U.S. House Passage of FAA Reauthorization Major Step for U.S. Airline Industry
Multi-Year Bill Helps Secure Jobs for Airline Employees
February 3, 2012 - Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement after announcement of the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (H.R. 658), a long-term multi-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. The bill is expected to be considered by the U.S. Senate next week.

“The pilots of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), hail the passage of this legislation as a major step forward for the U.S. airline industry. After more than five years and 23 extensions, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a significant step closer to finally receiving the reauthorization it needs to fulfill its mission and proceed with the crucial work of ensuring that U.S. air transportation achieves the highest possible safety standards.”
Read More...
Moak Lays Out Top Pilot Issues at National Press Club
February 2, 2012 - At the National Press Club, Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, today discussed with leading aviation journalists ALPA pilots’ perspectives on developments in the airline industry and the union’s priorities in 2012.
• View a photo slideshow of the press briefing.
Read More...
Pilot and Air Traffic Controller Partnership Enhances Air Safety
ALPA Congratulates NATCA on Silver Anniversary
February 1, 2012 - Airline pilots and air traffic controllers have worked for decades in powerful partnership to advance safety in air transportation, and so are uniquely positioned and fully engaged to help North America’s airline industry safely and efficiently meet future demand, said Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), following remarks before the National Air Traffic Controllers Association’s annual safety conference, held this week in Atlanta, Ga.
Read More...
ALPA Applauds FAA Reauthorization Bill Moving Forward
January 31, 2012 - Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, applauded the FAA Conference Committee and the House and Senate leadership for moving forward on the FAA conference report today. After numerous years and 23 extensions, this is a significant step forward for aviation safety. We look forward to the final, fully funded, multi-year bill being passed by Congress and signed by the President in the near future.

Overall this is a very strong aviation safety bill. There are provisions that ALPA would not want included in a final bill and would like to see removed. We are reviewing other provisions and assessing how they will impact ALPA. We will not hold up this important safety bill for several pieces we can work on in the future, and we are proud to support this bill moving forward.

In the coming days, ALPA will release additional statements on the FAA reauthorization bill after its pilot leadership and volunteers, as well as professional staff, have had an opportunity to review the bill in its entirety.
Moak Meets with Acting FAA Administrator
January 26, 2012 - Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, met with Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta Wednesday to discuss the recently released FAA flight and duty regulations and the unacceptable exclusion of cargo airline pilots from these otherwise science-based regulations.

ALPA’s directors of Government Affairs and Engineering and Air Safety accompanied Moak, who stressed the Association’s top priority to include cargo pilots in the new regulations and called on the FAA and DOT to fulfill their pledge to push the cargo airlines to opt into the new regulations. Moak also took the opportunity to share with the acting administrator the actions the Association has taken since the new rule was announced.
Statement by Capt. Erik Sparks, Chairman of ALPA’s Ryan International Airline Master Executive Council
February 2, 2012 - “On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, Ryan International Airlines management notified ALPA that the company would immediately be furloughing 38 out of its 139 pilots for an indefinite period. These furloughs were made based on aircraft type and not in order of seniority, failed to provide the required advance notice, and violated numerous other provisions of Ryan’s collective bargaining agreement with ALPA.”
Read More...
ALPA Scores Victory in NAA Vacation Pay Arbitration
January 31, 2012 - Last Friday, the North American Airlines MEC was notified that the arbitrator ruled in favor of the NAA pilots in the matter of the vacation pay grievance. This win for NAA pilots comes three months after the System Board of Adjustment hearing on this grievance, which was held on October 31, 2011, nearly three years after it was filed.
Read More...
Three Pilots Receive ALA Service Legend Award
January 31, 2012 - Three Alaska Airlines pilots were recognized last Wednesday night by the Alaska MEC for their sustained contributions to improving the lives of Alaska pilots. At its November meeting, the Alaska MEC nominated and voted to recognize three pilots with the 2012 Service Legend Award: Capt. Gary Nowak and retired Capts. Jack Stockton and Greg Calmes.
Read More...
Mesa Air Group Pilots Elect New Leaders
January 25, 2012 - Pilot leaders at Mesa Air Group , which is represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), unanimously elected officers to spearhead the union’s efforts. First Officer Marcin Kolodziejczyk was re-elected as the chairman, First Officer Jez Ingram-Clay was re-elected as the vice chairman, and Captain Darrell Cox was elected as the secretary-treasurer. The officers’ new two-year terms will begin in March 2012.
Read More...
EGL Stages Successful Family Awareness Event in SJU
January 17, 2012 - The American Eagle Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) launched an educational campaign supported by the EGL Master Executive Council this month. The campaign, designed to inform EGL pilots on the bankruptcy and Section 1113 processes, also provides opportunities to answer pilot questions on the vacancy and displacement bids announced at Eagle and dispel any rumors that are floating around the property.
Read More...
FDX Pilots Secure Across-the-Board Raise
January 5, 2012 - The FedEx pilots’ current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which was ratified in March 2011, provided a unique duration clause that allows ALPA to make the decision to reenter Section 6 negotiations after 12 months or extend the agreement an additional 12 months, while securing a 3 percent across-the-board raise for 2012. This week, the FDX MEC held a special MEC meeting with the agenda largely focused on the decision to either make the CBA amendable in early 2012 in lieu of retaining the 3 percent across-the-board raise for 2012 or retaining the 3 percent raise for 2012 and continuing in interim discussions throughout 2012.
Read More...
FedEx Pilots Respond to Release of Pilot Fatigue Rule
December 22, 2011 - The FedEx Master Executive Council (MEC), the FedEx branch of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), issued the following press release concerning the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) final regulations regarding airline pilot flight- and duty-time limitations and minimum rest requirements.

