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

Nov 2, 2022 · 17 min
Episode 4 - The Trials of J.J. O’Donnell - Part 2
We examine the 1981 suspension of service, codenamed “Operation USA.”
Oct 5, 2022 · 17 min
Episode 3 - The Trials of J.J. O’Donnell - Part 1
In this episode, we look at the legacy of ALPA President J.J. O’Donnell, the effects of the skyjacking phenomenon, and an impending suspension of service.
Sep 21, 2022 · 20 min
Episode 2 - The Legacy of Four Golden Decades
The deregulation of the airline industry makes an indelible mark on the modern profession, as politics and economics become a part of an airline pilot’s daily routine.
Aug 31, 2022 · 20 min
Episode 1 - The World of the Airline Pilot
In the span of one lifetime, commercial aviation has made progress that would shame the wildest flights of science fiction fancy. And yet, the basic process of flight, of readying both pilot and airplane, is eerily similar. Join us as we examined the challenges of airline flying, the evolving industry landscape, and the perception of the airline pilot in the public psyche, in our new podcast, Flying the Line, Vol. 2!
Dec 10, 2021 · 34 min
Chapter 25 - The Rise of J.J. O’Donnell
ALPA’s fight against skyjacking is taken to the next level, as an unorthodox tactic is deployed to raise public awareness in the wake of continued violence.
Dec 10, 2021 · 25 min
Chapter 24 (Part 2) - ”Skyjacking”
A surge of skyjackings tears through the industry. Armed with experience, ALPA mobilizes to halt the advancing threat despite significant pushback.
Dec 10, 2021 · 24 min
Chapter 24 (Part 1) - ”Skyjacking”
The pilots of Eastern Airlines strike and ALPA is forced to walk a fine line with management.
Dec 10, 2021 · 21 min
Chapter 23 (Part 2) - ”Jets and Thin Ice”
The transition of pilots and airlines to the jet age becomes a major trouble spot for all, and the rising tensions result in some pilots taking matters into their own hands with an unauthorized strike.
Aug 16, 2021 · 18 min
Chapter 23 (Part 1) - "Jets and Thin Ice"
As ALPA enters the jet age, technological improvements open the door to progress. But much like every major leap in technological progress before, the transition to jets isn't without problems or controversy.
Aug 9, 2021 · 18 min
Chapter 22 (Part 2) - "American Airlines Goes It Alone"
The dissidents of American Airlines mount their challenge, and decide on their future, with or without ALPA.
Aug 9, 2021 · 19 min
Chapter 22 (Part 1) - "American Airlines Goes It Alone"
The pilots of American Airlines decide to chart their own future after the issue of crew complement returns to the forefront, and dissident leaders seize their chance to break away.
Jul 15, 2021 · 22 min
Chapter 21 - "The Origins of the American Airlines Split"
ALPA's during its early years was a remarkable story of unification across company lines. There were cracks lying under the surface, but unity kept any schisms at bay. But as time went by, the old spirit of shoulder-to-shoulder solidarity among ALPA's pilots began to erode. The new generation of pilots coming up were complacent about ALPA and the importance of unity, which would lead to the largest split that ALPA has experienced in its history.
May 17, 2021 · 21 min
Chapter 20 (Part 2) - "Charley Ruby's Hour"
The unique experiences of Charles Ruby’s life and career made him an unlikely choice for the Association’s president. But his due to the circumstances surrounding the departures of his predecessors, and the place ALPA was in at the time of his election, it could only have been Charley Ruby.
May 17, 2021 · 22 min
Chapter 20 (Part 1) -"Charley Ruby's Hour"
The election of ALPA President Charles Ruby, a seemingly status quo leader, brings reform and new ideas to the Association – challenging what some members’ thoughts on what their union’s purpose should be.
May 5, 2021 · 25 min
Chapter 19 - "Internal Politicking, 1960–1962"
The 1960 election of President John F. Kennedy opens new doors for labor, in both aviation and other industries. And the promise of a new age spawns new ambitions for leaders and politicians alike.
Apr 30, 2021 · 18 min
Chapter 18 (Part 2) - "The Southern Airways Strike of 1960"
The striking pilots of Southern Airways resort to unorthodox tactics, including starting their own airline, to win public support, and the federal government intervenes. But this strike tests the Association like no conflict prior. And with the country’s election of a new president – new opportunities for labor arise.
Mar 5, 2021 · 22 min
Chapter 18 (Part 1) - "The Southern Airways Strike of 1960"
In stark contrast with his fellow airline operators, the president of Southern Airways, Frank Hulse, goes to war with his airline’s pilots by cutting pay and benefits to bolster his own profits. While the pilots are forced to resort to unorthodox and inventive methods to plead their case with the flying public, Hulse takes strike-breaking to a new low by hiring unqualified pilots.
Jan 29, 2021 · 19 min
Chapter 17 (Part 2)- "Safety and Crew Complement in the 1950s"
A prank by a pilot in the jumpseat on a scheduled passenger flight highlights the need for more stringent standards on who should be afforded the right to have a seat on the flight deck. But this battle with federal regulators over crew complement would set the foundation for what would be the toughest and most painful period for ALPA in the years to come.
Dec 21, 2020 · 19 min
Chapter 17 (Part 1)- "Safety and Crew Complement in the 1950s"
ALPA advocates on behalf of having three pilots working on the flight deck of the new airliners of the post-World War 2 era, but accidents and pilot pranks do little to help the cause, all while one airline’s pilots mull over leaving the Association.
Dec 7, 2020 · 13 min
Chapter 16 (Part 2)- "The Sayen Style"
ALPA’s second president Clancy Sayen began his term on the heels of a bitter fight that ousted ALPA’s founder Dave Behncke. Upon his election, Sayen began a top-to-bottom reorganization of ALPA’s governance structure in order to democratize the association. In addition, he took head-on the issue of how the quick advancement of aviation technology impacted productivity, and thus, the pay rates of pilots. With the advent of jet technology, Sayen created the Jet Pay Study Committee to determine how best ALPA could navigate addressing the dual issues of aviation safety and crew complement in the cockpit, while protecting pilot jobs and pay.

Flying the Line

Episode 4 - The Trials of J.J. O’Donnell - Part 2

Episode 3 - The Trials of J.J. O’Donnell - Part 1

Episode 2 - The Legacy of Four Golden Decades

Episode 1 - The World of the Airline Pilot

Chapter 25 - The Rise of J.J. O’Donnell

Chapter 24 (Part 2) - ”Skyjacking”

Chapter 24 (Part 1) - ”Skyjacking”

Chapter 23 (Part 2) - ”Jets and Thin Ice”

Chapter 23 (Part 1) - "Jets and Thin Ice"

Chapter 22 (Part 2) - "American Airlines Goes It Alone"

Chapter 22 (Part 1) - "American Airlines Goes It Alone"

Chapter 21 - "The Origins of the American Airlines Split"

Chapter 20 (Part 2) - "Charley Ruby's Hour"

Chapter 20 (Part 1) -"Charley Ruby's Hour"

Chapter 19 - "Internal Politicking, 1960–1962"

Chapter 18 (Part 2) - "The Southern Airways Strike of 1960"

Chapter 18 (Part 1) - "The Southern Airways Strike of 1960"

Chapter 17 (Part 2)- "Safety and Crew Complement in the 1950s"

Chapter 17 (Part 1)- "Safety and Crew Complement in the 1950s"

Chapter 16 (Part 2)- "The Sayen Style"