air line pilot march 2018 · you with the economic history and outlook for the airline industry and...

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Official Journal of the Air Line Pilots Association, International

Air Line PilOt

March 2018 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:» Our Union page 5 » Our Stories page 34 » ALPA@Work page 32

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:» Our Union page 5 » Our Stories page 34 » ALPA@Work page 32

page xx

PREPARING ALPA’S NEWEST PILOT

LEADERS

PREPARING ALPA’S NEWEST PILOT

LEADERS

JETBLUE PILOTS PICKET COMPANY HEADQUARTERS page 10

page 20

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https://www.facebook.com/WeAreALPA

https://www.instagram.com/we_are_alpa/

COMMENTARY5 OUR UNIONHow Did We Get Here?

6 WEIGHING IN‘You’re Never Alone’

MARCH 2018 CONTENTSVOLUME 87, NUMBER 2

34 OUR STORIESUnited Pilot Transports Rescue Animals in Need

36 THE LANDINGWalk the Line

38 WE ARE ALPAALPA Resources and Contact Numbers

ABOUT THE COVERApproximately 700 JetBlue pilots hold their first-ever informa-tional picketing event at JetBlue headquarters in Long Island City, N.Y. Cover photo by James Maher, James Maher Photography.

Air Line Pilot (ISSN 0002-242X) is pub lished monthly except for combined January/February and June/July issues by the Air Line Pilots Association, Inter national, affiliated with AFL-CIO, CLC. Editorial Offices: 535 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA 20170. Telephone: 703-481-4460. Fax: 703-464-2114. Copyright © 2018—Air Line Pilots Association, Inter national, all rights reserved. Publica tion in any form without permission is prohibited. Air Line Pilotand the ALPA logo Reg. U.S. Pat. and T.M. Office. Federal I.D. 36-0710830. Periodicals postage paid at Herndon, VA 20170 and additional offices.

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FEATURES20 TRAINING ALPA’S FRONTLINE LEADERS24 ‘FATIGUE MANAGEMENT: BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED’28 TAX REFORM: HOW IT AFFECTS PILOTS’ EMPLOYEE FRINGE BENEFITS30 ALL IN THE FAMILY DEPARTMENTS

7 PREFLIGHT32 ALPA@WORKDiversity and Inclusion: A Necessary Business Strategy

33 HEALTH WATCHFlu, Flying, and What Pilots Need to Know

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36 24

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March 2018 Air Line Pilot » 3

Air Line Pilot Feature Article » TITLE HEREBeyond the PageLook for these icons throughout the magazine to get access to even more information, including additional content, videos, and audio clips—or to get feedback on a question.

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4 » Air Line Pilot March 2018

OurUnion

Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA President

How Did We Get Here?

R ecently, you couldn’t turn on the television, pick up a newspaper, or check your social media feed without seeing the news that

2017 was the safest year on record for commercial passenger air travel. So how did we get here? How have we created and maintained the safest mode of transportation the world has ever known?

And I do mean “we.” I’m confident that ALPA’s commitment to safety, security, and pilot assis-tance are among the reasons that flying is the safest mode of transportation today. Our mem-bers have worked throughout our history to make flying safer and, today, airline pilots are “Trained for Life.”

I’ve been an airline pilot for 28 years; I keep cur-rent and fly the MD-88 as often as I can. But my training—and every ALPA member’s training—never stops. That's because experience counts when operating complex equipment in a changing environ-ment. As our union told USA Today recently, “simulators can’t mimic aspects of flight such as secondary vibrations in the cockpit, smells, a microphone stuck on the ground frequency, or a thunderstorm looming off the side of a plane that nobody else notices.”

Experience counts. And that’s why ALPA unequivocally supports FAA first officer qualification and training regulations that resulted from Congress’ passing the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010. The results speak for themselves: In the 20 years prior to the congressional action, more than 1,100 passengers lost their lives in airline accidents. Since Congress acted, that number has been reduced to zero. The current system allows credit hours for different levels of training and flight-hour experience—and it’s working and keeping our industry safe.

ALPA pilots take tremendous pride in our con-tribution to the safety of air transportation. That pride is reflected in every action our union un-dertakes—and it shines through in the rundown of the safety resources available to ALPA mem-bers that we provide at the Leadership Training Conference.

We know pilots in the future will want to be-come part of a U.S. airline industry that is no less safe. No one is more committed than we are to ensuring we have enough qualified and experi-

enced pilots in the coming decades to keep the U.S. aviation industry strong and competitive.

In addition to ensuring a high safety standard, attracting new pilots to the profession also means that the U.S. airline industry must offer aviators good salaries, a healthy work-life balance, and predictable career progression. One-time bonuses are no substitute for long-term contract improve-ments that pilots can count on as they pay for school and raise their families.

And there are other actions we can take to attract and retain qualified and experienced pilots. For example, we can make certain that U.S. military veterans can easily and affordably transition into an airline pilot career. ALPA is also

working with government and industry organizations to reach out to underrepresented audienc-es to inspire them to consider the profession. Hundreds of ALPA pilots volunteer to visit schools each year.

We’re doing more than ever to build a strong and safe pilot workforce in the future, but we’re also focused on how our government and industry can do more to provide safe, reliable air service to communities all across America, including those in rural areas. We have tremendous op-portunities. As a start, Congress should ask the Department of Transportation (DOT) to con-vene a separate working group

to review eligible Essential Air Service markets. Lawmakers must also fund the Small Community Air Service Development Program in its entirety. ALPA is eager to continue to work with Congress, the DOT, and our industry partners to achieve these goals.

In 2017, we celebrated the fact that we had the safest year on record globally. All of us at ALPA should take tremendous pride in our work together to achieve this not once, but nine years in a row in the United States. Together, we’ve done something very meaningful: we’ve saved lives and we’ve made our industry stronger—for ourselves and for the next generation.

“I’ve been an airline pilot for 28 years; I keep current and fly

the MD-88 as often as I can.

But my training—and every

ALPA member’s training—never

stops.”


WeighingIn

“Our members need to engage their local council leaders and communicate their interests and concerns. By doing so, we all help to keep ALPA on course to achieve our members’ goals and to enhance the profession for future generations of airline pilots.”

‘You’re Never Alone’By Capt. Bill Couette, ALPA Vice President– Administration/Secretary

ALPA recently held its annual Leadership Training Conference to welcome and train our newest local council officers (see page

20). The conference, conducted by Capt. David Farmer (Delta), chairman of the Association’s Leadership Committee, and other committee members, gives your newly elected officers the opportunity to learn more about their responsi-bilities and the vast resources that ALPA has to offer its members.

During this year’s conference, I shared with ALPA reps these three important words—“you’re never alone.” After four days of discussion, pre-sentations, and other activities, I wanted them to know that help is always available.

Your local council representatives learned how to access subject-matter experts, including pilot committee volunteers and the union’s professional staff. We’re all just a phone call or e-mail away. They know how to find important documents like ALPA’s Constitution & By-Laws, Administrative Manual, and strategic plan. And they had the opportunity to network with representatives from other ALPA pilot groups and learn from their experiences. Regardless of how unique a challenge may seem, there’s likely someone within our organization who’s experienced the situation and can talk about the choices available and what worked best.

Take contract negotiations, for example. If your pilot group is new to ALPA and you lack pri-or bargaining experience, the union’s Economic & Financial Analysis Department will provide you with the economic history and outlook for the airline industry and detailed information about your airline’s finances.

The Representation Department will work with your pilot leaders and negotiators to help them become more effective at the bargaining ta-

ble and share what pilots at comparable airlines have negotiated in their contracts.

ALPA’s Communications Department will help build your pilot group’s unity by suggesting the best communications tools to keep your mem-bers up to date and to solicit their feedback.

These are just a few of the many benefits of belonging to ALPA, the largest and most influen-tial pilots’ union in the world.

And just like local council officers, all of ALPA’s members have access to the Association’s unsurpassed resources. If any of us is called into a chief pilot’s office for disciplinary action, an ALPA rep will go with us. If a health issue threatens our medical certification, physicians at ALPA’s aeromedical office are available to assist us.

The Association offers workshops to help fee-for-departure members advance to mainline flight decks. We provide furlough assistance to members whose carriers have shut down or are downsizing. In addition, ALPA’s committee structures deal with nearly every aspect of our professional lives, from ensuring that our sched-ules adhere to contract and regulatory standards to addressing concerns about layover hotels. It’s no coincidence that our members have long de-scribed our Association as “Pilots Helping Pilots.”

The fact is none of us is ever alone because our union provides us the resources and expertise to help us make the most of our careers. We have access to representation, legal, and aeromedical experts, along with a host of specialized prod-ucts and services. However, to make this system work, we have to give something back—we have to get involved.

Think of ALPA as the most advanced airliner to leave the manufacturing assembly line. With all of its incredible capabilities, the plane is a technological marvel. But it can’t go anywhere without the proper input—highly trained and skilled pilots still need to fly it.

Likewise, our union requires our participation and direction—in essence, our help—to set its priorities and determine the best way to advance our profession. Our members need to engage their local council leaders and communicate their interests and concerns. By doing so, we all help to keep ALPA on course to achieve our members’ goals and to enhance the profession for future generations of airline pilots.


A Pegasus Airlines B-737-800 skids off

the runway in Turkey.

> DOMESTIC NEWS The FAA announced that

Dan Elwell, the FAA’s deputy administrator, has been named acting administrator, taking over for FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, whose five-year term as the agency’s leader ended in early January.

Per the Transportation Security Administration, the agency added in early February five additional non-U.S. airlines to its PreCheck® program: Air France, Brussels Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and World Atlantic Airlines—bringing the total number of airlines participating in PreCheck to 47.

The Chicago Tribune reported that in late January the Inter-national Trade Commission ruled that Boeing had not been injured by multibillion-dol-lar Canadian subsidies for Bombardier aircraft. As a result, 300 percent tariffs that the Commerce Department had sug-gested to counter the subsidies won’t take effect. Last year, the Commerce Department issued preliminary findings that the governments of Canada and the province of Quebec had unfairly subsidized development of Bombardier’s medium-range C Series aircraft, which U.S. offi-cials said were then sold in the U.S. below cost.

The Transportation Se-curity Administration (TSA) announced that it’s requiring cargo from six Middle Eastern carriers, including EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, and Saudia, arriving from five coun-tries to be secured and screened under air cargo advance screen-ing protocols. Airlines around the world were already meeting most of these requirements vol-untarily, according to the TSA.

According to the Los Angeles Times, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have struck a deal to find seats on each other’s flights for travelers stranded at an airport because of weather or technical issues.

Per the Associated Press, Portland International Jetport Airport in Maine is the first U.S. airport to use 100 percent recycled aircraft deicing fluid. The airport has been collecting used deicing fluid for six years to protect local groundwater and is having contaminants removed so that the fluid can be reused.

Aviation data and analytics company FlightGlobal announced that it’s named Delta Air Lines the world’s most on-time airline among mainline carriers for 2017. Delta, which had 85.94 per-cent of its flights arrive within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time, is the first U.S. airline to earn the industry-leading distinction in the nine years that FlightGlob-al’s FlightStats has presented its awards. Rounding out the top five

on-time mainline carriers, in order, are Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Qatar Airways, and Scan-dinavian Airlines.

> INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BBC News reported that on January 14 a Pegasus Airlines B-737-800 skidded off the runway of Trabzon Airport in the eastern Black Sea province of Turkey after landing, coming to a stop halfway down a steep slope near the Black Sea. All 162 pas-sengers and crew on board were evacuated. The incident is under investigation.

USA Today reported that Qatar and U.S. officials recent-ly reached an agreement in a three-year dispute about airline subsidies. Under the arrange-ment, state-owned Qatar Airways will issue financial statements in the coming year that are audited in accordance with internationally recognized accounting standards. Within two years, Qatar agreed to publicly disclose significant To

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» Front Lines

TakingOffThe Subject- Matter Experts

It happens more often than passengers think: in-flight emergencies that require airline pilots to react swiftly and decisive-ly. But through continued training and vast expe-rience, their skills have

led to nearly a decade of zero passenger fatalities on U.S. airlines.

The most recent example of pilot profes-sionalism is the well-documented United Airlines Flight 1175 enroute to Honolulu, Hawaii, from San Francisco, Calif. Not sur-prisingly, passengers took to social media when, in midflight, an engine cowling blew off somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.

As passengers feared the worst, the two highly skilled and well-trained pilots

responded instantly, performing the safety checklists that ultimately led to 363 pas-sengers arriving safely to their destination. They are, like all airline pilots, the sub-ject-matter experts on flying airplanes, and their expertise is why air travel today is the safest mode of transportation in the world.

Pilots are trained for life to put safety first. That’s why ALPA continues to fight for rigorous training and qualification stan-dards, advocate for proven safety measures and regulations, and defend the rights of the professionals responsible for keeping North America’s flights safe. Keeping our skies safe is a collaborative effort that involves everyone, and ALPA is proud to be a world leader in aviation safety.

But that’s not where ALPA’s collective subject-matter expertise ends. Both ALPA pilots and staff cover the large spectrum of the aviation industry and the piloting profession. From contract negotiations to training the next union leaders to spear-heading opposition against those who wish to weaken proven safety regulations,

the expertise ALPA brings to the table is a perspective no one else can offer.

When United Flight 1175, a B-777, landed safety in Hawaii, ALPA’s influence that day extended far beyond the two ALPA pilots at the controls. In fact, our perspective was an integral part of the design of the air-craft itself, so much so that we were award-ed the prestigious Collier Trophy. Through these collaborative efforts with Boeing, the -777 made history as the first aircraft certified to fly for as many as 180 minutes ETOPS from the nearest suitable airport.

For more than 85 years, ALPA has been the subject-matter expert in aviation and remains a leader in advancing safety for passengers and cargo. From “Schedule with Safety” to “Trained for Life,” ALPA staff and pilots continue their unwavering focus to ensure that safety remains embedded in the future of the airline industry just as it has been in the past.

Lori Garver, General [email protected]

new transactions with other state-owned enterprises such as fuel producers. The agreement addresses “concerns important to U.S. aviation industry stakehold-ers and strengthens our economic cooperation,” said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in announc-ing the deal with Qatar Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (see ALPA’s comments on page 9).

