ALPA Hails Bipartisan Senate Concern for NAI Scheme

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) hailed a bipartisan letter signed by 38 members of the U.S. Senate and sent yesterday to the Secretary of Transportation expressing lawmakers’ serious concerns that the Norwegian Air International (NAI) scheme may not comply with the U.S.-EU Open Skies air transport agreement and is not in the U.S. public interest.

“ALPA commends the 38 members of the U.S. Senate who have taken a strong stand for making certain that the U.S.-EU Open Skies agreement is respected and that U.S. airlines have a fair opportunity to compete internationally and continue to fuel the U.S. economy, support the national defense, and provide U.S. jobs,” said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s president.

Read more about Senate concern for NAI scheme.

KCM Adds Love

On Tuesday, March 11, the Known Crewmember (KCM) airport screening program expanded to include Love Field in Dallas, Texas. With the addition of this site, KCM is now available at 38 airports across the United States.

Pilots can find the location and hours of operation of access points at all KCM airports by selecting the “KCM” tab on the ALPA smartphone app for iPhones and Droids, or by visiting www.knowncrewmember.org. Also see the March 2014 issue of Air Line Pilot for a map of KCM airport locations.

Mesa MEC Takes Unity to New Heights

On Tuesday, March 11, the Mesa MEC meeting had an early start—6:30 a.m. Instead of uniforms though, the dress code was hiking boots, shorts, and backpacks. Members of the MEC met early to climb Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Ariz., to have a “unity hike.” Following the 1.2 mile Echo Canyon trail, the group made it to the top of the 2,706 ft. peak and was able to enjoy the view before reconvening the meeting in the MEC office at 9:30 a.m.

“When working with such a diverse group, it’s often helpful to get out of the meeting room and into a new environment,” commented MEC Chairman Marcin Kolodziejczyk. “Climbing a nearly vertical trail makes any issues we face in the MEC meeting seem less insurmountable. It also builds trust, encourages teamwork, and allows open communication—just at a higher altitude.”

Dubai, Doha Want CBP Preclearance Facilities

Following the opening of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi, both Dubai and Doha International Airports have applied for facilities of their own. While, unlike Abu Dhabi, these airports are served by U.S. carriers, the benefits of CBP facilities here would still largely benefit state-sponsored airlines (Emirates and Qatar). ALPA remains strongly opposed to the expansion of the preclearance program to any airports that don’t have a significant presence by U.S. carriers and/or where such facilities create an unlevel playing field for U.S. airlines.

The ALPA-supported bill in the House, H.R. 3488, introduced by Rep. Pat Meehan (R-Pa.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), has more than 150 bipartisan cosponsors. When enacted, the Meehan-DeFazio bill will forbid Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai from ever having a preclearance facility (shutting down any that may have opened) and formally define how and where other preclearance facilities could be opened. You can help push your elected officials to cosponsor this bill by participating in our Call to Action here.

Noted Tuskegee Airman Graces New Postage Stamp

Acknowledging aviation’s rich history, a new U.S. stamp was officially issued today that features the image of Charles Alfred “Chief” Anderson, of the prestigious Tuskegee Airmen. Anderson served during World War II as ground commander and chief instructor for aviation cadets of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first U.S. all-black fighter squadron. The 99th became one of three Tuskegee Airmen squadrons in the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Red Tails (later immortalized in a 2012 feature film). The 332nd distinguished itself during the war by flying 1,378 combat missions, destroying 260 enemy aircraft, and earning more than 150 Flying Crosses. Anderson pursued his interest in aviation for the rest of his life, and continues to serve as inspiration for all who overcome challenges to pursue their dream of flying.

The new stamp is the 15th in the Postal Service’s Distinguished American Series and is a 70-cent first-class stamp available at post offices nationwide and at ebay.com/stamps. To learn more about the famed Tuskegee Airmen, including Capt. Robert Ashby, who went on to become an ALPA member and Frontier pilot, read the February 2014 issue of Air Line Pilot magazine.

ALPA Daily Extra

Check out these links to see who’s talking about ALPA today.

• Hear what ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak has to say about Norwegian Air’s new service to Los Angeles on a KCAL Channel 9 (CBS Los Angeles) segment titled, “Pilots Union Wants ‘Walmart of the Skies’ Norwegian Air Banned from U.S.”

• Read what First Officer Steve Jangelis (Delta) thinks about Norwegian Air flying into his home town of Orlando, Fla., in an Orlando Sentinel op-ed, “Don’t clear Norwegian for OIA landing: My Word.”

For more news like this in your inbox every morning, subscribe to ALPA Daily. Log in here, select “E-mail Distribution Lists,” and check the box for ALPA Daily.

Next Time You’re in Ottawa . . .

. . . check out the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, which features more than 130 aircraft from around the world. Exhibits include an Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow. Stephen Quick, the museum’s director general, notes, “Only in Ottawa can you see Prof. Junker’s first all-metal aircraft from 1917, an HS2L flying boat resurrected from Canada’s lakes, and the prototype de Havilland Canada Beaver.” The museum is located near the Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport.