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air code delta icao line nyse stock symbol ticker
DECEMBER 2014 n OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL
Featuring Your
COVER SHOTS!
4th Annual
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
PHOTOGRAPHY
ISSUE PAGE 16
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DECEMBER 2014 • VOLUME 83, NUMBER 12
ABOUT THE
COVER
16
A Hawaiian B-717 circling to land
at Hilo International Airport by
F/O Mark Whiteaker (United).
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
33 Index
16 4th Annual
Photography Issue
6 Preflight
34 On the Bookshelf
27 ALPA’s Strategic
Plan: Stronger
Moving Forward
30 ALPA@Work
ALPA Aeromedical Chairs
Focus on Pilot Health;
ALPA Hosts International
CIRP Chairs Meeting
COMMENTARY
Books Every Pilot Should
Own
36 The Landing
Memorabilia on Display
38 We Are ALPA
ALPA Resources and
Contact Numbers
4 Taking Off
’Tis the Season
6
5 Aviation Matters
Defining Moments
36
Download a QR reader to your
smartphone, scan the code, and
read the magazine.
Air Line Pilot (ISSN 0002-242X) is pub­
lished monthly by the Air Line Pilots
Association, Inter­national,
affiliated with AFL-CIO, CLC.
Editorial Offices: 535 Herndon
Parkway, PO Box 1169,
Herndon, VA 20172-1169.
Telephone: 703-481-4460.
Fax: 703-464-2114. Copyright
© 2014—Air Line Pilots
Association, Inter­national, all
rights reserved. Publica­tion in
any form without permission
is prohibited. Air Line Pilot and the ALPA
logo Reg. U.S. Pat. and T.M. Office. Federal
I.D. 36-0710830. Periodicals postage paid at
Herndon, VA 20172, and additional offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Air Line Pilot, PO Box 1169, Herndon, VA
20172-1169.
Canadian Publications Mail Agreement
#40620579: Return undeliverable magazines sent to Canadian addresses to 2835
Kew Drive, Windsor, ON, Canada N8T 3B7.
34
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 3
Awesome photos of
(and around) YOUR
office view!
(Did your photo
make the cut?)
Memorabilia on
display. Check it out!
ALPA-PAC—on the
verge of making
history.
Books to top your
reading wish list.
Page 16
Page 36
Page 8
Page 34
TakingOff
’Tis the Season
A
For both staff
and pilots alike,
the past year
has covered
the gamut of
success and
challenges.
Lori Garver
General Manager
Lori.Garver@alpa.org
s we close out 2014 at ALPA, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on the year and to resolve
to learn from our successes and our mistakes so that as 2015 begins, we are truly stronger
moving forward.
For both staff and pilots alike, the past year has
covered the gamut of success and challenges.
When North American shut its doors and ceased
operations this year—and Ryan and Evergreen in
2013—taking with it ALPA pilot jobs, staff shared
your collective sadness and frustration.
We felt the vexation of our members who sent
contracts back to the negotiating table and the
respite of others who signed new contracts.
When Transport Canada issued the notice of
proposed amendment for pilot flight- and dutytime rules, we applauded the progress, while in the
United States we continue to advocate for “One
Level of Safety” and the elimination of the cargo
carveout.
And when the Department of Transportation
denied Norwegian Air International’s (NAI) temporary permit to fly in and out of the United States, we
also embraced that victory.
4 Air Line Pilot December 2014
If the past 11 months have been any measure, it
is sure not to slow down.
In fact, as this December issue goes to press,
ALPA pilots and supporting staff are primed for a
week of action—all in the name of strengthening
the airline piloting profession.
Capt. Moak will give his last testimony on Capitol
Hill (as a sitting ALPA president), speaking about the
future of the FAA. The next day, we will have nearly
100 pilots on the Hill, joined by staff professionals,
in our advocacy effort to push for a final denial of
NAI. Our pilots and staff will be on panels at a major
international aviation conference—asserting our
position as global leaders in the profession and the
industry. And all of this follows on the heels of the
successful FedEx Express pilot informational picketing on Wall Street and in Indianapolis, Ind., and
Denver, Colo.
As we move into the holiday season, and the
time of transition to a new ALPA administration,
we will no doubt reflect even more on 2014. I have
no doubt that as we do so, we will also have an eye
toward our future and our work to safeguard the
profession.
AviationMatters
Defining Moments
A
s we send the December issue of Air Line Pilot to press,
we are days away from a defining moment in ALPA’s
Deny NAI campaign. Close to 100 ALPA pilots are expected to storm the halls of Capitol Hill advocating for further
bipartisan congressional support to convince the Department of
Transportation to deny Norwegian Air International’s (NAI) application to fly to and from the United States.
You’ve heard me talk about it before—just how detrimental
the approval of this airline flag-of-convenience business scheme
would be for the future of fair competition. The response to
Deny NAI has been overwhelming and inspiring. It will be a day
of action; it will be a day of progress.