Per Reuters, Emirates airline is increasing the number of flights on some U.S. routes it had reduced last May after U.S. government travel restrictions

weakened demand. Flights to Florida cities Fort Lauderdale and Orlando from the airline’s United Arab Emirates Dubai hub will each return to daily service on March 25, having been re-duced to five a week in 2017.

Per Bloomberg, Former For-mula One champion Niki Lauda has regained control of Niki, the airline he founded, after fend-ing off a rival bid from British Airways owner IAG, according to the Austrian company’s adminis-trators. The previously agreed to sale of Niki to IAG, the holding company of Aer Lingus, British

Airways, Iberia, and Vueling, fell through after two courts ruled the insolvency proceedings had to move to Austria from Germany.

Canada’s John C. Munro In-ternational Airport in Hamilton, Ont., reported that passenger traffic increased by 80 percent last year compared to 2016 figures, making it the country’s fastest-growing airport. Last year, 599,146 passengers flew

out of the airport, compared to 333,368 passengers in 2016.

According to CBC News, a short-haired tabby cat named Taz is making the rounds at Calgary International Airport, wearing a vest that says “pet me” and snuggling with anxious travelers. Taz is one of two cats that visit the airport along with therapy dogs to help reduce the anxiety and stress that some passengers experience.

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Kalitta Crewmembers Vote for ALPA Representation“Today, the National Mediation Board [NMB] certified ALPA as the representative for the flight deck crewmembers employed by Kalit-ta Air. The NMB announced that a strong majority of the flight deck crewmembers designated ALPA as their choice for representa-tion,” said Capt Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, on February 16.

“ALPA did not participate in an organizing drive on this property. Kalitta crewmembers have been represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and they decided on their own to pursue ALPA representation.

“Kalitta Air began service in November 2000. Currently, the airline operates an all-freighter fleet of 23 Boeing widebody freighters [B-747-400s and B-767-300ERs], with expansion plans under way. It provides scheduled or on-demand charter service for customers in the United States and around the world. The Kalitta crewmem-bers are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and that agreement will remain in effect,” Canoll noted.

“Adding these pilots’ voices will strengthen ALPA, making us all more effective in advancing and promoting the airline pilot profession. Kalitta crewmembers will now start the hard work of conducting a membership drive and setting up a Master Executive Council.

“If you see Kalitta crewmem-bers out on the line, please take time to welcome them as our newest ALPA members,” Canoll said.

ALPA, A4A, NATCA Urge Congress to Allow FAA to Fully Regulate All UASALPA, Airlines for America (A4A), and the National Air Traffic Con-

trollers Association (NATCA) have called on Congress to reverse legislation that limits the ability of the FAA to regulate all aspects of drone operations. In a recent letter to Members of Congress, ALPA, A4A, and NATCA urged lawmakers to modify Section 336 of the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act that restricts the FAA from applying any rules or regulations to those operating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for recre-ation or as a hobby. The current restriction by Congress has limited the FAA’s ability to fully regulate UAS to the point that safety of the national airspace is at risk. “Small drones are very difficult to visually acquire by pilots in flight or by air traffic controllers in the tower, and small drones don’t currently have electronic anti-collision technologies that are compatible with airline collision-avoidance systems. However, equipped with anti-collision technology, flight crews would likely be aware of the drone’s proximate location soon enough to take evasive action that would ensure that there was no threat of collision with the drone,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president; Nicholas Calio, A4A CEO; and Paul Rinaldi, NATCA’s president, in a joint letter. For the second time in just a

few months, a recently reported incident between a UAS and an aircraft has put the spotlight on the need for the FAA to fully regulate UAS operations to ensure the safety of the national airspace system. The most recent concerning event has been widely shared as a video on the Internet, where the drone captures video of an airline air-craft—flown by ALPA members and controlled by NATCA air traf-fic controllers—flying just a few feet under the hovering drone as the airliner approaches an airport for landing. The aircraft doesn’t appear to take any evasive actions, likely because the flight crew wasn’t aware of the drone’s proximate location. “We strongly urge you to re-move legislative restrictions that have been placed on the FAA that limit its safety oversight of UAS. The likelihood that a drone will collide with an airline aircraft is increasing. By providing the FAA with the full authority to regulate all UAS operations, the safety of passenger and cargo flights will be protected,” the aviation safety organizations said in their letter.

ALPA Comments on Foreign Subsidies“ALPA is gratified and encour-aged that the Trump administra-tion has taken initial steps to end unfair trade practices and protect American jobs. The administra-

ALPA’s three Collier Trophies are on display in the Association’s Herndon, Va., offices.

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tion has rightly acknowledged that foreign government subsi-dies and a lack of transparency can affect a fair and equal oppor-tunity for U.S. airlines to compete in the context of U.S. Open Skies agreements,” commented the Association in late January.

“Over the coming months, ALPA will watch closely to deter-mine whether Qatar takes steps to end its current subsidy-fo-cused practices and embrace a transparent business model that reflects internationally accept-ed accounting and auditing standards. If implemented, these actions will enable the U.S. government to hold the Qatari government accountable to meet the requirements of its Open Skies agreement and ensure that U.S. airlines and their workers are protected from unfair foreign competition.

“Now the administration must stand firm on enforcing the U.S. Open Skies agreement with the United Arab Emirates and end its government subsidies that allow its airlines, Emirates airline and Etihad Airways, to compete unfairly against U.S. airlines and threaten U.S. jobs,” ALPA remarked.

ALPA, TSA, and A4A Nominat-ed for 2017 Collier Trophy In early February, the National Aeronautic Association an-nounced that nine aviation and space achievements—including the combined efforts of ALPA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Airlines for America (A4A) that produced the Known Crewmem-ber® (KCM) and TSA PreCheck® programs—will compete for the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy. ALPA proudly displays three previously won Collier trophies in the foyer of its offices in Herndon, Va.

For 105 years, the Collier Trophy has been the benchmark of aerospace achievement.


» Front Lines

Awarded annually “for the great-est achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America,” it has been bestowed upon some of the most important projects, programs, individuals, and accomplishments in history. The winner of the 2017 trophy will be announced on March 23.

Launched in 2011 as an initiative of ALPA and A4A, KCM now provides more than 400,000 risk-based security screenings to authorized crewmembers at more than 80 airports each week. For additional information, in-cluding the most recent updates on the hours of KCM checkpoint operations, visit www.known-crewmember.org, use the KCM portal on the ALPA app, or contact the Engineering & Air Safety Department at [email protected] or 1-800-424-2470.

Spirit Pilot Leaders Approve Tentative AgreementThe Spirit pilots’ Master Execu-tive Council (MEC) leaders in late January approved a five-year tentative agreement on a con-tract that contains significant pay raises, job security provisions, and improvements in retirement and insurance benefits.

“This tentative agreement

Members of the Spirit Negotiating Com-mittee discuss terms of the tentative agreement with pilots during a series of informational road shows.

represents a positive step toward recognizing our pilots’ contributions to the airline,” said Capt. Stuart Morrison, the pilots’ MEC chairman. “The agreement significantly increases our annual compensation and maintains important quality-of-life pro-tections. It should also ensure that our airline is better able to attract and retain the best pilots available.”

The agreement includes an average 43 percent increase in pay rates on date of signing, double-digit direct contributions to the pilots’ retirement plans, and $75 million in ratification compensation.

“Now all Spirit pilots will vote on the tentative agreement,” said Morrison.

The Spirit Negotiating Com-mittee and ALPA staff kicked off a series of informational road shows beginning in early Febru-ary with presentations in Detroit, Mich.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Chicago, Ill.; Dallas, Tex.; Fort Lauder-dale, Fla,: Atlantic City, N.J.; and Philadelphia, Pa. Voting began on February 7 and was scheduled to close on February 28 as this issue was being printed. A majority vote is required to ratify the contract.

The parties had been in nego-tiations for nearly three years, with a contract amendable date of August 2015. The two sides met with the National Mediation

Board January 8–12 at ALPA’s offices in Herndon, Va., where they reached the agreement in principle that became the tenta-tive agreement.

Hundreds of JetBlue Pilots Descend on Company HeadquartersOn January 31, approximately 700 JetBlue pilots held their first-ever informational picket at JetBlue headquarters in Long Island City, N.Y. The event was part of the pilots’ campaign for a contract that includes compen-sation bringing them in line with their peers at other airlines.

“For the past few months, we’ve done ads, billboards, and radio spots sending the company the message that it’s time to deliver a contract,” said Capt. Patrick Walsh, the pilots’ Master Executive Council chairman. “The company, so far, has chosen to ignore these messages. As a result, hundreds of JetBlue pilots are here speaking as one, as they participate in our first informa-tional picket to say ‘it’s time.’”

The parties have been in negotiations for three years. In July 2017, the pilots, frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations, filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board. Eight months later, the pilots are still waiting for management to meet their demands for a contract that includes fair compensation.

Read a Good Book Lately?Have you read a book that you’d like to review for Air Line Pilot? To have a review published in the magazine, you must be a member in good stand-ing, and you cannot be the author of the book you’re reviewing. Reviews should be no longer than 350 words and should include the number of pages, publisher, and where the book can be purchased. Reviews should be e-mailed to [email protected]. If Air Line Pilot’s ed-itorial review board approves the review, your review could appear in a future issue of the magazine.

Happy reading!

JetBlue pilots informational picket at company headquarters in New York.

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However, after seven months of talks, and despite the mediator’s best efforts, the pilots still don’t have a contract in place.

“Over those three years, other pilot groups have reached new agreements. With each new con-tract, JetBlue pilots fall further and further behind the market rate,” Walsh said. “JetBlue pays market rate for everything from gates to fuel—it’s time JetBlue pays its pilots the market rate for their profession. It’s been three years. It’s time for a contract with a compensation package that recognizes the contributions we make to our successful airline.”

To view more photos from the picketing event, go to www.flickr.com/photos/airlinepilotsasso-ciation. To watch a video of the event, go to www.facebook.com/JetBluePilots/videos.

For more information about


http://www.knowncrewmember.org

mailto:[email protected]

www.flickr.com/photos/airlinepilotsassociation

https://www.facebook.com/pg/JetBluePilots/videos/

JetBlue pilots’ negotiations, visit JetBlueALPAPilots.com.

Frontier Returns to BargainingMembers of the Frontier pilots’ Negotiating Committee and man-agement returned to the bargain-ing table in late February as the National Mediation Board (NMB) continues its efforts to resolve outstanding issues, including pay, key work rules, benefits, and job security. Frontier pilot leaders and the company each met separately with the NMB in January. The pilots have been in negotiations for almost two years and are the last ALPA pilot group still operating under a contract negotiated while their airline was in bankruptcy.

Although Frontier is one of the most profitable U.S. airlines,

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its pilots remain the lowest-paid among all narrowbody operators. Support the Frontier pilots by sharing their messages on social media—“like” their Facebook page @FrontierPilots and follow them on Twitter @F9ALPA.

PSA MEC Launches Career WebsiteOver the last few years, PSA has grown to more than 1,700 pilots operating flights under the Amer-ican Eagle brand. In late January, Capt. Travis Ricks, the PSA pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman, and the pilot group launched a new website to con-nect with current and prospective pilots interested in the regional carrier. PSAPilotCareers.com features PSA’s pilot contract and related agreements as well as

the State of the Union—an annual MEC publication filled with pilot perspectives and relevant news.

The site provides information about how the PSA pilot contract compares with pilot contacts at other regional carriers across the

industry. Regular site updates will also include Pilot Voices, a blog offering an authentic pilot per-spective for individuals ready to make their next move in aviation. PSAPilotCareers.com emphasizes the high level of aptitude, skill,


http://www.jetbluealpapilots.com

https://www.facebook.com/FrontierPilots/

https://twitter.com/search?q=%40F9ALPA.&src=typd

http://psapilotcareers.com

http://psapilotcareers.com

» Front Lines

and professionalism PSA pilots display every day and highlights how ALPA pilots are raising the bar for the industry.

Air Transport International Pilots, Company Achieve Tenta-tive AgreementPilots at Air Transport Internation-al reached a tentative agreement with management in early February. The pilots’ Negotiating Committee and management are working to finalize the contract language, which may take up to three weeks or longer if issues arise.

Once the tentative agreement language is finalized, the pilots’ Negotiating Committee will make a formal presentation to the Mas-ter Executive Council members, who will then vote on whether to send the agreement to the membership for ratification. If ap-

proved, voting would likely take place in March. The 220 pilots and the company have been in negotiations since May 2014.

ALPA Takes Legal Action Against WestJet and WestJet EncoreOn February 9, WestJet and WestJet Encore pilots filed an unfair labour practice (ULP) complaint and an application for an interim order with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). ALPA also filed a notice of dis-pute and request for conciliation assistance with the Federal Me-diation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) with regard to collective bargaining at WestJet.

“No one is more committed to the success of WestJet than our pilots—many of us are owners in the airline,” said Capt. Rob Mc-Fadyen, the WestJet pilots’ Master

Executive Council (MEC) chair-man. “However, management’s actions are a clear violation of the Canada Labour Code, and we urge the CIRB to order the company to cease and desist. Our pilots will stand up for our rights and continue to work toward a fair and reasonable collective agreement that meets the priorities of our pilots and brings stability to the airline.”

The ULP complaint and appli-cation for an interim order assert that WestJet and WestJet Encore management violated numerous provisions of the Canada Labour Code by, among other things, directly negotiating with

pilots instead of with the union over key terms and conditions of employment at Swoop, an ultra-low-cost alter-ego airline that is slated to begin flying this summer; interfering with ALPA’s ex-

clusive representational rights of WestJet and WestJet Encore pilots; and changing and ignoring well-es-

tablished pilot work rules and policies.

ALPA is asking the CIRB to find that WestJet and WestJet Encore management officials violated these and other provisions of the Canada Labour Code. Further-more, by filing an application for an interim order on behalf of both WestJet and WestJet Encore pilots, ALPA is asking the CIRB to take immediate action to neutralize the potential harm to WestJet and WestJet Encore pilots as raised in the ULP.

“Our Encore MEC supports the WestJet MEC and its actions as we stand guard over the future of our careers and protect against any erosion of our working con-ditions,” said F/O Ryan Petrie, the Encore pilots’ MEC chairman.

WestJet pilots, through ALPA, also formally requested govern-ment assistance in labour nego-tiations through the conciliation process.

“The federal conciliation process allows our pilot group the government intervention we need to reach our first contract,” McFadyen observed. “As ALPA members, we now have the legal voice we need to say no when management violates the labour code. We will not sit idly by as management jeopardizes our careers and tries to circumvent our union.”

In a bid to negotiate the first collective agreement for WestJet pilots, ALPA and WestJet have been in bargaining since Sep-tember 2017. Unfortunately, the parties remain far apart on many issues. After nearly half a year of making a sincere effort, the par-ties have only tentatively agreed to seven sections, leaving almost two dozen sections remaining that require management’s attention.

“We’re optimistic that a feder-al conciliation officer will move the bargaining process along,” said McFadyen. “Our pilots have built this airline into the global carrier WestJet is today. We’re proud of what we’ve accom-plished and believe it’s time for management to successfully complete our first collective agreement in short order. We believe that with the FMCS’s assistance this goal will become a reality,” McFadyen remarked.

Regarding the request for conciliation, the Labour minister is given 15 days to appoint a con-ciliation officer. Once appointed, a conciliation officer works with the parties for 60 days in an effort to reach an agreement. If both parties remain at an impasse following this period, then a 21-day cooling-off period begins before the parties can engage in self-help.

Alaska MEC Honors Former HIMS ChairThe Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) recently awarded its Service Legend Award to Capt.

Legislative/Political UpdateBest Year Ever for ALPA-PACALPA-PAC, ALPA’s Political Action Committee, set new records once again in 2017, continuing its six-year streak of growth in both contributors and receipts. The PAC and a political presence in Washington, D.C., make a positive difference for pilot careers and livelihoods, and ALPA’s Government Affairs Department and pilot volunteers will continue to educate decision-makers on pilot priorities in 2018.

In 2017, ALPA-PAC disbursed $2,035,000 to support 363 pi-lot-partisan candidates and committees, spanning all 50 states and encompassing 286 congressional districts and senate seats. The dedication to a pilot-partisan Congress is evident in how the Association’s PAC funds were distributed: 49.04 percent to Republican candidates and committees and 50.96 percent to Democrat candidates and committees.

ALPA-PAC raised $2,232,966 in direct contributions from 12,291 ALPA pilots (not including eligible ALPA staff), with 23.75 percent of ALPA’s PAC-eligible pilots contributing in 2017—approximately 1,150 more pilot contributors than in 2016.

To learn more about ALPA-PAC or to donate, visit www.alpapac.org.


To read the latest issue of On Investing from Charles Schwab, go to www.schwab.com/oninvesting. It’s an added benefit for members through ALPA’s partnership with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as the Association’s preferred financial services provider.

Pilots for Pilots (P4P) provides disaster relief to ALPA members in need, but funds are running out. Please donate today to ensure that every single ALPA member who needs help gets it.

NEEDS YOUR HELP

Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l

Visit www.alpa.org/relieffund to learn more about P4P and donate today.

Kerri Ballard (Alaska), a longtime, and now former, Human Interven-tion Motivation Study (HIMS) chair. The award—the highest honor an Alaska MEC volunteer can receive—is presented to a volun-teer whose sustained service has made a significant contribution to the Alaska pilot group.

The award was presented at a volunteer-appreciation event that followed the daylong Alaska MEC Chairmen’s Summit, an annual event that brings together the Alaska MEC’s committee chairs to share information about their committees’ work. The Alaska MEC and its chairs were joined by several members of the Virgin America MEC and its committee structure.

ALPA Holds Interview/Résumé WorkshopsIf you’re an ALPA pilot looking for tips on how to move forward

Solution to this month’s ALPA sudoku on page 38.

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Solution

Capt. Kerri Ballard (Alaska) displays her Service Legend Award.

in your career, from writing the perfect résumé to acing your in-terview with your dream carrier, plan to attend ALPA’s upcoming interview/résumé workshop in Reno, Nev., on March 21.

Hosted by ALPA’s Fee-for-De-parture (FFD) Committee, the workshop will help prepare you to make the best impression and showcase yourself as the candidate mainline carriers are

seeking. Cage Marshall Consult-ing will guide you through the hiring process with presentations on completing the application properly, résumés, cover letters, interview questions, background checks, networking, and common mistakes.

Visit ffd.alpa.org to sign up and don’t forget to fill out your career-progression profile before registering for any of the FFD events.


https://sts.alpa.org/adfs/ls/?wa=wsignin1.0&wtrealm=https%3a%2f%2fwww3.alpa.org&wctx=rm%3d0%26id%3df5c5ff27-7379-4df4-a9a1-ccf1bc351ad6%26ru%3d%252fALPADeptInfoPages%252fPresidentialCommittees%252fFeeForDeparture%252ftabid%252f2784%252fDefault.aspx&wct=2018-02-23T17%3a56%3a48Z

» Front Lines

ASO Update ALPA Announces New Aviation Jumpseat and Pilot Assistance ChairmenIn October 2017, ALPA’s Executive Board passed a resolution to form a new Aviation Jumpseat structure within the Air Safety Organi-zation (ASO). After careful consideration, and with the approval of Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, and the recent confirmation by ALPA’s Executive Council, Capt. Rich Odbert (FedEx Express) has been named the first Aviation Jumpseat chair. In addition, F/O John Taylor (United) has been approved and confirmed as the next Pilot Assistance chair.

Both new chairs will report directly to Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA’s first vice president and national safety coordinator, as do the Avia-tion Safety and Aviation Security chairs.

Odbert brings a strong history of advancing access to the jump-seat since 2002, including his role as the Jumpseat chair within the Aviation Security structure. He’s a former Jumpseat Council chair and was a strong proponent of developing and implementing several high-profile security programs, including Known Crewmem-ber® and the Cockpit Access Security System. Odbert is a staunch defender of captain’s authority and was instrumental in launching the “No Pilot Left Behind” campaign and also helped establish

www.jumpseatinfo.org. The new structure will help ensure that ALPA remains the preeminent voice in protecting and expanding the jumpseat in the post-9/11 world. In addition to protecting and pro-moting the jumpseat, Odbert will serve as a subject-matter expert to ALPA’s Collective Bargaining Committee.

Prior to being named Pilot Assistance chair, Taylor served as a member of the ASO in his role as Aeromedical chair. In addition to being a pilot, he’s also a registered nurse and continues to serve as a health-care professional on a part-time basis. “I’m confident that John will excel in this broader role and continue the strong tradition of caring for our fellow pilots as his predecessors have done,” said DePete.

Capt. Rich Odbert F/O John Taylor


http://www.himsprogram.com

Education Committee Update

ALPA and Arizona State University Team UpALPA and Arizona State University (ASU) formalized an alliance in late January to develop an Aviation Collegiate Education (ACE) Club, making it ALPA’s 11th collegiate professional development and men-toring program—and the union’s fifth new program in as many years. ASU provides aspiring aviators with a comprehensive degree program that combines flight training with classes that stay on the cutting edge of aviation science and technology. ALPA’s ACE Club will help bridge the gap between the classroom and the flight deck—providing real-world information, tools, and resources to further prepare collegiate aviators for their careers.

ALPA’s Education Committee promotes the piloting profession, mentors aspiring aviators, and prepares future generations of pilots to join the ranks of ALPA members. For more information or to get involved, log on to ALPA’s Education Committee webpage or send an e-mail to [email protected].

ALPA and Arizona State University have joined forces to develop an Aviation Collegiate Education Club, ALPA’s 11th collegiate profession-al development and mentoring program.

CanadaALPA PILOTS TAKE PART IN CANADIAN SAFETY FORUMIn mid-January, ALPA participated in Transport Canada’s first-ever Aviation Operators Safety Forum in Calgary, Alb. The forum, which took place at the WestJet campus conference facilities, focused on information sharing, safety risk mitigation strategies, and safety issues on the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s Watchlist.

The forum included panels on four safety issues, and ALPA participated on each. Capt. Brian Shury (Jazz Aviation), ALPA Canada vice president, discussed the importance of safety management systems while Capt. Nick Seemel (Jazz Aviation) shared his knowledge on how to reduce unstable approaches. F/O Joe Salonia (WestJet) joined a panel discussing runway overruns and their mit-igations, and Capt. Steve Jangelis (Delta), ALPA’s Aviation Safety chairman, discussed mitigating the risks of runway incursions. Capt. Nick Seemel (Jazz Aviation), standing, participates on the un-stable approaches panel during the recent Aviation Operators Safety Forum.


Each year the Association sponsors four $3,000 scholarships that are available to the dependent children of medically retired, long-term disabled, or deceased ALPA members. The vice president–administration/secretary and vice president–finance/treasurer review all applications, select the recipient, and report to the Executive Council on their selection. One scholarship is granted to an enrolling college freshman and is renewable for three additional years, provided the student maintains an ad-equate grade point average, and, under that proviso, three scholarship renewals are made to a sophomore, junior, and senior.

All applications received are carefully reviewed with serious consideration given to financial need, as well as academic perfor-mance, before a selection is made. At the time new applications are reviewed, the academic records of those currently enrolled college students are also reviewed to determine their eligibility to receive renewals of their scholar-ships.

We want to remind you of this educational assistance program and to urge you to encour-age those students who meet the eligibility

requirement and who wish to pursue a college education to apply for the annual award.

Applications may be obtained from Yvonne Willits, Air Line Pilots Association, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, and must be received no later than April 1, 2018. Additionally, we would like to bring to your attention that, on several occasions, contributions have been made to the ALPA Scholarship Fund in memory of a deceased member, or simply as a kind gesture on the part of a member to further the financial as-sistance by the Association to a student. In the past, depending on the amount available, these funds have been used to augment the awards of current recipients or as a one-time financial assistance award to a needy appli-cant. We ask that you forward this information to your master executive council in case any-one wants to make a voluntary contribution to this separate fund.

Sincerely,Sincerely,

Capt. Randy HellingVice President–Finance/Treasurer

ALPA’s Student Scholarship Program

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

» Front Lines

Smoke View Normal ViewEVAS® View

New ALPA RepsAs of February 9, the Election Ballot and Certification Board certified elections results for the following local councils:

Bearskin 219 Capt. Kim Steingass, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Bearskin 219 F/O Greg Barton, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Bearskin 219 Capt. Colin Head, Secretary-Treasurer

CommutAir 152 F/O Lucas Ragusa, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Delta 108 F/O Gregg Hurley, Secretary-Treasurer

Piedmont 29 Capt. William Wilder, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Piedmont 29 F/O Robert Shirey, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Spirit 18 F/O Andy Freund, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Sun Country 15 F/O Jeffrey Pan, Secretary-Treasurer

Trans States 40 F/O Ryan Kessler, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

ALPA NEGOTIATIONS UPDATEThe following is a summary of the status of ALPA contract negotiations by airline as of February 16:

Air Georgian—A notice to bargain was sent on Feb. 22, 2017. Negotia-tions continue.

Air Transport International—A Section 6 notice was received on Jan. 21, 2014. An application for mediation was filed on July 21, 2017. The pilots and management reached a tentative agreement in February, with the parties finalizing contract language.

Air Wisconsin—A Section 6 notice was filed on Oct. 1, 2010. Air Wiscon-sin filed for mediation on June 17, 2013. Pilots and management reached a tentative agreement on Aug. 4, 2015. The pilots rejected the tentative agreement on Oct. 7, 2015. Mediation continues.

Frontier—A Section 6 notice was filed on Dec. 3, 2015. An application for mediation was filed on Sept. 22, 2016. Mediation continues.

Jazz Aviation—A notice to bargain was filed on March 28, 2016. Negotia-tions are under way.

JetBlue—A Section 6 notice was filed on March 2, 2015. Mediation continues.

Spirit—A Section 6 notice was filed on April 28, 2015. The pilots and management reached a tentative agreement in January, with a member-ship ratification closing on February 28 as this issue was being printed.

WestJet—A notice to bargain was filed on June 6, 2017. Negotiations continue.



https://www.visionsafe.com

Capt. L.R. Gust, Jr. United OctoberCapt. Thomas N. Harris Braniff OctoberCapt. James A. Richman Continental OctoberCapt. Carl S. Rowland Braniff OctoberCapt. Jerrell M. Smith US Airways OctoberCapt. Robert L. Havens Continental NovemberCapt. Peter Hilmo America West NovemberCapt. Milton L. Jines United NovemberCapt. Robert Lowry TWA NovemberCapt. Alex J. Morrison Delta NovemberCapt. Thomas R. Nordberg Flying Tigers/FedEx Express NovemberS/O David D. Barstad Northwest DecemberCapt. R.F. Burson Eastern DecemberCapt. Dayton C. Christensen Northwest DecemberCapt. David W. Cory Delta DecemberCapt. Kip Cutting Flying Tigers/FedEx Express DecemberCapt. Don I. Fielding Canadian DecemberCapt. Brad W. Herriott United DecemberCapt. Richard A. House Delta DecemberCapt. Donald Kalinowski American Eagle DecemberCapt. Joseph Meachum TWA DecemberCapt. E.R. Musser United DecemberCapt. Brian F. Regn Delta DecemberCapt. Daniel L. Sherrill Delta DecemberCapt. Martin Tyan Delta DecemberCapt. James E. Wainwright Northwest DecemberCapt. Herman A. Winkelman Pan American DecemberCapt. Chuck Wooten FedEx Express December

2018 Capt. William Brindell Delta JanuaryCapt. Gerald E. Carr, Jr. Delta JanuaryCapt. Richard Case Eastern JanuaryF/O David J. Ledum United JanuaryCapt. Carl P. McCallum, Sr. Delta JanuaryCapt. Linley Padgett Eastern JanuaryCapt. John Paganelli United JanuaryCapt. Charles Pocher United JanuaryCapt. Charles Ryan United JanuaryCapt. William Vaden Eastern JanuaryCapt. Michael Vale Alaska January Compiled from information provided by ALPA’s Membership Administration Department

In MemoriamTo fly west, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check.” AUTHOR UNKNOWN

