Podcasts about Alpa

What exactly is LOSA, and who is that pilot sitting in your jumpseat? In this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Casey Songster, 737 First Officer and Vice Chair of the SMS Subcommittee within the Central Air Safety Committee (CASC), to break down the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program. Casey explains how LOSA fits into Delta's Safety Management System (SMS), what LOSA observers are actually looking for, and why the program is designed to identify operational risks—not evaluate individual pilots.  The conversation covers confidentiality, de-identification, observer selection, pilot participation, and how LOSA data helps both ALPA and the Company better understand threats, error chains, and opportunities for risk mitigation across the operation. If you've ever wondered who that person in your jumpseat is, what happens to the information collected during a LOSA observation, or how pilots contribute to safety programs behind the scenes, this episode is for you. 

Un poète opiomane, un double maléfique et une passerelle en Béton ? C'est dans Dig Dig Diggers cette semaine avec Nadjanoise, Tshegue, et le Concerto en Doigt Majeur, par radio Alpa, Radio Raje et Radio BetonHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In this episode of The Flight Deck, Training Committee Chair Capt. Jeremy Lind and Vice Chair Capt. Aric Newsted explain how United's training programs are built, how pilot feedback influences future training, and what pilots should know about grading, qualification events, and training transparency. Whether you're preparing for recurrent training, an upgrade, or returning from leave, this episode provides valuable insight into how United's training system works and how ALPA advocates for pilots throughout the process. www.upa27.com

El portavoz parlamentario de Vox en la Asamblea Regional, Rubén Martínez Alpañez, ha calificado la reciente remodelación del ejecutivo murciano como una 'justificación de mera apariencia' que no soluciona la situación de una comunidad que, según sus palabras, se encuentra 'absolutamente quebrada'. En esta entrevista en 'Tarde Abierta' ha analizado los retos de la legislatura, y ha condicionado cualquier apoyo a los presupuestos de 2026, cuyo retraso tilda de ilegal, a la negociación de políticas reales y no a meros 'titulares de postureo', destacando exigencias como la aplicación de la "prioridad nacional" en las ayudas sociales y reformas en la Ley del Mar Menor.Asimismo, el portavoz ha expresado su 'tristeza' personal por la deriva de su antiguo aliado, José Ángel Antelo, a quien acusa de 'equivocarse' y de rodearse de personas que buscan difamar a la formación de Santiago Abascal.

This Alaska Pilots Podcast episode takes us behind the scenes of what happens when Alaska Airlines announces a new destination. Using Keflavík as the example, we walk through the work that takes place beyond the route announcement itself, hotel and transportation planning, security considerations, scheduling issues, flight planning, training pay, and some contractual pieces that come with launching a new route. This episode is meant to give pilots a better look at the moving parts ALPA is engaged in early, often before the flying appears in a bid packet.    ala.alpa.org

Oscar Alpa (Rector de la Universidad Nacional de La Pampa) No La Vimos Venir @rpmalmendros

Spirit Airlines officially ceased operations on May 2 at 3am, and in this episode Justin sits down with Jim Higgins, Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, to unpack what happened and what comes next.They dig into the chain of events that brought one of the country's most recognizable low-cost carriers to a halt — from a business model under pressure, to two Chapter 11 reorganizations, to the spike in oil prices that finally pushed Spirit past the point of recovery. Jim breaks down why the federal bailout package fell apart, why no other airline stepped in to acquire Spirit despite multiple asks, and how $9 billion in debt made a merger virtually impossible.The conversation also turns to the roughly 2,000 Spirit pilots now entering an already active hiring market. Justin and Jim talk through how the majors are likely to respond, what this means for regional pilots and pilots holding CJOs, and why Spirit aviators have a strong reputation among hiring departments across the industry. They also cover the resources available through ALPA, the importance of leaning on the aviation community, and the often-overlooked mental health side of losing a job you loved.Whether you're a Spirit pilot, a regional pilot watching the hiring landscape shift, or simply someone trying to make sense of what just happened to a 34-year-old airline with an impeccable safety record, this episode offers context, perspective, and a reminder that the industry takes care of its own.If you know a Spirit pilot, reach out. A letter of recommendation, a connection, or just a conversation can go a long way.

“Gonna be your man in motion, all I need's this pair of wheels...” The IDOC men are indeed in motion, with impending trips to exotic ports of call. Also discussed: the Film Forever meetup in Brooklyn, the conclusion of the watch camera saga, many things Rollei, and a great Slovenian hockey player!IDOC be trippin'! Gabe's going to London in June, Jeff to Paris and Italy this weekendOur trusty dusty camera repair guy is gently nursing Gabe's Rolleiflex 2.8F, and has rejuvenated his cherished Leica M6Jeff is celebrating both the 49th birthday of his Alpa and the three-year anniversary of his absurd purchase of XPan TwoRest in pano to Raghu Rai, noted XPan photographerGabe has been shooting his Rolleiflex 2.8c and a Ricoh 500G from Brandon SteadmanHe's also curious about Rollei flash units, so chime in!Jeff finally succeeded in pulling photos off his 2001 Casio WQV-10 watch camera — it's surprisingly like shooting with the MinoxHe also rhapsodizes about Portra 400 a.k.a. Ektacolor ProGabe demands you attend Film Forever at the end of May at Bogart House in Brooklyn — all our friends will be there, but probably not Jeff, so you gotta go!Hey, Where Are The Legendary Photographers?The Prodigious Mailbag™ features more devoted listeners singing our theme song à la Debbie GibsonFinally, congratulations to Anže Kopitar on concluding a brilliant 20-year career with the Los Angeles Kings

Welcome back to the Contract 2029 SEP Education Series. This episode builds on recent scheduling education tied to a potential new fleet, focusing on key points due to time limits. Members from SWAPA, APA, and Delta ALPA discuss long‑haul widebody scheduling concepts as a due‑diligence exercise—not a forecast—to help pilots understand how widebody operations differ if future fleet changes occur.If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text.Follow us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Note: This podcast was recorded on April 1, 2026, prior to the 2026 1Q earnings call. Though some of the numbers referenced in this podcast have been slightly revised, the 2026 1Q earnings once again demonstrate Delta's ability to generate a revenue premium. Total revenue for the quarter was a record-setting $14.2 billion, up nearly 10% from the same time last year. As openers have been exchanged and Section 6 negotiations are officially underway, the noise is getting louder– with record profits, premium demand, inflation, and global instability. So, what's real and what actually matters for pilots heading into Section 6?  In this episode, host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with ALPA's Senior Economic & Financial Analysis (E&FA) Analyst Rushi Patel to break down the numbers behind the headlines and decipher what they mean for pilot leverage right now. Delta is delivering record revenue and profitability, driven by a structural shift towards premium demand, strong brand positioning, and diversified revenue streams. But beneath the surface, macro risks still exist, and timing matters. The question isn't just whether Delta can afford a deal. It's whether pilots fully understand the position they're negotiating from. This conversation cuts through the noise: Why Delta and United are capturing over 100% of industry profits The real impact of premium cabin strategy and shifting demand How resilient the current economic environment actually is What inflation, oil, and geopolitics mean (and don't mean) Why these negotiations are unique and not a repeat of the previous cycle Bottom line: Pilots are entering negotiations from a position of strength - but strength without strategy leaves value on the table. Be informed. Be engaged. And understand the moment.