It is a defining moment for my tenure as president of the Air
Line Pilots Association, International as was the day I was elected
four years ago. As a huge proponent of continuous professional
and personal growth, I really had no idea how much I would learn
from Day 1 and how much I am continuing to learn into my final
weeks in office.
Whether maneuvering through the governmental matrix of
both Capitol and Parliament Hills or truly understanding the
unique challenges of individual pilot groups, including the intricacies of each contract or the rough terrain and conditions in which
some of our pilots fly, every time I met with a pilot group or an
individual line pilot I had a new sense of awareness about the
profession I love. And I have been and will forever remain all in
when it comes to safeguarding our profession.
Many people—ALPA members and industry representatives—have asked me what I believe ALPA’s biggest accomplishments have been. Legislative and advocacy success? Huge
strides in safety? Lowered dues rate? A number of progressive
contract ratifications for many of our pilot groups? A successful
organizing drive? Branding ALPA as pilot partisan in Washington,
D.C.? Seeing great support from both political parties? A staff
restructuring to promote efficiency and increase effectiveness?
Yes, as a team we’ve been able to accomplish those significant
accomplishments and more.
We’ve had many defining moments—the implementation
and nationwide expansion of Known Crewmember; the 2012
FAA reauthorization and the IRA rollover provision; the merger
of United and Continental pilots; establishing the remote ops
committee; Federal Flight Deck Officer funding; U.S. Ex-Im Bank
reforms; raising awareness on state-owned enterprises and the
need to level the playing field; defining the narrative on the pilot
pay shortage; making real progress on the temporary worker
program in Canada; launching the successful Save Our Skies
public awareness campaign; welcoming JetBlue pilots into ALPA;
and the successful—but not yet finished—Deny NAI campaign.
The list is long, the list is proud, and the list is far from done.
But my biggest accomplishment? Without a team surrounding
me, supporting me, advising me, there would be no accomplishments. The relationships I’ve built with die-hard, dedicated ALPA
volunteers and the Association’s
expert professional staff are
what I would note as my biggest
accomplishment.
This job, my passion, has allowed me the opportunity to work
with some amazing individuals
from whom I have learned more
than I knew I could absorb.
And together, we modified our
way of thinking—developing
relationships with other industry
stakeholders, other labor organizations, and decision-makers—to
build consensus and rise above
It’s been an honor,
the noise in Washington, D.C. We
a privilege, and a
realized that the 5 percent we
pleasure to serve as
disagree on wasn’t worth negating
the 95 percent we all agree on.
president of the Air
It’s that humility, that cooperation
Line Pilots Associathat allows us to make progress.
tion, International.
So let’s talk about the next four
years. You don’t need a fortuneteller to tell you that our profession will face many of the same challenges and, unfortunately,
new and even greater challenges. But the opportunity also exists
for even greater success. And as the advocates for the pilots of
today and tomorrow, we can never give up. We can never let
up. The moment we lessen our stride or stray from the strategic
path, we lose the ground that we’ve fought so hard to gain. Don’t
be the weakest link. Don’t let grudges and politics get in the way
of reason and progress.
On Jan. 1, 2015, you will start the year with newly elected
ALPA leaders. They chose not to be silent. Please give them your
support. Your support will lead to their success. Their success will
bring measurable improvements to our profession.
Capt. Tim Canoll, elected as ALPA’s 10th president, has pledged
to serve with reason, judiciousness, and dignity to further the
mission of this union. I know that he is a man of his word. And
with your support and cooperation, I know he will be successful
and do what every visionary intends: to leave a place better than
it was found. I am confident in his abilities and the ability of what
51,000 pilots all moving in the same direction can accomplish.
It’s been an honor, a privilege, and a pleasure to serve as president of the Air Line Pilots Association, International.
Stronger Moving Forward,
Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA President
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 5
n Airline Industry News
Domestic News
Images: Above, iStock.com; Right, nasa.gov
¼¼ According to Aviation
for customer research and
development.
¼¼ The Wall Street Journal
reported that the Justice
Department is suing
Southwest Airlines to
recover a $12 million
civil penalty proposed by the FAA
in July related
to allegations of
improper maintenance on some
of the airline’s
B-737s. The proposed
penalty is the secondlargest in FAA history. “We
dispute the FAA’s allegations
and look forward to the
opportunity to vigorously
defend Southwest’s record
in a court of law,” said a
Southwest spokesperson.
¼¼ The Fort Worth StarTelegram reported that
American Airlines is using
NASA-developed software
called Dynamic Weather
Routes that automatically
and continuously searches
for alternate flight paths
to avoid severe weather.