2013F/O Brian K. Harris FedEx Express December

2015 Capt. William B. Sewall Braniff November

2016 Capt. Darryl N. Silva Ryan MayCapt. Robert Kaye Eastern JuneCapt. Robert E. Fields American NovemberCapt. T.E. Thieman Eastern NovemberCapt. James A. Albers Midway December

2017 Capt. Donald G. Kelly Braniff FebruaryCapt. Steven M. Stratton Braniff MarchCapt. Jacob R. Tims Braniff MarchCapt. William S. Kunz Braniff AprilCapt Jack L. Morton Braniff AprilF/O Phil E. Dawson Braniff MayCapt. James E. Lessler Atlas Air MayCapt. Glen M. Padgett Braniff MayCapt. Roy J. Shelton US Airways MayCapt. Robert E. Sublett Eastern MayF/O Kenneth L. Fisher Braniff JuneCapt. Lloyd C. Hightower Braniff JuneCapt. John H. Hutton Braniff JuneCapt. Charles E. Pattillo, Jr. US Airways JuneCapt. William R. Evans FedEx Express JulyCapt. Robert J. Gould Braniff JulyCapt. Charles R. Murphy Braniff JulyS/O Jerry R. Quandahl Braniff JulyCapt. Newt S. Trail Braniff JulyF/O Regis G. Conti United AugustCapt. Richard P. Griffith Braniff AugustCapt. Robert L. Williams Braniff AugustCapt. Robert E. Gordon Flying Tigers/FedEx Express SeptemberCapt. Dean W. Henry Braniff SeptemberCapt. John C. Logan US Airways SeptemberCapt. William A. McKibben Eastern SeptemberCapt. James Waters US Airways SeptemberCapt. Richard E. Atkins TWA OctoberF/O C.M. Chrisman, Jr. FedEx Express OctoberCapt. Jack W. Godshall ExpressJet October

» Front Lines


» Industry Stats

MARKETWATCHAIRLINES PARENT COMPANY STOCK SYMBOL 1/31/2017 1/31/2018 % CHG.Air Transat Transat A.T., Inc. TSX: TRZ.B $5.23 $10.88 108.03% Atlantic Southeast, ExpressJet SkyWest, Inc. NASDAQ: SKYW $35.40 $55.75 57.49% Air Transport International Air Transport Services Group, Inc. NASDAQ: ATSG $16.13 $24.86 54.12% FedEx Express FedEx Corporation NYSE: FDX $189.11 $262.48 38.80% Jazz Aviation Chorus Aviation1 TSX: CHR.B $7.02 $9.54 35.90% Envoy Air, Piedmont, PSA American Airlines Group, Inc.2 NASDAQ: AAL $44.25 $54.32 22.76% Delta, Endeavor Air Delta Air Lines NYSE: DAL $47.24 $56.77 20.17% WestJet, WestJet Encore WestJet Airlines Ltd. TSX: WJA $21.96 $24.61 12.07% JetBlue JetBlue Airways Corporation NASDAQ: JBLU $19.61 $20.86 6.37% United United Continental Holdings, Inc. NYSE: UAL $70.47 $67.82 -3.76% Bearskin, Calm Air Exchange Income Corporation3 TSX: EIF $40.02 $33.50 -16.29% Spirit Spirit Airlines, Inc. NYSE: SAVE $54.04 $42.12 -22.06% Hawaiian Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. NASDAQ: HA $50.95 $37.35 -26.69% Alaska, Virgin America Alaska Air Group, Inc.4 NYSE: ALK $93.82 $65.73 -29.94% 1 Chorus Aviation announced a monthly dividend of $0.04 per Class A and Class B shares for January on Jan. 22, 2018, and announced on Jan. 30, 2018, a dividend reinvestment plan starting Feb. 1, 2018.2 American Airlines Group declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on Jan. 24, 2018.3 Exchange Income Corporation declared eligible dividends totaling $0.175 per share for the month of January on Jan. 17, 2018.4 Alaska Air Group declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share, a 7 percent increase in the quarterly dividend, on Jan. 25, 2018.

10

9

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4

3

2

1

0

International Passenger Traffic

passenger travel.International passenger traffic

growth in 2018 is expected to be slightly lower than in 2017 as airlines are more likely to increase fares to combat increases in costs, particularly jet fuel and labor. Jet fuel costs have risen in the past few months from $1.69 per gallon on Nov. 1, 2017, to $2.00 per gallon on Jan. 29, 2018.

In addition to increasing ticket prices, airlines will also respond to higher jet fuel prices by

slowing capacity growth. How-ever, thus far in 2018 this hasn’t happened. Based on current forecasts, airlines, especially in the U.S., are intending to grow capacity more aggressively in 2018 than in 2017. As the current capacity outlook appears to be elevated and costs are expected to increase in 2018, the same degree of international passenger traffic growth experienced in recent years due to lower ticket prices is unlikely to occur in 2018.

SOURCE: IATA Air Passenger Market Analysis and ALPA Economic & Financial Analysis Department analysis

Total International Passenger Traffic Growth by Region(% year on year 2017)

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were able to recover somewhat in the second half.

Airlines based in the Asia- Pacific region saw the greatest international traffic growth since 1994, up 9.4 percent in 2017.

Airlines in Latin America expe-rienced a similar pace of growth with a 9.3 percent increase. However, the upward trend in international passenger volume in Latin America subsided in the second half of 2017 due to the disruption caused by multiple storms and hurricanes impacting the region.

Resilient economic conditions in Europe led to an 8.2 percent growth in international RPKs in 2017, compared to just 5.1 per-cent in 2016.

African airlines were able to experience a consistent pace of international traffic growth in 2017, as they did in 2016. Their international RPKs grew by 7.5 percent in 2017 and by 7.4 per-cent in 2016.

Airlines in North America experienced a 4.8 percent growth in international traffic in 2017. As in Latin America, airlines in North America were also impacted by the hurricanes; however, the effects were offset by robust economic growth, which helped boost demand for outbound

An improving global macroeco-nomic environment in 2017, driven by improved business confidence, contributed to the strong growth in international passenger air traffic demand. The International Air Transport Associ-ation (IATA) recently reported that industrywide air passenger traffic, measured by revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), grew by 7.6 percent year on year in 2017. This annual growth marked another year of above-trend passenger growth, well ahead of the 10-year average of 5.5 percent. Strong trends are likely to carry through the first part of 2018, based on global gross domestic product trends and air travel demand.

Internationally, global RPKs grew by 7.9 percent in 2017, compared to 7.0 percent in 2016. All regions experienced an in-crease in international passenger growth in 2017 except for the Middle East, which saw its inter-national traffic growth rate de-cline for the first time since 1997. International RPKs in the Middle East grew by only 6.6 percent in 2017, compared to 11.5 percent in 2016. Airlines based in the Middle East were impacted by the ban on personal electric devices and the travel ban to the U.S. during the first half of 2017 but

7.9%

9.4% 9.3%

8.2%

7.5%

6.6%

4.8%


Air Line Pilot Feature Article » LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Who do you think is your most important contact at ALPA? You shouldn’t be surprised to hear that it’s your status representative, your local council officer. In addition

to what’s happening locally, he or she can tell you about both your pilot group’s and the national organization’s activi-ties. That’s because the person elected to represent your interests also serves as a member of your pilot group’s master exec-utive council (MEC) and ALPA’s Board of Directors (BOD)—the Association’s highest governing body. Your status rep represents you at discipline hearings, helps you file grievances, and solicits your feedback for important pilot-group decisions.

Making sure ALPA’s new local council officers are properly prepared to handle their many responsibilities when they be-gin their terms is essential to the success of our union, and that’s where the annual Leadership Training Conference comes in. This interactive seminar provides our pilot reps with the guidance and under-standing they need to be effective ALPA leaders.

This year, 82 local reps and officers from 24 of the Association’s 34 pilot groups joined us in February at the Association’s Herndon, Va., Conference Center for thought-provoking discussions, role-playing exercises, and other activities.

The Leadership Committee recognizes that everyone brings something different to the table, and throughout the training

TRAINING ALPA’S FRONTLINE LEADERS

By Capt. David Farmer (Delta), Chairman, ALPA Leadership Committee

ALPA local council representatives and officers, along with ALPA’s national officers, pose in front of the Clipper Flying Cloud, a B-307 Stratoliner, at the Steven F. Udvar–Hazy Center.

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we encouraged attendees to ask questions, fully immerse themselves in conference exercises, and interact with their fellow reps from other pilot groups.

RESPONSIBILITY 101A brief look at this year’s agenda high-lights what local council reps need to know and what they may be called on to do. Conference attendees learned how to run meetings and manage committees. They reviewed methods of effective group decision-making. They discussed what to do when their members face possible dis-ciplinary action and looked at the current economic outlook for the airline industry.

Staff members from ALPA’s Legal Department discussed the Association’s duty of fair representation, the union’s obligation to represent all pilots at every ALPA pilot group fairly, in good faith,

and without discrimination. Our staff attorneys talked about what local council officers can be held responsible for and simple steps they can take to protect themselves.

Dr. Quay Snyder, ALPA’s aeromedical advisor, reviewed the support ALPA’s Aeromedical Office provides members regarding medical certification.

Attendees explored what they can and can’t do when hosting social media sites. They also learned about ALPA’s strategic plan, the flight plan that guides the union in every decision it makes. In fact, ALPA’s Leadership Training Conference advances the Association’s goal “to develop and deliver effective direct member services” by enhancing the expertise of our elected pilot leaders.

During the conference, pilots partic-ipated in afternoon breakout sessions that included mock MEC meetings and hypothetical disciplinary investigations. These opportunities gave the reps a chance to apply what they learned and to try out some recommended practices.

FACE TIMEThroughout the week, the Leadership Committee scheduled segments that gave attendees the opportunity to meet ALPA’s senior leaders. A dinner featured a ques-tion-and-answer session with the Associa-tion’s four national officers, who also gave presentations during the conference.

Capt. Bill Couette, ALPA’s vice pres-ident–administration/secretary, who oversees Leadership Committee activities,

presented several training sessions, includ-ing one titled “You’ve Just Been Elected…Now What?” During this segment, he told attendees, “Being a good ALPA rep takes perseverance, teamwork, and an openness to learn,” adding that it’s important to rou-tinely communicate with your members. He also gave a thorough explanation of the Association’s rule of governance, Robert’s Rules of Order, and the duties and respon-sibilities of BOD members.

“Our biggest asset is our member-driv-en strategic goals,” remarked Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, who reminded local council officers that members can access these at www.alpa.org/strategicplan. In a separate state-of-the-union presen-tation, Canoll provided an overview of recent collective bargaining, noting that to negotiate a good labor agreement, you need to have pilot unity, a positive pattern to bargain against, and the airline’s ability to pay. He also reviewed the Association’s top priorities.

ALPA is the world’s largest nongov-ernmental aviation safety organization and Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA’s first vice president and national safety coordinator, outlined the activities of the Association’s Air Safety Organization, which encom-passes aviation safety, security, jumpseat, and pilot assistance matters.

Capt. Randy Helling, ALPA’s vice president–secretary/treasurer, outlined how the Association budgets income and charted the progress ALPA has made in stabilizing its finances since 9/11 and the economic downturn of 2008–2009.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka was the keynote speaker at this year’s ALPA Leadership Training Conference, impressing upon con-ference attendees the importance of their jobs and the relevance of unions in the work-place. “Our voice is more needed right now than ever before in our

lifetime,” he asserted, raising concerns about recent efforts to roll back regulations and policies that could negatively affect employees. “Life hasn’t been easy for the American worker, but we’ve stayed strong. And that’s due to people like you.”

Trumka discussed the economy, politics, his-

tory, and the challenges of organized labor. He spoke about working with both current and past U.S. presidential administrations, pointing out that the AFL-CIO op-erates much like ALPA’s pilot-partisan approach when it comes to dealing with policymakers. It doesn’t matter whether an R or a D follows the

name of an elected Member of Congress. “Those who support our issues get our support,” he said.

“Working people are

the most powerful force in this nation and around the world,” said Trumka. “We built this country, wake her up every day, make her run, repair her when she breaks, and put her to bed at night. We’re going to take her back for the working people so everybody gets a fair shot.”

T R A I N E D F O R L I F E

AFL-CIO PRESIDENT ADDRESSES NEW PILOT LEADERS AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Capt. David Farmer (Del-ta) addresses a question from the audience during the conference.


in the hat, and here I am.” Canales attended this year’s Leadership Training Conference to learn more about ALPA’s resources and support in place to help him better perform his duties.

The pilots of WestJet have been with ALPA for about a year, and Capt. David Colquhoun, who flies the B-737 out of Calgary, Alb., is the first elected chairman for his pilot group’s LEC 230. Colquhoun said his pri-mary reason for attending this year’s conference is to establish new

relationships with other ALPA pilots. “WestJet pilots were not unionized for their first 20 years, so we really were out in the cold,” he com-mented. “The resources we’ve been offered for our negotiations, taking place right now, and the support to create our committee structure have been fantastic.” Colquhoun emphasized that the WestJet pilots view ALPA membership as a chance to learn from others’ experiences.

Capt. Prett Galloway (Alaska), a former U.S. Air

Force pilot, is a seniority block rep for his pilot group’s LEC 63. “We have 242 pilots who are based in Los Angeles,” he said, pointing out that his position represents both captains and first officers. Galloway ob-served, “The Leadership Training Conference is a great way for me to get a lot information for my role as a member of my pilot group’s LEC and MEC [Master Executive Council]. What we’ve discussed so far will help me be more effective.”

F/O Allyson Geiger (Piedmont), who flies the Dash 8 out of Roanoke, Va., was recently elected to her first ALPA position as LEC 35 first officer rep.

She said, “Being new to ALPA and this position, I didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve taken a lot from this conference. It’s been very helpful.”

Capt. Rep Michael Sterling (Air Transport International) represents his pilot group’s LEC 190, and his duties can be particularly challenging because the pilots he represents are home-based. The airline is a single-council pilot group, and Sterling also serves as the group’s MEC chairman. “We’re getting a lot of great information about how to help our crewmembers,” the B-767/757 pilot said. “The resources are incredible.”

Capt. Dan Adamus (Jazz Aviation), an ALPA executive vice president and ALPA Canada president, also joined us to talk about issues facing Canadian pilots, such as the need for new flight-time/duty-time regulations based on the science of human fatigue. He also reviewed recent outsourc-ing issues, including the serious scope concerns raised by WestJet and Encore pilots.

HIGHER MANDATEI’ve highlighted just some of the many topics we covered and how the conference grooms pilot leaders for the opportunities and challenges they will likely encounter. Local council officers began their three-year terms on March 1, and every year approximately one third of these positions are up for election.

Every Leadership Training Conference I’ve been involved with during my 19 years with the committee has been different because the people we work with and the environment that we work in are always changing. It’s not unusual to see seasoned ALPA officers sitting next to pilot reps who are brand new to the union. Both have something to share, and I repeatedly en-courage attendees to use this opportunity to network with their peers.

A special thanks to my fellow Leader-ship Committee members who give so much of themselves to this event: Capt. Mark Moore (Delta), Capt. Rob Slovitsky (United), and F/O Mark Lockwood (Delta). Unfortunately, Capt. Andy Nelson (Spirit) couldn’t join us this year. I’d also like to thank the many staff members who work so hard to make the conference possible.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge you, my fellow ALPA members. If you ever decide to run for local council officer, the Leader-ship Committee stands ready to help you make the transition to your new role that much easier. Who knows—maybe we’ll see you next year!

F/O Julio Cana-les (Delta), his pilot group’s newly elected Local Executive Council (LEC) 48 vice chairman, said that this is his first ALPA leadership position. “I’ve always wanted to serve,” he noted, con-tinuing, “I have a good friend who is actually the chairman for my council and I watched him go through his first term.” The A320 pilot soon decided he would be a good fit for vice chairman, remark-ing, “I threw my name

CLASS OF 2018: FACES IN THIS YEAR’S CROWDLocal council officers who participated in this year’s ALPA Leadership Training Conference brought their own special set of circumstances and expectations to this event. The following are brief profiles of five pilot reps who explain why they attended this year’s conference.

Conference attendees network with peers during a break.


Air Transport International 190 Capt. Michael Sterling, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Air Transport International 190 F/O Travis Jordan, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Air Transport International 190 F/O Christian Padilla, Secretary-Treasurer

Air Wisconsin 49 Capt. David Anderson, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Air Wisconsin 49 F/O Jimmy Abdalla, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Air Wisconsin 49 F/O Luis Saavedra, Secretary-Treasurer

Alaska 59 F/O Robert Kloft, Chairman (SB Rep #1)

Alaska 59 F/O Neal Kandarian, Vice Chairman

Alaska 59 F/O Daniel Richards, Secretary-Treasurer

Alaska 63 Capt. Prett Galloway, Chairman (SB Rep #2)

Alaska 63 F/O Samuel Landry, Vice Chairman

Alaska 63 Capt. Andrew Hobin, Secretary-Treasurer

Atlantic Southeast 111 Capt. Barry Scherling, Chairman (Status Rep)

Atlantic Southeast 111 Capt. Warren Doyle, Vice Chairman

Atlantic Southeast 111 Capt. John Pittman, Secretary-Treasurer

Calm Air 213 Capt. Jan McNish, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Calm Air 213 F/O Vignesh Sridhar, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Calm Air 213 Capt. Nicolas Archambault, Secretary-Treasurer

Canadian North 222 Capt. William Rodgers, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Canadian North 222 F/O Brenen Sorokan, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Canadian North 222 Capt. Korey Hazelwood, Secretary-Treasurer

Compass 19 Capt. Ryan Hollenbeck, Chairman (SB Rep #1)

Compass 19 Capt. Thomas Vanden Berg, Vice Chairman (SB Rep #2)

Compass 19 F/O Samuel Larson, Secretary-Treasurer (SB Rep #3)

Delta 1 Capt. Jon Lewis, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Delta 1 F/O Daniel Stowell, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Delta 1 F/O Michael King, Secretary-Treasurer

Delta 16 Capt. Robert Kolbus, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Delta 16 F/O Steven Johnson, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Delta 16 Capt. Hesham Aly, Secretary-Treasurer

Delta 48 F/O Samuel Mason, Chairman (Status Rep)

Delta 48 F/O Julio Canales, Vice Chairman

Delta 48 F/O Keith Costo, Secretary-Treasurer

Endeavor Air 129 Capt. Daniel Krieger, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Endeavor Air 129 F/O Tracie Zampa, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Endeavor Air 129 Capt. Aaron Scholl, Secretary-Treasurer

Envoy Air 83 Capt. Patrick Couture, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Envoy Air 83 F/O Thomas Lawler, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Envoy Air 83 Capt. Hector Corpeno, Secretary-Treasurer

Envoy Air 121 Capt. Michael Hoxmeier, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Envoy Air 121 F/O Daniel Genzale, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Envoy Air 121 Capt. Adam Chronas, Secretary-Treasurer

ExpressJet 176 Capt. Ivan Harris, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

ExpressJet 176 Capt. Stacey Warner, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

ExpressJet 176 F/O Clifford Ulmann, Secretary-Treasurer

ExpressJet 180 Capt. Jeff Peterson, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

ExpressJet 180 F/O Jared Roberts, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

ExpressJet 180 F/O Robert Perryman, Secretary-Treasurer

FedEx Express 14 Capt. Andrew Coward, Chairman (SB Rep #10)

FedEx Express 14 Capt. Michael Hourin, Vice Chairman

FedEx Express 14 F/O Hayden Madison, Secretary-Treasurer

FedEx Express 26 Capt. Peter Harmon, Chairman (SB Rep #3)

FedEx Express 26 Capt. Richard Odbert, Vice Chairman (SB Rep #11)

FedEx Express 26 Capt. Eric Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer (SB Rep #6)

Frontier 169 F/O Justin Hawkins, Chairman (F/O Rep)

Frontier 169 Capt. Kathryn Judge, Vice Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Frontier 169 F/O Joshua Gifford, Secretary-Treasurer

Jazz Aviation 223 Capt. Ken Broomhead, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Jazz Aviation 223 F/O Jesse Jantzi, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Jazz Aviation 223 Capt. Peter Gosse, Secretary-Treasurer

JetBlue 197 Capt. Lawrence Wicklund, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

JetBlue 197 F/O Matthew Passafiume, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

JetBlue 197 Capt. Joseph Adkins, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer

JetBlue 199 Capt. James Ewart, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

JetBlue 199 F/O Joshua Sult, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

JetBlue 199 Capt. Stephen Ramsay, Secretary-Treasurer

Kelowna Flightcraft 206 Capt. Paul Meaney, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Kelowna Flightcraft 206 F/O Chad Hunter, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Kelowna Flightcraft 206 S/O Bradley Tucker, Secretary-Treasurer (S/O Rep)

Mesa 84 Capt. Andrew Hughes, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Mesa 84 Capt. Nicholas Toon, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Mesa 84 Capt. Kenneth Bayer, Secretary-Treasurer

Piedmont 35 Capt. Erik DeWinne, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Piedmont 35 F/O Allyson Geiger, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Piedmont 35 F/O Marc Herold, Secretary-Treasurer

PSA 69 Capt. Steven Toothe, Chairman (Capt. Rep)PSA 69 Capt. Richard Barnes, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)PSA 69 Capt. Jerrad Pennington, Secretary-Treasurer

Spirit 77 Capt. Craig DeVries, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Spirit 77 F/O Brent Farrar, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Spirit 77 Capt. Cole Brantley, Secretary-Treasurer

Trans States 38 Capt. Nathan Caron, Chairman (Capt. Rep)

Trans States 38 F/O Lauren Taylor, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)

Trans States 38 F/O Daniel Garza Cantu, Secretary-Treasurer

United 5 Capt. Glenn Johnson, Jr., Chairman (Capt. Rep)

United 5 F/O James McCullough, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)United 5 F/O Phil Wenzel, Secretary-Treasurer United 11 Capt. Andrew Collins, Chairman (Capt. Rep)United 11 F/O George Riley, III, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)United 11 Capt. James Crytser, Secretary-Treasurer United 34 Capt. Noel Ojeda, Chairman (Capt. Rep)United 34 F/O Steven Burson, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)United 34 F/O Amy Jayo, Secretary-Treasurer United 173 Capt. David Drews, Chairman (Capt. Rep)United 173 F/O Edward Bennett, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)United 173 F/O Darren Mollot, Secretary-Treasurer Virgin America 181 Capt. James Vejr, Chairman (Capt. Rep)Virgin America 181 F/O David Schneider, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)Virgin America 181 F/O Jessica Reinschmidt, Secretary-Treasurer WestJet 227 Capt. Robert Jackson, Chairman (Capt. Rep)WestJet 227 F/O Dawid de Villiers, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)WestJet 227 Capt. Stephan Weiher, Secretary-Treasurer

NEW ALPA REPSThe following ALPA leaders took office on March 1 for a three-year term ending Feb. 28, 2021. Don’t see your rep on the list? Log on to www.alpa.org/memberaccount and click on the Representative tab for the name and e-mail of your elect-ed master executive and local council officers.

T R A I N E D F O R L I F E

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Air Line Pilot Feature Article » FATIGUE MANAGEMENT

More than 120 pilots, airline industry representatives, consultants, and govern-ment officials gathered for a flight-time/duty-time (FT/DT) seminar January

17–18 at ALPA’s Herndon, Va., Conference Center. The two-day meeting entitled “Fatigue Management: Best Practices and Lessons Learned” was cohosted by ALPA and Airlines for America (A4A) to share experiences, exchanges strategies, and collaborate on advancements in FT/DT

policies and procedures.Capt. Don Wykoff (Delta), chairman of

ALPA’s FT/DT Committee, welcomed at-tendees, stating, “When it comes to fatigue management, our successes are rooted in working together. We generally find that we’re 90 percent in agreement. And if we build upon that 90 percent, the remaining 10 percent is much easier to solve.”

Billy Nolen, A4A’s vice president for safety, touched on the seminar’s purpose, saying, “We have to, together, ask the questions: ‘How can we find a solution to our differences?’ How can we satisfy the needs of management, the needs of the pilots, and that of the FAA...while keeping in mind what’s right and safe?”

“It’s easy to overlook the impact of fatigue,” said Jodi Baker, the acting deputy director of the FAA’s Office of Safety Standards. “But it’s a risk, and that puts other aspects of aviation at risk as well…. Everyone needs to look at the common interests of all involved and be honest in how we approach fatigue.”

‘ FATIGUE MANAGEMENT: BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED’By Christopher Freeze, Senior Aviation Technical Writer

Capt. Don Wykoff (Delta), chairman of ALPA’s Flight Time/Duty Time Committee, welcomes attendees to the flight-time/duty-time seminar, noting, “When it comes to fatigue management, our successes are rooted in working together.”

Phot

os: C

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CUMULATIVE FATIGUEIn a panel entitled “Cumulative Fatigue: Is Our Fatigue Issue Self-Inflicted?” Steven Hursh, the president and chief scientist of the Institutes for Behavior Resources, discussed his findings on sleep. “There’s a lot of data to input in researching cumu-lative fatigue…, but you can find trends in the data sets by pairing trips with similar trips, like international to other interna-tional, and set it against safety criteria.”

Hursh’s research identifies four success-ful mitigating factors to reduce cumula-tive fatigue: augmented crews and inflight rest for international operations, recovery time between trips for domestic unaug-mented operations, preduty naps before night operations, and nap opportunities at the sort facility for cargo operations. “These strategies seem to work best—in addition to conventional wisdom that more opportunities for rest and longer periods of rest will result in a pilot who is less fatigued,” Hursh concluded.

FATIGUE RISK MANAGEMENT PLANSDale Roberts, the FAA’s aviation safety in-spector for fatigue risk management, led a discussion about fatigue risk manage-ment plans (FRMPs), reminding attendees that they’re “operational and functional processes describing how the carrier will

STEVEN HURSH, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF SCIENTIST, THE INSTITUTES FOR BEHAVIOR RESOURCES

manage, monitor, and mitigate day-to-day flightcrew member fatigue. Each Part 121 air carrier must have an FAA-approved FRMP, regardless of the type of operation being conducted.

“An FRMP serves as a way to provide fatigue education and awareness training, as well as facilitate a means to evaluate the effectiveness of existing FRMP pro-cesses, fatigue education, and the FRMP as a whole,” Roberts said.

“When FRMPs first came out,” said Capt. Jim Mangie (Delta), director of Delta Air Lines’ Pilot Fatigue Program, “we had to do a gap analysis of our programs, using a checklist-type approach. And what we quickly realized was that the old ways of doing things, while legal, just weren’t going to cut it anymore.”

DALE ROBERTS, AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR FOR FATIGUE RISK MANAGEMENT, FAA

“ WE HAVE A SCHEDULING IMPROVEMENT GROUP, COMPOSED OF MANAGE-MENT AND PILOTS, THAT ACTIVELY BUILDS PILOT SCHEDULES BASED ON OUR AGREEMENT, PILOT PREFERENCES, AND PART 121.”

BILLY NOLEN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR SAFETY, AIRLINES FOR AMERICA

Capt. Rich Hughey (FedEx Express)

CAPT. RICH HUGHEY (FEDEX EXPRESS), ALPA FLIGHT TIME/DUTY TIME COMMITTEE MEMBER

Capt. Brian Noyes (United), a member of ALPA’s FT/DT Committee, noted, “When an FRMP is first written, both management and pilots want to put a lot of material into it to try and cover every single situation. But if you include too much information, it becomes cumbersome. Our latest rewrite at United was to simplify the FRMP.”

Capt. Darrell Cox (Mesa), a member of ALPA’s FT/DT Committee, stated, “an FRMP needs to be a living document, continuous-ly being improved upon as you learn more about what works and what needs another look.”

Capt. Rich Hughey (FedEx Express), the chairman of the ALPA President’s Commit-tee for Cargo and a member of ALPA’s FT/DT Committee, highlighted his carrier’s proactive stance on FRMP development. “Elements of our FRMP existed before FRMPs were in place, as part of a sci-ence-based collective bargaining agreement negotiated in 2006. We have a Scheduling Improvement Group [SIG], composed of management and pilots, that actively builds pilot schedules based on our agreement, pilot preferences, and Part 121. Additionally, from our 2011 agreement, a Fatigue Risk Management Group [FRMG] was created with both reactive and proactive processes. Like the SIG, it’s a cooperative partnership. For example, to better mitigate fatigue, we have five different reserve periods across


Air Line Pilot Feature Article » FATIGUE MANAGEMENT

24-hours intended to better align potential assignments to occur near the start of the reserve period…. This works relatively well in our hub-and-spoke system.”

