ALPA@Work: Fee-for-Departure, Membership Committees Reach Out at NGPA Annual Conference

By Kevin Cuddihy, Contributing Writer
Pilots take in advice from the Fee-for-Departure Committee’s interview and application workshop.

ALPA’s Fee-for-Departure (FFD) and Membership Committees took part in the National Gay Pilots Association’s (NGPA) Industry Expo, providing knowledge and information about the Association’s vast services and resources to those in attendance.

During the highly attended job fair, the Membership Committee staffed a booth to provide advice and encouragement to pilots while sharing information about ALPA’s resources and how the Association is advancing the airline piloting profession. Prior to the annual job fair held January 19–20 in conjunction with the NGPA Winter Warm-Up conference, ALPA’s FFD Committee, along with the Compass Master Executive Council (MEC), hosted a free interview and application workshop on January 18 for interested ALPA members (see “Are You Prepared for Your Next Interview?”).

Preparing pilots for the future

This was the first time that ALPA held a workshop at the site of a job fair to provide support immediately before interviews. Capt. Paul Ryder (ExpressJet), ALPA’s FFD Committee chairman and national resource coordinator, acknowledged that the decision to hold pre-event workshops came from a brainstorming session at the Board of Directors meeting in October. “The Compass MEC has cohosted a number of these workshops with us,” he explained, “and the MEC was looking for another opportunity to serve its pilots. When it brought up the idea of hosting the workshop prior to the NGPA Industry Expo, it was kind of a no-brainer.”

Capt. Anthony Zerafa (Compass), his pilot group’s MEC chairman, explained why cohosting the workshops is so important. “We need to cater to what our pilots want to do,” he said, “and they want to find their next job…. Pilots sometimes ask what ALPA does for them; cohosting these workshops is a way for us to help answer that question and show them an important benefit of membership.”

During the workshop, experts from Cage Marshall Consulting walked the pilots through the job-search process, paying particular attention to their meetings with recruiters the next day and showing them how to put their best foot forward. “With the timing of the event, we really focused on getting the pilots ready for the job fair,” explained Angie Marshall of Cage Marshall. “We highlighted final changes or updates they could make to their résumés and last-minute tips and tricks to polish themselves. And just as important, we reminded them what not to do. Overall, we were able to impart a very realistic approach, telling them to be themselves and above all else be professional.”

“The workshop definitely makes me feel more prepared going into the job fair,” said Capt. Michelle Yates (ExpressJet). “They recommended concrete things—things I overlooked on my own—that I can do today to improve my chances of making a good impression tomorrow. I’d encourage any pilot looking for their next job to attend one of the workshops.”

After the workshop, the pilots put their knowledge to the test, speaking with recruiters at the NGPA Industry Expo.

ALPA’s volunteers, from left, Capt. Jolanda Witvliet (United), Capt. Aaron Patterson (Mesa), F/O Robert Cole (United), Capt. Ryan Davis (Compass), Capt. Drew Owen (Mesa), Capt. Joel Vergun (United), F/O Albane Koenig (Mesa), F/O Mark Bomber (United), and F/O Kaori Paris (United).

Providing encouragement, answering questions

ALPA’s Membership Committee was also in attendance to greet pilots, provide encouragement, and answer any questions pilots might have about ALPA and their membership. “Being here provides an important touchpoint for ALPA with our members,” explained Capt. Jolanda Witvliet (United), the Membership Committee chairman. “It’s a reminder that we’re working for them and have these extensive resources available to them.” Visitors to ALPA’s booth asked a number of questions, including

  • what it’s like to transition from military pilot to airline pilot,
  • the different types of ALPA insurance offerings,
  • how to volunteer at both the local and national levels,
  • what ALPA’s Aeromedical Office offers,
  • how to sign up for ALPA e-mails,
  • information about the ALPA app, and
  • how to obtain membership pins.

Members who stopped by the booth also received ALPA-branded giveaways to help them show their ALPA pride year-round. Potential future ALPA pilots also visited to inquire about the resources available to them should they be hired by a carrier with ALPA-represented pilots.

Staffing the booth were ALPA pilots who were also NGPA members as well as pilots who’ve been through the job-search effort before and moved on to a mainline who could provide a unique perspective for the job fair attendees. “Through ALPA and the NGPA, I was able to make connections with people at various carriers that enabled me to secure an interview,” explained F/O Brent Farrar (Spirit). “These are people I can count on for advice throughout my career. By volunteering at the ALPA booth, I’m looking for the flip side of the coin—the ability to be someone else’s link to a job opportunity, to pay forward what others have given me.”

The call for diversity

Both Witvliet and Ryder noted that the ability to encourage and embrace diversity in the airline industry is one of the many reasons ALPA attends this and similar events. “Our profession has been working for several years to broaden the diversity of those we hire and those we inspire to be the next generation,” said Ryder. “Providing this workshop at the NGPA event will hopefully help those who attend have greater success in the pilot- selection process.”

“It’s also an opportunity to remind pilots that despite our differences, when the cockpit door closes we’re all professional pilots. ALPA is a brotherhood and sisterhood,” said Witvliet. She recalled a recent interview she saw with former Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning who said, “It’s different now, not just in the Army. It’s different in the United States of America. Because people see the sun still comes up, the car still starts, the dog still needs to be fed or what have you. Nothing changed today because my neighbor, my son, my shipmate, whatever it is, came out.”

“No matter your race, gender, or orientation; no matter the plane you fly or who you fly it for—ALPA is made up of pilots who are just like you,” acknowledged Witvliet. “And ALPA has the resources to assist you in just about any issue you might have. That’s what we’re here to share.”

ALPA Volunteer Pays It Forward

Capt. Ryan Davis (Compass) can’t do enough to pay it forward. During the National Gay Pilots Association’s (NGPA) Industry Expo, he
  1. worked as a recruiter for Compass Airlines,
  2. spoke to recruiters at other airlines about his own career,
  3. volunteered at ALPA’s booth with the Membership Committee, and
  4. attended the NGPA Winter Warm-Up conference.
An NGPA member since 2007, Davis credits a connection through the organization for helping him get on board with Compass. “I’m forever grateful for the relationships gained through networking at NGPA,” he said. And he’s volunteered in multiple areas since becoming an ALPA member, saying, “Having a support group with the resources to aid pilots throughout their careers is something I’m proud to be a part of.” So it’s an easy decision for him to give back wherever possible.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping others and paying it forward,” he explained. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for ALPA, Compass Airlines, and the NGPA. Making a difference in someone’s career can be extremely rewarding.”

Mark Your Calendar

In addition to the National Gay Pilots Association’s Industry Expo, ALPA volunteers are attending the 2017 International Women in Aviation Conference in early March and will be at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Annual Convention and Career Exposition in August. If you’re at any of these events, please stop by ALPA’s booth, say hello, and bring any questions you might have.

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

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