The software has saved
American 3,500 flying minutes on 500 flights during
Week, the nine largest
publicly traded U.S. airlines
were profitable in the
quarter ending
September
30, with several reporting
record or
near-record
earnings due
to full cabins
and lower fuel
prices. But the
industry is still largely
very cautious about adding
capacity to capitalize on the
improved environment, even
as lower fuel prices make
once marginal routes more
profitable. “We can’t count
on $80 [per barrel] crude
prices going forward,” said
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary
Kelly.
¼¼ Alaska Airlines is exploring the use of thumb scans
as a possible replacement
for tickets, credit cards,
and IDs, according to
Bloomberg. The airline
gauged traveler interest in
the technology by offering
it in its Board
Room passenger lounge
in Seattle,
Wash., where
passenger
response was
positive. “We
are looking at
ways to make
Alaska the
The Dynamic Weather Routes tool being
easiest airline
tested at an American Airlines control center
to fly,” said the saves time with better options for avoiding
airline’s manbad weather.
aging director
6 Air Line Pilot December 2014
the test period, and the
airline expects to eventually use it throughout
its network.
¼¼ Per ABC News,
Spirit Airlines Flight
310 bound for Florida
had to return to Los
Angeles International
Airport on October
29 due to a bird
strike. The encounter
happened shortly
after takeoff around
9:50 p.m. No one
was injured, and passengers were put on
another Spirit flight to Fort
Lauderdale. (See “When the
Snarge Is Large,” November.)
International News
¼¼ The International Air
Transport Association
recently announced that
the number of people
traveling by airplane each
year is expected to more
than double to 7.3 billion
by 2034. China is expected
to overtake the United
States as the world’s largest
passenger market, in terms
of passengers traveling to,
from, and within the country,
by 2030. The Asia-Pacific
region is predicted to have
an annual growth rate of
4.9 percent over the next 20
years, with North America
at 3.3 percent and Europe at
2.7 percent.
¼¼ Etihad Airways announced a total revenue
increase to US$1.8 billion
during the third quarter
of 2014, an increase of 29
percent year over year.
Passenger numbers were
up 30 percent to 3.9 million
between July and September
due to passenger and cargo
growth during the summer.
¼¼ According to Boeing, the
global air freight market is
expected to double in the
next two decades, helped
by demand to move goods
within China and from Asia
to North America. Airlines
will buy 840 new freighters
valued at $240 billion in the
next 20 years. Goods flown
by air will rise at an annual
rate of 4.7 percent through
the next two decades.
Airlines will also convert
1,330 passenger airplanes to
freighters during that time.
Boeing reported that world
air cargo traffic has been
recovering since the second
quarter of last year and that
at the current pace, 2014 will
be the highest growth year
for air freight since 2010.
¼¼ Per the International
Business Times, the
Canadian government is
planning to announce a
new set of rules that enables shippers to examine
cargo contents before the
cargo even gets to the
country’s airport. Current
practice puts the screening
responsibility and accountability in the hands of the
air carriers. The proposal
would entrust the security
screening of cargo placed in
the belly of airplanes to the
shippers.
¼¼ Norwegian Air Shuttle
reported that 2014 thirdquarter profits fell 16
percent. Pretax profits
dropped to 505 million
Norwegian kroner ($76.3
million) from 603.5 million
kroner a year ago.
¼¼ Per the Chronicle Herald,
Air Canada’s pilots have
ratified a 10-year collective
bargaining agreement that
includes a large signing
bonus, wage increases of
more than 20 percent over
the life of the agreement,
and improved profit sharing. The contract is in effect
through September 2024. l
ALPA to Host Upcoming
Symposium
On December 9, ALPA
is hosting the symposium “Positioning the
U.S. Airline Industry
for Success” at the
Washington Hilton
Hotel in Washington,
D.C. Panel discussions
will address strategic
approaches to the chal- Turboprops are particularly
vulnerable to inflight icing.
lenges facing the U.S.
airline industry.
welcoming the FAA’s new rules
For more information and
that added freezing rain and
to register, go to thefutureofafreezing drizzle to the types of
viation.alpa.org.
weather conditions in which
airliners must be certified to
■■ALPA Welcomes FAA’s
fly safely.
Tougher Icing Standards for
“For more than two
Airliners
decades and in the wake of
“As North America heads
two fatal airline accidents
into the winter season, the
that occurred in freezing rain
Air Line Pilots Association,
and drizzle, ALPA has called
International commends the
for tougher regulations to
FAA’s new rules to ensure airmake certain airliners can fly
liners are certified to fly safely
safely in winter conditions.
in a range of winter weather
We strongly support the FAA’s
conditions,” commented the
action to add freezing rain
Association on November 3,
and freezing drizzle to the
types of weather that require
certification.
“ALPA has long highlighted
the need for more research
and action to ensure the
safety of winter flight operations. The union took part in
the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking
Committee that led to the
FAA’s proposed rule on icing
certification in 2010.
“While the new FAA rule
is a major step forward, ALPA
continues its call for increased
funding to research icing,
better methods to help flight
crews identify the type of icing
environment in which they are
operating, and technical systems that would automatically
detect hazardous ice and alert
the flight crews.”
■■ALPA Urges FAA to Lead
Dialogue on Ebola Threat
As part of the Association’s
continuing involvement with
government and industry

stakeholders
TheSidebar
Cover Shots!
Our annual photography issue is by far my
favorite. And judging by
the robust number of
submissions from ALPA
members, I think it’s
safe to say that it is one
that you all look forward
to as well.
Narrowing the field
was a challenge for the
team—from sunrise
and sunset, mountains,
and oceans views from
above, this year some of
the most breathtaking
cover shot submissions
were bathed in dramatic
lighting.
Airline pilots are
fortunate to have access
to a vantage point that
others are not privy to,
and every year Air Line
Pilot has the privilege
to share the irresistible
moments our members
feel are worthy to grace
the cover.
We hope you find the
images and corresponding quotes about the
magnificence of flight
and those in command
of the airplane as aweinspiring as we do.
Didn’t see your photos
this year? Unfortunately,
we are limited by space.
But there is always next
year. A few tips to keep
in mind for future submissions from Eric Davis,
ALPA’s supervisor of
multimedia productions:
Steady
hand, stay in focus.
Send high-res photos.
If you really want the
cover shot, don’t send a
horizontal….
See you in 2015.
Namaste,
Sharon B. Vereb
Editor in Chief
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 7
Photo: NASA-Lewis/FAA/NCAR-RAP
n FrontLines
n FrontLines (continued)
concerning the Ebola outbreak,
ALPA has noted that there is a
lack of standardization in guidance regarding the treatment of
potentially ill passengers aboard
an airliner. Therefore, Capt.
Sean Cassidy, ALPA’s first vice
president and national safety
coordinator, recently wrote to
the FAA to request that the
agency take the lead to bring
Solution to this month’s
ALPA sudoku on page 38.
28 1657934
9 64381527
3 75924168
6 52438719
7 1359 6842
49 8712653
846173295
1 29845376
5 37269481
8 Air Line Pilot December 2014
stakeholders together.
Guidance from the Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and the
International Air Transport
Association calls for as much
as six feet of separation
between passengers and a
person with—or showing
symptoms of—Ebola virus
disease. This amount of separation can be difficult, if not
impossible, to create aboard
a full airliner. ALPA’s letter to
the FAA asks the agency to
convene a meeting with airlines, frontline employees, the
CDC, and others to discuss this
health and safety concern.
■■ALPA Sets Schedule for 2015
ASO Rep Training
F/O Jeff Mee (United), ALPA’s
Air Safety Organization (ASO)
Training Programs coordinator,
recently chaired the annual
training programs workshop
that key pilot and Engineering
& Air Safety Department
staff trainers attended at the
Association’s Conference
Center in Herndon, Va. Nearly
two dozen separate training events—most of them
multiple-day sessions—are
planned for 2015 and are
designed to help ALPA representatives enhance their skills
in the safety, security, and pilot
assistance disciplines.
Of particular interest at this
year’s workshop was further
development of the advanced
accident investigation course
and the use of a donated
B-727 hull to improve future
ALPA accident investigation
training courses held at the
University of North Dakota.
The first scheduled training
event in 2015 will be the Basic
Safety School in mid-February.
■■ALPA-PAC Can Make History
With Your Help
ALPA-PAC is on the verge of
ALPA-PAC maintains and enforces a
policy of refusing to accept contributions from any other source. ALPA
members may learn more about
ALPA-PAC and about contributing to
ALPA-PAC by entering the membersonly portion of www.alpa.org.
setting a new
record for most
receipts ever. Since 2004, ALPAPAC has never been close to
reaching $1.4 million, but
2014 could be the year that
happens. Scan the QR code to
watch the video—then go to
alpapac.com to join the PAC
and help make history.
The descriptions of the Air Line
Pilots Association PAC are not a
solicitation to contribute to the
PAC. Only ALPA members, ALPA
executives, senior administrative
and professional staff personnel, and
their immediate family members
living in the same household are
eligible to contribute to ALPA-PAC.
■■Career Day—ALPA Has You
Covered
ALPA’s Education Committee
has just what you need if
you’re planning to speak
with students about what it
takes to become an airline
pilot. For sample presentations for grade schools,
scouting organizations, and
other career-day events,
scan the QR code. You can
also order free promotional
items such a paper airplanes,
pens, highlighters, and
stickers to hand out at your
presentation.
ALPA’s Education
Committee is dedicated to
promoting the airline piloting
profession and mentoring
aspiring aviators—two of the
Association’s strategic goals.
Pilot volunteers provide an
integral link
to collegiate
aviators and
younger
students
interested
in becoming airline pilots.
