Flying the Line

Air Line Pilots Association, International

Recount an exciting chapter in aviation history and the beginnings of the Air Line Pilots Association, the world’s largest pilot union and nongovernmental air safety organization, through an abridged retelling of the book by George E. Hopkins, ”Flying the Line.”
Volume 1 narrated by Corey Kuhn. Volume 2 narrated by Gina Leahy.

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87 episodes
Updated Jul 3, 2024

Episodes87

Newest first

Jul 3, 2024 · 17 min
Episode 44 - Aftermath —The Disputed Election of 1990 and ALPA’s Future, Part 2
Hank Duffy’s Executive Administrator Randy Babbitt wins the ALPA presidency in a closely contested election against Roger Hall.
Jun 19, 2024 · 19 min
Episode 43 - Aftermath —The Disputed Election of 1990 and ALPA’s Future, Part 1
Eastern’s Randy Babbit and United’s Roger Hall vie for the ALPA presidency.
Jun 5, 2024 · 17 min
Episode 42 - The Eastern Strike and the Fall of Lorenzo, “How do you spell ‘Pyrrhic Victory,’ Frank?” Part 3
Frank Lorenzo’s failure at Eastern is so complete that he, for all intents and purposes, is finished in the airline industry.
May 22, 2024 · 15 min
Episode 41 - The Eastern Strike and the Fall of Lorenzo, “How do you spell ‘Pyrrhic Victory,’ Frank?” Part 2
With no hope of an SOS (suspension of service), the Eastern pilots attempt a “back door” Presidential Emergency Board, which George Bush vetoes.
May 8, 2024 · 17 min
Episode 40 - The Eastern Strike and the Fall of Lorenzo, “How do you spell ‘Pyrrhic Victory,’ Frank?” Part 1
In response to the Eastern pilot strike, Frank Lorenzo files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Apr 24, 2024 · 16 min
Episode 39 - Lorenzo's Last Gamble: The Origins of the Eastern Strike, Part 3
ALPA and Frank Lorenzo maneuver for the high ground at Eastern Airlines, and Lorenzo demonstrates that he has no intention of working cooperatively.
Apr 10, 2024 · 15 min
Episode 38 - Lorenzo's Last Gamble: The Origins of the Eastern Strike, Part 2
As Frank Lorenzo gains control of Eastern Airlines, ALPA President Hank Duffy prepares to take on his greatest challenge.
Mar 27, 2024 · 15 min
Episode 37 - Lorenzo's Last Gamble: The Origins of the Eastern Strike, Part 1
ALPA President Hank Duffy struggles to keep ALPA’s larger pilot groups from going independent amid the newly deregulated airline environment.
Mar 13, 2024 · 15 min
Episode 36 - National Politics and Mergers: The Election of 1986 and Beyond, Part 3
Incumbent Hank Duffy and First Vice President Tom Ashwood angle for position in the 1986 ALPA presidential elections.
Feb 28, 2024 · 17 min
Episode 35 - National Politics and Mergers: The Election of 1986 and Beyond, Part 2
With the 1986 ALPA presidential election neck and neck, candidate Tom Ashwood challenges the union’s use of its long-standing, contracted law firm.
Feb 14, 2024 · 17 min
Episode 34 - National Politics and Mergers: The Election of 1986 and Beyond, Part 1
Following watershed strikes at Continental and United, mergers test ALPA’s strength and determination.
Feb 1, 2024 · 12 min
Episode 33 - Of B-Scales and ALPA’s Future—The United Strike of 1985, Part 3
A 29-day strike tests the fortitude of the United pilots and ALPA as a whole.
Jan 17, 2024 · 17 min
Episode 32 - Of B-Scales and ALPA’s Future—The United Strike of 1985, Part 2
During the United 29-day strike in 1985, the MEC miraculously convinces 570 new pilots in training not to cross the picket line.
Jan 5, 2024 · 16 min
Episode 31 - Of B-Scales and ALPA’s Future—The United Strike of 1985, Part 1
The United pilots’ Blue Skies honeymoon is cut short with the introduction of a two-tiered wage scale.
Dec 19, 2023 · 14 min
Episode 30 - Blue Skies and MEC Wars—The Origins of the United Strike of 1985, Part 2
A Ferg-Ferris alliance and the contentious “Blue Skies” agreement lead to concerns about the United pilots’ possible secession from ALPA.
Dec 6, 2023 · 17 min
Episode 29 - Blue Skies and MEC Wars—The Origins of the United Strike of 1985, Part 1
An unlikely connection between United’s CEO and the pilots’ MEC chair leads to a controversial contract proposal.
Nov 22, 2023 · 16 min
Episode 28 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 3
ALPA raises safety concerns as Continental continues to fly during its protracted strike.
Nov 10, 2023 · 19 min
Episode 27 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 2
The Bildisco decision, although temporary in its precedence, seals the Continental pilots’ fate.
Oct 25, 2023 · 16 min
Episode 26 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 1
Continental’s striking pilots fight back as Frank Lorenzo looks for ways to keep his airline flying.
Oct 11, 2023 · 17 min
Episode 25 - The Origins of the Continental Strike—Lorenzo Prepares His Blitzkrieg, Part 2
Frank Lorenzo uses the leverage of Chapter 11 to compel Continental pilots to make even more concessions.

Flying the Line

Episode 44 - Aftermath —The Disputed Election of 1990 and ALPA’s Future, Part 2

Episode 43 - Aftermath —The Disputed Election of 1990 and ALPA’s Future, Part 1

Episode 42 - The Eastern Strike and the Fall of Lorenzo, “How do you spell ‘Pyrrhic Victory,’ Frank?” Part 3

Episode 41 - The Eastern Strike and the Fall of Lorenzo, “How do you spell ‘Pyrrhic Victory,’ Frank?” Part 2

Episode 40 - The Eastern Strike and the Fall of Lorenzo, “How do you spell ‘Pyrrhic Victory,’ Frank?” Part 1

Episode 39 - Lorenzo's Last Gamble: The Origins of the Eastern Strike, Part 3

Episode 38 - Lorenzo's Last Gamble: The Origins of the Eastern Strike, Part 2

Episode 37 - Lorenzo's Last Gamble: The Origins of the Eastern Strike, Part 1

Episode 36 - National Politics and Mergers: The Election of 1986 and Beyond, Part 3

Episode 35 - National Politics and Mergers: The Election of 1986 and Beyond, Part 2

Episode 34 - National Politics and Mergers: The Election of 1986 and Beyond, Part 1

Episode 33 - Of B-Scales and ALPA’s Future—The United Strike of 1985, Part 3

Episode 32 - Of B-Scales and ALPA’s Future—The United Strike of 1985, Part 2

Episode 31 - Of B-Scales and ALPA’s Future—The United Strike of 1985, Part 1

Episode 30 - Blue Skies and MEC Wars—The Origins of the United Strike of 1985, Part 2

Episode 29 - Blue Skies and MEC Wars—The Origins of the United Strike of 1985, Part 1

Episode 28 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 3

Episode 27 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 2

Episode 26 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 1

Episode 25 - The Origins of the Continental Strike—Lorenzo Prepares His Blitzkrieg, Part 2