From left, Capt. Joseph Genovese (United), F/O Mani Falcone (Piedmont), and F/O Pat King (Delta) on the southeast lawn of the U.S. Capitol between meetings.

Capt. Joseph Genovese (United), F/O Pat King (Delta), and F/O Mani Falcone (Piedmont), who all hail from the state of New York, headed to the Longworth House Office Building to meet Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee and co-sponsor of H.R. 5090.

Falcone thanked Katko, New York’s 24th District representative, for his valued support on the “DenyNAI” campaign, acknowledging that he worried about whether his son or daughter would be able to work in the U.S. airline industry in the future if NAI is permitted to violate the law. Genovese talked about the merits of the legislation, affirming that it’s “good for the industry and good for labor.”

The three pilots then walked several blocks to the Russell Building, where they met with F/Os Michael Quintana (Delta), Jenny Winter (Delta), Sean Falzarano (ExpressJet), Robert Kovner (Delta), and Lauren Metz (Delta). The contingent sat down with Jordan Baugh, legislative assistant to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y). Falzarano explained the details of the NAI issue, asking that Gillibrand introduce new legislation and/or sign a letter to the DOT, pressing the agency to reverse its tentative decision. 

F/O Jenny Winter (Delta), front left, talks with Kelsey LaFreniere, front right, legislative aide to Sen. Charles Schumer (D.-N.Y.).

The eight New York pilots then proceeded through the network of basement tunnels to the Hart Building, making their way to Sen. Charles Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) office. Schumer has a large map of New York in his waiting area, and the pilots took turns inserting pins to identify the cities and towns where they come from. The group soon met with Kelsey LaFreniere, Schumer’s legislative aide. Winter explained why the pilots were there and what they were asking for. Quintana acknowledged to LaFreniere, “This issue keeps me awake at night.”

Leaving Schumer’s office, the pilots said their good-byes and splintered into smaller groups to visit more House members. Metz and Kovner met with David Martin, a legislative representative from ALPA’s Government Affairs Department, before heading to the Longworth office of Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) from New York’s 14th District. Crowley is a co-sponsor of H.R. 5090, and Metz said, “We want to express our thanks for being such a strong supporter.” Crowley, Metz, and Kovner then had a discussion before the pilots wrapped up their appointment and headed to the airport to catch flights home. 

Martin pointed out that follow-up meetings, like the ones with Katko and Crowley, are just as important as educational sessions with elected officials, because Members of Congress address a wide range of legislation and need to be reminded about what’s important to their constituents. It’s also a critical component of ALPA’s advocacy program to thank those who support the Association’s pilot-partisan agenda, and one more opportunity to develop a relationship with elected officials.

F/O Lauren Metz (Delta), center, and F/O Robert Kovner (Delta), right, thank Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) for sponsoring H.R. 5090.