The Benefits of Getting Together in Person
Weighing In
By Capt. Bill Couette, ALPA Vice President–Administration/Secretary
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do business, and at no point has this fact been more obvious than at ALPA’s recent Board of Directors (BOD) meeting (see Board of Directors Convenes Virtually, Plans for Association’s Future). It was truly amazing the way our professional staff was able to bring hundreds of us together via videoconference for three days in October to conduct the business of our union. I want to personally congratulate everyone who made this event possible and sincerely thank them for their service. And yet, by no fault of those involved in this effort, something was missing this year.
In my report to the BOD, I noted that I’m from the old school of trade unionism and that I believe it’s important for union members to occasionally get together, face-to-face. In-person gatherings allow for a better exchange of information because we’re able to see and interpret things like body language and facial expressions. Our senses give us a clearer picture of how others are responding to what we have to say, and we tend to be more understanding and accepting.
I realize that as an association of people who travel the globe, meeting in one location isn’t an easy task. We may be a single organization, but our members are moving in a thousand directions. Still, coming together as the ALPA BOD under one roof is important because we only do so every other year, and congregating gives us a chance to hash out policy changes and make plans for our collective future.
Meeting in person also gives each of us a chance to network with members from other pilot groups. We each bring a different experience and perspective to the Association’s highest governing body, and it’s this diversity of thought that fosters new ideas and gives us a broader understanding of who we are and what we can collectively accomplish. The advantages of considering a wider variety of views was recognized earlier this year in creating the Association’s new President’s Committee for Diversity & Inclusion.
Consider this: I routinely work with ALPA’s Communications Department, which helps our union better connect with our members. We do so by using a wide range of communications tools, including a magazine, website, social media, e-mails, and press releases to name a few. It’s important that we use a variety of channels because our members are on the move, and everyone absorbs information differently. However, there’s no denying that the most effective way to get your point across is to talk with someone one-on-one.
Right now, ALPA is striving to communicate a vast amount of information to its members. We want those who are furloughed or displaced to know about the many resources available through the union, including insurance benefits, educational opportunities, how to file for unemployment, job leads, helpful checklists, and counseling.
We want pilots to know about our continued efforts in the United States and Canada to secure additional government aid for our members and airlines. Pilots need to understand the purpose of our “Ready for Takeoff” public relations campaign, which communicates to the public that when they’re ready to travel, we’re ready to fly them.
Our members also need to be aware of the numerous safety and security measures we’re taking to ensure that changes resulting from the pandemic don’t distract us from our daily operations. For example, pilots need to know that ALPA is working to overturn an order the U.S. Federal Communications Commission issued allowing Ligado, a telecommunications service provider, to post 5G towers that can interfere with our satellite navigation and communication services.
COVID-19 has compelled us to self-isolate so that we can contain the spread of this deadly virus. But let me be clear on this matter—nothing beats face-to-face communications. And when COVID-19 is behind us, which I hope is soon, I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming ALPA meeting.
Editor’s note: View Capt. Couette's remarks from ALPA's recent Board of Directors meeting.