For more information or to
volunteer, send an e-mail to
Education@alpa.org.
■■FedEx Pilots Make Donation
To FedEx Family House
With more than 600 stuffed
animals in tow, FedEx Express
pilots made a special visit to
the FedEx Family House in
downtown Memphis, Tenn.,
on October 28. The FedEx
Family House is a home away
from home for out-of-town
families with children receiving treatment at Le Bonheur
Children’s Hospital.
Through the generous
donations made to the FedEx
Pilots’ Charitable Fund, FedEx
pilots are able to provide
support to youth in communities where FedEx pilots work
and live.
For more information
about the FedEx Pilots’
Charitable Fund, con- 
From left to right: F/O Amy Allen, Capt. John Cardaci, Capt.
Scott Stratton, and Capt. Sean McDonald take donations to
the FedEx Family House.
MarketWatch
Airlines
Hawaiian
Spirit
Jazz Aviation JetBlue
United Envoy Air, Piedmont, PSA
Delta, Endeavor Air
Alaska
FedEx Express
Air Transport International
Bearskin, Calm Air
Atlantic Southeast, ExpressJet Air Transat
Parent Company
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
Spirit Airlines, Inc. Chorus Aviation
JetBlue Airways Corporation
United Continental Holdings, Inc. American Airlines Group, Inc.1, 2
Delta Air Lines
Alaska Air Group, Inc.
FedEx Corporation
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
Exchange Income Corporation
SkyWest, Inc.
Transat A.T., Inc.
Stock Symbol
NASDAQ: HA
NASDAQ: SAVE
TSX: CHR.B
NASDAQ: JBLU
NYSE: UAL
NASDAQ: AAL
NYSE: DAL
NYSE: ALK
NYSE: FDX
NASDAQ: ATSG
TSX: EIF
NASDAQ: SKYW
TSX: TRZ.B
10/31/13
$8.24
$43.15
$2.69
$7.09
$33.95
$26.38
$26.38
$34.94
$131.00
$7.24
$19.99
$15.04
$12.87
10/31/14
$17.34
$73.11
$4.51
$11.54
$52.81
$40.23
$40.23
$53.23
$167.40
$8.18
$19.24
$11.52
$8.60
% Chg.
110.4%
69.4%
67.7%
62.8%
55.6%
52.5%
52.5%
52.3%
27.8%
13.0%
-3.8%
-23.4%
-33.2%
1
US Airways and American completed their merger on Dec. 9, 2013. The price shown above for Oct. 31, 2014, is the stock price of new company, traded as
“AAL” on the NASDAQ. The price shown for Oct. 31, 2013, is the price of the old US Airways stock, which was traded on the NYSE as “LCC.” That stock ceased
trading on Dec. 6, 2013. Under the terms of the merger agreement, US Airways stockholders received one share of common stock of the combined airline for
each share of US Airways common stock then held.
2
American Airlines Group announced a $0.10 dividend on Oct. 30, 2014.
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 9
n FrontLines (continued)
■■Atlantic Southeast and
Envoy Raise Funds for Honor
Flight
On October 23, while at ALPA’s
Board of Directors meeting,
Atlantic Southeast and Envoy
Air pilots hosted a fundraiser
for the Honor Flight charity,
which provides airline tickets
to U.S. veterans who would
Correction
There was an error in
the Market Watch chart
in the printed version
of the November issue.
The stock price for Alaska
Airlines should have been
$30.96 for Sept. 30, 2013,
not $62.62. The percentage change for the Alaska
stock should have shown
a 40.6 percent increase.
like to visit the war memorials
in the Washington, D.C., area.
The pilots raffled off a GoPro
camera, raising $1,513 for the
charity. The week of October
28, the pilots presented Honor
Flight a check so that those
who fought for their country
may visit the places that honor
their sacrifice.
To learn more about Honor
Flight, visit honorflight.org. l
Robinson Named ALPA’s New Director of Finance
On November 30, Dr.
Elizabeth Robinson joined
the Association as the
director of the Finance
Department.
Robinson comes to ALPA
from NASA, where she held
the position of CFO since
2009. “Having worked with
her in the past, I’m confident
in her tremendous ability,”
said Lori Garver, ALPA’s general manager. “I look forward
to her bringing her expertise
and commitment to ALPA.”
As NASA’s CFO, Robinson
developed and advocated
for NASA’s annual budget
request, creating NASA’s
Elizabeth Robinson, ALPA’s
Finance Department director.
strategic plan, issuing NASA’s
annual financial and performance reports, and leading
NASA’s financial enterprise.
She updated procedures and
controls while achieving a
clean audit for the first time
in almost a decade—while
improving office morale at
the same time.
