Podcasts by Flying the Line
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.
Further podcasts by Air Line Pilots Association, International
Podcast on the topic Luftfahrt
All episodes
Episode 29 - Blue Skies and MEC Wars—The Origins of the United Strike of 1985, Part 1 from 2023-12-06T14:01:36
An unlikely connection between United’s CEO and the pilots’ MEC chair leads to a controversial contract proposal.
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Episode 28 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 3 from 2023-11-22T14:29:28
ALPA raises safety concerns as Continental continues to fly during its protracted strike.
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Episode 27 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 2 from 2023-11-10T15:52:32
The Bildisco decision, although temporary in its precedence, seals the Continental pilots’ fate.
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Episode 26 - The Continental Strike—ALPA’s Dark Night of the Soul, Part 1 from 2023-10-25T12:27:59
Continental’s striking pilots fight back as Frank Lorenzo looks for ways to keep his airline flying.
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Episode 25 - The Origins of the Continental Strike—Lorenzo Prepares His Blitzkrieg, Part 2 from 2023-10-11T15:29:59
Frank Lorenzo uses the leverage of Chapter 11 to compel Continental pilots to make even more concessions.
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Episode 24 - The Origins of the Continental Strike—Lorenzo Prepares His Blitzkrieg, Part 1 from 2023-09-13T16:24:09
With ample resources hidden in Continental Airlines’ parent company, Texas Air Corporation, Lorenzo files for bankruptcy.
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Episode 23 - Pilots and PACs, Republicans and Labor—The “Reagan Revolution” Hits ALPA, Part 2 from 2023-08-30T12:10:01
ALPA’s responds to the adverse effects of deregulation, recession, and the Lorenzo wars by forming a Political Action Committee.
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Episode 22 - Pilots and PACs, Republicans and Labor—The “Reagan Revolution” Hits ALPA, Part 1 from 2023-08-16T13:32:57
In this episode we look at airline deregulation and the evolving nature and influence of the Republican Party.
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Episode 21 - Bad Dude Rising—Frank Lorenzo Grabs Continental, Part 3 from 2023-08-04T10:11:43
Hank Duffy inherits the debacle at Continental.
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Episode 20 - Bad Dude Rising—Frank Lorenzo Grabs Continental, Part 2 from 2023-07-19T15:49:04
A rift between junior and senior Continental pilots occurs when they most desperately need to be unified.
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Episode 19 - Bad Dude Rising—Frank Lorenzo Grabs Continental, Part 1 from 2023-07-06T10:53:16
Frank Lorenzo takes over Continental Airlines.
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Episode 18 - Who Are These Guys?—Frank Lorenzo and His Kind, Part 2 from 2023-06-23T18:13:33
Frank Lorenzo enters the industry and advances his airline ambitions.
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Episode 17 - Who Are These Guys?—Frank Lorenzo and His Kind, Part 1 from 2023-05-26T17:06:31
A new breed of corporate leadership challenges the status quo in the aviation industry.
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Episode 16 - Duffy Takes Charge–A Troubled Transition, Part 2 from 2023-04-30T23:30:05
We explore the Duffy administration's inauspicious start and the emergence of Frank Lorenzo.
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Episode 15 - Duffy Takes Charge—A Troubled Transition, Part 1 from 2023-04-12T17:17:10
We take a look inside the transition from J.J. O’Donnell's administration to Hank Duffy's.
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Episode 14 - Hank Duffy’s Destiny—The Making of an ALPA President, Part 2 from 2023-03-29T16:01:53
We explore the experiences that led Hank Duffy to pursue the ALPA presidency.
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Episode 13 - Hank Duffy’s Destiny—The Making of an ALPA President, Part 1 from 2023-03-15T12:41:24
In this episode we follow Hank Duffy's path to Delta Air Lines.
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Episode 12 - The End of the O’Donnell Era—The Election of 1982, Part 2 from 2023-03-03T18:20:21
We learn more about the ALPA presidential election of 1982 and how labor protection provisions, or LPPs, played a role.
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Episode 11 - The End of the O’Donnell Era—The Election of 1982, Part 1 from 2023-02-15T17:59:41
We review the events and decisions leading up to the 1982 ALPA presidential election.
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Episode 10 - O’Donnell’s Dilemmas—The PATCO Strike, Braniff, and Furloughs, Part 2 from 2023-02-01T23:17:07
This episode covers the PATCO strike and its impact on ALPA, the J.J. O’Donnell administration, and airline labor.
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Episode 9 - O’Donnell’s Dilemmas—The PATCO Strike, Braniff, and Furloughs, Part 1 from 2023-01-18T12:50:54
We examine the aftermath of the Braniff debacle.
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Episode 8 - The Braniff Debacle—Deregulation Hits Home, Part 2 from 2023-01-04T17:02:24
We look at how Braniff pilots faced a crisis that no other U.S. pilot group had ever confronted.
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Episode 7 - The Braniff Debacle—Deregulation Hits Home, Part 1 from 2022-12-22T13:57:36
We examine the reasons behind Braniff’s demise.