 “The release yesterday of the Federal Aviation Administration’s long-awaited science-based fatigue rule for flight and duty time was a political failure. The rule completely ignores the safety of cargo pilots and instead lets operators choose to ignore the safety improvements that will benefit pilots carrying passengers.”
Read More...
ALPA Cautions Pilots on New Canadian SID/STAR Phraseology
February 2, 2012 - On Feb. 9, Canada will implement new SID/STAR phraseology and procedures. In Canada, pilots must comply with published SID/STAR altitude restrictions, even if a subsequent altitude is given, unless ATC specifically cancels them. This differs from FAA procedures and phraseology, in which any new altitude clearance cancels any previous altitude restriction unless the restriction is restated.

Read ALPA Operations Bulletin 2012-1, issued yesterday, and learn more important details about the differences between FAA and NAV Canada SID/STAR phraseology requirements.
Pilot and Air Traffic Controller Partnership Enhances Air Safety
ALPA Congratulates NATCA on Silver Anniversary
February 1, 2012 - Airline pilots and air traffic controllers have worked for decades in powerful partnership to advance safety in air transportation, and so are uniquely positioned and fully engaged to help North America’s airline industry safely and efficiently meet future demand, said Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), following remarks before the National Air Traffic Controllers Association’s annual safety conference, held this week in Atlanta, Ga.
Read More...
CAL MEC Hosts CIRP Training
January 26, 2012 - The Continental MEC and ALPA Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) sponsored recurrent training this week in Houston for active CIRP volunteers, and group and individual crisis intervention (GRIN) training for new CIRP volunteers. Highlights of the week included presentation of the Continental CIRP Volunteer of the Year award to Jim Patton (2011), with formal recognition and presentations also for previous recipients Terry Adams (2010) and Eric King (2009).
Read More...
ALPA Pilots Working for One Level of Safety, Cargo Inclusion in FAR 117
January 24, 2012 - More than a dozen pilots from a number of ALPA pilot groups have been in Washington, D.C., working with ALPA Government Affairs staff aggressively lobbying members of Congress in support of “One Level of Safety” for cargo and passenger pilots. In just two weeks, ALPA pilots met face-to-face with more than 50 congressional offices on this important issue, advocating for legislation to include cargo operations in the new FAR 117 pilot fatigue rule.
The International Directory
ALPA’s Air Safety Department has issued an International Directory for international pilots. The Directory includes known expectations of authorities, a listing of major IFALPA associations’ contact information, and U.S. and Canadian government contact information for every country of the world. ALPA Members: you must log in to the members-only website to access this document.
Read More...
Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety
ALPA Safety, through its Volcanic Ash project under the Air Traffic Services Group, has devoted years to expanding its database of operationally relevant information on this potential hazard and improving the warning system necessary to reduce unplanned encounters of hazardous ash clouds. This new website provides information for greater awareness, recommended practices for avoidance, and what to do in the event of an unexpected encounter. Pertinent videos, maps, and briefings about this dangerous yet fascinating natural phenomenon are included.
Read More...
Pressing Congress for FAA Reauthorization Conference Report
February 2, 2012 - ALPA Director of Government Affairs Michael Robbins today wrote to members of Congress, asking them to support H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization Conference Report. ALPA will track how members of Congress vote on H.R. 658 and score their votes in ALPA’s new 2012 congressional scorecard.
Read More...
U.S. House Passage of FAA Reauthorization Major Step for U.S. Airline Industry
Multi-Year Bill Helps Secure Jobs for Airline Employees
February 3, 2012 - Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement after announcement of the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (H.R. 658), a long-term multi-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. The bill is expected to be considered by the U.S. Senate next week.