Prior to her role at NASA,
Robinson served as assistant
director for Budget at the
Office of Management and
Budget and deputy director
at the Congressional Budget
Office. She has a long career in
strategic planning, budgeting,
and operations, and is known
for her ability to motivate
teams and build consensus
across departments and
organizations. l
Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls
tact F/O Amy Allen at
Amy.Allen@alpa.org.
n In Memoriam
“To fly west, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check.”—Author unknown
1998
Capt. D.M. Eakin
Delta
March
2005
Capt. Robert J. Aldrich
United
August
2011
Capt. Gary L. May
United
November
2012
Capt. Mack R. Moore
United
Capt. Howard R. HinchmanTWA
2013
Capt. W.G. Gilliam
Frontier
Capt. Eugene F. Paquette United
January
May
May
August
Spirit
Capt. Jean-Pierre CoutureAir Transat
Capt. R.F. Eckert
July
August
Pan American August
Capt. Harry J. Hansen III American Eagle August
Capt. Thomas Hart
Reeve Aleutian August
Capt. Jerry Rochez
US Airways
August
Capt. Ramon L. Flying Tigers/ August
VelazquezFedEx
Capt. A. Bruce Calkins
Alaska
September
Capt. Willis A. Dasher
US Airways September
Capt. Joseph T. Etherson Pan American
September
Capt. D.R. Andrews
United
Capt. R.M. Orr
US Airways December
Capt. William C.
Waggoner
TWADecember
Capt. E.M. Wood
Eastern
2014
Capt. Warren S. Beall
Pan American January
Capt. Robert J. Overton
Delta
Capt. Ralph O. Moller
United
Capt. Jack S. Van Zante
Delta
Capt. W.U. Gray
Pan AmericanFebruary
Capt. Robert A. Walter
TWA
September
Capt. Beryl C. Kern
ContinentalSeptember
Capt. Zander Koop
Capt. Harold R. Hendrix United
Capt. Richard E. Eckert
November
Capt. George E.
Westwood III
United
10 Air Line Pilot December 2014
December
January
March
May
S/O William F. Handy
Northwest
October
Capt. F. Ben Holt, Jr.
Delta
October
Capt. Raymond F. Hopcus Flying Tigers/ October
FedEx
F/O Christopher E.
Kalafut
DeltaOctober
Capt. Max G. Kroll
Northwest
October
Capt. Peter J. Kuspis
October
United
Capt. William W. MalcolmPan American October
Capt. W.E. McGregor
US Airways
Capt. Joseph L. Pernarelli United
October
October
Capt. Robert M. Root
Northwest
October
Capt. Richard F. Shimer
United
October
Delta
October
US Airways September
Capt. Louis N. Smith
Capt. Manuel A. Morris Flying September
Capt. Donald M. Taylor
Tigers/FedEx
F/O
Nathan Y. Uyehara
Capt. Kathryn Norris
ExpressJet September
United
October
Delta
October
September
Capt. Charles L. Wagner IIDelta
October
September
Capt. Fred E.
Wisemann-Lunden
Capt. Robert C. Bowman Delta
October
Capt. William Chagares
October
Northwest
October
Capt. Maurice A. Kuenzi Delta
NorthwestOctober
n Compiled from information provided by ALPA’s
Membership Administration Department
To read the latest On Investing
magazine 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. l
New ALPA Reps
As of November 10, the Election Ballot
and Certification Board certified election
results for the following local councils:
yy Envoy Air 126 Capt. Jon Patrick, Chairman
(Capt. Rep)
yy Envoy Air 126 F/O Ken Wells, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep)
yy ExpressJet 177 F/O Robin Kim, Secretary-Treasurer
n ALPA NegotiationsUpdate
The following is a summary of the status of ALPA contract negotiations by airline as of November 7:
Air Transport International—A
Section 6 notice was received on
Jan. 21, 2014. Negotiations are
under way.
Air Wisconsin—A Section 6 notice was filed on Oct. 1, 2010. Air
Wisconsin filed for mediation on
June 17, 2013. Mediation is under
way.
Atlantic Southeast—A Section 6
notice was filed on May 20, 2010. A
joint Atlantic Southeast/ExpressJet
Section 6 notice was filed on March
28, 2011. The pilots rejected a tentative agreement on January 14. An
application for joint mediation was
filed on Feb. 12, 2014. Mediation is
under way.
Canadian North—A notice to
bargain was filed on Sept. 2, 2014.
Negotiations are under way.
ExpressJet—A Section 6 notice
was filed on May 20, 2010. A joint
Atlantic Southeast/ExpressJet
Section 6 notice was filed on March
28, 2011. The pilots rejected a tentative agreement on January 14. An
application for joint mediation was
filed on Feb. 12, 2014. Mediation is
under way.
FedEx Express—A Section 6 notice
was filed on Jan. 22, 2013. On
Sept. 15, 2014, the FedEx Master
Executive Council and management
reached tentative agreements on
20 of 31 sections of the collective
bargaining agreement. Remaining
sections include work rules, retirement, insurance, training, compensation, and duration. On Oct. 31, 2014,
management filed an application for
mediation.