What does a great patient experience really look like when people are at their most vulnerable? In this episode, I sat down with Stanford Health Care's SVP and Chief Patient Experience and Operational Performance Officer, Alpa Vyas, to explore how one of the world's leading healthcare organizations is rethinking the human side of care. From the outside, healthcare is often seen as a system of processes, technology, and clinical outcomes. But as Alpa explains, every interaction sits within a deeply emotional moment in someone's life, where fear, uncertainty, and complexity collide. That reality shapes everything. Our conversation goes back to the early days of Stanford's transformation, where Alpa recognized a gap that many organizations still struggle with today. Improvement efforts were underway, systems were being optimized, yet the patient voice was largely absent. Inspired by design thinking principles from Stanford's own d.school, her team began with empathy as the foundation. That shift changed the direction of everything that followed, from how feedback was gathered to how decisions were made across the organization. We also explored the role of technology, and where it truly fits. There is often a temptation to lead with AI or automation, but Alpa brings the focus back to culture, behavior, and trust. Technology, including platforms like Qualtrics, became powerful once the right questions were being asked and the right mindset was in place. Moving from delayed paper surveys to real-time feedback transformed not only how quickly issues could be addressed, but how patients felt heard. One story stood out where a patient received a follow-up call before even leaving the parking lot, a simple moment that redefined their perception of care. We also touched on "Operation Blue Sky," an initiative that looks beyond traditional surveys to capture insight from call recordings, messages, and other unstructured data sources. It opens the door to a future where healthcare providers can anticipate problems before they happen and intervene at the right moment. That raises important questions around pace, trust, and readiness, especially in an industry that has good reason to move carefully. This episode is ultimately a conversation about balance. Between innovation and responsibility, between efficiency and empathy, and between data and human connection. So how do we ensure that as healthcare becomes more advanced, it also becomes more human? And what lessons from this journey could apply far beyond healthcare?

Ve Vrátkově na Kolínsku zjistíte, že alpaky jsou nádherná a přátelská zvířata. Nevlastní bráškové Rocky, Apollo, Dixon a Clubber si získají srdce každého, koho na procházce potkají. Jejich chovatelka Kateřina Samková má s nimi velkou trpělivost. Než se od ní nechali poprvé pohladit, trvalo to týdny. Teď se od ní nechtějí hnout.

Updates on the DCA midair collision, JetBlue software glitch, Air India B787 fuel control switch, injuries on United B777 flight, and Toronto CRJ-900 rollover. Also, the AA CEO’s message to employees, DOT mandate to purge DEI, Portland International Jetport passenger volume, Elliott Management and Southwest, and flight attendant carry-on bags. Plus, our first report from the Singapore Airshow. Guest Air Accident Updates We look at some air accident and incident updates in the press: NTSB Chair Slams FAA for Ignoring Repeated Warnings, Says Midair Collision Was Preventable In this C-Span video, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy slams the FAA, saying that it let its guard down and ignored repeated warnings that ultimately led to the deadly midair collision near Washington Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025, that killed 67 people. “We should be angry, because for years no one listened. This was preventable. This was 100 percent preventable,” Homendy says. Passengers on JetBlue Plane That Plummeted When Flight Computer “Glitched Out” Sue Airbus for Negligence The JetBlue A320 experienced a sudden “uncommanded loss of altitude,” initially attributed to a software glitch that Airbus believed could result from intense solar radiation. This led to an emergency worldwide recall in November 2025, with an estimated 6,000 A320-series aircraft affected. Three passengers on that flight are now suing Airbus for allowing an “unreasonably dangerous” glitch in the system to go unchecked. Those passengers question the solar flare explanation and claim that JetBlue was aware of a recurring issue with the Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) system. No defect found in switch of jet grounded by Air India – regulator Pilots on an Air India B787-8 noticed that during engine start, the fuel control switch did not “remain positively latched in the run position when light vertical pressure was applied”. This happened twice. The third time, the switch operated normally. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that when the switches were operated according to Boeing’s recommended procedure, they were found to be “satisfactory”, staying at run instead of moving to cut-off. The DGCA reported that, when incorrectly handled, the switch would “move easily from run to cut-off”. See also, Pilot alert prompts Air India checks on all Boeing 787 fuel control switchesby Rachel Chitra. Three United Airlines Flight Attendants Seriously Injured After Air Traffic Control Failed To Alert Pilots Of Turbulence The NTSB has released its final report on the February 10, 2024, incident where a United Airlines 777-200 experienced a sudden drop, seriously injuring three flight attendants and throwing several passengers and an unsecured baby into the ceiling. The NTSB concluded that a contributing factor was air traffic controllers’ failure to alert the pilots of turbulence in the area. TSB Canada Releases Update on 2025 Toronto CRJ-900 Crash Investigation Photo Credit: TSB Canada. The accident occurred at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) on February 17, 2025, when the CRJ-900 regional jet attempted to land and struck the runway hard, causing the right wing and tail section to separate from the fuselage. The plane flipped upside down and slid to a stop. The wreckage was transported to a hangar while the right wing, landing gear, wing box structure, and related parts were taken to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) Engineering Laboratory in Ottawa for testing. The metallurgical analysis of the wing and landing-gear fractures is now being examined. Recordings from the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, quick access recorder (QAR), and the enhanced ground proximity warning system have been examined. Data from prior flights on the same aircraft were also compared to the accident flight for context. Evidence was collected from NAV CANADA's Toronto surface movement guidance system and the airport's closed-circuit television footage. A full meteorological review, including wind data and soundings, has also been finalized to understand weather conditions at the time. Simulator sessions have been run. The full preliminary report is available here. Aviation News Under Pressure American Airlines CEO Robert Isom Tells Staff That Everything Will Be Alright In New Video Message In a new video message to staffers, American Airlines chief executive Robert Isom says, “As we look forward to 2026, it's with a lot of excitement and confidence. I know we're going to do better financially and operationally. We have a plan to be solidly profitable this year, which will mean good things for our customers, our shareholders, and all of you.” Isom articulated strategies concerning the customer experience, hub facility investments, maximizing the power of the AA network and fleet, new routes, new frontline team members, new aircraft, AAdvantage program changes, and doing a better job selling the AA product. Trump's U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Doubles Down on Purging DEI From Our Skies, Calls on Airlines to Affirm Pilot Hiring is Merit-Based The FAA is issuing a new mandatory “Operations Specification” (OpSpec) requiring all commercial airlines to commit to merit-based hiring for pilots formally. The mandate (New Mandatory OpSpec A134, Merit-Based Pilot Hiring, for Certificate Holders Conducting Operations Under 14 CFR Part 121 [PDF]) is effective February 13, 2026. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said, “When families board their aircraft, they should fly with confidence knowing the pilot behind the controls is the best of the best. The American people don't care what their pilot looks like or their gender—they just care that they are most qualified man or woman for the job. Safety drives everything we do, and this commonsense measure will increase transparency between passengers and airlines.”  ALPA Statement on Pilot Training and Qualification Standards Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued a statement that included: “All ALPA pilots are trained and evaluated to the same uncompromising standard regardless of race, gender, or background. A pilot’s identity has no bearing on their ability to safely operate an aircraft. What matters is training, experience, and qualification — and on that front, there are no shortcuts and no compromises. “At ALPA, our work to advance aviation safety never stops, and as always, ALPA airline pilots remain ready to safely transport passengers and cargo to their destinations. Safety is, and always will be, our number one priority.” Portland International Jetport logs busiest year in its history The Portland International Jetport had a record year in 2025, with more than 2.59 million passengers traveling through the airport. The previous record was 2.44 million in 2024. The Jetport says it became the first airport in New England to surpass its pre-pandemic passenger levels in 2023. Southwest Airlines Turns a Corner as Activist Investor Elliott Walks Away Elliott Management, an activist investor, began to acquire shares of Southwest stock in mid-2024. It bought enough shares to gain board representation and dictate the Airline's strategic and financial changes. As a result, we saw paid assigned seating, baggage fees, expiring travel credits, and adjustments to its Rapid Rewards program. Southwest also looked at asset sales and balance sheet strategies to fund share buybacks. But in late 2025, Elliott began reducing its stake, and by early February 2026, its ownership dropped to about 9 percent. Two Elliott representatives have resigned from the board at Southwest. Southwest Airlines Now Faces a Flight Attendant Backlash As Hand Luggage Woes Grow Southwest moved a dedicated overhead bin for crew members to the back of the plane, and flight attendants are not happy. Passengers sitting at the front of the plane who have paid more or have elite status find that bin space is an issue. Singapore Airshow 2026 Brian Coleman interviewed several people at the Singapore Airshow. In this episode, he talks with Dan McQuestin, the Bell Country Manager in Australia. Mentioned “How LiveATC Went Live” by Rob Mark in the February 2026 issue of AIN Online. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Erin Applebaum.

