August 6, 2014 - During the Wednesday afternoon session of ALPA’s Air Safety Forum, the Association honored First Officer Ali Frohlich (DAL) with the 2013–2014 Outstanding ALPA Airport Safety Liaison (ASL) award for his work advancing aviation safety at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP).

During his presentation of the award, ALPA First Vice President and Air Safety Coordinator Sean Cassidy noted that Frohlich provided pilot input during the construction of the nation’s first major airport (i.e., ECP) since 2001 and helped institute numerous safety enhancements into the airport master plan, including the lengthening of a runway. Thanks to Frohlich, ALPA has fostered a strong partnership with ECP.

“ALPA’s Air Safety Liaison program puts line pilots in direct contact with the management and staff of airports all over the United States and Canada,” said Cassidy. ASLs work collaboratively with airports on a wide variety of projects dealing with subjects from airport construction to air traffic control.

ALPA presented its 2013–2014 Airport of the Year award to Miami International Airport (MIA) for its commitment to engaging with airline pilots who operate there to ensure the highest safety standards for passengers, crews, and cargo. Accepting the award for the airport was Jim Murphy, airport supervisor, Airside Operations.

ALPA selected MIA in part for its track record of maintaining effective channels of communication with ALPA’s MIA ASL, First Officer Carlos Suhr (DAL). Murphy and the rest of his team have consistently demonstrated that they understand the importance of having a line pilot’s perspective when it comes to safety concerns.

For example, Suhr advised Murphy of two potentially hazardous situations concerning the markings of “hotspots” that were identified through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reporting system. After completing a thorough investigation, Murphy made the necessary changes to the airport’s markings and signage so that these kinds of events would not occur again.

“ALPA pilots operate hundreds of flights at Miami every day,” said Cassidy. “Our members tell us that the airport management is always receptive to our concerns and works together with us to ensure the safest possible operation,” he added.