The wait is almost over! The 2017 International Women in Aviation Conference is only two days away. It’s always exhilarating to celebrate the passion and enthusiasm of women who contribute to advancing aviation, but this year’s conference is shaping up to be even more exciting than usual. Here are a few things we’re especially looking forward to:

Over the past six years, Mesa Airlines has added more than 70 planes, touting their arrivals to the media and their employees. Meanwhile, the pilots continue to wait for a new contract, one that will bring them up to the industry average in total compensation. Currently, first officers make less than half of some of their peers at other airlines flying similar routes on similar aircraft. The shortfalls continue up through the seniority. Mesa pilots haven’t had a raise in pay since 2008.

When United Airlines First Officer Bruce Benyshek first saw Fletcher Kehmeier, he knew there was something different about this 87-year-old man. As it turned out, the thing that was different about Kehmeier was an ALPA pin - the very thing that united these two strangers in brotherhood. 

Those who dream of becoming a pilot don’t see the sky as the limit; they see it as a starting-off point. Bessie Coleman had every excuse to give up on her dream of becoming a pilot. In a time when American flight schools admitted neither women, nor African Americans, Coleman relentlessly pursued her passion for flight. 

The most important safety feature of any airline operation is a well-trained, highly experienced and qualified professional pilot. And the best way to attract and retain these pilots is to pay them competitive wages and offer a solid career progression.