Host Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz. Topics: Do the rich fly Delta? Frontier not yet selling tickets for Spring/Summer - Did Barry Biffle run off with the scheduling system password? Looking at the Frontier-Spirit potential in a different way; ALPA appeals to Spirit bondholders; JetZero completes Series B Round; Listener thoughts on Basic Economy purchasing decisions, and American's seeming lack of investment in CLT.

In this week's summer listening series, SPA Early Career Reference Group member, Brit Fong, reflects on vocal health and how speech pathologists can support those who use their voice professionally. In the episode Anneke Flinn chats to Eliza Galvin and Louise Philpott, Senior Speech Pathologists, about their role supporting auctioneers attending the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association (ALPA) training program with their voice and presentation skills. Members of ALPA also generously speak about their perspective of working with speech pathologists. Resources: Communication Hub: Voice https://www.communicationhub.com.au/Communication_Hub/Resources/Fact_Sheets/Voice_disorder.aspx Practice guideline: Voice best practice principles (SPA Members only) https://speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/resource?resource=121 References: Phyland, D. & Miles, A. (2019) Occupational voice-a work in progress. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 29. https://journals.lww.com/co-otolaryngology/fulltext/2019/12000/occupational_voice_is_a_work_in_progress__active.4.aspx Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past and present. We recognise that the health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are grounded in continued connection to culture, country, language and community and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. Free access to transcripts for podcast episodes are available via the SPA Learning Hub (https://learninghub.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/),, you will need to sign in or create an account. For more information, please see our Bio or for further enquiries, email speakuppodcast@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Disclaimer: © (2026) The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited. All rights reserved. Important Notice, Please read: The views expressed in this presentation and reproduced in these materials are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited (“the Association”). The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content, currency or accuracy of any of the materials comprised in this recording. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of these materials and the information contained within them. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this recording including in any of the materials referred to or otherwise incorporated into this recording. Except as otherwise stated, copyright and all other intellectual property rights comprised in the presentation and these materials, remain the exclusive property of the Association. Except with the Association's prior written approval you must not, in whole or part, reproduce, modify, adapt, distribute, publish or electronically communicate (including by online means) this recording or any of these materials.

Ernst, Sonja www.deutschlandfunk.de, Andruck - Das Magazin für Politische Literatur

This episode goes into details about the San Deigo base, how it came to be, and the contractual language that is associated with vacancy and displacement bids. Joining the discussion is the Alaska Chair – Will McQuillen, Membership Chair – Tom Samson, and Membership Committee Member – Will Swoveland. Not only will you hear about contractual language and concepts that will help you decide how to bid, but the committee will also share news about a new seniority tool coming out soon to assist pilots in planning and prepare for such changes.    Ala.Alpa.Org AlaHal.Alpa.Org

How did these two mumbling malcontents pump out pods for five years and ninety-eight nattering episodes? In this one, the boys barely discuss that at all! Instead Jeff recaps his trip to London, to the shop where he bought both his Alpa and XPan, and Gabe recounts his acquisition of a legendary lens owned by an even-more-legendary photographer. A cop knelt and kissed the feet of a priest — tune in!November 20 marks IDOC's fifth anniversary, and the 21st marks Jeff's birthday!Jeff briefly recounts his trip to London, including a stop at Camera City, the shop where he got both his first Alpa and his first XPanGabe's birthday bonanza included a Lab-Box and a Negative Supply scanning rig……he found a Beseler 67SC enlarger on FB Marketplace……and went to (basically) Spahn Ranch in the Hollywood Hills to secure a 80mm f4 Rodenstock Rodagon enlarger lens… which, it turns out, used to belong to Herb Ritts!our continuing adventures with the maddeningly inconsistent Chad GPT: it misled Jeff about the fate of the final penny, and lied to Gabe about a mysterious TLR which turned out to be a rare Rolleiflex 2.8F white facewhat do the boys think of the soon-come Widelux XX?sad news: Freestyle Photo is closing their brick-and-mortar location should Jeff buy an O.G. Alpa-Reflex on the ‘bay to complete his collection?once again, we improbably empty the Prodigious Mailbag™and now you must run to the L.A. Camera Expo in Burbank ‘cause it's happening at this very moment!

