July 22, 2015
"We Are Involved, We Are Prepared, and We Are Dedicated" at ALPA’s 61st Air Safety Forum
The 61st Air Safety Forum opened on Wednesday morning with keynote presentations from Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA’s first vice president and national safety coordinator, moderated the session, welcoming and thanking the nearly 450 attendees for their attendance and participation during the forum.
Canoll spoke about the extreme importance of ALPA’s Air Safety Organization and the work the Association does in the areas of safety, security, and pilot assistance. “As airline pilots in the United States and Canada, it is up to us to ensure that the airspace in North America is safe and secure,” he proclaimed.
Canoll highlighted ALPA’s priorities in the upcoming FAA reauthorization, including the six characteristics needed for a safe, efficient, and effective air traffic control system. He followed that list with ALPA’s remaining “top 10” priorities for the bill, including regulations on transporting lithium batteries, NextGen funding, and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs), secondary barriers, and maintaining safety regulations.
Finally, Canoll warned of the need for fair skies, especially as it relates to the threat of state-owned enterprises such as those in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. “Our careers depend on success in that arena,” he said. He spoke about ALPA’s newest white paper that launched today, Keep America Flying: A Flight Plan for Safe and Fair Skies. The white paper outlines many challenges facing the airline industry and presents reasoned and achievable policy solutions that will enhance aviation safety and provide a stronger environment for U.S. airlines and their employees.
Canoll reminded pilots, “We are involved, we are prepared, and we are dedicated—and because of that we continue to be the voice for airline pilots.” He debuted ALPA’s newest video production outlining a “by-the-numbers” look at the positive effect pilots and ALPA have had on the industry. “Your dedication to your profession is unmatched,” Canoll insisted, “and the entire aviation system is better, safer, and more secure because of your efforts.”
Canoll then introduced DeFazio, who is a key player in the upcoming reauthorization. DeFazio told attendees, “You are here at a very important time” and admitted that part of the reauthorization process is, “to solve the problem of Congress.” He outlined his concerns with the FAA past and present and explained the two models for a new air traffic organization currently being discussed: a nonprofit corporate model and a free-standing government entity.
While DeFazio stated that the Constitution prohibits delegation to a private authority, he explained that some on the committee are discussing a way to “develop a 21st-century, constitutionally chartered model” that would allow freedom of movement and wouldn’t entail restricting oversight by another department.
He cautioned as well, “There is always going to be pressure from people who look solely at the profit side,” mentioning areas such as first officer qualifications, science-based fatigue rules, and RPAs, but promised that he would fight to ensure safety is maintained.
As will ALPA and its Air Safety Organization. Because, as Canoll stated, “There’s more to do.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 52,000 pilots at 31 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
-###-