Working to Advance a Pilot-Partisan Agenda in Washington, D.C.

By John Perkinson, Senior Staff Writer
From left, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) listens intently as Capt. Doug Mattson (United) and F/O Dan Adams (Delta) explain why current first officer qualification training standards must be upheld.

More than 150 ALPA pilots in uniform mobilized on Capitol Hill on June 14 to talk with Members of Congress about advancing the Association’s safer skies, pilot-partisan agenda. Volunteers from 18 ALPA pilot groups, organized by state, met with their elected representatives to discuss, among other topics, the upcoming FAA reauthorization, which expires on Sept. 30, 2017, and the need to uphold first officer qualification training standards in any new FAA legislation. 

Having spent several days attending ALPA’s Legislative Summit, which included briefings and training on interacting with Members of Congress and their staff, these pilots were poised and ready to engage. They introduced themselves as constituents, noting the individual communities in which they reside. They shared personal stories and anecdotes, explaining why enacting new FAA reauthorization legislation with its first officer training qualifications mandate intact is so important, and as part of each visit made a clear and consistent “ask” to keep that safety mandate intact.

These pilot volunteers will also schedule follow-up meetings with their public officials as part of the Association’s legislative strategy to aggressively promote ALPA’s pilot-partisan agenda—which helps support the union’s strategic goals of advancing ALPA members’ careers, securing the future of the profession, and attaining the safest and most secure air transportation system for passengers, pilots, and cargo.

Safest period of airline travel

“America is currently enjoying the safest period of airline travel in history,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, during his opening remarks at the Association’s Legislative Affairs Summit held June 11–14 in Washington, D.C. “That success is due in part to the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 [PL 111–216], which strengthened pilot training as well as several other key safety regulations.

“It’s critical to maintain the highest level of safety in our airspace and ensure that professional pilots remain highly qualified and well-trained,” Canoll noted. “Maintaining strong, safety-focused pilot training and qualification standards will protect the traveling public and save lives.”

Capt. Paul Ryder (ExpressJet), ALPA’s national resource coordinator, echoed Canoll’s comments about the importance of PL 111–216, observing, “This law is why we now have an incredible record of safety; seven years and not a single [14 CFR Part] 121 U.S. airline passenger fatality accident in our industry.” By contrast, more than 1,100 fatalities resulted from Part 121 airline accidents between 1990 and 2009.

Some within the U.S. airline industry are lobbying to ease the pilot qualification rules, claiming this action would alleviate a purported pilot shortage. Ryder remarked that there are plenty of qualified pilots in the United States, observing that approximately 26,000 ATP certificates have been issued in the last three and a half years alone. He noted that low starting wages in the regional airline industry have been driving some potential pilot candidates to look elsewhere for flying opportunities or to pursue other job openings.

Jill Larrabee, ALPA’s legislative policy advisor, talked about competing interests on Capitol Hill and how the sheer volume of demands on lawmakers can make it a challenge to schedule meetings and to get any real attention directed on any issue. “On average, a Member of Congress is exposed to three different issues every 20 minutes,” she said.

Lori Garver, ALPA’s general manager, discussed the Association’s strategic plan in the context of the summit’s scheduled Capitol Hill visits. In addressing the Association’s pilot-partisan agenda, she encouraged pilots to engage lawmakers by telling stories that illustrate why they need to support ALPA’s issues. “You mobilize the planet to benefit humanity,” she noted, adding, “make that connection with your Members of Congress.”

Elizabeth Baker, director of ALPA’s Government Affairs Department, observed that “in light of the looming deadline, we’re currently focused on FAA reauthorization. It’s important to consider it in the scope of what else is happening in Washington right now to better understand how to leverage our advocacy—especially as this relates to the political realities of what’s going to be enacted into law later this year,” she said.

Capitol ideas

During the two days of presentations and exercises leading up to the congressional office visits, summit attendees heard from Members of Congress who shared their insights about the decision-making process in Washington, D.C.

“Communications is not what’s being said; it’s what’s being heard,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), stressing the value of making your request not only understandable, but relatable. As a former ALPA member and airline pilot for Continental, Republic, and Northwest, Bergman brings a unique perspective to Washington, D.C.

“You as a group are head and shoulders above so many organizations, because of your education and what you bring to the table…. People expect a lot from you,” he remarked, adding that when ALPA pilots voice their opinions, people listen. (Read Bergman's Guest Commentary from May 2017)

Talking about the House FAA reauthorization legislation, Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), said, “I know there are a couple of things we’re trying to work out, but I hope that we’ll be able to get this bill marked up in a bipartisan fashion and that it hits the floor and gets to the Senate before we go to the August break.”

He also expressed his frustration with ongoing efforts to fund needed infrastructure improvements, saying, “If NextGen—which was proposed 35 years ago—was fully in place today, the U.S. airline industry would be more competitive across the globe.”

In a particularly lively panel discussion, three congressional aides commented on how to conduct a successful meeting from the staff’s perspective. These individuals often meet with constituents when Members of Congress are unavailable and play a key role in gathering information and gaining policy support.