The R&I guys are back! Host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with Captain Scott Bowles and Captain John Doherty from ALPA's Retirement & Insurance Committee to talk smart money, savvy timing, and how pilots can make major-league financial plays through the new Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plan. Whether you're eyeing tax strategy, income flexibility, or long-term planning, learn how to harness a little Bobby Bonilla energy - turning today's earnings into tomorrow's steady paychecks. We cover eligibility, tax-deferral tactics, in-service vs. retirement/termination distributions, market exposure, and practical risk checks, including insolvency considerations and timing gotchas. After the break, we shift to Open Enrollment 2026: plan changes, HSA reminders, GVUL considerations (including the imputed-income play), and simple to-dos so you don't leave money on the table. It's practical, pilot-specific financial insight with a side of humor and real-world strategy. An overview of the NQDC and related MOU details can be found in R&I Update 25-03. The FAQs can be accessed directly at Newport NQDC FAQs. The first round of Newport-hosted webinars has concluded; however, pilots can watch a replay of the Plan Design Overview Meeting  via Deltanet. Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Talk with your own financial advisor, tax professional, and/ or attorney before making enrollment decisions.

With 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 into effect later this year. Ala.Alpa.Org Alahal.Alpa.Org

Important update for all Delta pilots. In this Engage Alert, host First Officer Ryan Argenta is joined by First Officer Mark Hinczynski (Contract Administration & Enforcement) and Captain Ian Turner (Scheduling) to break down a newly agreed-upon MOU between the Company and ALPA. What's inside: Click-to-Sick / Sick Lookback: The Company will pause counting sick hours toward lookback retroactive to the July 2025 bid period and going forward until verified compliance. Sick-leave verification tied to exceeding 120 hours is paused during this period. QHCP—Permanent PWA Change: The PWA now permanently broadens “Qualified Health Care Provider” beyond MD/DO, allowing verification via telehealth and additional licensed providers. New “Quick Slip” Step of Coverage: A seniority-based, no-trigger premium step added to coverage. Awarded in a single 12-minute ARCOS window, less opportunities for deal-making, added step before emergency coverage (inverse assignment). Leveling rules apply. Timing: Programming for Quick Slip is targeted for Q2 2026; interim protections remain in force until compliance is confirmed. Compliance will be jointly assessed (including pilot DARTs). Action items: Read the MOU language, contact your LEC reps with questions, and send DARTs to Contract Admin for issues.

Josh Keiser from Asylum Lake Preserve Association explains the implications rezoning the adjoining property to the preserve that is a watershed for Kalamazoo and Portage. He tells the history of zoning changes and urges those who want to be heard to go to the City Planning Committee at City Hall on November 6th at 7 pm to share your thoughts on rezoning and preserving the area that feeds into this land. For more information go to:https://www.asylumlakepreservationassociation.org/development-of-corner-at-stadium-and-drakeTo sign the Asylum Lake Preserve Petition go to:https://www.change.org/p/kalamazoo-planning-commission-deny-rezoning-and-nfp-overlay-removal-the-property-adjoining-asylum-lake-preserve?source_location=search

The Engage podcast hits the road to bring you our newest format, Ask ALPA! We visited crew rooms and terminals to find out what you, the pilots, want to know from ALPA! On this episode, Communication Chair F/O Kevin Brady rounded up experts from the Scheduling, Negotiating, Retirement and Insurance, and Pilot Family Matters committees to get the answers and bring them to our listeners. Tune in now!

This week, the Engage podcast hits the road to bring you our newest format, Ask ALPA! We visited crew rooms and terminals to find out what you, the pilots, want to know from ALPA! On this episode, Communication Chair F/O Kevin Brady rounded up experts from the Scheduling, Negotiating,  Retirement and Insurance, and Pilot Family Matters committees to get the answers and bring them to our listeners.As a reminder, the Contract 2026 survey is open until October 19 at 11:59 pm ET. Your feedback is vital to driving the direction of our negotiations. Complete your survey today!

More like L.A. De Da, because both hosts are together in the City of Angels: scoring sibling Olympi at a camera show, talking “new” Kodak film stocks with tasty typography, and shooting the works with a half-frame Swiss, a square-frame German and an American GOOSE. Tune in - it'll change your wife!this episode is dedicated to the memory of the great photographer Diane Keatonour second bad review has utterly vanished!Jeff's results with the half-cookie Alpa 10s were delightful...shooting with the Polaroid GOOSE was a total kick...and the square-frame Zeiss Ikon Taxona - two-thirds of a cookie! - is a fun alternative to the elusive Mamiya Sketchat the wondrous L.A. Camera Expo, Gabe snapped up an Olympus 35RC, while Jeff went for big brother 35SPn, a rarer version of the 35SP with better typographyChad GPT misled us again! he made Jeff buy a Kilfitt Makro-Kilar in Exakta mount, insisting it was AlpaKodacolor returns - or does it? once again, all we care about is good typography!how embarrassing: Jeff's nemesis has entered the world of fashionwe had a blast at the Bike Shed complex in DTLA's Arts Districtwe actually empty the Prodigious Mailbag™ for a changeand finally, we urge you continue imploring Debbie Gibson to perform our theme song for the 100th episode

In this vital episode of Five by Five, Jason sits down with Bill Secord, Executive Vice President of ALPA Group A, to discuss the intricacies and implications of Reduced Crew Operations (RCO). Bill provides an in-depth look at concepts such as Single Pilot Operations (SPO) and Extended Minimum Crew Operations (EMCO), and how these practices impact pilot safety, fatigue, and airline operations. The conversation also covers the role of automation and technology, current industry practices and negotiations surrounding RCO. Bill sheds light on the global efforts and opposition against reduced crew mandates, highlighting ALPA's advocacy and the role of political action committees in maintaining flight safety standards.  

