How We Got Here
A step-by-step breakdown of how representation broke down, negotiations stopped, and the pilot group lost its voice.
This timeline outlines the sequence of decisions that led to the current state of the union. Each step reflects a shift away from pilot-driven representation and toward actions that were not supported by polling, data, or the broader membership. The result is a complete breakdown in governance, negotiations, and accountability.
March 1, 2024
LEC 169 Elects New Representatives
What Happened
New LEC 169 representative enter office and begin a push to shift away from prior MEC strategy, experienced volunteer involvement, and pilot-driven feedback.
Why It Matters
This starts representative instability that later grows into a broader governance breakdown. Instead of building continuity during active negotiations, the direction starts moving toward personal agendas and away from verified pilot input.
October 2024
LEC 169 Moves Further Away from Pilot Priorities
What Happened
LEC 169 representatives continue advancing positions that are not supported by polling, surveys, or clear pilot-wide feedback.
Why It Matters
This weakens the pilot group’s negotiating position by replacing documented membership input with the preferences of a vocal minority. That disconnect creates confusion, division, and less credibility at the table.
December 2025
Chicago MEC Meeting: LEC 165 Enters the MEC Dynamic
What Happened
A new LEC 165 representatives attends the MEC meeting in December 2025. This becomes the point where LEC 165’s new representatives begins aligning with LEC 169 instead of restoring stability or pilot-driven representation.
Why It Matters
This alignment gives the LEC 165 + LEC 169 bloc the ability to control the direction of the MEC. From this point forward the path to paralysis becomes much more direct.
Early 2026
LEC 165 and LEC 169 Bloc Solidifies
What Happened
LEC 165 + LEC 169 continue acting as a coordinated bloc, advancing positions not supported by polling, surveys, or objective evidence of majority pilot support.
Why It Matters
The structure designed to represent pilots begins operating as a control point for a small aligned group. This undermines the bottom-up principle of the union and disconnects representation from the membership.
March 24, 2026
LEC 165 Introduces a High-Risk AQP Strategy
What Happened
During the March LEC meeting, both LEC 165 representatives discussed a strategy that anticipated failed negotiations and relied on the company unilaterally implementing AQP. The strategy accepted the possibility that pilots could fail checkrides without protective language, creating chaos that would supposedly force the company back to negotiations.
Why It Matters
This places pilot careers, records, PRIA/PRD history, resumes, and future employment opportunities at risk. It shifts the focus away from protecting pilots and toward using pilot harm as leverage. Jeopardizing pilot careers and letting the company take hostages is a reckless negotiation strategy.
Spring 2026
LEC 165+169 Fails to Represent Pilots Directly
What Happened
ALPA National provided the following legal guidance:
- That Frontier could likely implement AQP under management rights,
- That challenges would likely proceed as a minor dispute through the grievance process, and
- That the focus should be on pilot protections rather than financial gain inside an AQP LOA.
Why It Matters
Despite this, LEC 165 + LEC 169 representatives minimized or disputed those points during pilot discussions and characterized pilot sentiment as broadly opposed to an AQP LOA without financial gain.
March 30, 2026
LEC 165 Silences Internal Disagreement
What Happened
After the LEC 165 Secretary-Treasurer asked to have his name removed from one March 30 communication because he disagreed with specific portions, that request was later treated as a blanket excuse to exclude him from future communications.
Why It Matters
Disagreement inside elected representatives should be handled transparently, not used as a reason to cut an elected officer out of future communication. This limits internal accountability and narrows what pilots are allowed to hear.
April 2026
Policy Compliance and Governance Concerns Escalate
What Happened
LEC 165 representatives allegedly bypassed proper MEC coordination channels by contacting senior company management to express a personal position inconsistent with MEC discussion. A later proposal sought to change MEC policy to allow similar upper-management contact without MEC approval.
Why It Matters
Going around established MEC policy weakens unified representation and exposes division to management. It turns internal disagreement into external dysfunction at the exact time the pilot group needs a coordinated strategy.
April 3, 2026
Recall Items Placed on the LEC 165 Agenda
What Happened
The LEC 165 Secretary-Treasurer submitted a proposed agenda for the May 5 LEC meeting that included recall items for the Captain Representative and First Officer Representative.
Why It Matters
This was the proper democratic process. Pilots have the right to address recall through their Local Council Meeting process, and placing the items on the agenda should have allowed membership to act.
April 9, 2026
May 5 LEC 165 Meeting Postponed After Recall Appears on Agenda
What Happened
After recall items were placed on the agenda, the scheduled May 5 LEC meeting was postponed due to alleged “scheduling conflicts". No specific conflict was provided, and the meeting had not been rescheduled as of the April 20 update.
Why It Matters
Canceling or postponing a meeting after recall items appear on the agenda interferes with the membership’s ability to exercise democratic rights. This removes accountability from the process and delays the pilots’ ability to act.
April 16, 2026
Airport Sits Used Instead of a Voting Meeting
What Happened
LEC 165 representatives communicated plans for two-day airport sits in CVG and DFW while the formal LEC meeting, where pilots could be on record and act through the democratic process, remained postponed.
Why It Matters
Airport sits can gather feedback, but they do not replace a Local Council Meeting. Pilots cannot vote, make motions, or formally act through informal airport visits.
April 2026 MEC Meeting — Total Collapse by lec 165 + 169
Negotiating Committee Removed
What Happened
The Negotiating Committee is removed without a clear objective reason or replacement plan. LEC 165 brings forward the resolution when a majority cannot be reached LEC 169 moves to pass the resolution by way of a roll call vote.
Why It Matters
This halts negotiation progress and erases years of strategic work. Removing the committee during active negotiations leaves the pilot group without experienced negotiators to carry the contract strategy forward. It also leaves pilots vulnerable during critical LOA discussions, or in the event of a merger.
Fallout – April 2026
Representatives and Volunteer Collapse
What Happened
No MEC Chair, No Negotiating Committee, Committee Chairs resign, Volunteers leave citing LEC 165 and LEC 169 as the reason work can no longer be done.
Why It Matters
Without representatives, committees, and volunteers, the union cannot function. This is no longer a policy disagreement. It is an operational breakdown.
Current State
- No negotiations moving forward
- No Negotiating Committee
- No MEC Chair
- No clear, pilot-driven decision-making process
Why It Matters
The pilot group has no effective path forward under the current structure. The same councils that helped create the breakdown are now preventing the accountability process needed to resolve it.
Path Forward
Recall or Resignation of LEC 165 and LEC 169 Representatives
What Happened
The path forward is accountability through the recall process or voluntary resignation by the representatives whose actions have contributed to the breakdown.
Why It Matters
The union cannot rebuild while the same voting bloc continues to block function, remove accountability, and ignore pilot-driven input. Restoring representation requires returning power to the membership and allowing pilots to decide who speaks for them.
Final Outcome
Systemic Breakdown
What Happened
A small aligned group, operating through LEC 165 and LEC 169, has overridden pilot-driven governance and pushed the union into paralysis.
Why It Matters
This is not simply internal disagreement. It is a complete breakdown of the system designed to represent the pilot group. The solution has to come from the membership.