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The Advantages of An

International Union

The mission of the Air Line Pilots Association is to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial aviation; to assist in collective bargaining activities on behalf of all pilots represented by the Association; to promote the health and welfare of the members of the Association before all governmental agencies; to be a strong, forceful advocate of the airline piloting profession, through all forms of media, and with the public at large; and to be the ultimate guardian and defender of the rights and privileges of the professional pilots who are members of the Association.—ALPA Board of Directors, October 1992

Mission stateMent

a s airline pilots, we share similar views about our profession and careers. We un-derstand the value of the success of our

companies, and we understand the importance of job security and benefits that protect our families. ALPA’s desire to help JetBlue pilots gain a strong voice for the future is clear.

First, we want JetBlue pilots to participate in and help influence our profession and our indus-try since it changes so quickly.

WelcomeSecond, we want JetBlue pilots,

like other represented groups, to help create favorable contract pat-terns in the four cornerstone areas of pay, work rules, benefits, and job security. This helps all of us.

And third, we believe that working collectively with the sup-port of 53,000 other ALPA pilots and the union’s professional resources offers JetBlue pilots the clearest path for all of us to achieve our goals.

We share your loyalty to JetBlue and respect for JetBlue and its senior management team. We fully support and will work hard to make sure a respectful relationship at JetBlue continues and that your company’s values and culture are preserved.

As you know, this election is about making a good business decision for your family’s future. This is about securing the future with a legally binding, collectively bargained con-tract with industry-standard retirement benefits and professional representation regarding FAA and medical certification issues.

ALPA representation will allow your voices to be heard where it matters and stregthen the voice of all pilots. We look forward to welcoming the JetBlue pilots soon.

aDVantaGes oF an inteRnationaL Union

Capt. Randy Helling Vice President— Finance/Treasurer

Capt. Lee Moak President

Capt. Sean Cassidy First Vice President

Capt. William Couette Vice President— Administration/Secretary

IntroductIonaDVantaGes oF an inteRnationaL Union

Since its founding on July 27, 1931, ALPA has been the preeminent bargaining agent for airline pilots as well as our nations’ and the world’s

standard bearer in all aspects of airline safety and security. In the beginning, 24 “key men”—led by United Capt. Dave Behncke—met in secret to form a new organization: the Air Line Pilots Association.

For 80 years, ALPA pilots and staff have worked to protect and build the airline pilot-ing profession. This booklet will give you a brief snapshot of what your fellow pilots and this Association can help you achieve and how we go about working together.

All pilots need the benefits and advan-tages that can be secured by working under a legally enforceable collective bargaining agreement. With ALPA representation, pilot

leaders at each airline establish their own priorities, make decisions, and determine their relationship with their airline—all with the sup-port of ALPA’s world-class resources.

Membership in ALPA provides you with a legal and collective voice at your workplace and within your profession. With ALPA, you get a lot for your dues dollar—representative and staff support, protection, a host of unique resources and benefits, and valuable information—to help you at every phase of your career, inside and outside the cockpit.

Now, let’s explore the advantages of joining the largest pilot union in the world—the Air Line Pilots Association, International.

ALPA’S TeAm APProAch To NeGoTIATIoNS


Let’s face it, negotiating a collective bargaining agreement under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) can present some unique challenges. With ALPA, you

and your pilot group can respond to these challenges using a time-tested team approach to negotiations.

In the team approach, pilot leaders, volunteers, and ALPA staff develop a strategic plan and define project management responsibilities. This team strategy capitalizes on each player’s particular expertise, knowledge, and experience, which enables the pilot group to deliver a powerful, unified, and effective effort.

PiLot VoLUnteeRs

ALPA’S TeAm APProAch To NeGoTIATIoNS

Team

Approach

PiLot LeaDeRs

PiLot VoLUnteeRs aLPa staFF


JetBlue pilots will elect your key decision-making leaders—the Master Executive Council (MEC). After polling members, these pilot leaders develop a strategic plan that outlines the goals and priorities for the negotiations. The MEC uses the plan as a basis for direction and decision-making and periodically recali-brates it to adapt to any changing circumstances.

PiLot LeaDeRs aLPa staFF

PiLot VoLUnteeRsThe MEC members then choose pilots from your group to serve on committees.l The Negotiating Committee works to achieve your contract priorities at the negotiating table. They receive the full support of ALPA experts and advisors to guide them through the negotiations process. l Most pilot groups have active Retirement and Insurance, Scheduling, Grievance, Hotel, and Professional Standards Committees. While these Committees are active year-round, during contract negotiations they play the vital role of analyzing and developing negotiating options and recommenda-tions in their area of expertise.l The Communications Committee builds unity among the pilot group by creating and implement-ing a communications plan that educates the pilots and their families about collective bargaining and the goals for negotiations, updates them on progress, and encourages them to engage in the process.l The Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee (SPSC) builds leverage throughout negotiations and helps prepare pilots and their families for the end stages of negotiations. The SPSC also enlists help from other pilot groups and secures guidance and funds from national ALPA resources.