Is it enough for these two “middle-aged men” to merely share “what they've been up to”? One peevish iTunes reviewer doesn't think so! But for the rest of you, tune in to this XL episode to hear the felicitous end of Jeff's half-frame Alpa saga, news of Gabe's bag-quisitions and camera meetups, a screed about how the new tariffs are crippling our hobby, a impassioned defense of free speech, and so much more!rejoice, for Jeff's half-a-cookie Alpa 10s finally arrived! not only that, after he emailed the CEO of UPS, he got a personal response and an apology!Gabe loves his supersnazz Bleu de Chauffe camera tote, yet couldn't resist snapping up Jeff's cheap Strand Bookstore messenger bag as wellGabe (along with Rafael Hernandez) went to the Susan Meiselas event at the Aero Theatre……and crashed the LA Camera Exchange meetup from imstilldeveloping.com and Fridge Filmthe new hot camera is the Nikonos V — clearly the IDOC effect in action!Jeff has been kitting out his new Polaroid GOOSE……but finds a 50mm lens a bit too tele-ish on the Alpa 10s, since a half-frame focal length × 1.44222 = full-frame, so he put in an offer on a 40mm Kilfitt Makro-Kilarguess what? we got another bad review!Gabe hung out with friend-of-show Chris Smirnoff and also Robert Capron, who played Rowley in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and went to a screening of Anvil: The Story of Anvil with the mighty Fred Courythe end of “de minimis” is a catastrophe if you buy stuff from abroad; check this eBay page for all the grim details - and thanks to tariffs, Ausgeknipst no longer ships to the USthe boys take a graceful swan dive into quite the Prodigious Mailbag™the folks at AOK Camera Repair win the coveted IDOC endorsementGabe's pictures feature in a Judd Apatow article in the latest Vanity Fairand Camera Maintenance & Repair by Thomas Tomosy is super-expensive, so grab the PDF from the Internet Archive or from here

In this episode of Ride Report, host JR Hall sits down with the JetBlue ALPA Hotel Committee. We're joined by Committee Chair Matthew Wilson, Vice-Chair Sam Fagan, and members Patrick Nolan, Frederik Vijzelman, and Alexander Soroka, who explain how the committee works to ensure pilots' contractual needs are met during layovers. The discussion also focuses on how pilot feedback through MyCrewHotel drives tangible improvements in hotels and ground transportation. This episode uncovers why the support system on the ground is just as vital as the flight itself for pilot well-being and safety.

A former Senior Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation explains how Washington works with respect to aviation policy and oversight. In the news, a Production Specification for Swift Fuels 100R unleaded avgas, the DOT Solicitation for Air Traffic Control Integrator Contract, EMAS and runway overruns, carrier qualifications for new Navy fighter pilots, and the Boeing strike. Guest Alex Simpson is Senior Vice President at Cassidy & Associates, a bipartisan government relations firm, where he focuses on the transportation sector. Previously, Alex served as Senior Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation under Chair and Ranking Member Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA). In that role, he led oversight of the FAA, TSA, NTSB, and the aviation industry. He executed over 25 hearings, including multiple high-profile hearings with airline and manufacturing CEOs, union leaders, DOT Secretaries, and FAA Administrators. Alex maintains close ties with the Senate Commerce and House Transportation & Infrastructure committees. Alex explains the major Congressional members and committees that create aviation policy and provide industry oversight. That includes the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, and the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. In addition, non-government stakeholders that influence policy decisions include organizations such as Airlines For America (A4A), ALPA, NATCA, Boeing, and even crash victim families acting as advocacy groups. Alex discusses a variety of topics, including ATC infrastructure, likely prime integrator candidates, and elements of a possible TSA reauthorization bill, such as the use of facial recognition technology at TSA checkpoints. Also, Boeing and the deferred prosecution agreement, lifting the 737 MAX production cap, and the 1500-hour rule for commercial airline pilots. We touch on consumer protection and the Full Fare Rule aimed at preventing deceptive airfare advertisements. As a Committee staffer, Alex drafted and negotiated the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. He also worked closely on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included more than $25 billion for airport infrastructure upgrades.  Before his tenure in the Senate, Alex practiced law at the U.S. Department of Transportation and Zuckert, Scoutt, & Rasenberger (now KMA Zuckert), where he helped clients problem-solve aviation issues, including those related to the Essential Air Service Program, airport landing rights (slots), antitrust, air carrier economic authority and fitness, federal preemption, and airport grant assurances. Aviation News Swift 100 R Gets ASTM Spec ASTM International recently approved a Production Specification for Swift Fuels 100R unleaded avgas. Swift is one of three unleaded fuel makers, and the first to get ASTM approval. Swift Fuels has devoted years of research working with the FAA, Lycoming, Continental Aerospace, Rotax, Textron Aviation, Piper, and others. The ASTM AvGas standards define the required chemical, physical, and performance characteristics for unleaded Avgas sold for aviation use. DOT Opens Solicitation for Air Traffic Control Integrator Contract The Department of Transportation issued an updated request for solutions to identify a Prime Integrator for the Brand New Air Traffic Control System. (Solicitation Number BNATCSRFSFINAL.) Submissions to the Request for Solutions - Brand New Air Traffic Control System at Sam.gov must be submitted by September 21, 2025. Carrier Qualifications Axed From Graduation Requirements For New Navy Fighter Pilots U.S. Navy Tactical Air (Strike) aviators in training are no longer required to take off and land from aircraft carriers before earning their Naval Aviator wings. A Navy official said “Students in the strike pipeline, those training to fly F/A-18s, F-35s, and EA-18Gs, are no longer required to qualify by landing on ...

Join us for this week's Engage Weekly podcast, where we dive into the latest updates from the Delta MEC. We're excited to announce that the new Contract Comparison has been published and the C2026 site is now live, offering pilots more educational resources leading into Section 6 negotiations. We recap the Labor Day Chairman's Letter and break down the Contract Administration's explanation of the new Parental Leave grievance.   Plus, the Engage Podcast discusses Delta IT and how it could be impacting pilot pay and privacy, help ALPA preserve the mandatory pilot retirement age and, finally, we remind everyone to proudly wear your ALPA Pin! Show Notes:  C2026 Site Labor Day Chairman's Letter CA Open Grievances Engage - Behind the Curtain: Delta IT, Pilot Privacy, and the Fight for Accurate Pay Help ALPA Preserve the Mandatory Pilot Retirement Age Get Your ALPA Pin! 

When pilots discovered Delta could see TikTok installed on their personal phones, alarm bells went off. Section 24 X. of the PWA is supposed to protect pilots from corporate snooping, but what was Delta really accessing through the Hub app? In this eye-opening episode, Engage host First Officer Ryan Argenta sits down with First Officer Justin Vandermark, Chair of ALPA's IT Committee, to expose what the union discovered when it finally got “the grand tour” of Delta's systems. From mobile device management profiles that can leak your location, to the truth about deleting the Hub app, pilots need to know how their privacy is protected – or not. But the fight doesn't stop at data security. Vandermark also pulls back the veil on Delta's decades-old DBMS scheduling system, why pay errors keep happening, and how contractual gains like Section 23 W.1.d. are setting the stage for long-overdue change. This episode isn't just about apps and acronyms - it's about control, transparency, and making sure Delta pilots are paid correctly the first time. If you've ever wondered why the Company can roll out flashy passenger tech but can't fix pilot pay, this conversation will make you sit up and take notice. 

