November 13, 2009 - ALPA president Capt. John Prater joined airline industry stakeholders at the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) invitation-only “State of the Aviation Industry” forum on Thursday, where Secretary Ray LaHood announced the creation of a federal advisory committee. The committee has been charged with examining the airline industry, its competitiveness, and its ability to address the evolving transportation needs, challenges, and opportunities of the global economy.