Shows
Talk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastALA-HAL: State of the Merger After SOCWith Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines attaining Single Operating Certificate (SOC) status at the end of October, the two airlines are now a single carrier from the FAA’s perspective. To discuss how this marks an important transition for our pilot groups, Alaska MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Hawaiian MEC Chair Larry Payne sit down to offer their perspective on the state of the merger and what comes next with respect to our joint contract negotiations and the evolution of the airline. They also discuss recent hiring trends, route announcements, and important changes to our contract language that will come in...
2025-11-0826 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: Pilot Assistance - Pilots Supporting PilotsWith Hawaiian pilots facing an array of changes related to the Alaska merger, in this episode we’re putting a spotlight on one way the union can help pilots navigate times of stress: our Pilot Assistance Committees. These five committees - Aeromedical, CIRP, HIMS, Pilot Peer Support, and Professional Standards - are staffed by pilot volunteers providing confidential support and guidance to other pilots.
To explain these programs and how they can help, we speak with HAL Pilot Assistance Committee Chair Pam Huber, HAL Aeromedical and Pilot Peer Support Chair Deigo Sanchez, and HAL Professional Standards Chair Ry...
2025-10-2754 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastALA-HAL: Aircraft Orders, New Base, and JCBAIn this episode, our Alaska and Hawaiian MEC Chairs, Will McQuillen and Larry Payne, sat down to provide their thoughts on the recent announcements about the Seattle 787 base and the future aircraft orders. The discussion also touched on the status of JCBA negotiations and what pilots can expect moving forward.
2025-07-0216 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastALA-HAL Merger Status Update (May 2025)In this episode, our Alaska and Hawaiian MEC Chairs, Will McQuillen and Larry Payne, as well as our Joint Negotiating Committee Co-Chairs, David Wilhelm and Doug Grant, all sat down to provide an update on the status of our Alaska-Hawaiian merger and the state of our Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiations. Through the episode, we covered several topics, including the union’s actions during the last six months to prepare for negotiations, the importance of unity, current perspective on negotiations, and what happens once a Tentative Agreement is reached.
2025-05-0733 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: Meet Our HAL MEC RepresentativesIn this episode of Talk Story, we’re putting the spotlight on our HAL MEC Representatives. We have three new HNL LEC 065 Representatives who took office at the beginning of March – Block 1 Rep. Dan Moore, Block 3 Rep. Justen Taafaki, and Block 4 Rep. Makoa Gaughen-Haili. In the first segment, we discuss their experiences as incoming Reps, what inspired them to serve, their interactions with the Alaska Reps, and their primary goals for their current terms.
In the second segment, we bring in our CVG LEC 060 Representative Trent Madsen, who talks through the challenges facing our freight pilots and thei...
2025-04-2624 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: Setting JCBA Goals; Bidding with ALVIn our latest episode of Talk Story, HAL MEC Chair Larry Payne and HAL MEC Block 3 Representative Sean Kimura explain what was achieved through the mid-January meetings between the Alaska and Hawaiian MECs, where Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) goals were established. They discuss how the bargaining priorities were determined, the pilot input and feedback that went into those priorities, and a look ahead to the beginning of negotiations.
In the second segment, Scheduling Committee Chair Anthony Fink covers a broad range of bidding and scheduling subjects, including how the Average Line Value system works, how Over...
2025-01-3128 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: The Merger Process and Pilot ParticipationWe’re approaching one year since the initial Alaska-Hawaiian merger announcement. In this episode, Hawaiian MEC Chair Larry Payne and Merger Committee Chair Eric Thorstad give an overview of the potential changes that are coming as a result of the merger, what effects they might have, and the ways our pilots can make an impact on the process.
Among the topics covered:
Current JCBA Follow-Up Survey & Pilot Participation
Potential Route Changes
TPA Protections
Value of LEC Representation
Average Line Value & Reduced Block
Merger Committee Communications & Feedback
Seniority List Integration (SLI) Data Verification
MEC Ground School Lunches
...