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Episode 6 - Dodging Bullets—Crew Complement, Politics, and the Wien Strike, Part 2 from 2022-12-08T17:54:21
We explore the history of the crew compliment issue.
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Episode 5 - Dodging Bullets—Crew Complement, Politics and the Wien Strike, Part 1 from 2022-11-23T11:53:08
We examine the administrative change from regional to executive vice president and how that changed the political landscape of the Air Line Pilots Association.
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Episode 4 - The Trials of J.J. O’Donnell - Part 2 from 2022-11-02T12:05:34
We examine the 1981 suspension of service, codenamed “Operation USA.”
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Episode 3 - The Trials of J.J. O’Donnell - Part 1 from 2022-10-05T17:33:49
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.
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Episode 2 - The Legacy of Four Golden Decades from 2022-09-21T12:24:26
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.
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Episode 1 - The World of the Airline Pilot from 2022-08-31T11:55:08
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...
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Chapter 25 - The Rise of J.J. O’Donnell from 2021-12-10T13:54:51
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.
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Chapter 24 (Part 2) - ”Skyjacking” from 2021-12-10T13:53:12
A surge of skyjackings tears through the industry. Armed with experience, ALPA mobilizes to halt the advancing threat despite significant pushback.
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Chapter 24 (Part 1) - ”Skyjacking” from 2021-12-10T13:51:04
The pilots of Eastern Airlines strike and ALPA is forced to walk a fine line with management.
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Chapter 23 (Part 2) - ”Jets and Thin Ice” from 2021-12-10T13:44:02
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 ...
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Chapter 23 (Part 1) - "Jets and Thin Ice" from 2021-08-16T09:00
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 o...
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Chapter 22 (Part 2) - "American Airlines Goes It Alone" from 2021-08-09T09:00
The dissidents of American Airlines mount their challenge, and decide on their future, with or without ALPA.
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Chapter 22 (Part 1) - "American Airlines Goes It Alone" from 2021-08-09T09:00
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.
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Chapter 21 - "The Origins of the American Airlines Split" from 2021-07-15T12:12:11
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 o...
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Chapter 20 (Part 2) - "Charley Ruby's Hour" from 2021-05-17T09:40:10
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 predecess...
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Chapter 20 (Part 1) -"Charley Ruby's Hour" from 2021-05-17T09:39:13
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...
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Chapter 19 - "Internal Politicking, 1960–1962" from 2021-05-05T09:00
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 ali...
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Chapter 18 (Part 2) - "The Southern Airways Strike of 1960" from 2021-04-30T16:55:10
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 th...
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Chapter 18 (Part 1) - "The Southern Airways Strike of 1960" from 2021-03-05T11:02:35
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....
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Chapter 17 (Part 2)- "Safety and Crew Complement in the 1950s" from 2021-01-29T10:31:18
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 thi...
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Chapter 17 (Part 1)- "Safety and Crew Complement in the 1950s" from 2020-12-21T09:00
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...
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Chapter 16 (Part 2)- "The Sayen Style" from 2020-12-07T09:00
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’...
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Chapter 16 (Part 1)- "The Sayen Style" from 2020-11-23T09:00
In a way, ALPA's second president, Clancy Sayen was a victim of the ouster of ALPA's founder and first president, Dave Behncke. When Sayen joined ALPA, he did not have the presidency in his plan...
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Chapter 15 (Part 2)-”The Fall of Dave Behncke” from 2020-11-09T13:22:37
Against all odds and amidst a quickly shifting industry and labor landscape, ALPA’s first president Dave Behncke continues his fight to maintain his position atop the organization he founded. Qu...
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Chapter 15 (Part 1)-”The Fall of Dave Behncke” from 2020-10-13T15:39:30
ALPA’s founder and first president, Dave Behncke, works to maintain his position against all odds. But an investigative committee looks into various factors that would eventually lead to his dow...
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Chapter 14 (Part 2)-”The Ordeal of E. P. McDonald” from 2020-09-12T09:00
The fight for Capt. MacDonald's career ends with a victory for the union pilots of National Airlines after a long and hard-fought battle with National's CEO, George T. Baker. However, this was o...
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Chapter 14 (Part 1)-”The Ordeal of E. P. McDonald” from 2020-08-24T09:00
In the wake of the National Airlines strike, management resorts to dirty tricks to topple labor, and one pro-ALPA captain, Ed McDonald, is removed from flying as two other pilots sabotage his ai...
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Chapter 13 (Part 2)-”The National Airlines Strike of 1948” from 2020-08-10T09:00
In ALPA’s short history, Ted Baker, the owner of National Airlines, was one of the most unscrupulous operators Dave Behncke had to deal with. The pilots of National Airlines attempted to hold th...
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Chapter 13 (Part 1)-”The National Airlines Strike of 1948” from 2020-07-27T09:00
Fresh off the TWA Pilots’ strike of 1946, ALPA had another battle looming with the management of National Airlines. In the minds of the pilots of National Airlines, the strike of 1948 was like W...
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Chapter 12 (Part 2)-”The TWA Strike of 1946” from 2020-07-13T09:00
The pilots of TWA struck over “the four-engine pay problem” and another pilots association threatens to cross picket lines. However in the midst of all this, ALPA President Dave Behncke was rush...