Ach, der Schmerz! Aïe, la douleur! Jeff's insanely rare, perpetually coveted, and newly repaired half-frame Alpa 10s has been lost by UPS. As you listen to the latest episode of our Smash Hit Podcast™, globally acclaimed yet eschewing of praise, spare a thought or a prayer for the grieving cohost!yes, the Alpa 10s half-cookie is MIA at UPS - should we be putting AirTags in our important packages?Gabe is obsessed with which film cameras were used by legendary photographers to take legendary shots - are you?Gabe went to the LA Camera Expo and came home with a slew of darkroom equipmentJeff got great results from Atlanta Film Co. with Kodak Vision 3, but is it worth the extra cost, time and effort?the Osiris F1 is a fun 'n' freaky ('n' patent-infringing?) film-processing robotwe urge you to check out the Cameradactyl Master System from mad scientist Ethan MosesGabe is back in the hunt for camera bags - his new obsession is the sexy, stylish and super-expensive Bleu de Chauffemeanwhile, Jeff's Strand Bookstore messenger bag is dirt cheap!we both flipped for Sissi Lu's new googly-eyed hang-tag lens clothJeff snapped up Langdon Clay Cars: New York City, 1974-1976 book shot with a Leica CL and Kodachrome 25 - yet everyone on Instagram thinks the pics are AI slop!Gabe found Jeff Bridges' elusive and highly prized Pictures Vol. 1 at Goodwill for six bucks!who sent Gabe a 110 camera? do tell!happy birthday to our friend Vance DeGeneres - check out his incredible New Orleans New Wave band The Cold!Los Angelenos! look into imstilldeveloping.com and the LA Camera Expo - Gabe will be there!and finally, we stick a pinky toe into the Prodigious Mailbag™

Jon Kelly and Peter Hamby reunite for a spirited chat about some proprietary data regarding Gen Alpha's movie theater fixation before offering their views on the Bill Belichick college sports (and media) experiment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Time to get engaged before the Labor Day weekend. Here is your weekly recap from the Delta MEC.Your MEC met in regular session in Minneapolis this week. While in the City of Lakes, the MEC hosted a PUB event at the Minneapolis State Fair and gave back to Gillette Children's HospitalSTS has been updatedWear your ALPA pin and Happy Labor Day!Show Notes:The Delta Pilots Charitable Fund helped donate to Gillette Children's this week. This was made possible thanks to donations from Delta pilots. You can continue to donate to the DPCF and Gillette's here!Need an ALPA pin? Get one at this link. Join Telegram for timely, transparent updates from the MEC!

Happy Friday from the Engage Podcast team. Get a recap of the MEC's week with our new Engage Weekly episode available now. Here's what's on the radar: Show your union pride. Wear your ALPA pin! The Engage Podcast takes a deep dive into disability Your MEC will meet in MSP next week! Get an update on Comply365 and other Committee news/events Have a great weekend and stay Engaged. Show Notes: Get your ALPA pinLearn more about Delta pilot disability Track open grievances Send a DART to R&I about Prudent RX Get Delta MEC updates via Telegram!

Come aboard and run down the news checklist from the Delta MEC in this week's Engage Weekly.Air Canada flight attendants have issued a strike notice. Make the walk and ensure ACA flight crews can jumpseatHonor 9/11 victims at ALPA's annual remembrance ceremonyThe Delta MEC will hold its next regular meeting in MSP. Stay tuned for updates after the conclusion of the meeting.Learn how you can receive the most up-to-date MEC news via Textcaster and TelegramAlso, tune in for committee news and council events!Additional information is available in this week's MEC News. Have a good weekend and stay Engaged!

Jeff's been engaged for over a month, and is suffused with bonhomie and goodwill, while the normally sanguine Gabe is ENRAGED! At eBay sellers who say “make an offer,” but don't actually want one; at overpriced camera straps and thumb drives — he's seething! Next, the boys note some stereotypically male behavior from “Chad” GPT, discuss the financial state of our beloved Kodak, examine the controversy over Nick Ut's “Terror of War” photo, and take a swan dive into an exceptionally Prodigious Mailbag. Finally: will Debbie Gibson record a vocal version of our theme song for the upcoming (and final?) 100th episode, or is that Only In My Dreams? Shake Your Love and find out!Gabe traveled to Lake Muskoka north of Toronto and shot no filmJeff asked ChatGPT to compare the Closter Princess Junior with the Galileo Condor II, and it claimed they were bikes! We now dub the app “Chad GPT,” because he's a man who'll never say “I Don't Know”!is Kodak in trouble? Calm down!we discuss the emergent controversy over the authorship of Nick Ut's “Terror of War” photo, as recounted in the new documentary The Stringer - for example, even AP admits the negative was not shot with Ut's preferred Leica M2, but a cheap Pentax, and our trusty dusty camera repair guy confirms thisGabe rails at eBay sellers who say “make offer” but don't want an offeralso, when is the asking price too high? for straps, thumb drives, Alpa strap lugs...?Jeff openly derides absurd packfilm pricesGabe rhapsodizes about OC Camera in Laguna Hillswe both love Sissi Lu's recent photo shoot with her momour trusty dusty camera repair guy replaced the focusing screen in Gabe's Rolleiflex 2.8E, and the results are gloriousthe Prodigious Mailbag™ includes an unexpected eyewitness update on Jeff's Alpa 10s half-cookieGabe will be at the LA Camera Expo this Sunday, August 17thour designer (and award-winning photographer) Keith Greenstein is back on Instagramcheck out The Darkroom Rumour, The Darkroom's amazing new streaming site for photo documentariesand let's get Debbie Gibson to record a vocal version of our theme song with composer Fred Coury for the 100th episode!

Vapid glad-handing? Try happy wed-banding, because Jeff and P are engaged! This blockbuster XL episode features a brief recap of the proposal and a lengthy recap of the engagement-moon that followed, with a smattering of camera content along the way. Tune in for all the romance!Gabe went to New York!at B&H, the mighty Shlomo hooked him up with a Rolleiflex 2.8E - so much for that 30-camera limit!hung out with Sissi Lu and Chris Chushot nothing but film with the Leica M6went to an event at Kodak House, saw some great stuff shot with with a Kodak Baby Brownieand left J + P a cool old Christie's auction catalog from the Chelsea flea marketJeff lingered in Europe!bought and then returned a Zeiss Tenax IIpicked up film, books and apparel at the Zurich Ars Imagosnagged a Freitag Lassie bike-messenger bag at their flagship store as an all-weather beach-friendly camera toteback home, his half-cookie Alpa 10s is undergoing major surgerywhile the recent Leica auction featured a similar Alpa 10s half frameand also the last original Alpa ever built! the 11es JubileeKodak Vision 3 may yield gorgeous results, but getting it processed is challenging - Atlanta Film Company to the rescueat Nice airport, the Sissi Lu Do Not X-Ray bag was a lifesaverwe share news of big Chattanooga photo walk we're sadly missing!and finally: two gods have ascended to a higher plane, Ozzy Osbourne and Tom Lehrer

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   SUBSCRIBE   Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram   Hosted by Captain Jason DuVernay

In this week's Engage Weekly episode, producer Adam Uhan covers key developments across the MEC. Topics include Delta's failure to meet the automation deadline under the Click to Sick settlement. Pilots will want to listen to the interview with Contract Administration & Enforcement Chair Mark Hinczynski to learn ALPA's next steps. Also in this episode:Continuous Line Operations Safety Audit (C-LOSA) becomes official$49 million in dues refunds headed back to pilotsALPA's presence at OshkoshContract prep resources, survey updates, and how to stay engaged with the new Telegram appTune in to stay informed, stay protected, and stay engaged.