2024-11-2423 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastMeet the Negotiating Committee Chairs of the Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines PilotsWith the merger transaction between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines now final, the separate pilot groups from each carrier will continue the process of combining into one. A significant part of that includes negotiating a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) under which the new combined pilot group will work. The Master Executive Councils (MECs) of each pilot group, as part of the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), have elected six pilots (three from each airline) to negotiate with Alaska Airlines on their behalf. This episode introduces the Negotiating Committee Chairs from each MEC - Alaska MEC Negotiating Chair David...
2024-10-0424 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastFirst Joint Alaska/Hawaiian MEC EpisodeIn this episode, Co-hosts Alaska Communications Chair David Campbell and Hawaiian Communications Chair Mike Davis interview Alaska MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Hawaiian MEC Chair Larry Payne. Captains McQuillen and Payne discuss the vision they share for the collective future of a combined pilot group and the critical importance of pilot unity, engagement, and feedback in upcoming contract negotiations.
In addition to the episode’s audio content, please watch the video linked below to hear more from the two Union Chairs and other pilots from each carrier.
VIDEO (https://alahal.alpa.org/announcement)
JOINT...
2024-09-2827 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: DOJ Extension, TPA, Scheduling ChangesIn this episode of Talk Story, HAL MEC Chair Larry Payne and HAL Negotiating Chair Doug Grant sit down with Communications Chair Mike Davis to discuss a number of recent developments, including a 10-day extension of the Department of Justice antitrust review, the ratification of our new Transition and Process Agreement, and the upcoming changes to PWA Section 21 (Bidding) and 22 (Scheduling).
Also, for more details on the bidding and scheduling changes coming in September, please check out our previous episode from February 2023 titled "Scheduling Changes Within the TA". Many of the changes discussed in that e...
2024-08-1027 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: TPA Negotiations and MEC ElectionsIn this episode, we'll be covering two separate developments coming in the next two weeks: the beginning of negotiations for a Transition and Process Agreement (TPA) and Hawaiian MEC Officer elections, both happening in early May. Discussing both topics are HAL MEC Chair Larry Payne and Joint Negotiating Committee member Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz, along with HAL Communications Chair Mike Davis.
Through the discussion, the group tackles a number of questions, including:
What are the next steps in the strategic plan? [1:37]
What’s in a TPA and why is it important? [2:42]
How does the new CVG LEC affect the...
2024-04-2726 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: Strategic PlanningThis episode, Hawaiian Airlines MEC Chair Larry Payne, ALPA National SPSC Chair Ronan O’Donoghue, and HAL Strategic Planning Committee Chair Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz sit down with HAL Communications Chair Mike Davis for a roundtable discussion of strategic planning. The group gives their thoughts on the purpose of strategic planning and a synopsis of the various methods involved. They also give an overview of the major takeaways from the latest round of joint Alaska-Hawaiian strategic planning sessions, which were facilitated by the ALPA National SPSC team and focused on the ongoing merger process.
2024-03-0825 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: Hawaiian-Alaska Merger OverviewOn December 3, Hawaiian Airlines announced a merger agreement with Alaska Airlines. To talk about what the merger process will look like going forward for our pilot group, MEC Chair Larry Payne, Joint Negotiating Committee appointee Rob Willoughby, and Merger Committee Chair Eric Thorstad joined Communications Chair Mike Davis for an in-depth discussion of the merger.
Among the topics discussed: an overview of the merger process, preparations for Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiations, major tenets of ALPA Merger Policy, and the logistics of Seniority List Integration.
Episode recorded December 22, 2023
2024-01-0431 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastHAL Contract Explained: VacanciesListen as HAL MEC Strategic Planning Chair Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz discusses our contractual vacancy language with HAL Vacancy Committee Chair Chad Holcomb. The two cover a broad range of topics within vacancies, including bidding timelines, category freezes, activation and effective dates, and much more.