Local pilot leaders chart the course of negotiations and make the decisions, but those pilots call on teams of ALPA experts and advisors to guide them through the negotiations process. That team includes

42professional negotiators in ALPA’s Represen-tation Department The contract administra-

tor/attorney (CA) helps establish goals and writes contract proposals. The CA also helps enforce the contract.

13 financial analysts in ALPA’s Economic & Finan-cial Analysis Department. The economic and

financial analyst assesses the airline’s ability to meet the pilots’ needs and develops complex cost models as part of valuing the cost to the company of changes to pilot and company contract proposals.

13attorneys in ALPA’s Legal Department and others in ALPA’s general counsel’s law firm

17Retirement and Insurance benefit specialists, including 3 benefit attorneys, 2 pension invest-

ment advisors, and 1 pension actuary. The benefits specialist helps pilots navigate through the complex world of retirement and insurance and develops pro-grams tailored to JetBlue pilots’ circumstances.

14 communications specialists from ALPA’s Communications Department. The communi-

cations specialist, in coordination with the MEC and Negotiating Committee, helps to develop and imple-ment a strategic communications plan, keeps the pilots up-to-date, and ensures that pilots can provide input and feedback during negotiations.

Years of experience, an in-depth understanding of the complexities of the RLA, and commitment to best practices have molded the ALPA team approach into an extremely effective process for achieving a pilot group’s contract goals.

■ Develops and analyzes a negotiations questionnaire tailored for your pilot group and assists in crafting your opening contract.■ Provides industry and economic over-views, including a detailed JetBlue airline financial analysis that itemizes wages and pay premiums, per diem, work rules’ effect on scheduling/productivity, training, vaca-tion, sick leave, etc. ■ Conducts contractual comparisons and analyses of company positions, including access to internal company business plans, projections, strategies, and other operational analysis. ■ Provides an estimate on how much the contract you propose will cost your airline (and will prove JetBlue can afford it, too). ■ Analyzes schedules and advises on and develops financial return proposals (profit sharing, equity, etc.), including any alternative proposals unique to your airline.

■ Gives professional support regarding negoti-ated contractual em-ployee benefit programs to each pilot group.■ Provides employee benefit legal advice, plan design, and defined-contribution plan investment management analysis.■ Coordinates with ALPA’s Government Affairs Department on legislative issues that may affect retirement and insurance benefits.■ Assists with benefit-related pilot grievances.■ Offers biennial retire-ment and insurance seminars.■ Helps ALPA’s Re-tirement & Insurance Committee to design and oversee ALPA benefit programs.

aLPa Projection of Future Mandatory and Matching Company DC Plan Contributions and Defined Benefit Plan accruals

for a Pilot age 40 with Pay of $100,000 in 2011 Age 65 Balance Age 65 Annual Annual Annual Annuity as a % of Company DC from Company Annuity from Annuity as Final Pay for Company DC Plan Contribution DC Plan Company DC Plan a % of Final Plan Contributions and Airline Rate Contributions Contributions Pay DB Plan Accruals

JetBlue 5.00% $527,827 $45,577 14.1% 14.1%

AirTran 10.5 to 12.5%** $1,306,572 $112,821 45.0% 35.0%

Alaska 13.50% $1,425,132 $123,058 38.2% 38.2%

American* 11.00% $1,161,219 $100,270 31.1% 62.4%

Continental 12.75% $1,345,958 $116,221 36.0% 36.0%

Delta 13 to 14%*** $1,472,668 $127,163 39.4% 39.4%

FedEx* 7% + $500/year $771,670 $66,633 20.7% 70.7%

Hawaiian 15.00% $1,583,480 $136,731 42.4% 42.4%

Southwest 9.30% $981,758 $84,773 26.3% 26.3%

United 16.00% $1,689,046 $145,847 45.2% 45.2%

UPS* 12.00% $1,266,784 $109,385 33.9% 58.9%

US Airways 10.00% $1,055,654 $91,154 28.3% 28.3%

Average (excluding JetBlue) $1,278,176 $110,369 34.2% 43.9%

Assumptions: All airlines pay any profit sharing in addition to company contributions listed. Maximum matching contributions. No pay past service credit of past benefits accruals, PBGC payment, ot bankruptcy distribution is included. Salary increases (including longevity, hourly rate, and upgrade related gains) average 5% per year. DC plan pre-retirement investment return averages 7% per year age 65 equivalent annuity: Post-retirement investment return averages 6% per year; post-retirement mortality is based on 2036 LS Unisex table.

*Pilots also covered by active defined-benefit plans: American—1.25% x final average pay x years of service; FedEx—2% x final average pay x years of service (maximum 25 years); UPS—1% x final average pay x years of service (maximum 30 years).

**AirTran: 10.5% to 6/30/2011, 11.5% 7/1/2011 to 6/30/2012, 12% 7/1/2012 to 6/30/2013, 12.5% 7/1/2013+.

***Delta: 13% for 2011, 14% for 2012+ ALPA Retirement & Insurance Department, May 2011

RetiReMent & insURanCe

eConoMiC & FinanCiaL anaLysisRead E&FA’s “State of the Industry” from the April 2011 Air Line Pilot. Scan the QR image with your smart-phone to view a PDF version of this article.