In a panel discussing methods to collec-tively do better, Wykoff pointed out that FRMPs have a lot of similarities to safety management systems, and that fatigue management has become more risk-based. “But that’s the world we’re moving into. And that’s not a bad thing,” Wykoff noted.

“We need to have our existing programs move beyond the prescriptive FAR Part 117 and FRMPs to include the customizable benefits of fatigue risk management sys-tems [FRMS],” Wykoff advocated. “Such a system would go beyond hazard identi-fication and transitional procedures…. It’s a data-driven means of continuously monitoring and managing fatigue-related safety risks, based on scientific principles, knowledge, and operational experience that aims to ensure the relevant person-nel are performing at adequate levels of alertness.”

Wykoff discussed the concept of Fatigue Safety Action Groups (FSAG), which are traditionally responsible for coordinating FRMS activities. “Since fatigue management must be based on

CAPT. DARRELL COX (MESA), ALPA FLIGHT TIME/DUTY TIME COMMITTEE MEMBER

shared responsibility and requires an effective safety reporting culture, it’s strongly recommended that the FSAG includes representatives of all stakeholder groups—management, scheduling staff, and crewmember representatives—with input from other individuals as needed to ensure that the group has appropriate access to scientific, statistical, and medical expertise.”

While the FSAG’s principle functions are to oversee the development of the FRMS and assist in its implementation, the FSAG process also has a role in risk identification and mitigation in a more traditional, prescriptive approach. Using the FSAG in this manner provides the operator and pilot group representa-tive a method to identify and mitigate a fatigue-related operational risk well before it becomes a significant, disruptive hazard.

FITNESS FOR DUTYNoyes addressed the concept of fitness for duty, noting that “it’s largely subjective.

PART 117 GUIDANCE AVAILABLE ONLINE For more information on flight time/duty time, Part 117 legal interpretations, and to view

ALPA’s Guide to Part 117 Flight-Time Limitations and Rest Requirements, visit the

Association’s Flight Time/Duty Time Committee website at www.alpa.org/ftdt.

To download ALPA’s Part 117 calculator app, which is available for Apple, Android,

and Windows devices, go to www.alpa.org/apps.

F/O Julia Reiners (Delta), vice chair of her airline’s Fitness Review Board, poses a question to the seminar panelists.

While Part 117.5 gives a definition and a requirement to be fit for duty, this can vary from one pilot to another. I have a responsibility to be rested before duty, but the operator also has to provide me the opportunity to be rested.”

Capt. Doug Marchese (JetBlue), chair-man of his pilot group’s Fatigue Com-mittee, and Lydia Hambour, manager of JetBlue’s FRMS, described how manage-ment worked with the pilots in setting up the carrier’s system. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, we agree as to what the expectation is,” Marchese stated. “The schedulers will look at what sort of trips we have done previously to see if there’s something unusual that could prompt a fatigue call. The data are then applied to future schedules so that the problem and its risks are reduced. This holistic approach has worked well so far, and it allows for adjustments to be made well in advance.”

Capt. Pete Davis (Atlantic Southeast), a member of ALPA’s FT/DT Committee, discussed the problem of absolutes in fatigue calls. “Pilots need to feel they’re making the right call, and management, too, needs to feel that it made the right call. It becomes a problem when there’s disagreement, such as when a crewmem-ber won’t extend for any reason or when management complains about a pilot who won’t extend. Each situation is unique, and there needs to be an evaluation of the circumstances. So we have to ask ourselves if we’re educating everyone as to what it really means not to be fit for duty.”

EXTENSIONS“For something that happens so little, why the big fuss?” asked Wykoff during a panel discussion. “Statistically, exten-sions are a rare event. But when they do happen, we still have carriers that believe the extension is absolute. In fact, we still


FLIGHT-TIME/ DUTY-TIME QUESTIONS? Have questions about flight-time

limits under Part 117? Members

of ALPA have access to the Associ-

ation’s flight-time/duty-time sub-

ject-matter experts by calling the

flight-time/duty-time information

line at 703-689-4326 or e-mailing

[email protected].

“Pilots can call to get answers

to their Part 117 questions,” said

Jim Johnson, a senior managing

attorney in the Association’s

Legal Department. “Each month,

we receive a dozen or more calls

from ALPA pilots, and we’re here

to keep them flying safely and

legally. We certainly don’t want

anyone flying fatigued or acciden-

tally breaking these rules.”

that involved irregularity reports and numerous back-and-forth calls to revise and reschedule a fatigued pilot has been replaced with an automated system that requires objective documentation and input. That information goes to the Sched-uling Improvement Group for review and to the Fatigue Event Review Committee for analysis.”

Hughey noted that FedEx Express has 10–12 fatigue calls in any given month while having 4,700 pilots flying 15,000 to 18,000 flight segments.

“Many hypothesize that the so few calls are a result of a recently changed reporting culture, a recently changed structured reporting process, and joint scheduling and fatigue risk management processes between the crewmembers and the company.”

In summing up the flight-time/ duty-time seminar, Wykoff remarked, “We’ve made great progress in our journey to effectively implement FAR 117. But there is much to do as we continue this journey. Working together for joint solu-tions will remain the key to effective and meaningful fatigue management.”

From left, Nolen; Jodi Baker, acting deputy director of the FAA’s Office of Safety Standards; and Wykoff respond to a comment from the audience.

have the rare outlier carrier that believes a pilot must report rested for the exten-sion and always accept any extension request asked of him or her. We all know that delays can push the duty day longer than planned,” Wykoff said. “Part 117 allows for this—as long as we, both the company and crew, are in agreement that the additional time is within the pilot’s capability based on how he or she feels to continue operating.

“The entire system is based on a shared responsibility for the operator and the crewmember,” continued Wykoff. “For the system to work, the crewmember must make a good and timely decision on his or her ability to extend a flight duty period, and the operator must acknowledge the position the pilot is in and respect the decision being made. Education is instru-mental in effectively working through this issue. The crewmember should be educat-ed on the effects of fatigue and how best to recognize and mitigate fatigue while the operator, in addition to the basics of fatigue education, must understand the limits of human performance.”

FATIGUE CALLS“While fatigue calls are handled far better than in the past, we can still do better,” said Hughey. “The old system at my carrier


The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 22, 2017. It makes sweeping changes to the Internal Revenue Code in general and substantially modifies the tax-

ation of employee fringe benefits, which is expected to significantly impact pilots. Fortunately, the TCJA made only modest changes to retirement benefits. Generally, most provisions of the TCJA took effect Jan. 1, 2018, and apply to income earned beginning in the 2018 taxable year. Many of these changes sunset after Dec. 31, 2025, unless Congress passes an extension.

Congress subsequently passed the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA), which President Trump signed on Feb. 9, 2018. This law features several tax provisions that had previously been dropped from the TCJA. This article summarizes the tax reform changes made to employee fringe benefits by the TCJA and the BBA and does not discuss changes made to individual in-come tax rates, college savings incentives, estate planning, or corporate taxes. ALPA members should consult a tax profession-al to understand how changes made by the new tax law will affect them.

BUSINESS EXPENSESPrior to 2018, pilots who itemized their deductions could deduct ordinary and necessary business

expenses from their federal taxes. Ordi-nary and necessary business expenses for pilots include unreimbursed travel costs,

union dues, pilot uniforms, and medical examinations required by the FAA. The TCJA eliminates itemized deductions for ordinary and necessary business expenses paid or incurred by a taxpayer as of Jan. 1, 2018. As a result, pilots who itemize their deductions are no longer able to deduct these expenses when filing their federal taxes. This increases the tax burden for many pilots who are required to pay these costs themselves.

PER DIEMPrior to the TCJA, per diem reim-bursements paid to pilots by their employer that did not exceed the

federal per diem rate were not treated as taxable income. In addition, pilots who itemized their deductions could deduct their actual business travel expenses that were in excess of any per diem reimburse-ments they received. The TCJA does not change the exclusion of per diem reim-bursements from taxable income. There-fore, per diem reimbursements paid by the employer up to the federal rate are still not considered taxable income. However, as of Jan. 1, 2018, pilots are no longer able to deduct the difference between the per diem reimbursement amount and actual business travel expenses incurred.

MOVING EXPENSESBefore 2018, employer reimburse-ments for moving expenses were excluded from taxable income,

Air Line Pilot Feature Article » TAX REFORM

and unreimbursed job-related moving expenses were deductible. Under the TCJA, both the exclusion for moving expense reimbursements and the deduction for unreimbursed moving expenses are elim-inated. Some pilot contracts provide that the employer pay for moving expenses, and as of 2018 these payments are treated as taxable income. Pilots who incur work-related moving expenses beginning in 2018 that are not reimbursed by the em-ployer are no longer able to deduct these expenses from their federal taxes.

RETIREMENT PLAN LOANSWhen a pilot takes a distribu-tion from a retirement plan, the distribution is treated as taxable

income (and may be subject to early with-drawal penalties) unless it is rolled over to an IRA or another eligible retirement plan within 60 days. This rule creates issues for a pilot who terminates employment with an outstanding 401(k) loan balance.

Most 401(k) plans require the pilot to repay the outstanding loan balance upon termination of employment. If the pilot fails to do so, the unpaid balance is treated as a distribution. Prior to tax reform, the distribution of the unpaid balance would be treated as taxable income (potentially also triggering early withdrawal penalties) unless the pilot rolled over the amount of the unpaid balance to an IRA or other eligible retirement plan within 60 days, as with other distributions.

The TCJA allows employees who

TAX REFORM:HOW IT AFFECTS PILOTS’

EMPLOYEE FRINGE BENEFITSBy Dan White, Senior Benefits Attorney,

ALPA Retirement & Insurance Department


which requires U.S. citizens and Green Card holders to maintain medical cover-age. This provision will not directly affect pilots, who are covered under collectively bargained medical plans. However, with-out the individual mandate, many young and healthy individuals may exit the medical risk pool. This will likely drive up the cost of medical coverage for everyone else, including airlines.

RETIREMENT SAVINGS AND HEALTH COVERAGE

The new laws do not make major changes to retirement savings. The favorable tax treatment and con-

tribution limits for 401(k)s, IRAs, and other retirement savings accounts remain intact. The rules for health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts also remain intact. Employer-provided health-care ben-efits are still treated as nontaxable income.

However, the TCJA does end Roth IRA recharacterizations beginning with the 2018 taxable year, although 2017 recharac-terizations will continue to be permitted until Oct. 15, 2018. A recharacterization allows a taxpayer to “undo” or “reverse” a rollover or conversion to a Roth IRA.

Congress is expected to pass a technical corrections bill that could potentially modify some of the provisions that impact pilots. ALPA’s Retirement & Insurance and Government Affairs Departments will be monitoring this issue for any pertinent developments.

terminate employment with an outstand-ing 401(k) loan to avoid taxation on the outstanding loan balance by rolling over the amount of the loan to an IRA or other eligible retirement plan on or before the due date for filing tax returns (including extensions). This change provides relief to pilots who terminate employment with an outstanding 401(k) loan balance and are required under the terms of the plan to repay the outstanding balance within the 60-day timeframe.

RETIREMENT PLAN HARDSHIP WITHDRAWALS

The Internal Revenue Code allows 401(k) plans to provide “hardship withdrawals” under which plan

participants can take early distributions to address an immediate and heavy finan-cial need. Prior to tax reform, a pilot was generally required to take all available plan loans before taking a hardship with-drawal. The pilot was also restricted from making salary deferral contributions for six months after the hardship withdrawal. In addition, certain types of plan contri-butions could not be used for hardship withdrawals.

The BBA now allows plans to ease hardship withdrawal rules, beginning Jan. 1, 2019. Pilots will no longer be required to take plan loans before receiving a hardship withdrawal. Additionally, the six-month prohibition on salary defer-ral contributions following a hardship withdrawal is eliminated. The new law allows qualified nonelective contributions, qualified matching contributions, and profit-sharing contributions to be included in a hardship withdrawal. These new rules will make it easier for 401(k) plans to make hardship withdrawals available to pilots.

DISASTER RELIEF FOR RETIREMENT PLAN DISTRIBUTIONS

In general, 401(k) plan distribu-tions that are not rolled over are taxed in the year that the distri-

bution is taken. In addition, distributions

taken before age 59½ that are not rolled over are generally subject to an additional 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. Last year, Congress approved disaster relief legislation, including retirement tax relief, for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, necessitating a need to extend the assistance to the California wildfire victims and victims of disasters that occurred in 2016. The TCJA permits an early withdrawal from a 401(k) plan of up to $100,000 without penalty if (1) the taxpayer lived in a presidentially declared disaster area in 2016, (2) the taxpayer sustained an economic loss due to the declared disaster, and (3) the withdrawal was taken in 2016 or 2017. The BBA allows an early withdrawal of up to $100,000 without penalty if (1) the taxpayer lived in an area affected by the 2017 California wildfires, (2) the taxpayer sustained an economic loss due to the wildfires, and (3) the withdrawal was taken between Oct. 8 and Dec. 31, 2017.

These distributions are taxed as ordi-nary income over a three-year period. Pi-lots who lived in a disaster area in 2016 or were affected by the California wildfires in 2017 and were forced to take a 401(k) distribution due to the impact of the di-saster should be able to take advantage of this relief. A list of presidentially declared disaster areas for each year can be found at www.fema.gov/disasters/year.

IRS TAX LEVIESPrior to tax reform, if a pilot withdrew money from a 401(k) account to pay an IRS tax levy,

and the IRS later returned the amount to the pilot, that money could not be recon-tributed to the plan. Under the BBA, the pilot may now recontribute the returned money, including any related interest. This new rule became effective Jan. 1, 2018.

REPEAL OF INDIVIDUAL MANDATE

Beginning in 2019, the TCJA repeals the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act,

“AS OF JAN. 1, 2018, PILOTS ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO DEDUCT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PER DIEM REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT AND ACTUAL BUSINESS TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED.”