“The pilots of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), hail the passage of this legislation as a major step forward for the U.S. airline industry. After more than five years and 23 extensions, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a significant step closer to finally receiving the reauthorization it needs to fulfill its mission and proceed with the crucial work of ensuring that U.S. air transportation achieves the highest possible safety standards.”
Read More...
Moak Meets with Acting FAA Administrator
January 26, 2012 - Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, met with Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta Wednesday to discuss the recently released FAA flight and duty regulations and the unacceptable exclusion of cargo airline pilots from these otherwise science-based regulations.

ALPA’s directors of Government Affairs and Engineering and Air Safety accompanied Moak, who stressed the Association’s top priority to include cargo pilots in the new regulations and called on the FAA and DOT to fulfill their pledge to push the cargo airlines to opt into the new regulations. Moak also took the opportunity to share with the acting administrator the actions the Association has taken since the new rule was announced.
Short-Term Extension Necessary for Final FAA Reauthorization
January 24, 2012 - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a short-term extension of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization, ensuring that funding for the agency will continue beyond January 31, when the previous FAA extension expires. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass a short-term extension later this week.
Read More...
ALPA Attends U.S. State of the Union Address
Moak Urges President Obama to Level the Playing Field for U.S. Airlines
January 24, 2012 - ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak has been invited to be a guest at tonight’s State of the Union address. Going into the annual speech, Moak urged President Obama to focus on international competition in air transportation and how best to position the United States, and specifically the workforce of U.S. airlines, to compete to win in the global marketplace.
Read More...
ALPA Applauds Compromise on FAA Reauthorization
Largest Pilot Union in the World Pushes for Final Multi-Year Bill
January 21, 2012 - Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued a statement following the announcement of a compromise between the U.S. House and Senate that sets the stage for passing a long-term multi-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill.
Read More...
Security Training Course
February, 14-15, 2012
Menger Hotel, San Antonio, TX

The Security Training Course (STC) runs concurrent with the Basic Safety School (BSS). The first day’s curriculum brings together students from both disciplines for training that is designed to help them understand how to best function as an ALPA volunteer. On the second day, STC students break out for specific training related to managing security issues at the MEC level. The course offers a valuable opportunity for MEC security committee representatives to better serve the security needs of their MEC’s membership. It will provide attendees with a working knowledge of: ALPA protocols; a methodology for handling security-related matters; a familiarity with the ALPA security structure’s composition, role and activities; the Security Council and the interrelationship between MECs and ALPA National security structure. Dozens of MEC security representatives have taken advantage of this training since 2003 and have given the course very positive reviews. Click here to register.
Basic Safety School
February 14-16, 2012
Menger Hotel
San Antonio, TX

BSS consists of two individual modules in the safety-training curriculum: Safety One (SA-1) and Accident/Incident Investigation One (AI-1). SA-1 provides a formal introduction for pilot volunteers regarding working within the ALPA Air Safety structure. AI-1 provides ALPA pilots with an introduction to accident/incident investigation. Please note that the course is designed to assist new air safety representatives including: Central Air Safety Chairmen (CASC), Local Air Safety Chairmen (LASC), and Accident/Incident Investigators (AII) in identifying and carrying out their responsibilities to their own Master Executive Council. The tentative agenda will be available online on the Air Safety web page under the “safety training” tab and “catalogue” listing for BSS. Register online.
Safety Council & Training Council Meeting
February 21-23, 2012
Herndon, VA

The 2nd meeting of the Safety Council and the 23rd meeting of the Training Council will be held at the Crowne Plaza-Dulles Airport Hotel in Herndon, VA. The two groups will meet separately on the 21st then combine for a joint session on the 22nd and meet separately again on the 23rd. The Central Air Safety Chairmen from each ALPA MEC is invited to attend the Safety Council meeting and the Training Committee Chairman or person responsible for pilot training at your MEC are invited to attend the Training Council meeting. Register online.
Security Council/Jumpseat Council Meeting
March 13-14, 2012
Herndon, VA

The ALPA Security Council and Jumpseat Council meetings will be held at the Crowne Plaza-Dulles Airport Hotel in Herndon, VA March 13-14, 2012. The two groups will meet jointly on the morning of March 13th from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM, and then break out for individual meetings from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. A dinner has been planned for both groups the night of the 13th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. On March 14th both groups will meet jointly starting at 8:00 AM and ending at 3:00 PM. The Security Chairman (or designee) from each ALPA MEC is invited to attend the Security Council meeting and the Jumpseat Chairman (or designee) from each ALPA MEC is invited to attend the Jumpseat Council meeting. Register online.