Represen

tation

RepResentationaDVantaGes oF an inteRnationaL Union

Legally enforceable collective bargaining agreements spell out a set of mutually agreed-upon rules and procedures that

serve to further protect ALPA members. With ALPA, JetBlue pilots will gain an independent representative with legal status under the Rail-way Labor Act, which will require management to

bargain in good faith, make every effort to reach agree-ments, and comply with these agreements on an ongoing basis.

Disputes over contract interpretation or disciplin-ary action are filed with the assistance of a pilot group’s Grievance Committee. An ALPA attorney repre-sents pilots throughout

the arbitration process, if discipline is involved, and manages disputes that the MEC introduces regarding contract interpretation.

Whether a dispute concerns a management claim about job perfor-mance, government regu-lations about licensing or aeromedical matters, or a litigator in the wake of an accident or incident, Repre-sentation is involved to offer guidance and support.

ALPA’s Representation Department has the largest professional staff in the As-sociation because of the wide scope of its activities on be-half of pilot members, both union-wide and individually.

“We will improve our job security by having a certified bargaining agent legally represent us and having a collective bargaining agreement.”—JetBlue ALPA Organizing Committee

RePResentation■ Assists pilot leadership in developing and maintaining MEC strategic plans.

■ Provides professional negotiators to work with pilot negotiating committees.

■ Enforces collective bargaining agreements.

■ Represents individual pilots on matters ranging from contract grievances to govern-ment administrative actions, aeromedical cases, and regulatory authorities’ incident and accident investigations.

Linda Puchala, Chair of the National Mediation Board

aDVantaGes oF an inteRnationaL UnionC

omm

unication

s

CommuniCationst he ALPA Communications Department

serves as an in-house production shop, public relations agency, and advertising

firm rolled into one. It also provides every line pilot with timely publications and products, helping connect you with your union. Acting as the voice for the professional airline pilot, ALPA’s Communications Department ensures that your pilot representatives will put their best foot forward.

The ALPA Communications Department and its pilot volunteers represent the face of this union. The Communications Department serves the whole range of ALPA’s representational struc-tures and committees. It provides■ coordination, editing, design, and printing of publications, as well as a large variety of graphics.■ multimedia productions, including video pre-sentations, the ALPA website, and the FastRead e-mail newsletter, to get the word out fast, and The FlightDeck, ALPA’s monthly TV show.■ Air Line Pilot magazine, 10 times a year, featur-ing union and industrial issues and safety, tech-nical, and historical information.■ media specialists who promote ALPA’s message, assist pilot reps in hot-seat public venues, train pilot volunteers, and cultivate news media relations.

Scan the QR Code with your smart-phone and watch ALPA’s president, Capt. Lee Moak, answer frequently asked questions from the JetBlue pilots.

Some of the many communications tools include

l print and electronic newsletters, l websites, l video messages, l podcasts, l teleconferences, l social networking tools, l blast e-mails, l hotlines, l and more.Communications specialists work closely

with pilot groups to help develop and imple-ment strategic communications plans tailored to each group’s needs. In carrying out the plan, the full ALPA communications toolbox is at your disposal.

LegaL

Legal


the ALPA Legal Department acts as ALPA’s cost-efficient internal law firm with broad capabilities dedicated entirely to ALPA pi-

lots. The Department’s attorneys represent ALPA and its pilots in virtually every form of litigation and routinelyl handle complex discharge and contract- violation cases for pilots, l defend pilots before regulators, and l advance the interests of airline pilots in federal and state courts.

ALPA attorneys are recognized throughout the industry as experts in U.S. labor and aviation law. Areas of expertise include l flight- and duty-time regulations, l airline safety and security regulatory issues, l aircraft accident investigation litigation, l employee benefits, l employment discrimination, l drug and alcohol testing, and l union member rights.

They also serve as expert advisors on scope

and other sensitive issues in collective bargaining negotiations.

On the international front, the Legal Depart-ment provides expert advice on codesharing, joint ventures, and similar business arrange-ments. They counsel on international air trans-port agreements and participate as members of the government-led U.S. teams that negotiate air services agreements with other countries. They also maintain relationships with foreign attorneys to assist pilots involved in incidents overseas.

“Without the certification of a legal collective bargaining agent, our management decides when, whether, and how much it wants to discuss with us.” —JetBlue ALPA Organizing Committe

Today, JetBlue is under no legal requirement to negotiate with the pilots as equals, make and respect agreements, or settle disputes and discipline cases with the Pilot Values Committee (PVC) or any other group; this is now entirely within the corporate leadership team’s discretion.

The Pilot Employee Agreements (PEAs) offer no statutory protections and require that contract disputes be resolved on a pilot-by-pilot basis, purposely designed to dis-courage or prevent pilots from pooling their resources to effectively protect and enforce their contractual rights.

Pea PRoteCtion?

