Understanding ALPA Structure, FPL, and Strategic Planning: Insights from Airline Union Leaders In this episode of Five by Five, host Captain Jason DuVernay is joined by Captain Sean Creed, Vice President–Administration/Secretary and Jade Schiewe, Executive Vice President, Group B1.

As Vice President–Administration/Secretary, Sean Creed executes the policies of the Association’s governing bodies and acts as custodian for all ALPA documents, contracts, leases, property deeds, and general records. He oversees ALPA’s membership programs and serves as an ex officio member of the Association’s Election and Ballot Certification Board.

Most recently, Creed acted as ALPA’s national resource coordinator and executive vice president–Group A for the Spirit Airlines pilots. Based in Chicago, Ill., he flies the Airbus A321. He’s been a member of ALPA’s National Strategic Planning Committee, Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee, and the Leadership Committee. During his tenure with Spirit, he has served as both Master Executive Council (MEC) and Local Executive Council (LEC) secretary-treasurer. He was also a member of his MEC and LEC Grievance Committees.

Jade Schiewe is based in Detroit, Mich., Capt. Schiewe is a Bombardier CRJ900 pilot for Endeavor and serves as Executive Vice President, Group B1, ALPA’s National Resource Coordinator and a member of the Association’s Strategic Planning Committee and the Structure, Services, and Finance Review Committee.

In addition, Capt. Schiewe acts as his pilot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC) Chair and previously served as its MEC Secretary-Treasurer and a member of its Professional Standards and Accident Investigation committees. He was also a volunteer for the Critical Incident Response Program.

With elections around the corner we sit down to discuss the intricate workings of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). They discuss topics such as the importance of ALPA’s bottom-up structure, the role of Local Executive Councils (LECs) and Master Executive Councils (MECs), and the significance of member participation in governance. The conversation also explores the strategic planning process, the utility of Flight Pay Loss (FPL) for union volunteers, and how ALPA supports pilot groups through efforts like the Major Contingency Fund (MCF).

Tune in to gain valuable insights into ALPA’s operations, the role of volunteers, and the ways members can get involved and make impactful contributions.

00:30 Introduction and Guest Introductions

01:25 Overview of ALPA 301

02:19 Understanding LEC and MEC Structures

04:30 Roles and Responsibilities of MEC Officers

10:12 Importance of Pilot Participation

14:51 Effective Communication and Representation

28:49 Strategic Planning and Committee Operations

36:35 Addressing Dysfunction and Trust Issues

37:45 Importance of Honest Conversations

38:44 Role of SWOT Analysis in Strategic Planning

40:49 Communicating with Local Members

43:08 Evolution of the Strategic Planning Process

46:01 Role of The Strategic Planning & Member Resources Department in Strategic Planning

47:54 Funding and Support for Strategic Planning

56:48 Flight Pay Loss (FPL) Explained

01:04:55 Challenges and Commitment of Volunteers

01:13:17 Call for Volunteers and Closing Remarks

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Hosted by Captain Jason DuVernay

The podcast episode features members of the negotiating committee discussing recent events in the negotiation process. They address the company's disappointing and long-delayed response to an economic proposal made 20 months ago and describe the logistical and substantive issues during recent bargaining sessions. The company focused on Section 11 related to training, which has been their priority. The negotiating committee critiqued the company's lack of serious engagement and unrealistic demands. They stressed the need for leadership willing to solve problems and urged pilots to participate in upcoming surveys to ensure their voices are heard. The conversation reflects ongoing frustrations and the committee's commitment to negotiating for the future of the pilots.

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Hosted by Captain Jason DuVernay

Learn all the details of this weekend's upcoming Family Awareness Event!