In this final episode of the Loss of Medical series, Timothy P. Pope, CFP® turns the spotlight on United Airlines. Tim offers a full breakdown of United's disability coverage—from how benefits are calculated to the contractual caps and offsets that impact long-term payouts. He also reviews the ALPA supplement options, including monthly add-ons and a lump sum feature.  What You'll Learn from This EpisodeUnited's Disability Formula: Learn how the 1026-hour rule works and what it means for your monthly income if you lose your medical.Understanding the Cap: Why pilots earning over ~$358k in 2025 could be limited by a hard monthly maximum.Tax Treatment: United's benefit is after-tax by default - Tim explains why that can work in your favor.NEC Contributions While Disabled: Where it goes and why it still matters for your long-term savings.ALPA Supplement Options: Review of United's three ALPA disability add-ons-Base, Plus, and Lump Sum - and how to assess what's right for you.Life Insurance Observations: A brief comparison of United's life insurance benefit versus other major carriers - and why pilots should negotiate for more.Resources:Schedule An AppointmentOur Practice's WebsiteSend Us Your Questions: info@pilotsportfolio.comThis episode is sponsored by: Beacon RelocationBeacon Relocation is a real estate firm helping pilots and air traffic controllers save money on their real estate transactions. By tapping into their network of over 1500 real estate agents across the country, pilots can save 20% of the real estate agent's commission towards your closing cost on the sale or purchase of your home. Visit https://www.beaconrelocation.com/ to learn more. Timothy P. Pope is a Certified Financial Planner™and principal owner of 360 Aviation Advisors, LLC (“360 Aviation Advisors”), a registered investment advisory firm. Investment advisory services are provided through 360 Aviation Advisors, in its separate and individual capacity as a registered investment adviser. Podcast episodes are provided through Pilot's Portfolio, in its separate and individual capacity. We try to provide content that is true and accurate as of the date of publishing; however, we give no assurance or warranty regarding the accuracy, timeliness, or applicability of any of the contents. We assume no responsibility for information contained on this website and disclaim all liability in respect of such information, including but not limited to any liability for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or misleading or defamatory statements. Links to external websites are provided solely for your convenience. We accept no liability for any linked sites or their content and remind you that we have no control over their content. When visiting external web sites, users should review those websites' privacy policies and other terms of use to learn more about, what, why and how they collect and use any personally identifiable information. Usage of this content constitutes an explicit understanding and acceptance of the terms of this disclaimer.

Don't miss this week's Engage Weekly from your Delta MEC! Get updates on "Click to Sick" MiCrew automation issues, dues return offers, and key news from the Training Committee that you'll want to hear! You can read more in this week's MEC News!Also, as mentioned in this episode, don't forget to show your support for pilot advocacy! Below are ALPA campaigns that aim to advance the aviation industry and pilot profession!Promote ATC Modernization! Support the Mental Health in Aviation Act! Tell Congress to Increase National Mediation Board Funding!Have a great weekend!

The newest episode of Engage Weekly is here—just in time before the Independence Day holiday. Highlights include updates on the recent IROP, latest information on recent grievances, "Click to Sick" implementation, and a plug for our new Engage episode on ALPA's 2025 Legislative Summit. You can find more information in this week's MEC News!Have a fun and save 4th of July!

On this episode, host First Officer Ryan Argenta is joined by First Officer Brendan Cantwell, Government Affairs Chair, to unpack everything from ALPA's 2025 Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. Each year, Delta pilots—alongside aviators from across the industry—descend on Capitol Hill to champion the issues that matter most to the pilot profession. From walking the halls of Congress to one-on-one meetings with lawmakers, we're making sure pilot-partisan priorities are heard loud and clear. This year's top issues included: Opposing Reduced Crew/Single-Pilot Operations (RCOs) for critical safety reasons, accelerating Air Traffic Control modernization, and advancing pilot mental health initiatives. Ryan and Brendan also discuss where things stand with proposed changes to the pilot retirement age, why backing the PAC is vital, how Delta pilots can step up as district advocates, and why responding to Calls to Action has a real impact on Capitol Hill. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just now getting involved, this episode gives you the tools, updates, and inspiration to help protect and elevate the pilot profession. (Recorded June 11, 2025) 

Episode № 92 finds the boys in Sunset Strip rock clubs and sun-baked Czech vineyards, sampling exotic cinema film and strange European cameras, taking in celebrity gallery shows and nibbling koláče. What happened to those two humble kids from the oak groves of Riverdale and the pine forests of Atlanta — and who is Mike Sopko? Tune in to IDOC's latest and find out — they've only got eight more to go!question: were we crisper and more cogent in earlier episodes? does this guy have a point?? buy a mug if you concur!Gabe (and resident rock god Fred Coury) took Canadian hockey reporter Scott Laughlin to the Rainbow Room, then Mini-Kiss (a Kiss tribute band consisting entirely of little people) at the RoxyGabe also went to a Cameras and Coffee…saw the amazing Paul McCartney show at Gagosian Galleryhunted for a replacement for his beloved Canon R5 and Sigma 85mm Art Lens… and Roberts Camera a.k.a. UsedPhotoPro came through! Meredith put together an incredible package for himGabe returned to the LA Camera Expo at the Hotel Burbank and snapped up a Leicaflex SL with a 60mm f2.8 three-cam lensbut it didn't stop there! he also nabbed a Hasselblad 501CM from Ethan Ingram, and a point-and-shoot to be named later - he's arrived at the promised 30-camera collectionhold on there's more! with an assist from Brandon Steadman, he (might) also (have) snapped up a Leica R8, which would bring the collection to 31 (not including some broken ones) - okay, maybe we're calling it thirtyishJeff's been in a Prague for a month, has shot 22 rolls of film, and cannot live without his XPan exposure compensation dial - how 'bout you? do you use yours?when the paint chipped off his e.c. dial, Jeff did a quick fix with a white paint pen from a local art supply storealso, he found a new local lab to complement the mighty FotoŠkoda: FilmStore Prague, which has excellent prices for developing & scanningplus they roll their own Kodak Vision 3 cinema film, leaving the remjet on, and process it ECN-2 - Jeff shot their 250D and found the palette beautiful and the images stunningly sharp, and it's half the local cost of Portra!(n.b.: it's not the same as CineStill's old 250D, which had the remjet removed)Jeff bought a rare Minox photo book from a seller in Germany and had it shipped straight to his Prague apartment, thereby saving tons of money and time - check out the preview on YouTube of Oktaeder: Spy-cam Sketches Minox 8x11 by Peter Bernardhe also bought a vintage Alpa employee badge on eBay and vows to wear the late Mike Sopko's nametag with pride - Mike repaired cameras at the also-late Crick Camera in Kansas City for over forty years - here's to you, Mike!seller goKevincameras is struggling mightily with tariff issuesof course we must rifle wildly through our Prodigious Mailbag™Gabe's advice on how to how to find people to photograph? ask local artists!a final note: mere hours after recording this episode, Jeff's XPan suffered its second bout of Sudden Fujifilm Battery Death™ in less than a month!

