BREAKING NEWS: Bring On the Vikings? We’re Ready to Fight

Last week, the Wall Street Journal released an article titled “Free the Viking Skies,” which highlighted Norwegian Air Shuttle’s intentions of bringing a new, low-cost, long-haul carrier to the United States; calling to “Bring on the Vikings.” In the article, U.S. airlines and their employees were described as protectionists. We all know that this is simply not the case. In fact, we are far from being protectionists. As agreed to in the U.S.-EU Open Skies agreements, the U.S. airline industry and its employees expect the EU and the United States to uphold their promise to abide by high labor standards and fair competition.

Today, the Wall Street Journal highlighted ALPA’s response to last week’s call to “Bring on the Vikings.” Our message was simple: We’re Ready to Fight for the Tens of Thousands of U.S. Airline Industry Employees.

If Norwegian’s “flag of convenience” business model succeeds, not only would this threaten the global aviation industry, but it would directly affect middle-class airline jobs in the United States and the EU. Scouring the globe for the cheapest labor it can find and exploit, all while attempting to evade Norwegian labor laws is not fair competition.

Please check out our response to last week’s piece in today’s Wall Street Journal:
“Vikings Skies: The Thin Edge of an Anti-Labor Wedge.” 
 

Malaysia Flight 370

On March 8, ALPA staff and pilots learned with tremendous sadness of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which was lost while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The flight was carrying 12 crewmembers and 227 passengers, including 2 infants, from 15 nations. Through the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, ALPA has offered any and all assistance it can provide to the pilots’ colleagues and to the investigation.

Since the loss of MH370, there has been widespread speculation in the news media regarding possible scenarios, and potential causes for this tragedy. ALPA has refrained from contributing to the speculation or from hypothesizing on the potential location of the missing aircraft, crew, and passengers, providing only technical and safety information when requested and when appropriate.

Some ALPA members have been contacted by reporters wanting to interview them regarding Flight 370. If you are approached by any members of the news media, please refrain from commenting and instead direct all queries to the ALPA Communications Department. It is important to remember that making assumptions that are not corroborated by evidence only fuels rampant speculation over this very tragic situation.
 

 FAA Implementing New Climb Via, Speed Adjustment Phraseology

On April 3, 2014, the FAA will implement “CLIMB VIA” phraseology and procedures for standard instrument departures (SIDs). “CLIMB VIA” is an ATC clearance authorizing pilots to navigate a SID vertically and laterally while complying with all published restrictions. It is consistent with existing “DESCEND VIA” phraseology and procedures for standard terminal arrival routes (STARs), which have been in use for more than a decade.

In addition to the new “CLIMB VIA” phraseology, the FAA will implement new speed restrictions and speed adjustments phraseology. To help pilots better distinguish when compliance with speed restrictions is required and when speed is at the pilot’s discretion, new phraseology has been developed that will apply in all situations, including conventional and RNAV SIDs and STARS. ALPA issued Operations Bulletin 2014-01 to provide crews with information on the new phraseology. Click here to read the bulletin.
 

Attend ALPA Pilot Health Symposium

ALPA is sponsoring a one-day symposium, “Pilot Health and Medical Certification—Aviation Safety Starts Here,” on April 1 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more details and to register, visit pilothealthconference.alpa.org.
 

Click here to view photos of the event.

Aviation Security, Jumpseat Reps Hold Annual Meeting

ALPA’s Aviation Security structure, comprised of the Aviation Security Group, Security Council, and Jumpseat Council, met this week to hear presentations from senior-level government security and airline representatives about ongoing criminal and terrorist threats and the measures being taken to safeguard airline operations. ALPA’s president Capt. Lee Moak and first vice president and national safety coordinator Capt. Sean Cassidy welcomed the 35 attending pilot representatives from 16 airlines. The national officers shared their perspectives on industrial and security issues and the state of the Association.

Aviation Security chairman Capt. Fred Eissler (FDX), who moderated the event, observed, “Relationships are key to everything we do,” acknowledging ALPA’s ongoing efforts to share information and coordinate with other industry stakeholders.

Meeting participants heard from a FedEx Express Flight Ops Threat Awareness coordinator who briefed on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) before asking meeting participants to point out four dummy IEDs he had planted around the conference room. The latter exercise was designed to encourage pilots to be aware of their surroundings.

Read more about AvSec/Jumpseat meeting.
 

ALPA Conducts Accident Investigation Training

ALPA held its Accident Investigation Course (AI2) this week in Herndon, Va. Representatives from several ALPA pilot groups learned about U.S., Canadian, and ICAO accident investigation procedures.

Members of the Accident Investigation Board, as well as ALPA staff from the Engineering and Air Safety, Legal, and Communications departments provided the course instruction. This curriculum prepares pilots to serve as ALPA coordinators or investigative group members in an investigation for a member pilot group anywhere in the world.
 