“Some meetings seem like the cure for insomnia,” joked John Sobel, chief of staff for Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.), emphasizing the importance of being succinct when delivering a message. He recounted an instance when a constituent provided painstaking detail and background about a particular issue. When the individual left, Sobel noted that he couldn’t remember what the congressman was being asked to do.

“Don’t be bashful. Tell us what you want,” Sobel stressed.

“Know the office holder’s name and the office he or she holds,” said Ed Shelleby, communications director for Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), acknowledging that he’s met with lobbyists who, because of numerous appointments, forget who they’re talking to…and subsequently lose credibility.

Kevin Eastman, legislative director for Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), commented, “Educate us. Keep in mind that we don’t know as much about the issues as you do.”

Location, location, location

“Members of Congress care more about geography than they do about policy,” said Christopher Kush, CEO of Soapbox, a legislative advocacy consulting firm. “You have them when you say, Waukegan, Honolulu, Houston.” He also noted the importance of staying on message and not discussing politics—advising, “Give everyone a chance to champion your cause.”

“Personal stories matter to lawmakers, especially from constituents,” noted Rachna Choudhry, chief marketing officer and cofounder of Popvox, a civic engagement platform that shares public input with government in a format tailored to actionable policy decisions. Choudhry stressed that storytelling is twice as effective as providing statistical data.

In a segment called “Taking D.C. Back Home with You,” Zack Mooneyham, a manager in ALPA’s Government Affairs Department, provided an overview of the Association’s outreach, including the District Advocacy program. Vanessa Kermick, ALPA’s grassroots coordinator, discussed the value of digital advocacy and the use of social media to promote campaigns. In addition, staff from ALPA’s Communications, Engineering & Air Safety, Government Affairs, and Legal Departments conducted breakout sessions, giving attendees the opportunity to learn more about lobbying and aviation issues and to practice their pitches before meeting with their federal representatives.


Meeting Notes from Washington State Pilots, July 14, 2017

Note: Flag Day. Capitol grounds security on heightened alert. Earlier, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) was shot during a congressional baseball practice.

9:45 a.m., Cannon Building, #319

Washington State ALPA pilots speak with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash. 7). In attendance: F/O Dan Adams (Delta), Capt. Jason Harbison (Compass), Capt. Jim Hinz (Alaska), Capt. Doug Mattson (United), and F/O Laura Theodorson (Delta).

Group explains reason for visit, and asks representative to cosign Collins–Loebsack letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, supporting FAA reauthorization, keeping safety mandate intact. Theodorson observes that her daughter, Anne, is interning in Jayapal’s in-district office in Seattle, Wash.

11:30 a.m., Longworth Building, #1520

Joined by Capt. John Porter (Delta), pilots meet with Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash. 6), and brief House member.

Adams talks about experience with engine failure and how the crew safely landed the airplane at Vancouver International Airport due to knowledge and experience. Porter adds there have been no Part 121 passenger fatalities since current first officer qualifications were mandated in 2010.

12:30 p.m., Russell Building, #154

Group converses with Jo Eckert, senior policy advisor for Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), about FAA reauthorization and maintaining safety rules.

Mattson asks to have senator write letter to Chao to support FAA reauthorization and to keep safety standards intact.

1:30 p.m., Cannon Building, #425

Porter and Theodorson chat with David Marten, legislative aide to Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash. 10).

Theodorson notes that local schools like Clover Park Technical College and Eastern Washington University continue to graduate students from their aviation programs despite the so-called pilot shortage. Porter adds, “We just want to stand hard on the safety line.”

3:00 p.m., Longworth Building, #1127

Porter and Theodorson meet with Colin Swanson, legislative aide to Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash. 8).

4:00 p.m., Hart Building, #511

The pilots meet with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

Harbison notes that the current first officer qualifications rule is inaccurately referred to as the “1,500-hour rule.” Exceptions exist for military pilots and collegiate aviation program grads. Hinz talks about the number of times the cockpit door is opened during flight, stressing the need to mandate secondary cockpit barriers.

After some discussion, Mattson asks Cantwell to cosign the Collins–Loebsack letter. The senator responds, “Happy to do it.”


Backing the PAC

Brian Heenan, ALPA’s political action coordinator, told attendees of ALPA’s Legislative Summit, ALPA-PAC gets us access to Members of Congress,” noting it complements the Association’s lobbying efforts. ALPA’s goal for 2017 is to raise $2.25 million and achieve a 27 percent participation rate across the Association.

Heenan remarked that the PAC has had more than 11,200 contributors and raised $1.97 million in 2016. The money was distributed among more than 300 Members of Congress, with 48 percent going to Republicans and 52 percent going to Democrats.

ALPA-PAC is 100 percent funded by voluntary contributions, and all donations are given to policymakers to promote the Association’s pilot-partisan agenda. For more information and to make a donation, visit www.alpapac.org.

This article was originally published in the August 2017 issue of Air Line Pilot.

Read the latest Air Line Pilot (PDF)