Flying the Line

ALPA and Frank Lorenzo maneuver for the high ground at Eastern Airlines, and Lorenzo demonstrates that he has no intention of working cooperatively.

As Frank Lorenzo gains control of Eastern Airlines, ALPA President Hank Duffy prepares to take on his greatest challenge.

ALPA President Hank Duffy struggles to keep ALPA’s larger pilot groups from going independent amid the newly deregulated airline environment.

Incumbent Hank Duffy and First Vice President Tom Ashwood angle for position in the 1986 ALPA presidential elections.

With the 1986 ALPA presidential election neck and neck, candidate Tom Ashwood challenges the union’s use of its long-standing, contracted law firm.

Following watershed strikes at Continental and United, mergers test ALPA’s strength and determination.

ALPA has a long history of accomplishments from organizing and bargaining to critical improvements in aviation safety and security . . . but how did it all start? Join us in retracing the fascinating and, at times, tragic journey of ALPA’s history in our new podcast, Flying the Line! Flying the Line chronicles the time before labor protections, safe working environments, and employee benefits that we enjoy as commercial pilots today. It’s the story of Capt. Behncke and his 24 “Key Men” joining together to form ALPA, fighting their opponents every step of the way.

A 29-day strike tests the fortitude of the United pilots and ALPA as a whole.

During the United 29-day strike in 1985, the MEC miraculously convinces 570 new pilots in training not to cross the picket line.

The United pilots’ Blue Skies honeymoon is cut short with the introduction of a two-tiered wage scale.

A Ferg-Ferris alliance and the contentious “Blue Skies” agreement lead to concerns about the United pilots’ possible secession from ALPA.

An unlikely connection between United’s CEO and the pilots’ MEC chair leads to a controversial contract proposal.

ALPA raises safety concerns as Continental continues to fly during its protracted strike.

The Bildisco decision, although temporary in its precedence, seals the Continental pilots’ fate.

Continental’s striking pilots fight back as Frank Lorenzo looks for ways to keep his airline flying.

Frank Lorenzo uses the leverage of Chapter 11 to compel Continental pilots to make even more concessions.

With ample resources hidden in Continental Airlines’ parent company, Texas Air Corporation, Lorenzo files for bankruptcy.

ALPA’s responds to the adverse effects of deregulation, recession, and the Lorenzo wars by forming a Political Action Committee.

In this episode we look at airline deregulation and the evolving nature and influence of the Republican Party.

Hank Duffy inherits the debacle at Continental.