 ALPA Prepares for Release of First Air 6560 Accident Report

With the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) poised to issue its final report on the 2011 crash of First Air Flight 6560, ALPA is deploying a full range of services to assist First Air crewmembers. The FAB MEC and ALPA’s Engineering and Air Safety department will review the report and help prepare the Association’s response, while National Safety Coordinator Capt. Sean Cassidy will be on hand in Ottawa to give ALPA’s perspective to the news media. First Air union volunteers will provide support to family members of the 6560 crew, and Critical Incident Response Program peer support volunteers will be available at FAB’s domiciles in Yellowknife and Ottawa. The TSB is expected to release the report by the end of the month.

First Air 6560, a Boeing 737, crashed on approach to a gravel airstrip at Resolute Bay in the far arctic on August 20, 2011. Twelve people were fatally injured, including both pilots; three passengers survived. The accident helped spur the creation of ALPA’s President’s Committee on Remote Operations, which is tasked with improving operations, infrastructure, and procedures at isolated airports in Alaska and the Canadian arctic.
 

Allen Elected XJT MEC Chairman

Members of the ExpressJet Airlines (XJT) Master Executive Council have elected Capt. Dave Allen to serve as their new chairman.

Allen, a graduate of Brigham Young University, is an ERJ-145 pilot who lives in Houston. He has worked for ExpressJet since 2000 and served in a variety of union positions. He has been chairman and captain rep for Houston Council 175 since March 2013, and was elected as MEC executive administrator in January.

Allen will succeed outgoing XJT MEC chairman Capt. Chris Grable, who will resign his office effective April 1. The new chairman will take office on April 1 and serve the remainder of Grable’s term, which ends on Aug. 31, 2015.
 

 MAG MEC Surpasses 50 Percent PAC Participation

On Wednesday, March 19, the Mesa MEC officially passed the 50 percent mark for its active pilots participating in ALPA-PAC. Speaking to a training class, MEC Chairman Marcin Kolodziejczyk, Vice Chair Jacob Clymo, S/T Darrel Cox, and Executive Administrator Robert Moore signed up 17 out of 22 new hires, officially crossing the historic threshold.

“Our pilots know how important the PAC is,” said Kolodziejczyk. “We know that the PAC is protecting and advancing the careers for all pilots. A strong ALPA-PAC means we will have long, productive careers. Everyone should be a contributor.”

Read more about MAG PAC participation.
 

EIA Bankruptcy Proceedings Continue; MEC Office Closes

After Evergreen International Airlines filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Delaware bankruptcy court at the end of 2013, the EIA MEC disbanded and was placed in custodianship by ALPA’s president and Executive Council. The custodian status is conducted with the recognition that crewmembers of failed airlines will be looking for new work and unable to perform union volunteer duties. The MEC’s custodian, former MEC Chairman Jim Touchette, was tasked with closing all remaining business and settling the MEC’s financial accounting.

Over the last month and a half, the McMinnville, Ore. EIA MEC office prepared for shutdown. With an office administrator in place for nearly fourteen years, (seven years with the pilots’ independent union, TAG, and her remaining time with ALPA), her responsibilities have come to an end. The office officially closed on March 14, but the EIA MEC remains under custodianship throughout the bankruptcy process.

Bankruptcy counsel and ALPA staff have tirelessly prepared a proof of claim to fight for the EIA crewmembers’ claims derived from their collective bargaining agreement. ALPA’s proof of claim was filed on March 11 with the Delaware bankruptcy court.
 

DAL PUB Events Connect with Pilots

The Delta MEC Delta Pilots Network hosts Pilot Unity Building (PUB) events regularly at the Atlanta training hotel. These events bring together pilots, the MEC administration and officers, and MEC committee volunteers. The event is a great opportunity to get to know one another, ask questions, and share concerns.

In 2013 the Delta MEC held eight PUBs and, to date, has held five this year. So far, more than 700 pilots have participated in a PUB event. The more pilot members know the better off the union is. The next training PUB is scheduled for March 26 at the Holiday Inn Airport North, Virginia Ave., 6:30-8:30 pm.
 

Click here to view photos of the event.

ALPA Attends Women in Aviation Conference

Members of the ALPA Education Committee attended the 25th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference March 6-8 in Orlando, Fla., where more than 4,000 people from all facets of aviation and aerospace attended. ALPA pilots and staff also managed a booth in the Conference’s Exhibit Hall with pilots from many ALPA member groups volunteering their time.

The Education Committee participated in this year’s event as part of its outreach effort to connect with individuals interested in pursuing airline pilot careers. Committee members also promote the airline piloting profession by working with university students to establish ALPA ACE clubs at their schools. These student-run organizations thrive with the input from both students and ALPA line pilots by focusing on professionalism and leadership skills. Click here to learn more about the conference. Click here to volunteer for ALPA’s Education Committee.
 

Safety Rep Named to National Bird Strike Group

First Officer Steve Jangelis (DAL), chairman of the ALPA ASO’s Airport and Ground Environment Group, has been elected to serve on the steering committee of the Bird Strike Committee-USA (BCA-USA) as a voting member. In this position, he will provide ALPA’s perspective on ways to mitigate bird and wildlife hazards to aviation.

Bird and other wildlife strikes to aircraft put the lives of aircraft crew members and their passengers at risk and result annually in more than $700 million in damage to U.S. civil and military aviation. BCA-USA is the principal forum within the United States where information or concerns dealing with this problem are addressed.

Read more about Bird Strike Committee.