Air Line Pilot Feature Article » TITLE HERE

Does the love of flying run in your family? Many ALPA members have inspiring stories to share about the generations of airline pilots that run in their immediate family.

Visit www.alpa.org/allinthefamily for information on how you can share your story.

ALL IN THE FAMILY Air Line Pilot Feature Article » ALL IN THE FAMILY

Still A BlurBy Capt. Marty Coddington (Endeavor Air, Ret.)

M y father went to work for Western Airlines in the early

1940s at its Los Angeles, Ca-lif.-area headquarters when I was a little boy. He worked at a number of jobs at Western but mostly in passenger services. One early memory of mine is my father bringing me along as a jumpseater on what I believe was a checkride in a

Lockheed Lodestar. From Los Angeles we moved

to Salt Lake City, Utah, where my father was the passenger services manager. While in Salt Lake City, he joined a flying club—but it was never clear to me if he got his pilot license. The club had a Taylorcraft, and one of the instructors took me up in it. From Salt Lake City we moved to Billings, Mont., where my father was the station manag-er in the late 1940s and most of the 1950s.

I joined the U.S. Air Force in the mid-1950s and became an air traffic controller. About four years later, my hitch was up and I was hired by the FAA in Great Falls, Mont. I took

flying lessons there and in Chicago, Ill., and finally was licensed in Honolulu, Hawaii. I left the FAA during the con-trollers’ strike in 1981, having put in enough years to retire.

After that, I did a lot of flight instructing, but most of the hours were in balloons and seaplanes. A few years later, I began flying full time, and in 1988 ended up flying in the Northwest Airlink system for what is now Endeavor Air. After 10-plus years of Airlink flying, I reached retirement age for an airline pilot and became a safety rep/consul-tant for ALPA, working with the Engineering & Air Safety Department for the next 14 years. I started working for

ALPA exactly one day after my retirement.

My youngest son, Dean, a Navy pilot, left the U.S. Navy to join Atlas Air in 1994 as a B-747 captain. Three years lat-er, he was hired by Northwest Airlines and is now an A320 captain for Delta. My oldest grandson, Mitchell, attend-ed the University of North Dakota and flew as a captain for two regionals, first at Great Lakes and then Compass. He’s now an A320 first officer for Delta.

This makes us four genera-tions of aviation professionals! And even though Lodestars and DC-3s were not very fast, the last 75 years or so is still a blur. >>

Three of the four generations of Coddington family aviation professionals.


http://www.alpa.org/campaigns/all-in-the-family

Looking Forward to The 100th AnniversaryCapt. David Sperry (Hawaiian)

M y father learned to fly at the Boeing School of Aero-

nautics in the mid-1930s as a result of winning an essay contest the school sponsored. He dropped out of the Univer-sity of California Berkeley and learned to fly at the school in Oakland, Calif. He was hired by United Airlines in 1937. After a career that spanned Boeing aircraft from the B-247 to the B-747 and Douglas from

the DC-3 to the DC-8, he retired in 1973. I was 12 years old at the time, and my dad spent many hours in retirement taking me in our Cessna around Oregon, where I learned to love flying.

My parents never pushed me into flying; but after graduating from college, the flying bug hit hard. After the usual instructor/commuter pilot route, I’m now flying as an A330 captain and check airman for Hawaiian Airlines.

I’m also working occasionally as an instructor for my local flying club near Seattle, Wash., so that I can enjoy flying both the big and small end of the flying spectrum.

And so it continues: In February 2017, my family and I spent my son’s mid-winter break doing a college tour looking at aviation universi-ties. My wife and I have never pushed our son into aviation, but just like me he seems to

have a passion for flying. I don’t know if it’s genetic, but I would bet that on the 100th anniversary of my father’s first solo in September 1935, my son will still be carrying on a family legacy driven by a passion for, and enjoyment of, flying.

TOP: Capt. David Sperry (Hawaiian) and his son together in flight in 2016.

ABOVE: The author’s father, C. Gilbert Sperry, as a new-hire first officer on a B-247 in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1937.


ALPA @work

Advancing the Profession… Pilots & Staff

Diversity and Inclusion: A Necessary Business StrategyI n continuing efforts to

support ALPA members and promote diversity in

the profession, representatives from ALPA’s Membership Com-mittee attended the recent Na-tional Gay Pilots Association’s (NGPA) Diversity and Inclusion Summit in Palm Springs, Calif. The seminar kicked off a week of NGPA activities, which also included the annual Industry Expo and Job Fair and the Win-ter Warm-Up, a social event for NGPA members.

The two-day summit was an industry event that brought together airline flight opera-tions leaders, human resourc-es personnel, airline/union professional standards repre-sentatives, and other aviation stakeholders. Presentations highlighted the need for inclu-sion and sensitivity from the start of a pilot’s career at uni-versities and flight schools to improving operations through managing negative reactions to diversity in the workplace and the critical role that allies from majority groups play in making an organization fully inclusive.

While the role of allies was a constant theme, so was the concept that diversity and in-clusion should be part of every organization’s business strat-egy. An inclusive environment promotes productivity and should be a priority, especially in the cockpit where safety is at stake.

Following the summit, ALPA Membership Committee vol-unteers, led by F/O Kaori Paris

plan in several ways: Pilot representation—ALPA

does not discriminate. The Association supports the advancement of all members’ careers.

Connecting with current and potential future members is essential to securing the future of the profession. This opportunity allowed ALPA to build unity and motivate members, which strengthens, advances, and revitalizes the profession. A group of uniformed pilots sharing information about ALPA also inspires the next generation of pilots.

It provides unique opportu-nities for engagement with members, nonmembers, stakeholders, and students

alike—sharing the expertise of pilot volunteers and staff, growing ALPA’s membership by educating students as well as airline pilots from other carriers, and strengthening the connection with current members through direct mem-ber service.

THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDSALPA’s Professional Stan-dards (ProStans) Committee promotes and maintains the highest degree of professional conduct among ALPA pilots. If you have an issue of a professional or ethical nature involving another pilot that you can’t resolve on your own, the ProStans Committee can step in as a neutral arbitrator to help you come to a resolu-tion. Confidentiality will be maintained, as ProStans never keeps any written records.

—Mary Kennedy, Advocacy Editor–Writer

YOU MIGHT BE AN ALLYAre you a member of a majority group who is willing to stand up for a minority? The National Gay Pilots Association has a word for this: ally.

An ally supports diversity and inclusion in the workplace by promoting a friendly work environment for minority groups. It’s a

simple thing that can go a long way, and many of you are prob-ably already doing it. You can do even more by making a conscious effort to learn about the people you work with and educate yourself on diversity issues. Listen, be open to suggestions, and follow through. Be an

active advocate.Want to help ALPA

promote diversity in the profession? ALPA volunteers support several similar indus-try events throughout the year and are always happy to have more team members.1. International Women in Aviation Conference2. Organization of

Black Aerospace Professionals Annual Convention and Ca-reer Expo3. National Gay Pilots Association Industry Expo4. EAA AirVenture Osh-kosh fly-in convention5. Another organiza-tion’s event?

Contact [email protected] to get involved.

(United), staffed ALPA’s booth at the NGPA Industry Expo, an event that brought hundreds of current and future airline pilots together to network and speak with recruiters and other professionals.

“It’s important for ALPA to be present at events like this, to show that we support not just diversity, but also the progression of our members’ careers,” said Paris.

ALPA members, as well as flight students and other hope-ful future members, stopped by the Association’s booth at the expo. ALPA’s volunteers discussed the Association’s vast resources and the advan-tages of being a member of an international union 60,000 members strong.

BOLSTERING ALPA’S STRATEGIC PLANALPA’s presence at the NGPA Diversity and Inclusion Sum-mit and the Industry Expo fur-thers ALPA’s overall strategic

From left, ALPA members F/O Mark Bomber (United), F/O Drew Everett (Hawaiian), F/O Kaori Paris (United), Capt. Dru Dunwoody (Delta), F/O Laura Woods (Delta), and Capt. Max Woods (Mesa) volunteer at the Na-tional Gay Pilots Association expo.



Flu, Flying, And What Pilots Need To KnowBy ALPA Staff

T his season’s flu outbreak has repeat-edly made front-page news as more and more cases, hospitalizations,

and deaths from influenza infections have occurred. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that 49 out of 50 states have recently experienced “widespread” flu activity. The Public Health Agency of Canada reported that there were more than 15,500 laborato-ry-confirmed cases in early January.

A respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs, the flu can induce mild to severe illness and in extreme cases can lead to death. Symp-toms of this sickness include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches, and general fatigue. In addition, it’s easy to develop complications that can be life-threatening. A flu virus can inflame the lungs, making it easier to develop a bacterial infection, which can lead to pneumonia.

The flu is highly contagious, which should be of concern since pilots spend extended periods transitioning through public areas like airports and in confined spaces with others.

Although there are multiple kinds of flu, the dominant strain in both Canada and the United States this season has been H3N2, a known variety of Influenza A. The

Influenza A).If you catch the virus, keep in mind

that there are medications than can help. Antiviral drugs that help defend against the flu include FDA-approved oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), and peramivir (Rapivab®). However, these rem-edies require prescriptions, which should raise a red flag.

Prescription drugs often affect perfor-mance and cognitive abilities, as well as fatigue level. Both the FAA and Transport Canada outline on their websites some, but not all, medications that aren’t ac-ceptable to take when flying. The FAA will allow a pilot to take the three previously mentioned medications and fly, but only after a 48-hour ground-observation period to determine that there are no side effects. The FAA notes, “Airmen who develop short-term, self-limited illnesses are best advised to avoid performing aviation duties while medications are used.”

Keep in mind that some symptom-relief medications may prohibit you from flying, particularly those containing antihista-mines, cough suppressants, or alcohol. For prohibited drugs, the general rule is to allow five times the medicine’s dosing interval. For example, for a drug taken every six hours, you should wait at least 30 hours before flying.

It’s wise to consult an aviation medical examiner who can assess your condition, treatment, and any potential side effects to help determine when you can safely fly again. Also take steps to prevent getting sick. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Frequently wash hands and use alcohol-based wipes to clean surfaces that will be routinely touched, such as the yoke/side stick, thrust levers, and oxygen masks.

Although this season’s flu is not con-sidered a global pandemic, if you’re flying internationally be aware that large-scale outbreaks have also been declared in Great Britain, Japan, and South Korea.

The Lowdown on Influenza ALPA members with questions about the flu should call the Aviation Medicine Advisory Service, ALPA’s

Aeromedical Office, at 303-341-4435, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. mountain time or visit www.aviationmedicine.com. Canadian ALPA

members can call David Noble, the Association’s pilot health consultant, in the Association’s Toronto, Ont., office toll-free at 1-800-561-9576.

particular problem with H3N2 is that it’s prone to mutation. Consequently, health-care professionals have acknowledged that the vaccine developed to prevent it appears to protect recipients only about 33 percent of the time.

Regardless, the CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and other health orga-nizations recommend getting a flu shot, noting that some protection against H3N2 is better than none. The vaccine can help lessen the symptoms and offers a strong defense against other flu strains in circu-lation, including H1N1 (another subtype of

Flu Emergency ChecklistIf you have the flu and your condition worsens (i.e., you experience the following symptoms), seek immediate medical attention:

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.

Pain/pressure in the chest or abdomen.

Sudden dizziness, confusion.

Severe or persistent vomiting.

Flu-like symptoms that diminish but later return with fever and a worse cough.

Health Watch


Above: Capt. Jeff Terrell (United) squats in front of his Cessna 172 Skyhawk with one of his passengers. Below: Jeff and his wife Angie prepare for a rescue flight.

United Pilot Transports Rescue Animals in NeedHelps Unite Them with Their Forever HomesBy John Perkinson, Senior Staff Writer

OurStorieswww.alpa.org/ourstories

P ets hold a special place in our hearts. They’re additional family members that provide us joy and comfort.

Capt. Jeff Terrell (United) knows this firsthand. The owner of a Husky named Kai and a Lab named Bella, Terrell is also one of more than 5,000 pilots who in their spare time fly volunteer missions for the Pilots N Paws Pet Rescue Services®.

Established in 2008, Pilots N Paws (PNP)—a 501(c)(3) charitable organiza-tion—facilitates the adoption of foster and animal-shelter pets in the United States by providing a network of private pilots who transport these animals when the distance between owner and pet is sig-

nificant. The founder of the organization originally coordinated with a private pilot to transport a Doberman from Florida to South Carolina, conceiving the idea for the operation.

Several years ago, Terrell volunteered to foster a rescue dog that was transported on a PNP flight to his home in Clear Lake Shores, Tex., a suburb of Houston. When he received the dog, he quickly learned that she was pregnant, and fostering one canine turned into taking care of eight. Happily, homes were found for the mother and her seven puppies, and Terrell decided to become a PNP pilot.

“Pilots N Paws provides an electronic

forum where people can post transport requests for these animals,” said Terrell. “If someone needs a pet flown from Chi-cago to New York, Pilots N Paws notifies its network of pilots about the trip and the individual segments available to fly. Once all the flights are booked, the pet is relayed from pilot to pilot until it gets to where it needs to go.”

PET PROLIFERATIONPet overpopulation is a global problem. The World Health Organization estimates that there are more than 200 million stray dogs alone. In the United States, the Amer-ican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Ph

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Below: Jeff delivers a rescue dog to an excited family in Austin, Tex. Bottom left: Seven puppies in their crates are bound for their new homes. Bottom right: Angie gets ready for her Pilots N Paws flight.

to Animals® calculates that approximately 6.5 million companion pets enter animal shelters nationwide annually and that nearly 1.5 million are euthanized.

“Until now, there have been few options for these innocent victims,” according to the PNP website, www.pilotsnpaws.org. “Pilots N Paws is helping to change that.”

Terrell flew his first PNP mission to Austin, Tex., transporting those seven puppies. The United captain removed some of the back seats of his Cessna 172 Skyhawk to better accommodate the seven crates that would be needed. “It was a little chaotic,” he said, noting, “they were yapping while I was trying to talk with air traffic control.” Eventually, a controller, commenting on the sounds heard over the radio, asked Terrell if he had dogs with him. The pilot confirmed his payload with a chuckle.

