement, scheduling, job security, and compensation. Both sides entered mediated negotiations in late September.

“Pinnacle pilots love their jobs, but management’s pay, benefits and work rule proposals are unacceptable and substandard,” Gordon says. “We don’t want to hurt this airline, but we will not settle for a contract that ignores the dedication and sacrifice we have made and continue to make to keep Pinnacle profitable.”

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Alaska Pilots Send Message of Unity