ALPA Trains New Safety, Security Reps

Thirty-six ALPA pilot safety representatives, representing 12 airlines from the United States and Canada, participated in the ALPA Air Safety Organization’s (ASO) Basic Safety School (BSS), Airport Safety Liaison (ASL), and Security Training Course (STC) programs last week in Herndon, Va.

The BSS provides initial ASO orientation to new pilot safety and security representatives. Basic incident and accident investigation training is provided to the safety representatives while the security coordinators attend a breakout session dealing with security subjects. This training equips them to confidently and effectively support their own pilot groups and interact with government and management representatives.

The ASL training teaches the airport safety representative to function as the resident expert on his or her assigned airport. The ASL provides the air carrier line-pilot perspective as a proactive, consistent, and known resource for airport management. He or she is trained to be thoroughly familiar with the airport and to maintain a productive working relationship with its management and municipal representatives, highlighting hazards and making recommendations for their elimination.

The STC is a basic training program designed for MEC security representatives. Its purpose is twofold: to provide an introduction to ALPA policies and protocols, and to give guidance on how to serve as an MEC security representative. This course offers a great opportunity for MEC Security Committee representatives to better serve the security needs of the membership.

Last week’s training program was the first of two sessions scheduled for 2014. The next training opportunity is scheduled in June 2014.