Kelowna Flightcraft—A notice to
bargain was filed on June 30, 2014.
Negotiations were scheduled for
November 30–December 5; Jan.
12–16, 2015; and February 2–6.
Mesa—A Section 6 notice was filed
on Sept. 10, 2010. Negotiations
continue December 9–11.
Sun Country—A Section 6 notice
was sent on Feb. 23, 2010. Sun
Country filed for mediation on May
9, 2012. Mediation continues. l
Canada
■■Canada Board Continues
CFALPA Talks
On October 22, the Canada
Board held further discussions on the concept of a
“Canadian Federation of Air
Line Pilots’ Associations”
(CFALPA). The creation of
this formal structure would
bring together Canadian
pilot unions to work collectively to address issues
of mutual concern. This
concept would in no way
take away the ability of the
individual pilot associations
to continue to represent
their members as they are
currently doing.
In April, representatives
from ALPA’s Canada Board;
the Air Canada Pilots
Association; AOA Canada,
which represents the
Canadian pilots of Cathay
Pacific; and the two local
Unifor chapters that represent Morningstar, Sunwing,
and Cargojet pilots signed
a protocol letter affirming
their mutual commitment
to work toward the goal of
creating CFALPA.
As part of the duediligence process, the
CFALPA protocol agreement
and proposed bylaws are
undergoing a thorough legal
review. The proposal will
then be considered as part
of the Association’s ongoing
strategic plan discussions in
early 2015, after ALPA’s new
national officers, executive
vice presidents, and Canada
Board officers take office.
ALPA recognizes the
importance and benefits
of working together with
other pilot groups and is
dedicated to strengthening
its cooperative efforts. l
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 11
n Stock Buybacks
As the mainline airline industry attains
a level of sustained profitability, airlines
are now focusing more on returning
shareholder value. It looks as though
the industry will be profitable for a
fifth consecutive year as airlines have
maintained capacity discipline, cleaned
up balance sheets, and generated significant cash flow from operations. As a
result, many airlines have implemented
buyback programs and announced new
or increased dividend payouts.
A share repurchase, also referred to
as a buyback, means a public company
is buying back its own stock. Stock
repurchases typically are a sign that a
company is financially healthy and has
a strong cash balance. A share buyback
reduces the number of outstanding
shares for a company. With fewer
shares outstanding, key investment
and profitability ratios may improve.
The most notable statistic affected is
an airline’s EPS (earnings per share).
A higher EPS usually leads to investor confidence and often results in
an increase in the price of the stock.
However, to maintain that increased
price level, a company’s financial
results must live up to the expectations
that the repurchase announcement
seems to signal.
While not every publicly traded
airline has instituted a share buyback
or a dividend, many have. Some airlines have had programs in the past
that they have completed or are in the
process of completing. The size and
value of those programs vary greatly
from airline to airline. Highlighted
below are some airlines’ current share
repurchase programs, as well as the
total amount paid in dividends during
2014.
In the recent past—due to the volatility of the industry—airlines chose not to
implement share repurchase programs,
which primarily benefit only stockholders. In the current business environment, however, airline managements
have been reinstituting these programs.
This is particularly true as they strive to
achieve an investment-grade credit rating. Airlines also continue to announce
additional investor reward programs.
Alaska recently announced another 12.5
cents dividend. l
Airline
Announcement
Date
Current Authorized
Share Repurchase
Amount
($millions)
American Airlines Group
July 14
$1,000
$113
$72
Alaska*
May 14
$650
$159
$51
Delta**
May 14
$2,000
$350
$176
FedEx Express
October 13
32 M shares
$791
$57
JetBlue
May 12
25 M shares
$99
None declared
Southwest***
May 14
$1,000
$420
$138
SkyWest
United
Total Purchased
Amount in 2014 as
of September 30
($millions)
Total Dividends
Paid in 2014 as of
September 30
($millions)
No Share Repurchase Program
July 14
$1,000
$220
Source: Company Form 10-Qs and press releases
* Alaska exercised a share repurchase program for $250 million in 2012.
** Delta exercised a share repurchase program for $500 million in 2013 that ended in May 2014.
*** Southwest exercised a share repurchase program for $1 billion in August 2011. The airline has repurchased $725 million.
12 Air Line Pilot December 2014
$6
None declared
OntheRecord
The following quotes are compiled from congressional testimony, speeches, news clips,
and other public documents. ALPA does not necessarily endorse these views but rather is
informing members of recent statements by significant industry stakeholders.
“I’m very interested in pursuing ideas that can put folks to work right now on roads
and bridges and waterways and ports, and a better air traffic control system. If we had
one, by the way, we would reduce delays by about 30 percent. We could reduce fuel
costs for airlines by about 30 percent. And hopefully that would translate into cheaper
airline tickets, which I know everybody would be interested in.”