In this detailed solo episode of Pilot's Portfolio, Timothy P. Pope, CFP® walks Delta pilots through everything they need to know if they lose their medical and can't fly. From contractual long-term disability benefits and the Delta Pilots Mutual Aid (DPMA) program to ALPA's voluntary insurance options, Tim explains how to layer your benefits, understand offsets, and evaluate your real financial protection. This episode is packed with actionable knowledge to help Delta pilots build a smarter, more secure plan in case their career takes an unexpected turn.What You'll Learn from This EpisodeDelta's Disability Structure: How 50% of your final average earnings are calculated and taxed.Offsets That Matter: What other income or benefits can reduce your disability payout—and which won't.DPMA Explained: How the mutual aid program adds 25% tax-free coverage and survivor benefits.ALPA Disability Plans: Breakdown of base, plus, and lump sum disability coverages—and when they kick in.How to Strategically Layer Coverage: Understand how different timelines and policies combine to protect your income across short- and long-term scenarios.Resources:Schedule An Appointment Our Practice's WebsiteSend Us Your QuestionsThis episode is sponsored by: Beacon RelocationBeacon Relocation is a real estate firm helping pilots and air traffic controllers save money on their real estate transactions. By tapping into their network of over 1500 real estate agents across the country, pilots can save 20% of the real estate agent's commission towards your closing cost on the sale or purchase of your home. Visit https://www.beaconrelocation.com/ to learn more. Timothy P. Pope is a Certified Financial Planner™and principal owner of 360 Aviation Advisors, LLC (“360 Aviation Advisors”), a registered investment advisory firm. Investment advisory services are provided through 360 Aviation Advisors, in its separate and individual capacity as a registered investment adviser. Podcast episodes are provided through Pilot's Portfolio, in its separate and individual capacity. We try to provide content that is true and accurate as of the date of publishing; however, we give no assurance or warranty regarding the accuracy, timeliness, or applicability of any of the contents. We assume no responsibility for information contained on this website and disclaim all liability in respect of such information, including but not limited to any liability for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or misleading or defamatory statements. Links to external websites are provided solely for your convenience. We accept no liability for any linked sites or their content and remind you that we have no control over their content. When visiting external web sites, users should review those websites' privacy policies and other terms of use to learn more about, what, why and how they collect and use any personally identifiable information. Usage of this content constitutes an explicit understanding and acceptance of the terms of this disclaimer.

On this episode of Engage, host First Officer Ryan Argenta discusses how Delta is actively opposing state laws that were enacted to provide employees with an enhanced sick leave benefit. Specifically, the Company is attempting to circumvent, ignore or litigate state sick laws that provide employees who live or work in that state with benefits more generous than those offered by their employers. Pilots based in LAX, MSP, DTW, SEA and NYC are familiar with Delta's ongoing efforts to prevent them from using their state sick benefit in order to care for themselves and their families. Those attempting to use their sick leave are often meet with resistance, have their sick claims denied or receive “counseling” from Chief Pilots. Special guests David Martin, Senior Legislative Rep, and Jeff Pavlak, Manager of Policy and Legislation for ALPA National, discuss this concerning problem and address how ALPA is aggressively fighting for Delta's compliance. The group talks about what pilots can do to affect change on a broader level and specifically what pilots can do who need to use their state sick enhanced benefits or have been denied by Delta. (Recorded May 22, 2025)

Tune in to this week's Engage Weekly podcast for highlights on reports of inoperative @RestWifi issues, potential legislation that could support ALPA's pilot mental health campaigns, and important reminders about sick leave carryover.Plus, test your iCrew knowledge for a chance to win new Delta MEC Fleet Pins! Finally, Happy Mother's Day to all of our pilot moms!

In this episode, Nik Fialka sits down with Tom Cross of ALPA—the largest union for airline pilots—to pull back the curtain on union life. Together, they cover everything from the basics of union membership and its benefits to the intricate processes of contract negotiation, grievance handling, and conflict resolution on the flight deck. This episode demonstrates that union solidarity goes far beyond contract language—it's about safety, unity, and mutual support across every facet of an airline pilot's life. What You'll Learn in this Episode: How ALPA is structured, from local councils to the national executive team The role of union dues in funding critical services How contract negotiations work What constitutes a grievance, and how disputes are resolved to protect pilot rights The confidential, non-punitive role of Pro Standards in mediating conflict on the flight deck How active participation empowers pilots and enhances industry standards CONNECT WITH US Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don't wait until it's too late. Use the promo code “R4P2025” and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at podcast@spitfireelite.com, and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates! SPONSOR Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out to Marty and his team by visiting www.tridenthomeloans.com to get the best VA loans available anywhere in the US. Be ready for takeoff anytime with 3D-stretch, stain-repellent, and wrinkle-free aviation uniforms by Flight Uniforms. Just go to www.flightuniform.com and type the code SPITFIREPOD20 to get a special 20% discount on your first order. Big Rock - Take the Lead by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #Aviation #AviationCareers #aviationcrew #AviationJobs #AviationLeadership #AviationEducation #AviationOpportunities #AviationPodcast #AirlinePilot #AirlineJobs #AirlineInterviewPrep #flying #flyingtips #PilotDevelopment #PilotFinance #pilotcareer #pilottips #pilotcareertips #PilotExperience #pilotcaptain #PilotTraining #PilotSuccess #pilotpodcast #PilotPreparation #Pilotrecruitment