From left, F/O Alan Kelpe (FedEx Express), F/O Kaori Paris (United), F/O Dru Dunwoody (Delta), Capt. Joe Bogen (Compass), F/O David Takahashi (Endeavor Air), F/O Mark Bomber (United), and F/O Kandy Bernskoetter (FedEx Express), ALPA’s Membership Committee chair, greet attendees at the National Gay Pilots Association’s Industry Expo.

Supporting ALPA’s strategic goal of securing the future of the profession, ALPA members continue to bolster and attend industry events that serve as recruitment and networking opportunities for future and current airline pilots. In February, volunteers from ALPA’s Membership Committee kicked off the Association’s outreach for the year at the National Gay Pilots Association’s (NGPA) Industry Expo, the second-largest pilot recruiting and aviation networking event in the United States.

“We’re here to show the diversity and inclusivity of ALPA and talk about the wide range of benefits available to everyone who is a member of the Association,” said F/O Kandy Bernskoetter (FedEx Express), chair of ALPA’s Membership Committee, at the event.

“NGPA members are ALPA members,” she stated. She pointed to other organizations in attendance: “So are Women in Aviation members, and Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals members, and Latino Pilots Association members, and Professional Asian Pilots Association members. It’s important that we’re there to support them as ALPA members and remind them of everything their Association can do to help them in their career paths,” Bernskoetter noted.

“When we say, ‘We are ALPA,’—that includes everybody,” she emphasized.

F/O Brian Gambino (JetBlue), NGPA’s president, echoed Bernskoetter’s comments. “Having ALPA’s presence and support at our NGPA events adds to the pride I have in our union,” he stated. “ALPA’s presence is a testament to all of its pilots that their union has their backs, no matter who they love or how they identify as a human.”

Gambino also commented on the importance of the relationship between the two organizations. “From our Industry Expo event to our Aviation Inclusion Summits to articles in ALPA’s publications—it’s all been a positive uptick in our relationship. The relationship has shown our members and all ALPA pilots that their union supports all of their members and will work to ensure their professional pilots are well represented no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

ALPA’s volunteers who attended the Industry Expo provided encouragement and answered questions, providing information on moving to a mainline, how members can volunteer, and ALPA’s educational partnership with Thomas Edison State University. Nonmembers stopped by the booth as well to learn more about the resources the Association provides should they be hired by a carrier with ALPA-represented pilots.

F/O Alan Kelpe (FedEx Express) was one of those pilots approaching the ALPA booth two years ago. Kelpe attended the Industry Expo in 2017 as a captain with PSA in search of his dream job with FedEx Express. He recalled chatting with volunteers at the ALPA booth before speaking to recruiters and coming away feeling positive. Six months later, he was hired by FedEx Express and is currently flying out of the airline’s Cologne, Germany, base.

“As a member of NGPA, I want to give back,” he said of his decision to work the ALPA booth all day. “I want to share the same knowledge and experience I received two years ago with those walking that same path today.”

Capt. Cecilia Ernst (Trans States) was excited to learn about ALPA’s presence and to speak with the volunteers. She’s been at Trans States for five years and has held a number of ALPA volunteer positions, including with the Pilot to Pilot, Professional Standards, and Membership Committees. She came to look for her next job and network. “It’s such a great family feel; people are awesome,” she enthused.

Many pilots, she said, aren’t aware of everything ALPA offers or does for them. “It’s a great organization, and there are so many things ALPA does, like coming to these events to support us,” she continued. “And on top of this, there are so many resources available, so many things ALPA can help with during your career—including things like accident investigation and attorneys who you hope you never need but are so glad you’re an ALPA member if you do.”

This is a key factor for why ALPA attends these events. “We need to be where our members are,” Bersnkoetter said, “and be able to share with them information about ALPA that they need in their careers.”

ALPA’s Membership and Education Committees attend a variety of events throughout the year to provide support and outreach to members, including the Women in Aviation International Conference, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Annual Conference, EAA AirVenture, and more.