Air SAfety

Air

Safety


W hen your pilot group joins ALPA, you will gain access to the world’s larg-est non-governmental aviation safety

organization, made up of hundreds of pilot rep-resentatives just like you. They work with govern-ment and industry entities to keep you, and the traveling public, both safe and secure.

They rely on support from ALPA’s professional staff, which comes with centuries of unmatched experience in l air traffic control, l aviation security, l aeronautical engineering, l line operations, l aviation human factors, l charting and instrument procedures, l aeromedical, l certification, and l accident investigation.

Together, ALPA’s air safety structure and staff provide numerous benefits to line pilots and the entire profession. Take the ALPA Worldwide Ac-cident/Incident Hotline, for example. The Hotline is a single point of contact that’s available from anywhere in the world, 24/7. Just one call activates a full-court press of trained pilot volunteers and professionals to come to your rescue.

ALPA protects your reputation, your job, and your career while improving your workplace by

addressing the root causes of the accident in the overall aviation system. No other pilot union in the world offers this service.

“on Christmas Day 2009, when a passenger tried to blow up the flight i was piloting, i knew that safety in the air would be very fragile without aLPa’s longtime advocacy for aviation safety and security. and after we landed safely, aLPa immediately arranged to meet with federal officials to urge further ways to make our skies safe.”—Capt. A. Ray Miller (Delta)

it staRts WitH a PHone CaLL

Assistance from ALPA’s air safety structure is not limited to high-visibility, dramatic events. ALPA pilots call the Engineering & Air Safety Department with aircraft equipment or procedures prob-lems and questions on flight/duty time and other regulations.

That phone call starts an inquiry into the right resources to address the issue, whether it’s the MEC, an ALPA committee, an ALPA department, or an advocate in the global airline industry.

AeromedicAl

Aerom

edical


imagine that your aviation medical axaminer detects a medical condition that the FAA must analyze before you can return to the

flight deck. As an ALPA member, you won’t face this situation alone.

A call to ALPA’s Aeromedical Offices in Denver will put you in touch with an expert who can help resolve the issue, whether by further evaluation from a private physician or referral to a special-ist acquainted with aviation medicine principles. Plus, the FAA’s Medical Certification Branch in Oklahoma City knows and trusts the profession-als at ALPA’s Aeromedical Office, which helps make processing paperwork faster and easier.

ALPA offers a comprehensive selection of member benefit plans—insurance programs carefully crafted by pilots for pilots, focusing on the specific needs of our profession.

In particular, Loss of License is unique in the world of disability insurance, because it specifically protects you against conditions that would prevent you from flying but not necessarily from attaining other employ-ment—for example, if you are diagnosed as an insulin-dependent diabetic.

ALPA’s pilot insurance plans are meant to supplement your company’s plans, but may be portable if you change employers or are furloughed. The Membership and Council Services Department procures, administers, and services these voluntary benefits as directed by ALPA’s Retirement & Insurance Committee and VEBA Board.

MeMBeR BeneFit PLans FoR aDDeD PRoteCtion

The Aeromedical Office will address any medi-cal problems related to health, welfare, employ-ment, or disability. It also l answers your medical questions before you head to the doctor’s office,l provides guidance on the correct medical phraseology to use when completing medical ap-plication, andl ensures you’re in compliance when taking prescription drugs, particularly if your prescribing doctor is not thoroughly familiar with FAA policy.

ALPA’s Aeromedical Committee works in conjunction with the Aeromedical Office to keep members informed about pilot health matters. It also helps defend pilots barred from flying for health reasons and monitors aircraft design for issues that could affect pilots’ health, comfort, and the ability to do their jobs.

Pilot AssistAnce

Pilot

Assistan

ce


a LPA’s Pilot Assistance Committee offers safeguards that give pilots confidential support and assistance, along with refer-

rals to available professional resources in their own communities. This network, all manned by pilot representatives in consultation with ALPA staff, includesl Aeromedical (see Aeromedical tab),

Supports and guides pilots whose careers are threatened by substance abuse; helps pi-lots get treatment for themselves or a fellow pilot so they can return to the cockpit.

Scan the QR Code with your smart-phone to learn more.

Trains pilot and family peer support volun-teers to help flightcrew members and their families deal with and recover from the trau-matic effects of an accident or incident.

Mediates problems of a professional or ethical nature to ensure a safe operating environment; attempts to resolve conflicts between pilots or with other airline person-nel without management involvement and in strict confidence.

PRoFessionaL stanDaRDs

l Human Intervention and Motivation Study (HIMS), l Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP), and l Professional Standards Committees.

Pilot Assistance can help with any situation that could potentially jeopardize a pilot’s medical certificate or disrupt the performance of profes-sional duties—in other words, all aspects of a pilot’s health and continued well-being.

