Air Safety Forum Kicks Off with Celebration of ‘ALPA Wins’

August 4, 2014 - The Air Safety Organization kicked off the 60th Air Safety Forum with a celebration of what ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak referred to as “ALPA wins,” recent progress made in security, safety, and pilot assistance.

“You all know me well enough now that you know there’s nothing I celebrate more than an ALPA win,” Moak said, pointing out that the members of ALPA and the Air Safety Organization help deliver those wins. He further noted that ALPA had proactively addressed the issue of airspace closure procedures with the FAA, and heard from the administrator that the agency will hold an upcoming summit to discuss issues related to closing airspace.

First vice president and national safety coordinator Capt. Sean Cassidy opened the Air Safety Forum’s safety and security representatives’ workshop, speaking before the standing-room-only session, where the ASO groups will plan and discuss various topics that help pilots get the job done safely and securely.

Capt. Cassidy went on to highlight the ALPA accomplishments just since June, including leading a forum discussing data-sharing across organizations, advancements in maintaining Pilot-In-Command authority over use of the cockpit jumpseat, and the addition of Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City as the 55th airport in the Known Crewmember program.

Cassidy then drew the attention of attendees to the ASF app and one icon in particular that states “Powered by ALPA.” All the successes he mentioned, Cassidy explained, were “powered by ALPA,” by the hard work of each and every person in the room and the rest of the Air Safety Organization.

The opening session concluded with a Q&A with Capts. Moak and Cassidy, where attendees asked about the recent messaging from ALPA regarding pilot pay shortage, the Deny NAI campaign, and operations in the vicinity of conflict zones.