To summarize some of the concepts discussed in the podcast, we’ve put together the following helpful infographics:
Vacancies (Part 1): http://tinyurl.com/ms26zt8e
Vacancies (Part 2): http://tinyurl.com/etdtxput
2023-12-1333 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastHAL Contract Explained: VacationThis month, we're taking the scenic route on our HAL Contract Explained series, as Block 3 Rep. Sean Kimura is joined by Negotiating Committee Member Rob Willoughby and Secretary Treasurer Sean Lee to dive into the details of PWA Section 6: Vacation! Listen as Rob explains the finer points of our vacation contract language: how we accrue and use vacation, how the number of slots is determined, how vacation can be cancelled, and more!
For more information, check out our custom HCE: Vacation infographics:
Vacation Bidding: https://tinyurl.com/bde43khs
Vacation Accrual: https://tinyurl...
2023-11-1122 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastHAL Contract Explained: Scope - Mergers and FragmentationHost Sean Lee is joined by Negotiating Committee member Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz to discuss all the protections our PWA provides in the case of a merger or acquisition. To see the topics summarized, please check out our infographic on the subject:
Mergers and Fragmentation: https://tinyurl.com/ydd9tv37
2023-09-3014 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastHAL Contract Explained: ScopeListen to the second episode of our HAL Contract Explained series, covering the topic of scope! Scope is the foundation of an airline union contract, ensuring our job security. In this episode, Secretary-Treasurer Sean Lee sits down with Scope Chair Doug Brayham and Negotiating Committee Member Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz to discuss protections surrounding feeder carriers, code shares, and joint ventures.
To help summarize the topics discussed, we’ve provided the following infographics for handy reference:
Scope – Feeder Carriers and Code Shares: https://tinyurl.com/26yh8st8
Scope – International Code Shares: https://tinyurl.com/2rux6hd4
2023-09-0921 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: Talk Safety with Bennet WalshThis week, we Talk Story with HAL Managing Director of Safety and Security Bennet Walsh. HAL MEC Central Air Safety Chair Captain Scott Clark and HAL MEC Member F/O Sean Lee discuss the new FOQA crosstalk LOA.
See more of HAL Contract Explained here: https://www.alpa.org/hal/contract/contract-explained
2023-08-1753 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastHAL Contract Explained - Deadheads
This episode kicks off our brand new "HAL Contract Explained" series, where we break down one contract subject each month with our contract experts. The first episode features Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz from the Negotiating Committee, as we discuss the subject of Deadheads.
We also recommend looking at these handy infographics, which help break down the subjects covered in the episode:
HCE Deadhead - General: https://tinyurl.com/42c7actwHCE Deadhead - Seating Assignments: https://tinyurl.com/wje8dzua
Please send any feedback on our new series to halcommunications@alpa.org.
2023-08-0207 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story – Scheduling with Ted Hebert, Fatigue 101This month, we meet with Scheduling Committee Member Ted Hebert in his new role reviewing monthly pilot parings on behalf of the Pilots of Hawaiian Airlines.
Ted shares his best tips and tricks when it comes to monthly bidding, as well as how to survive an IROP.
Later in the show, we’re joined by the HAL MEC Fatigue committee, fresh off of a all-pilot call on the same subject.
2023-05-3129 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - Scheduling Changes Within the TANegotiating Committee member Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz sits down with MEC Block 4 Rep. Sean Lee to discuss the new bidding and scheduling language negotiated as part of our new Tentative Agreement. Among the changes discussed: the 24-hour scheduling system, reserve changes (including long call reserve and biddable RAPs) scheduling flexibility, bidding within the Average Line Value system, new order of assignments, and more. (Originally published February 2023)
2023-02-0926 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story – Final LanguageWith a proposed new contract being offered to the Pilots of Hawaiian Airlines to inspect and ratify, HAL MEC Negotiations Chair Doug Grant and MEC Chairman Larry Payne discuss the next steps on the road to ratification.
Talk Story is produced by the HAL MEC in Honolulu, Hawaii.
2023-01-1920 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story – The life of a Freight DogThinking of bidding cargo? Join HAL MEC Cargo Committee Chairman George Chetcuti in a discussion on exactly what it takes to fly freight. George is a former DHL cargo pilot with 33 years of ALPA service.
We’ll also hear from HAL MEC Chairman Captain Larry Payne and ALPA Contract Administrator Brett Eckelberg recap the year 2022 for Hawaiian Airlines.