CRitiCaL inCiDent ResPonse PRoGRaM (CiRP)

HUMan inteRVention anD MotiVation stUDy (HiMs)

Being involved

Bein

g In

volved


aLPA’s structure enables JetBlue pilots to utilize our world-class resources to achieve the goals and priorities you set

for yourselves. Through your local elected leader-ship, you will have a strong voice in matters spe-cific to JetBlue pilots, such as crafting your first contract, as well as Association-wide strategic initiatives and issues affecting the airline indus-try and piloting profession. If you vote ALPA, your votes decide what this union does for you.

In ALPA, each pilot member elects the offi-cers of your local councils (LECs), who make up the membership of ALPA’s Board of Directors, the union’s governing body. The pilots you elect

“aLPa’s structure is designed to effectively advocate for our seniority and base needs, provide transparency into all association business, and manage the association’s finances to provide the proper resources for its operation while building a ‘nest egg’ to fall back on to legally protect our jobs.” —JetBlue ALPA Organizing Committee

HoW, as an aLPa MeMBeR, CoULD i Get inVoLVeD?ALPA is democratic to the core, and deci-sion-making begins with you. You can have an influence by■ staying informed about the issues mem-bers are facing.■ attending local council meetings.■ volunteering for committee work on the local, MEC, and international levels.■ casting a vote, both for contractual changes and your representatives.■ volunteering to run for office.

Your involvement is critical to our suc-cess, and training is available on many lev-els. Whether you’re interested in working in safety, grievances, or communications, sea-soned ALPA volunteers and staff will give you the assistance you need to succeed.

in these positions volunteer countless hours to serve you, working hard with the professional support of ALPA’s staff in areas such as schedul-ing, safety, security, grievances, retirement and insurance, and legislative affairs.

The elected LEC members you select serve on the Master Executive Council (MEC), which sets policy for your pilots. In turn, your MEC chairman serves on ALPA’s Executive Board, which directs ALPA. Your MEC serves as the safeguard to pro-tect your entire pilot population. No policy deci-sions go forward without your MEC’s approval. Additionally, your vote determines what is de-cided, and who decides it, all the way up the line. ALPA does not overrule those decisions.

ResouRcesALPA offers a vast array of resources to support its members. Here are some of the tools and services not highlighted in the previous pages:

aLPa nationaL CoMMittees

GoVeRnMent aFFaiRs

Security:■ Identifies and promotes effective coun-termeasures to criminal acts against airlin-ers, airports, and other airspace systems.■ Advocates development of new tech-nologies and training to advance aviation security.■ Provides training programs to further members’ awareness of security issues.

Flight Time/Duty Time:■ Develops ALPA policy on flight limitation regulations and prepares ALPA’s response to proposed rulemaking that seeks to revise those regulations.■ Provides members with guidance on the meaning and implementation of flight limitation regulations.■ Represents ALPA in trying to harmonize flight time rules with other countries.

Jumpseat:■ Monitors implementation of TSA-approved Cockpit Access Security System (CASS).■ Worked with the Air Transport Associa-tion to restore jumpseat privileges after the FAA restricted them following 9/11.

ALPA, recognized as the voice of airline pilots in Washington, D.C., has established the rapport you need with members of Congress and other government officials—powerful people who make decisions that directly affect your career.


1On Nov. 19, 2001, the U.S. president signs the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (PL 107–71). This law includes ALPA’s post-9/11 security priorities, including arming

pilots, federalizing the airport security workforce, and strengthening airliner cockpit doors.

2ALPA works closely with con-gressional members to craft the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (PL 107–296), which mandates

the Federal Flight Deck Officer program for qualified, trained volunteer pilots to carry firearms as a last line of defense against terrorism. Due to a last-minute backroom deal by U.S. House Republican leaders, the word “passenger” is inserted in the bill, meaning that only pilots of “passenger aircraft” can participate. By 2004, ALPA successfully lobbies to include cargo pilots as well.

Check out the top 10 ALPA legislative victo-ries from the past de-cade (In chronological order—read the full list at www.alpa.org/ decadeinreview).

Resources

5After a long legislative process, the U.S. president signs the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PL 109–280).

It includes airline pension relief to allow airlines to amortize their unfunded pension liabilities over 25 years, but not the ALPA-sought-after Akaka amendment, which would have allowed pilots—at age 60—to receive the benefit guarantees cal-culated as though they had reached the maximum age of 65.

3In 2002, ALPA and the labor community successfully stave off baseball-style binding

arbitration in airline negotia-tions by defeating the Airline Labor Dispute Resolution Act and the Communities for Economic Strength Through Aviation, the lobbying group led by antilabor former mem-bers of Congress and the airline industry to promote its passage.

4International aviation issues take center stage—In 2003, the United States enters into negotiations to cre-ate an air services agreement with the

European Union. The EU proposes that the two sides eliminate (with respect to one another) any restrictions on the ownership and con-trol of their airlines, the carriage of domestic (cabotage) traffic, and the wet lease of aircraft on domestic routes. ALPA works to ensure that Congress (1) is kept abreast of ALPA’s concerns about these (and other) developments in the negotiations and (2) advises the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of State about Congress’s views on the EU propos-als. In part because of ALPA’s efforts, the three proposals described above are not included in either the “first stage” air services agreement, which went into effect in March 2008, or the “second stage” agreement, which went into ef-fect in June 2010.

