Late tomorrow afternoon we should know which platform of candidates will lead the Allied Pilots Association for the next three years. The APA represents the pilots at American Airlines.

To say that this is a huge election is the proverbial understatement. Whoever is elected will preside over one of the most contentious contract negotiations in the industry — the first of many such negotiations slated in the next two years.

Will Ralph Hunter manage to hang on to the President’s position?

I have talked to those on both sides over the last two weeks, and I can honestly say — this one is too close to call. I rarely say that — although I did in the recent Northwest flight attendant vote.

But this one — yep. It’s too close to call. And frankly, that’s not good for Ralph Hunter.

In the primary vote, only 58% voted of the eligible pilots voted. But Ralph only got about 1400 votes. The group of challengers to him received about 4500 total. (There were three challengers including Hill.)

It’s a pretty easy election to dissect however — as many pilots who are not happy with the current situation at American tend to blame Hunter for having been too close to management over the last three years. For them, it’s a case of “change is a good thing, no matter what it is.”  Hill is campaigning to this unhappiness by promising to be much more aggressive with management  at American.

But those on Hunter’s side believe that Lloyd Hill is a loose cannon — and not the type of person they want in the office at this particular point in time.

We’ll have the final numbers here tomorrow.

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