January 16, 2019

My fellow pilots,

As the U.S. government shutdown continues, I’ve been serving notice in Washington, D.C., that our members’ voices must be heard about its potential serious adverse effect on the safety and security of our aviation system and the dignity of hard-working Americans in our industry and beyond. 

We know our voice is being heard, because earlier this week, the FAA recalled thousands of furloughed employees who help ensure aviation safety, including the representatives at some airlines who collect and evaluate frontline employees’ safety reports through the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP).  However, these Americans have been asked to join the ranks of other employees deemed “essential,” who will be performing their jobs without pay. 

I have personally reached out to the highest levels of our government—the Speaker of the U.S. House, the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, President Trump, and the FAA acting administrator—to let them know the importance of our aviation industry to the U.S. economy and the critical role that safety and security play in ensuring confidence in our system. I’ve also directed my administration and staff to work with airlines, regulators, our safety partners at NATCA, and other aviation and airline stakeholders to monitor the system closely for any indication that safety and security are beginning to show signs of strain. 

At this point, despite the shutdown, flying remains safe because no ALPA member or airline pilot would ever take off if there’s any reason to be concerned about safety. As the shutdown continues, however, some of the programs and processes that help us maintain aviation safety and monitor the system’s integrity are at risk of being weakened. For example, we know that safety reports from frontline employees, including pilots, are not consistently collected at all airlines or utilized to their full potential, making it harder to identify new or emerging threats. Other significant programs have also been interrupted or frozen completely, such as the training of new controllers and security screeners. As a result, my concerns are increasing about our industry being able to support the level of safety we demand as professional pilots.

In addition, many workers who keep flying safe and secure are being asked to do their jobs without pay, an unconscionable act that can leave affected workers distracted and demoralized. These aviation industry colleagues are valued professionals who contribute tremendously to the success of the aviation system. Because of the shutdown, they now find themselves concerned about their ability to pay bills and support their families.

Last Friday, at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, I offered a small token of thanks on behalf of ALPA pilots to air traffic controllers and safety specialists by delivering lunch to these dedicated professionals who were, for the first time since the shutdown began, going without a paycheck. We had an opportunity to talk together, and despite their concerns and desire for an immediate end to the shutdown, they remained dedicated to safety and focused on professionalism. But how long can the U.S. government continue this egregious neglect of basic human dignity? What has happened to the fundamental promise in our society of a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work?

So while our system remains safe, it’s now up to our frontline employees and professionals, including pilots, controllers, screeners, flight attendants, maintenance workers, and aviation inspectors, to be extra diligent during all phases of our flight operations.

On behalf of ALPA members, I’m raising a red flag to be on guard for the potential for an adverse impact on safety and security caused by this shutdown.

The solution that will safeguard our skies and defend the dignity of hard-working aviation industry employees is for our congressional leaders and the President to act immediately to resolve the situation and reopen the government.

Capt. Joe DePete
ALPA President