6Foreign Control. In November 2005, the DOT issues a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) propos-ing to substantially liberalize the Department’s test for “actual control” of U.S. airlines by U.S. citizens

so that foreign investors could take greater stakes in U.S. airlines. Over the next year, ALPA files several answers in op-position to the DOT’s proposed rule and mounts a full-scale effort to generate congressional opposition as well. Dozens of members of Congress voice their strong and concerted opposition to the NPRM, and in December 2006 the DOT announces that it will withdraw its proposal.

8In 2008, ALPA’s CrewPASS concept becomes a reality after thousands of members send letters to Capitol Hill

calling on Congress to urge the Trans-portation Security Administration (TSA) to act on the requirements in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The Act requires the TSA to begin an expedited access and identification program for flightcrew members.

9n Dec. 21, 2009, the U.S. president signs legislation into law (PL 111–119) clos-

ing an unintended loop-hole in the Family Medical Leave Act that requires employees to work at least 1,250 hours in a 12-month period. As every pilot knows, and as ALPA makes clear to lawmakers, federal law prohibits airline pilots from logging more than 1,000 hours of flight time in air-line operations annually.

10A watershed moment in the history of avia-tion: the enactment of the Aviation Safety

and Pilot Training Improvement Act (PL 111–216). The law requires an update of flight-time/duty-time regu-lations based on science—an ALPA priority for more than two decades. It also raises standards for airline pilot screening, hiring, and training and encourages all airlines to establish ASAP and FOQA programs.

7On Dec. 13, 2007, in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization standard, the mandatory retirement age for U.S. pilots goes from age 60 to 65

after the president signs the provision into law. The legislation includes ALPA’s recommendations regarding pilot training, health, seniority, and legal indemnification consistent with ALPA’s Executive Board resolution passed earlier that year.

GlobalizationaDVantaGes oF an inteRnationaL Union

How is ALPA responding to globalization?Only ALPA, the sole representative for

pilots in both the U.S. and Canada for the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Association (IFALPA), can represent you and your interests at significant international and regional forums—including ICAO, the aviation arm of the United Nations. In fact, Capt. Don Wykoff, a for-mer ALPA executive administrator, was recently elected IFALPA president.

Through IFALPA, ALPA and other airline pi-lot associations from around the world work

together to en-sure that pilot opinions are heard, safety standards are maintained,

pilots’ interests are protected, and pilots are able to communicate with each other across interna-tional boundaries.

In 1992, ALPA created the Global Pilot Strategy and, subsequently, the International Pilot Services Corporation, to defend the airline piloting profes-sion. The airline industry has since recognized the Association’s expertise in the following areas: l analyzing corporate financial and business plans, l restructuring negotiations, l evaluating the economics of contracts, l devising industrial and negotiating strategies, l solving problems in areas such as operations and scheduling, and l promoting aviation safety and investigating accidents.

By using ALPA’s resources to participate more directly and globally in issues germane to the Association’s representational responsibilities—

“Globalization of the industry is inevitable. aLPa has been tapped by many foreign entities in the airline industry for their safety, expertise, knowledge, strong support and lobby for our profession. Being a part of aLPa helps us to be stronger, nationally, and globally as well.” —John Sabini, JetBlue ALPA Organizing Committee

preserving and enhancing global pilot standards in the areas of wages, working conditions, and other contractual issues in the collective bargaining process—only ALPA is able to reduce the negative effects of global whipsawing, particularly among global airline system pilot groups, to benefit you and the airline piloting profession at large.

Learn more about IFALPA on its website: www.ifalpa.org

Schedule with Safety


Former FAA Administrator David Hinton once described ALPA as “the conscience of the airline industry.” Throughout its history,

the Association has worked both single-handedly and as a crucial co-contributor to government/industry cooperative efforts to improve aviation safety and security. ALPA’s influence on safety and security has been both widespread and im-measurable, and some of these contributions includel establishing the first air traffic control centers,getting passed stringent One Level of Safety regu-lations that affect all airline passengers (covering all airliners with 10 passenger seats or more),l creating improved regulations covering pas-senger airliner emergency evacuations, forming federally mandated anti-skyjacking strategies,l developing safer procedures for transporting hazardous materials aboard airliners, andenhancing airline safety man-agement systems in Canada.

Many of ALPA’s greatest safety “victories” often go unnoticed outside of the Asso-ciation because of their na-ture. These accomplishments sometimes include our efforts to prevent other parties from

attempting to decrease safety margins in the interest of misperceived efficiency or short-term gains. Numerous shortsighted ideas have been abandoned during their earliest stages because of the simple recognition that “ALPA would never tolerate that.” In one instance, an airline briefly considered requesting an exemption from flight- and duty-time regulations.

Today, ALPA is the world’s largest non-govern-mental aviation safety and security organization. Hundreds of Association members, backed by ALPA’s engineering, aviation safety, security, and legal professionals and staff from other ALPA departments, serve airline pilots and the travel-ing public in their roles as aviation safety and security advocates.

