ALPA Responds to GAO Report: It's All About the Money

On Friday, February 28, ALPA responded to the GAO's report, "Aviation Workforce—Current and Future Availability of Airline Pilots." This report supports ALPA's assertion that there is not a shortage of pilots. Rather, there is a shortage of pilots willing to fly for substandard wages and inadequate benefits—especially in the fee-for-departure segment of the industry.

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Pilots Protest Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's Support for Outsourcing Jobs

Last week, ALPA's national campaign to oppose the Norwegian Air Int'l (NAI) scheme went local. More than 80 Orlando-based pilots signed a petition opposing the Orlando mayor's enthusiastic support for NAI—as evidenced by Dyer's letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) encouraging approval of NAI's application to provide low-cost scheduled service in the United States and entry into the Orlando market. On Friday, February 28, pilots hand-delivered the petition to Mayor Dyer at City Hall, attracting significant attention from the Orlando media. ALPA also launched a moving billboard that was deployed to Orlando's City Hall and airport to underscore the point that Mayor Dyer has fallen for NAI's dubious scheme and demanding he reassess his position.

Join the 20,000 people who have already signed on to our petition to #DenyNAI at www.takeaction.alpa.org.

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Known Crewmember Adds Two More Sites—Brings Total Number to 37

In just the last week, the Known Crewmember (KCM) program expanded to include Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Florida, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Texas. With the addition of these two sites, KCM is now at 37 airports across the country. Pilots can find the location of the KCM access points at all of KCM airports by selecting the "KCM" tab on the ALPA smartphone app for iPhones and Droids, or visit www.knowncrewmember.org.

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View photos from the open house.

FDX MEC Hosts Open House in Memphis

As the FedEx pilots passed the one-year anniversary of their contract's amendable date of February 25, the Family Awareness and Strategic Planning and Strike Committee (SPSC) hosted an open house on Saturday, March 1, for all FedEx pilots and their families. With the weather fully cooperating, FedEx pilots and their families were able to enjoy a beautiful day outside the MEC office with live music and plenty of activities for the children. From a rock-climbing wall to face painting and bounce houses, the children enjoyed the day while their parents were able to get a full update on negotiations. In addition to the activities outside, pilots and their families were welcomed inside the MEC office to get a firsthand look at the MEC office and the resources available to them.

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ASA Elects MEC Officers

Last week, the ASA MEC met in a special meeting to elect new MEC officers to serve through May 2016. Captain Tony Middendorff, who has served as the LEC captain representative for ASA's instructor pilots, was elected as MEC chairman. Captain Sterling Roach and First Officer Robert Banks were reelected to continue as vice chairman and secretary-treasurer. The officers' main goal is to continue to oversee and guide the pilot group through the merger with the ExpressJet pilot group, which has been in process since August 2010.

Jack Roback Named Air Wisconsin Volunteer of the Quarter

Every quarter, the Air Wisconsin MEC officers award the Volunteer of the Quarter recognition award to the ARW ALPA volunteer whose work has distinguished him or her above all others while dedicating an extraordinary amount of time and effort on the pilot group's behalf. For the first quarter of 2014, Aeromedical Chairman Jack Roback was selected as the stand-out volunteer.

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FedEx Pilot Hosts Golf Tournament to Support Kids Playing for Kids Foundation

Several years ago, FedEx First Officer Jan Tavrytzky started a foundation called Kids Playing for Kids. This organization is a locally inspired, nonprofit foundation that aspires to connect sports playing children and teams around the world with children who have chronic or life-threatening medical conditions that have previously kept them from pursuing the joy and fun of sports. Not only do teams include these kids on their rosters, but also fundraise to help support their new teammate. These experiences teach life skills such as character, empathy, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.

On Sunday, May 18, at the Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., Kids Playing for Kids will host its third annual golf tournament. By joining them for a fun day of golf and dinner, you will help Kids Playing for Kids connect more kids with teams, create hope, and build character on and off the field. If you would like to register for this event, please click here for more information. If you are unable to participate in the golf tournament, but would like to get involved with or donate to this very worthy cause, please visit kidsplayingforkids.org. All money donated goes directly to the family of the chronically/seriously ill child involved in the Kids Playing for Kids program. Typically, this means granting a gift and/or wish for the child as well as helping with overwhelming medical expenses. All donations are tax deductible.