2022-12-2439 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - PSAP! FOQA! How to save your ticketToday on Talk Story we talk with FAA PSAP Representative Frank Waley and our Central Air Safety Committee Chairman Scott Clark.
Also in the show: an update from HAL MEC Chairman Larry Payne!
2022-10-1239 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story 14 - That fatigue feelingFeeling tired? This month we talk with HAL MEC Central Air Safety Chair Scott Clark and Fatigue Committee Chair CA Mike Compton about the challenges and responsibilities of managing fatigue on the flight deck.
We’re also joined by two special guests from ALPA national from Washington DC, as well as an update from our Chairman, Captain Larry Payne.
2022-07-2038 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - P2P - Pilots in Red LanyardsThis month we talk to P2P Chairman Sam Strobel as well as National P2P Chair CA Wes Reed and CA Sean Creed, ALPA Executive Vice President.
Talk Story is a Production of The Hawaiian Airlines Master Executive Council (ALPA.)
2021-12-2118 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - Section Six NegotiationsIn this episode of Talk Story, we discuss the start of Section Six Negotiations. We're joined by ALPA's Chief Negotiator Bruce York as well as HAL MEC Negotiating Committee Chair Doug Grant.
Talk Story is produced by the pilots of Hawaiian Airlines, as represented by the Air Line Pilots Association/HAL MEC in Honolulu, Hawaii.
2021-07-2424 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - Chairman's Update/What's With the Locker Rooms?In this episode of Talk Story, we talk with MEC Chair Larry Payne and Negotiations Chair Doug Grant about the recovering economics of trans-pacific flying.
We'll also cover the latest in the construction of the commissary/garden access to the pilot locker room.
2021-03-2337 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - Recalls of the 69 With Drew EverettIn this episode, we talk to Membership Committee Chairman Captain Drew Everett about the recalls of the 69 Hawaiian Airlines Pilots currently on Furlough.
2021-01-2023 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - The Latest with Larry PayneHAL MEC Chairman Larry Payne and Sean Lee update the pilots of Hawaiian Airlines on the latest developments in Honolulu. Published on November 12, 2020.
2020-11-1220 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - Furlough Mitigation/DisplacementJoin MEC S/T Mathias Lundblad and Negotiating Committee Member Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz on a discussion on the latest MEC news regarding furlough mitigation and the results of Displacement 20-03A.
2020-09-1221 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - Chairman's UpdateJoin Hawaiian Airlines MEC Chairman Larry Payne and Vice-Chair Rod Buskas in a special Chairman's Update. Recorded in Honolulu on August 11, 2020.
2020-08-1524 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story: Pilots Helping PilotsThe world is changing fast. Pilots deal with stress in different ways and sometimes it can be tough to get help. Between regulatory disclosure requirements and the pressure to keep up appearances, pilots can quickly find themselves in over their heads.
In this episode, we talk with remarkable pilots who volunteer their time to help out other pilots in their time of need.
2020-06-0228 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - The "F" WordIn this episode of Talk Story, we talk about the "f" word and discuss how to navigate the ever-changing world of COVID-19.
2020-04-1716 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - 1.3 - Jumpseating: No Pilot Left Behind!Ever been left behind for your commute home? Want to know how to jumpseat the world with ease? Join ALPA National Officers as well as your HAL Jumpseat Chair for a discussion on jumpseating.
Music from https://filmmusic.io by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC
2020-03-1015 minTalk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story HAL Pilots Podcast- How to Bid!We talk with Vacancy Committee Chair Lori Sebastian and Scheduling Committee Chair Josh Hamilton chat about bidding strategies.
Music from https://filmmusic.io by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC
2020-02-1217 min
Talk Story - The Hawaiian Airlines Pilot PodcastTalk Story - HAL Pilots Podcast 1.1 - Orange Cards! Polling!In this episode, we'll talk about ALPA's Orange Card - what to do in case of an emergency. We'll talk to your MEC Leadership about our newest polling initiative during the start of 2020.
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Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Sunday Dub" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
2020-01-1517 min