The following pages outline just some of the equipment, procedures, institutions, programs, and other protections in today’s cockpits, at today’s

airports, on today’s airplanes—safety and security enhance-ments that many of us might easily overlook without the proper acknowledgments. As pilots, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the ceaseless efforts of this union, this fellowship of pilots who fly the line, this ALPA.

M o R e t H a n J U s t a M o t t o

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ALPA works with aircraft manufacturers to provide pilot input during the design phase of new aircraft.

Electronic Flight Bags are being installed with ALPA’s strong support. These systems will provide a moving map display, among other advantages, for better situational awareness.

Pilots who fly airliners equipped with a head-up display (HUD) can hand-fly Category 3B takeoffs and 3A landings. ALPA pilots worked tirelessly for decades to make airline HUDs a reality and provided line pilot input to HUD symbology.

The standard T instrument arrangement, albeit modified in electronic flight instru-ment displays, puts critical information in the same place in every airliner because ALPA members, alarmed by haphazard panel layouts, did something about it.

ALPA vigorously supported and helped optimize the Terrain Awareness and Warning System, also known as the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (TAWS/EGPWS), which has dramatically reduced a former major cause of fatal airline accidents—con-trolled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Because ALPA pilots tenaciously investigated a CFIT accident, airline cockpits now have instrument comparators to alert pilots when the captain’s and the first officer’s altime-ters, airspeed indicators, compasses, and other instruments don’t agree; comparators also are vital components of autopilots and autoland systems.

The ubiquitous cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), vital to accident investigation and thus accident prevention, are in airline cockpits because of ALPA—which also continues to fight to prevent their abuse.

Cockpit weather radar, which airlines originally resisted buying, is one of pilots’ key tools for staying out of harm’s way in convective weather—another safety system that ALPA insisted be made mandatory in airliners.

ALPA played a pivotal role in getting reinforced cockpit doors installed in U.S. and Ca-nadian airliners since Sept. 11, 2001, improving pilots’ protection against potential hostile intruders.

The traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS), which ALPA activists sought since the 1950s, has greatly increased pilots’ awareness of other air traffic and virtually eliminated midair collisions involving airliners.

Terrain contours depicted in color on navigation charts—a safety enhancement for which ALPA pushed—increase pilots’ situational awareness and help prevent controlled flight into terrain.

Takeoff warning horns—another “tombstone technology” for which ALPA fought—have alerted flight crews that the airplane is not properly configured for takeoff.

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aLPa sHaPes MoDeRn aiRPoRts…


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ALPA pushed for 30 years to require U.S. airports with scheduled airline service to provide specified aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) capabilities, a plan for controlling wildlife hazards on the airport, a formal disaster plan, and much more.

ALPA lobbied long, hard, and successfully for terminal doppler weather radar (TDWR) to significantly improve windshear detection capability in airport terminal areas.

ALPA aggressively promoted runway safety areas, which have made a big difference in the outcome of takeoff and landing incidents and accidents. Where terrain, space limita-tions, or other constraints have prevented runway safety areas from being built to full length, ALPA enthusiastically supported “crushable concrete,” which has safely stopped airplanes in the overrun.

High-visibility, unambiguous, standardized signs and markings are vital to preventing runway incursions and other mishaps—and ALPA was instrumental in persuading the FAA to adopt today’s sign and marking standards.

Land-and-hold-short operations (LAHSO)—SOIR in Canada—conducted with conser-vative safety restrictions set by ALPA permit improved airport capacity without reducing the margin of safety.

Runway distance-to-go markers clearly convey information important for takeoff or landing, whatever the runway visibility—which is why ALPA worked so long to have them installed on civil airports.

The centerline approach light system, invented by Capt. Ernie Cutrell, who received ALPA’s first Air Safety Award, gives pilots directional guidance and bank angle reference at night and in bad weather.

Full-scale airport emergency drills conducted every three years are among the require-ments placed on air carrier airports, thanks to ALPA.

Frangible structures, such as approach light stanchions, can minimize the damage to an aircraft striking them versus one hitting an unyielding structure. ALPA activists have led the way in reducing the nonfrangible hazards on airports.

Runway grooving and timely cleaning of contaminated runways are important to keeping landings and takeoffs safe; some ALPA pilot safety activists devoted years of their time to this cause.

ALPA-supported visual approach slope indicator (VASI) and precision approach path indicator (PAPI) systems near runway touchdown zones provide important visual guidance to pilots during landing approach.

Runway edge lights and runway end identifier lights (REILS) are among the lights that pilots are used to seeing on airports at night and which came into being because ALPA pushed for them.

Precision instrument approach guidance, such as the instrument landing system (ILS), gives pilots highly precise vertical and lateral guidance to the runway, especially in low visibility, thus dramatically reducing the rate and severity of landing accidents. No stakeholder has worked harder than ALPA to get more precision approaches to air carrier runways.

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ALPA campaigned successfully to protect airliner fuel tanks against lightning strikes.