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Chapter 12 (Part 1)-”The TWA Strike of 1946” from 2020-06-29T09:00
Advancements in aircraft design inevitably lead to increased efficiency and productivity. With TWA priding itself on being at the forefront of aircraft design and technology, it was all but cert...
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Chapter 11 (Part 2)-”Wartime!” from 2020-06-15T14:20:42
In the midst of the United States fighting a global war, ALPA fought to protect its pilots. With airline operators using wartime needs as an excuse to roll back flying limits, ALPA successfully ...
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Chapter 11 (Part 1)-”Wartime!” from 2020-05-19T10:37:50
In the early years of its existence, ALPA made considerable gains in protecting pay and benefits for pilots flying the line. In addition to the gains in labor, ALPA also wielded great power and ...
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Chapter 10 (Part 2)-”Dave Behncke: An American Success Story” from 2020-04-29T09:55:23
Dave Behncke's path to becoming the founder and head of ALPA was not a direct one. While Behncke finally achieved the military assignment he had coveted, it was short-lived. This, along with sev...
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Chapter 10 (Part 1)-”Dave Behncke: An American Success Story” from 2020-04-06T15:18:30
Learn about the origins and story of ALPA's first president, Dave Behncke. Join us to retrace Behncke's journey from a small Midwestern farm to the head of one of the largest and most powerful l...
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Chapter 9 (Part 2)-”The Rise and Fall of the TWA Pilots' Association” from 2020-02-28T21:33:45
The flight that killed U.S. Senator Bronson Cutting from New Mexico brought renewed scrutiny to the airline accident investigations process. Until this point, "pilot error" was a commonly cited ...
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Chapter 9 (Part 1)-”The Rise and Fall of the TWA Pilots' Association” from 2020-02-10T11:30:28
Learn what chain of events led to the rise of one of the first airline-sponsored pilots' associations, the TWA Pilots' Association. Associations such as these often led to the system being rigge...
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Chapter 8 (Part 2)-”Flying for a Rogue Airline” from 2019-12-20T09:48
Long and Harmon were essentially running a rogue airline that was refusing to abide by Decision 83, which was the National Labor Board edict that required pilots to be paid a certain amount for ...
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Chapter 8 (Part 1)-"Flying for a Rogue Airline" from 2019-10-02T12:24:44
ALPA's first president, Dave Behncke was determined to make sure that all airline pilots would be treated equally with the respect they deserved. But airline management would fight hard to creat...
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Chapter 7 (Part 2)-"Perils in Washington" from 2019-08-30T10:47:42
Expert maneuvering by ALPA's first president, Capt. Dave Behncke helped propel ALPA from a small lobbying group to the most respected voice for airline pilots in Washington. Through ALPA's advoc...
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Chapter 7 (Part 1)-"Perils in Washington" from 2019-07-29T15:59:42
The early days of ALPA's presence in Washington were filled with political maneuvering spearheaded by ALPA's founder, Dave Behncke. Through ALPA's support of President Franklin Roosevelt and his...
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Chapter 6 (Part 2)-"The Trouble with E.L. Cord" from 2019-06-24T15:03:36
The Century Airlines Strike of 1932 was quite the spectacle during the early days of commercial aviation. Not only was it a pivotal event in the history of commercial aviation, but it was key to...
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Chapter 6 (Part 1)-"The Trouble with E.L. Cord" from 2019-06-07T15:26:32
E.L. Cord was the owner of Century Air Lines, but more importantly, his name was the rallying cry for organizing pilots in the 1930s. The Century Air Lines Strike of 1932 gave ALPA its first opp...
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Chapter 5 (Part 2)-"The Livermore Affair" from 2019-05-17T11:22
In this episode, we hear the conclusion of the Livermore Affair and learn how this tragedy set the groundwork for ALPA's critical role in setting high standards for aviation safety, eliminating ...
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Chapter 5 (Part 1)-"The Livermore Affair" from 2019-04-25T13:12:05
In 1937, a young widow by the name of Lorna Livermore helped ALPA shed light on the practice of “pilot pushing” with the public for the very first time when she sued Northwest Airlines alleging ...
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Chapter 4-"The Airmail Pilots' Strike of 1919" from 2019-04-04T10:43
The Airmail Pilots' Strike of 1919 was one of the earliest organized actions taken by pilots. This 4-day strike led to concessions by Post Office management to eliminate the practice of "weather...
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Chapter 3-"Pilot Pushing" from 2019-03-27T14:52:23
This week, we’ll hear about how the deadly practice of “pilot pushing” played a huge role in Capt. David Behncke’s drive to organize his fellow brother pilots.
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Chapter 2-"Stepping on Toes" from 2019-03-05T17:22:41
This week, hear about the 24 "key men" who saw themselves as good "company men" but were labeled as "troublemakers" by their airline management. ALPA's Key Men faced much opposition from both ma...
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Chapter 1-"What's a Pilot’s Worth?" from 2019-02-05T11:13:40
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 fascin...
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