Release #: 15.25
June 25, 2015

ALPA Convenes Industry Leaders to Discuss Solutions to Strengthen Airline Piloting Profession

WASHINGTON, D.C.––The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) is gathering stakeholders from across the aviation industry today for a rare, in-depth discussion about the best ways to retain current U.S. airline pilots and attract new recruits into the piloting profession.

“ALPA is leading the charge, finding the common ground we can all agree on to reach the solutions needed to ensure that the United States has enough highly trained, professional pilots needed for our industry to grow and thrive,” says Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA president.

ALPA leaders and experienced airline pilots are joined by airline managers, aviation educators, aircraft manufacturers, and experts from other aviation organizations to address key issues that have—until today—been discussed in various industry circles with a fragmented approach.

In conjunction with the day-long conference, ALPA is releasing a new fact sheet highlighting challenges facing the airline pilot profession. While currently there are thousands of qualified pilots available to fly for U.S. airlines, the compensation, benefits, quality of life and career progression opportunities at some airlines are inadequate to attract them to those companies. ALPA maintains that airlines struggling to find pilots are those that don’t offer competitive wages, benefits, reasonable working conditions, and a solid career path.

Panel discussions include various stages of the piloting profession:

  • From education and certification to innovative methods designed to keep qualified pilots in the cockpit;
  • Recent success stories regarding incentive programs that have stabilized pilot supply at some airlines;
  • How best to attract the next generation of students to the airline piloting profession;
  • Opportunities available for high school students to enter the cockpit;
  • The different paths available for future pilots:  military, aviation universities, or local flight schools, and
  • Firsthand experiences of several U.S. airline pilots who were able to overcome challenges and invest the time and money necessary to obtain proper training.

“ALPA has a vested interest in growing competitive airlines that attract the best and brightest pilots,” Canoll added.  “We should do everything within our power to remain the best in the world, because it’s a ranking we can’t afford to lose.”

 

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 52,000 pilots at 31 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org