The Spirit Pilots Podcast: Recent Episodes
SpaCommunications
Produced by your SPA ALPA MEC, this podcast will talk about the workings of the union as well as negotiations as they continue.
In this episode, Captain Tom Bellisario is interviewed on the dual roles he serves as Pilot-to-Pilot (P2P) Committee Chair and Family Awareness Committee Chair. Captain Bellisario discusses the P2P committee's vital work in countering rumors and misinformation through direct peer-to-peer communication, emphasizing their role in maintaining accurate information sharing among crew members. He details how pilots can connect with P2P volunteers through spa.alpa.org, phone, email, or DART system, and highlights the committee's presence across all domiciles with volunteers wearing red lanyards for easy identification.
The discussion also covers the Family Awareness Committee's mission to support pilot families through work-life balance events, including past baseball games, hockey matches, and upcoming picnic-style gatherings where pilots can engage face-to-face with MEC officers and committee chairs. Captain Bellisario emphasizes the importance of utilizing the ALPA app and DART system for direct communication and accurate information.
First Officer Ana Stolica interviews Communications Committee Chair Captain Greg Hudson about the vital work of the Communications Committee. Captain Hudson details the committee's role in producing the weekly Status Page newsletter, managing all email communications to the pilot group such as safety updates, and overseeing social media content that keeps Spirit pilots informed. This episode covers essential pilot resources including the union website (spa.alpa.org), DART system, PBS bidding videos, and upcoming family awareness events. Captain Hudson also explains how pilots can better engage with their union through email communications, social media participation, and sharing their stories with the committee.
Communications Chair Captain Greg Hudson discusses with Training Committee Chair Captain Randy Symanski important updates for the new 2025-2026 training cycle. Captain Symanski covers changes to LOE scenarios, the new quarterly distance learning rollout, and common errors pilots should avoid during MVs and LOEs. This episode provides essential information for pilots preparing for their training events and recurrent requirements.
In this episode Pilot Assistance Chair Rob Cox, Aeromedical Chair Julie Love, and PPS Chair PJ Murders discuss ALPAs 'Are you in the Green' campaign, new developments in the aeromedical community plus a lot more!
In this episode Randy talks about changes coming to recurrent training, including the LOE and MV also what to look for in SPOT training.
Julie love talks about ways to protect your medical and what to do if you need help with medical issues.
Capt. Cox discusses the functions of the PA committee, HIMS, CIRP, PPS and Aeromedical. We also discuss the new DOT drug testing checklist to help our pilots through that process.
Training Committee chair Capt. Randy Symanski talks about the AQP program, new SESs and some advice on your next training event.
PBS Committee Chairman Capt. Justin Jordan talks about the bidding process, how they work with the company to provide the best PBS solution and where you can get some advice on your bids.
Capt. Bill Nash joins dispatcher and ASAP ERC Member Wes Egan to discuss hot topics and a dispatchers point of view on flight operations.
Capt. Chad Stewart talks about all the in's and outs of your pay report, your pay stub and some common mistakes. If you have any questions please send a Dart.
Capt. Bill Nash talks about his role as the Central Air Safety Committee Chair, all the subcommittees he supports, as well as his role as the Vice-Chair of the ALPA National Safety Council.
On this episode we talk with Professional Standards Chair Capt. Korina Wolf. Her background, the training required for the job and how she works to help the pilot group. If you need Professional Standards help please send a Dart to the committee with only your name and your number and they will reach out to you.
In this episode we talked to SPSC Chair Capt. Brian Coley and P2P Chair Jim Stefaniw about their committees and how they function. We also talked about the DART system, and the importance of unity and wearing the orange lanyard. If you any questions please send us a DART.
We talked to Capt. Joe Gemma about what the Mentor Committee does, how they interact with the Training Committee and much more!
In this episode Capt. Leyte Vidal discusses the hotel selection process, who to contact with hotel issues and much more!
Today we talk with Captain Reilly about her work with the ESC, Air Quality Events (AQEs), Dirty Jets and much more!
Today we talked with Capt. Brian Desgain about the Scheduling Committee. How they operate, who to contact if you can't get a hold of a scheduler, and much more!
May is Mental Health Awareness, so we talked to Pilot Peer Support Chair Capt. Justice about what her committee does for Spirit pilots! If you are in need call PPS at 309-PPS-ALPA (309-777-2572).
Today we talk to Training Committee Chair Capt. Symanski about his role in the committee and the Companies change to AQP.
Introducing the new Spirit Pilots Podcast brought to you by the SPA ALPA MEC Communications Committee. On this pod we will be conducting interviews with committee chairs, along with MEC leadership. As well as keeping tabs on negotiations as we enter into Sec 6 negotiations.