U.S. noise abatement procedures for takeoff and landing were standardized after years of ALPA’s pushing against ill-considered procedures dictated by local airports.

ALPA air safety representatives worked over a period of several years to improve stan-dards and procedures for ground deicing and anti-icing fluids.

ALPA collaborated with the FAA and airlines to implement Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) programs downloaded from digital flight data recorders—with protec-tions for flightcrew members against punitive action. The data provide a gold mine of information for discovering safety concerns and trends before they lead to accidents.

Emergency evacuation tests are more realistic now because ALPA pushed for changes to certification test requirements.

A 1986 ALPA campaign led to the FAA’s adopting the ABCD category system for master minimum equipment lists (MMELs), which establish the maximum length of time each specified item or system may remain inoperative.

Capt. Ed Miller (United) is the ALPA activist to thank for several years of effort that brought pilots better detection and reporting of volcanic ash clouds that can down multi-engine jets.

ALPA’s 1973 Project S.T.O.P. (Safe Transport of People) and subsequent efforts led to new regulations and safer shipment of hazardous materials (hazmat).

Safe introduction of airspace system changes such as reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM) in international and domestic airspace came about because ALPA repre-sentatives inserted line pilots’ perspective and concerns into the process.

The distance between exits on passenger airliners cannot exceed 60 feet, because ALPA pushed back against a manufacturer’s proposal to increase the gap.

ALPA spent eight years fighting for the “fasten seatbelt” signs in passenger airliners after a passenger was seriously injured by turbulence on a flight.

RNAV and RNP procedures to improve airspace system capacity, efficiency, and safety reflect many years of careful attention and input from a number of ALPA pilot safety activists.

Being able to talk directly to an air route traffic control center (ARTCC) is possible because ALPA pushed for it; in the early days, pilots had to obtain enroute clearance changes via their airline dispatcher.

Procedures and equipment requirements for extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) were made at ALPA’s insistence to maintain a high level of safety before airworthiness au-thorities permitted flights at increasingly greater distances from a suitable landing airport.

Improved standards for seat strength and flammability resistance of cabin materi-als are among the many results of the Association’s decades of effort to improve airliner cabin safety and crashworthiness.

Windshear detection equipment and proper pilot training for escaping microbursts have virtually eliminated windshear accidents—primarily thanks to Capt. Bill Melvin (Delta), ALPA’s determined windshear expert.

ALPA helped create and remains a staunch supporter of the ASRS and ASAP voluntary, non-punitive reporting programs, which have enabled flightcrew members to provide, without fear of retribution, tremendous amounts of detailed information about safety issues.

As the largest, strongest pilots union in the world, ALPA vigor-ously defends the captain’s authority to make safety decisions about operating the aircraft, thus protecting all members of the crew and passengers.

The ALPA Aeromedical Office helps members with physical and emotional health issues and with airman medical certification issues, dealing directly with the FAA every day.

After an incident or accident, help for ALPA flightcrew members is only a phone call away via the ALPA Worldwide Accident/Incident Hotline, staffed 24/7/365.

ALPA has played a crucial role in developing and improving AQP and other advances in flight crew training, such as those dealing with windshear, upset recovery, and line-oriented flight training (LOFT), which make today’s airline pilots the best trained ever.

Crew resource management (CRM), developed with strong ALPA support and input, has helped flightcrew members maximize their ability to communicate and work together as a highly effective team. A number of pilots have attributed their escape from a harrowing emergency to good CRM.

The FFDO program, which ALPA got Congress to enact despite tremendous White House opposition, enables qualified, highly trained flightcrew members to carry a firearm to defend the flight deck.

Additional ALPA Support for Members:

l HIMS Program for substance abuse l Critical Incident Response Program for post-traumatic stress l Legal support in discipline and enforcement cases l Expert accident investigation teams l Professional Standards Committees

aLPa sUPPoRts Line PiLots…


aLPa sUPPoRts Line PiLots…

CoDe oF etHiCsAn Air Line Pilot will keep uppermost in his mind that the safety, com-fort, and well-being of the passengers who entrust their lives to him are his first and greatest responsibility.

An Air Line Pilot will faithfully discharge the duty he owes the airline that employs him and whose salary makes possible his way of life.

An Air Line Pilot will accept the responsibilities as well as the rewards of command and will at all times so conduct himself both on duty and off as to instill and merit the confidence and respect of his crew, his fellow employ-ees, and his associates within the profession.

An Air Line Pilot will conduct his affairs with other members of the profession and with ALPA in such a manner as to bring credit to the profession and ALPA as well as to himself.

To an Air Line Pilot the honor of his profession is dear, and he will re-member that his own character and conduct reflect honor or dishonor upon the profession.

Having Endeavored to his utmost to faithfully fulfill the obligations of the ALPA Code of Ethics and Canons for the Guidance of Air Line Pilots, a pilot may consider himself worthy to be called…an airline pilot.

Air Line Pilots Association, International1625 Massachusetts Ave., NW

Washington, DC 200361-888-FLY-ALPA (359-2572)

www.alpa.org

BUG Revised July 2011

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