Since then, Terrell has flown numerous PNP flights. Last fall when Hurricane Harvey socked much of eastern Texas, a couple who live in nearby Beaumont reported that their two dogs had escaped during the storm and were nowhere to be found. Miraculously, the pets showed up in a Houston-area animal shelter. Howev-er, both were scheduled to be euthanized if someone didn’t claim them soon. Terrell made a trip to the shelter, and while there he learned that two other dogs also need-ed to be transported to Beaumont.

Terrell and his wife Angie, a former Ex-pressJet pilot and PNP flyer, flew the four canines back to Beaumont, which proved opportune because the roads between the two cities were impassible at the time. To make the brief jaunt, the Terrells used Angie’s Beechcraft King Air 200 because the dogs were large and would need addi-tional space.

Regarding his PNP flights, Terrell said that “the dogs seem to acclimate quickly,” adding, “they can be a little timid for the first 15 or 20 minutes. Maybe they’re a little whiny, but after that they typically calm down.”

PNP advises, “Sedating animals during flights is a decision best left to veteri-narians. It’s probably not necessary to

sedate an animal unless it has some type of behavior problems or is easily scared.” Terrell acknowledged that the animals he’s transported have never needed seda-tion. However, he noted that it’s wise to fly with a pet handler, and Terrell and his wife frequently accompany one another on their respective missions.

The United captain remarked that he mostly flies dogs but has also delivered a cat or two on occasion. The PNP website notes that dogs, cats, pigs, reptiles, and rabbits are just a few animals that have been taken on one of the rescue organiza-tion’s flights.

PILOTING PETSBecoming a PNP pilot is easy. Visit www.pilotsnpaws.org and thoroughly review the guidelines. Complete the registration process and indicate what kind of plane you fly and the distance you’re willing to travel. How much you participate is com-pletely up to you, and no one schedules your missions or pressures you in any way.

Pilots use an online forum as well as a search tool to access requests that meet their criteria. If you don’t have animal crates, the organization can provide them. Details about the mission process, secur-ing flights, and FAQs are available on the website.

Because the FAA treats Pilots N Paws as a “humanitarian” organization, pilots who fly PNP rescue missions are eligible to claim a tax deduction for portions of their trips.

“Pilots N Paws is a wonderful organiza-tion, and my wife and I plan to continue flying missions whenever we can,” said Terrell, adding, “the most rewarding thing about these trips is just how appreciative people are when you deliver these pets.” More importantly, by serving as a PNP pilot, he’s saving lives.

Want to Help? Interested in supporting Pilots N Paws, but not ready to fly a mission? You can contribute to the organization at

www.pilotsnpaws.org/donate. Follow the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pilotsnpawsfanpage and on Twitter @PilotsNPaws.

March 2018 Air Line Pilot » 35 March 2018 Air Line Pilot » 35

https://twitter.com/PilotsNPaws

WALK THE LINE

MESADATE: Feb. 5, 2017

LOCATION: George Bush Interconti-nental Airport

MESSAGE: Six years of collective bargaining is too long

ATTENDANCE: 70 pilots

NOTABLE: Since the event, Mesa pilots have amassed more than 800 Face-book followers.

JETBLUEDATE: Jan. 31, 2018

LOCATION: JetBlue Headquarters, Long Island City, N.Y.

MESSAGE: JetBlue pilots have been in contract nego-tiations for more than three years


NOTABLE: Coverage of the event on the JetBlue pilots’ Facebook page, includ-ing shares, produced more than 500,000 impressions.

SPIRITDATE: Nov. 30, 2017

LOCATION: Dallas/Fort Worth Inter-national Airport

MESSAGE: Management needs to return to the bargaining table (negotiations had stalled since Septem-ber)

ATTENDANCE: 65+ pilots

NOTABLE: On this day, more than 153,000 people saw ALPA social media digital ads where the picketing event took place.

FRONTIERDATE: Dec. 7, 2017

LOCATION: Denver International Airport and Civic Center Park

MESSAGE: Frontier pilots are paid up to 40 percent less than pilots at similar airlines and need a new contract now

ATTENDANCE: 350+ pilots

NOTABLE: The video created from this event has generat-ed 450,000 views.

DATE: May 3, 2017

LOCATION: Los Angeles Interna-tional, Seattle–Tacoma International, and San Francisco International Airports

MESSAGE: A joint contract is needed to successfully integrate the two pilot groups


NOTABLE: The online #This-MergerWontFly Thunderclap message synchronization sup-porting this picketing effort generated nearly 350,000 impressions. More info: www.thunderclap.it/projects/56015-time-to-get-serious

The power of the picket has been demonstrated time and again as ALPA pilots have used this tool to apply added pressure during stagnant negotiations and to raise public awareness. During the last year, these half dozen ALPA pilot groups have proudly pounded the pavement to let their

airlines, the traveling public, and the news media know that their cause is just, their demands are reasonable, and their members are united. And thanks to these efforts, their messages have received some added traction.

ALASKA/ VIRGIN AMERICA


https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/56015-time-to-get-serious

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ALPA Resources & Contact Numbers

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ALPA Sudoku (http://download.cnet.com/Sudoku-Generator/3000-2111_4-10733911.html)

Complete the sudoku puzzle so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 sub-grids that compose the grid contain all the digits from 1 to 9.

The solution to this month’s ALPA sudoku can be found on page 13.

Prefer other puzzle types? Tell us what you think. E-mail [email protected].

Executive Vice PresidentsFor more information on which pilot groups executive vice presidents represent, visit www.alpa.org/evp..

Capt. Rick Dominguez (Delta) Executive Adminis- trator

Capt. Paul Ryder (ExpressJet) National Resource Coordinator

National OfficersFor complete biographical information on ALPA’s national officers, visit www.alpa.org/leaders.

Capt. Tim Canoll President

Capt. Joe DePete First Vice President

Capt. William Couette Vice President–Administration/Secretary

Capt. Randy Helling Vice President–Finance/ Treasurer

F/O Mike Hamilton (United)

Capt. Andrew Massey (Delta)

Capt. Russell Sklenka (FedEx Express)

Capt. Mike McMackin (JetBlue) Endeavor Air, Envoy Air, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Piedmont, Air Transport International

Capt. Richard Meier (ExpressJet) Atlantic Southeast, Compass, ExpressJet, PSA, Sun Country, Virgin America

Capt. Sean Creed(Spirit) Air Wisconsin, Alaska, CommutAir, Kalitta Air, Mesa, Spirit, Trans States

Capt. Dan Adamus (Jazz Aviation) Air Georgian, Air Transat, Bearskin, Calm Air, Canadian North, Encore, First Air, Jazz Aviation, Kelowna Flightcraft, Wasaya, WestJet

5 35

7 3 2 16 2

7 2 8 18 9

6 8 94 9 6

2 1 3 5

8 4 7 5 6 3 9 1 2

2 5 6 7 9 1 8 4 3

9 3 1 8 2 4 7 5 6

5 7 9 3 8 6 1 2 4

1 6 8 4 5 2 3 9 7

4 2 3 1 7 9 5 6 8

6 1 5 2 3 7 4 8 9

7 9 4 6 1 8 2 3 5

3 8 2 9 4 5 6 7 1

Created by Sudoku Generator - http://sudoku.smike.ru

Solution 38 » Air Line Pilot March 2018

ALPA Information NumbersThe following ALPA resources may be reached by e-mail or by dialing, toll-free, 1-888-359-2572 (1-888-FLY-ALPA). Once connected, press the # key on your phone and dial the last four digits of the number listed below. However, the ALPA main number, ASPEN, Member Insurance, and Membership Administration numbers need to be dialed directly.

Accident Investigation ([email protected]) 703-689-4312

Accounting and Finance ([email protected]) 703-689-4144

Air Line Pilot ([email protected]) 703-481-4460

ALPA Aeromedical Office 303-341-4435

ALPA Main Number 703-689-2270

ALPA Memorabilia ([email protected]) 703-481-4458

ALPA-PAC 202-797-4033

ASPEN 703-689-4220

Balloting ([email protected]) 703-689-4173

Cashiering ([email protected]) 703-689-4385

Communications ([email protected]) 703-481-4440

Computer Help Line ([email protected]) 703-689-4357

Council Services ([email protected]) 703-689-4173

Discipline and Discharge ([email protected]) 703-689-4235

Economic and Financial Analysis ([email protected]) 703-689-4289

Election Dates LEC/MEC 703-689-4212

Engineering and Air Safety ([email protected]) 703-689-4200

FAA Enforcement or MedicalCertificate Action

([email protected]) 703-689-4235

Government Affairs ([email protected]) 202-797-4033

Human Resources ([email protected]) 703-689-4262

Information Technology and Services


Legal ([email protected]) 202-797-4096 703-689-4326

Member Insurance ([email protected]) 1-800-746-2572

Membership Administration ([email protected]) 1-888-359-2572 (1-888-FLY-ALPA), option 3

IT Operations and Services ([email protected]) 703-689-4245

Organizing ([email protected]) 703-689-4179

Publishing and Design Services ([email protected]) 703-481-4441

Purchasing ([email protected]) 703-689-4319

Representation ([email protected]) 703-689-4235

Real Estate ([email protected]) 703-689-4105

Retirement and Insurance ([email protected]) 703-689-4114

Strategic Member Development and Resources


System Board of Adjustment ([email protected]) 703-689-4235

*Pilot group in custodianship

Air Line PilOtEditor in Chief Sharon R. Bhagwandin

Associate Managing & Production Editor Susan Fager

Senior Staff Writer John Perkinson

Senior Advocacy Writer Linda Shotwell

Senior Aviation Technical Writer Christopher Freeze

Magazine/Graphic Designer Dit Rutland

Web Coordinators Chris Weaver, Suzi Fenton

Supervisor, Multimedia Productions Eric Davis

Contributing Writers Kevin Cuddihy, Corey Kuhn

ePublishing Coordinator Mary Kennedy

Director of Communications David Weaver

General Manager Lori Garver

Air Line Pilot is not responsible for un solicited manu-scripts, photographs, or other materials. Unsolicited materials will be re turned only if submitted with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily represent official ALPA position or policy.

Subscriptions: Subscription rate for pilot mem bers, $27.50, included in ALPA member ship dues; for students, $41; for U.S. nonmembers, $55; for foreign, $71.50. Residents of the state of Washington must add 8.8 percent sales tax. To subscribe go to www.alpa.org/subscriptions or call 703-481-4460.

Advertising: Any advertising appearing in Air Line Pilot cannot be construed as being an endorsement by the Air Line Pilots Association, International or its members. The publisher reserves the right to reject, discontinue, or edit any advertisement. For advertising information, contact [email protected].

Address Changes: To report address changes, contact [email protected] or call 1-888-359-2572 (1-888-FLY-ALPA) and choose menu option 3, 3.

Air Line Pilot is printed in the United States and published for professional airline pilots in the United States and Canada who are members of the Air Line Pilots Association, International.

ALPA Headquarters: 1625 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036

Postmaster: Send address changes to Air Line Pilot, 535 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA 20170-5226.

Other Organizations ALPA Aeromedical Office 303-341-4435 Connexus Credit Union 1-800-845-5025

ALPA Accident/Serious Incident Hotline If you are involved in an accident, incident, or alleged violation of a federal aviation regulation, contact your local or central air safety chairman, regional safety chair-man, or the worldwide ALPA accident/serious incident hotline at 202-797-4180 (collect calls are accepted) for an immediate response 24 hours per day. As a backup number, call 703-892-4180. To report a safety problem or airspace system defi-ciency, call 1-800-424-2470 or e-mail [email protected].

2018 EBCB Schedule The Association’s Election and Ballot Certification Board’s schedule for counting ballots is March 9, April 10, May 10, June 8, July 10, August 10, Sep-tember 10, October 10, November 9, and December 10. Any ALPA member in good standing may be present as an observer during any meeting. Contact the Associ-ation’s Membership and Council Services Department for scheduling.

Membership AdministrationTo obtain membership account information or to update your records or your postal or e-mail address via the Internet, go to the My ALPA area of www.alpa.org/memberaccount; or dial the toll-free number 1-888-359-2572 (1-888-FLY-ALPA) and choose menu option 3,3. Listed below are the telephone numbers of MEC offices.

Air Georgian–GGN MEC 204-997-1732

Air Transat–TSC MEC 1-888-337-2033

Air Transport International–ATI MEC

505-263-8838

Air Wisconsin–ARW MEC 1-800-ALPA-ARW

Alaska–ALA MEC 206-241-3138

Atlantic Southeast–ASA MEC 404-209-8566

Bearskin–BRS MEC 807-628-5683

Calm Air–CMA MEC 204-471-1000

Canadian North–CNP MEC 780-718-6012

CommutAir–CMT MEC 518-332-7494

Compass–CPZ MEC 952-853-2373

Delta–DAL MEC 404-763-4925

Encore–WEN MEC 867-445-1756

Endeavor Air–EDV MEC 1-833-EDV-ALPA

Envoy Air–ENY MEC 817-685-7474

ExpressJet–XJT MEC 281-987-3636

FedEx Express–FDX MEC 901-752-8749

First Air–FAB MEC 1-877-459-3272

Frontier–FFT MEC 720-245-7364

Hawaiian–HAL MEC 808-836-2572

*Island Air–AIS MEC 808-838-0188

Jazz Aviation–JAZ MEC 1-800-561-9576

JetBlue–JBU MEC 603-303-2195

Kalitta Air–CKS MEC

Kelowna Flightcraft–KFC MEC 877-373-3131, ext. 6225

Mesa–MAG MEC 602-306-1116

Piedmont–PDT MEC 339-987-1277

PSA–PSA MEC 703-481-4444

Spirit–SPA MEC 1-855-SPA-ALPA

Sun Country–SCA MEC 952-853-2393

Trans States–TSA MEC 412-780-9036

United–UAL MEC 847-292-1700

Virgin America–VRD MEC 435-962-0951

Wasaya–WSG MEC 807-624-7270

WestJet–WJA MEC 403-464-3599


AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION, INT’LA member service of

Air Line Pilot.

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http://www.alpa.org/en/resources/alpa-insurance

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