Cargo Pilots Meet in Chicago for Three-Day Summit

ALPA Cosponsors Gathering to Address Cargo-Sector Pilot Issues

By Gavin Francis, Senior Aviation Writer
More than 70 participants and representatives from 14 airlines attend the Cargo Associations Summit in Chicago, Ill., to discuss factors affecting the air cargo industry and to share ideas about how best to address issues impacting cargo pilots.

Pilot union leaders met in Chicago, Ill., for the Cargo Associations Summit on April 24–26 to discuss factors that are currently shaping the air cargo industry and to share ideas about how best to address issues of concern to cargo pilots. The three-day conference, organized by Capt. Jeremy Keyes (Kalitta Air), his pilot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC) chair, and Capt. Chris Mankamyer from the ABX Air Executive Council, drew more than 70 participants and representatives from 14 airlines. Attendees included members of ALPA, the Airline Professionals Association (APA)-Teamsters Local 1224, the International Aviation Professionals (IAP)-Teamsters Local 2750, the Independent Pilots Association (IPA), the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA).

“The purpose of this gathering is to bring cargo pilots together, regardless of airline or union affiliation, to talk about the issues that are impacting our careers,” said Mankamyer. “Our goal is to make a difference for everyone engaged in our profession by sharing information, developing relationships, and hopefully leaving here with knowledge that will help us to better represent our members.”

Former Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) kicked off the summit with an overview of current aviation issues being discussed on Capitol Hill. Davis represented his district for five terms and served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. During his time in Congress, he was an advocate for long-term reauthorizations for the FAA and other transportation agencies. Davis spoke about the reauthorization bill currently under consideration and the urgent need to appoint a new administrator for the FAA. Acting Administrator Billy Nolen recently announced his intention to leave the post sometime this summer (see page 9). The agency has struggled with modernization efforts because of the lack of long-term funding.

“Filling this leadership vacuum at the FAA is crucial to everything each of you do in your jobs,” said Davis. “And frankly, this disarray is even more evidence that Republicans and Democrats need to come together and reauthorize the FAA.”

He stressed that educating new members of Congress on the issues is critical for success and urged the group to continue to be proactive in lobbying, praising pilot efforts in pursuing their legislative priorities. “One thing I can tell you about your industry is that you have absolutely zero problems telling every member of Congress exactly what you want. You should be very proud of that.”

Capt. Chris Norman (FedEx Express), his pilot group’s MEC chair, and Capt. Andrew Lepkowski (Kalitta Air), his pilot group’s MEC Central Air Safety chair, gave a presentation on reduced-crew operations, an issue that ALPA and pilots around the globe view as a serious threat to safety and security across the airline industry. Cargo pilots are particularly vulnerable as they’re likely to see a reduction in crewmembers implemented sooner in their flight operations. Participants discussed the matter in a special workshop session and collaborated to develop more effective messaging around the issue.

“We’re going to have to work on this,” said Norman. “It’s just a matter of how long we can push it back, but it’s coming. We need to be ready for it when it does.”

Adam Rod, assistant commissioner for Cargo Operations and Development with the Chicago Department of Aviation, gave a presentation regarding air cargo and trade at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. He talked about how important trade has been to Chicago’s overall economic success throughout its history, initially by water, then by rail and highway, and today as a link to the rest of the world through aviation.

“Today you can reach over 30 percent of the U.S. population and marketplace within a one-day truck drive from O’Hare,” Rod remarked. “Businesses around the world are very much aware of that, so they choose to fly their freight through Chicago. Whenever we talk about air cargo at O’Hare, it’s all about expanding capacity for that demand in order to deliver that freight wherever it may go.”

Approximately 2.2 million tonnes of cargo was handled at O’Hare in 2022, and the airport saw record levels of air freight throughout the pandemic. Rod noted that the airport processes about $300 billion a year in freight.

Speakers throughout the conference addressed topics of particular interest to cargo pilots. Among these were discussions about pilot fatigue, the necessity for primary flight deck barriers on cargo aircraft and first officer qualifications, dangerous goods, as well as the need for airport rescue and firefighting for all air cargo operations.

The National Mediation Board’s (NMB) Deidre Hamilton and Kate Dowling, the NMB’s general counsel, gave a presentation on the board’s role in the Railway Labor Act and pilot labor collective bargaining. They explained the history of the Railway Labor Act and gave an overview of the bargaining process, educating participants about direct negotiations, mediation, arbitration, self-help, and Presidential Emergency Boards.

Guillermo Ochovo, Cargo Facts consulting director, provided in-depth analysis regarding the economic outlook for the cargo industry. He indicated that global air cargo is expected to grow at a rate of 3.3 percent per year over the next 20 years, a trend driven by increasing e-commerce activity.

“Approximately 17 to 18 percent of freight is currently e-commerce, with the U.S., Canada, and the EU representing about half of that market,” he said, noting that continued growth will cause carriers to expand their fleets—with the world cargo fleet expected to reach 4,900 aircraft by the year 2042, up from 2,430 aircraft today.

ALPA was well represented among the subject-matter experts who spoke at the conference. In addition to the presentation by Norman and Lepkowski, a number of other ALPA speakers were on hand. Capt. Brian Noyes (United), ALPA’s Flight Time/Duty Time Committee chair, spoke about fatigue risk management. F/O Paul Ryder (United), his pilot group’s MEC secretary, talked about pilot supply and some of the misconceptions promoted by airline managements. And Paul Karg, a manager in ALPA’s Economic & Financial Analysis Department, gave an update on pilot pay and retirement and provided insights on costing airline labor contracts. Speakers from other organizations included Chris Hart, a former NTSB chair; Russ Leighton and Bob Brown, CAPA vice presidents; Lauri Esposito, an IPA representative; and Greg Feith, a retired senior NTSB air safety investigator and aviation consultant.

Pilot leaders representing various labor organizations take part in a Presidents’ Roundtable panel during the cargo summit, discussing what they see happening in the industry and offering their perspectives on how these developments will affect individual line pilots and the profession overall.

On the final day of the summit, pilot leaders representing various labor organizations took part in a Presidents’ Roundtable panel discussion. Panelist included Norman; Capt. Casey Murray, SWAPA president; Capt. Joe Muckle, APA Teamsters Local 1224 president; Capt. Yngve Paulsen, IAP Teamsters Local 2750 president; and Capt. Steve Whyte, IPA vice president. The roundtable provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions, hear from their union leaders about what they see happening in the industry, and get their perspectives on how these developments will affect individual line pilots and the profession overall.

Keyes summed up the three days of presentations and discussion by expressing how unique the Cargo Associations Summit is, and how rare it is to get all these people together in the same room.

“It’s amazing to see all of these folks from different carriers and labor organizations working together to deal with these important issues that affect cargo. I’ve been doing this a long time, and I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s all about pointing at the same target.”


Pilots for Kids

The Cargo Associations Summit organizers raised more than $2,000 during the Chicago. Ill., gathering to benefit Pilots For Kids, a nonprofit organization that was established in 1983 to support children who’ve been hospitalized or are otherwise in need. Volunteers visit children at participating hospitals, orphanages, and shelters in the U.S. and Canada, primarily during the holiday season. Every penny that’s donated to the organization goes toward providing toys and other items for children. Administrative costs are funded by annual membership dues. Pilots For Kids is a 501 (c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.

This article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of Air Line Pilot.

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