—commented U.S. President Barack Obama during a November 5 press conference
“We appreciate the FAA’s call to action and willingness to discuss how Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities can be used effectively. ADS-B has the potential to
deliver important benefits to the traveling public and the national airspace system. Today,
stakeholders were able to share with the FAA the need to ensure international harmonization
and deliver benefits from this important technology. We hope the FAA responds positively to
ensure that this important capability can be utilized.”
—said Airlines for America regarding the FAA’s Call to Action summit on October 28 to discuss NextGen technology
“We will only realize the total benefits of our airspace system when we have an aviation
industry that is engaged and is united around our priorities.”
—remarked FAA Administrator Michael Huerta at the Aero Club of Washington on October 16
“As the Gulf carriers are proving, you don’t need a global market for travel to create your
airline. I worry a lot about that. I worry about our ability to compete with other countries
that are much more understanding and supportive of commercial aviation.”
—commented American CEO Doug Parker at the recent Future of Flight Aviation Policy Summit
“A4A [Airlines for America] deeply appreciates the strong working relationship we have
with ALPA, which was forged under Capt. Lee Moak’s leadership, and we look forward
to working with Capt. Canoll and his team on issues affecting the airline industry and
our customers, including ensuring that next year’s FAA reauthorization legislation
addresses the tax, regulatory, and infrastructure challenges that impede U.S. airlines’
ability to grow, create jobs, and compete globally.”
—announced A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio after ALPA’s Board of Directors delegates elected Capt.
Tim Canoll ALPA’s next president
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 13
SHARING OUR
SUCCESS
Highlighting ALPA pilots’ commitment to flying for successful companies,
the following is “good news” from our pilots’ airlines. To read these articles
in their entirety, go to www.alpa.org/success.
DELTA ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR ITS TOP 100
EMPLOYEES
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF
SERVING AMERICAN SAMOA
On October 30, Delta Air Lines welcomed 100
employees into the Chairman’s Club, its most
prestigious corporate recognition program.
Chairman’s Club recognizes employees who
embody the airline’s values through their contributions and exceptional service to customers
and their communities.
“This is shaping up to be another exceptional
year for Delta thanks to the hard work and
dedication of our people. Our Chairman’s Club
honorees are not only the best at doing their
jobs, they are the people you want to work alongside and learn from every day. We are grateful
for the example they provide all of us on how to
do and be the best that Delta has to offer to our
customers and as coworkers,” said Delta Chief
Executive Officer Richard Anderson.
“Each year, I look forward to celebrating our
distinguished honorees at the annual Chairman’s
Club gala, and this year will be no different,” said
Delta President Ed Bastian. “I want to offer my
sincere thanks and congratulations to our new
members—they are truly the best in the business
and we are fortunate to have them at Delta.”
On October 24, Hawaiian Airlines reached a new
milestone as it celebrated 30 years since launching its nonstop service between Honolulu and
Pago Pago, American Samoa. The airline is the
only major carrier to serve American Samoa.
The departure of Flight HA 465 was preceded
by festivities at the boarding gate at Honolulu
International Airport (HNL) that included live
Hawaiian music and presentation of a kukui nut
lei to more than 200 guests boarding the flight. A
Samoan-speaking crew serviced the flight, including employees who have worked on Hawaiian
Airlines’ Pago Pago route since its launch.
“We have proudly served American Samoa
for three decades, reuniting friends and
families, and catering to the travel needs of
Pago Pago’s community,” said Mark Dunkerley,
Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO. “The
consistent and reliable service we have provided
over the years demonstrates our strong commitment to American Samoa, and we look forward
to continuing to serve this very special region of
the South Pacific that has strong cultural ties to
our Hawaiian Islands.”
Hawaiian Airlines is also giving back to the
American Samoa community in celebration
of its Pago Pago route’s 30th anniversary. In
October, more than 500 articles of clothing and
household items were collected by company employees and donated to the thrift shop at Hope
House, a convalescent home in American Samoa
that caters to elderly and disabled patients.
Additionally, a group of more than 40 employees
from the airline’s Team Kōkua volunteer brigade
provided carpentry repairs to the convalescent
home on November 1.
ALASKA AIR GROUP DECLARES QUARTERLY
DIVIDEND
The Board of Directors of Alaska Air Group has
declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of
12.5 cents per share. The dividend will be paid
on December 3 to all shareholders of record as
of Nov. 18, 2014.
Air Group initiated a quarterly dividend in
August 2013. The dividend was increased by
25 percent to 12.5 cents per share in 2014.
Dividends are financed from operating cash flow
and cash on hand.
14 Air Line Pilot December 2014
New Decade,
New Goal.
Help beat ALPA-PAC’s
2004 record!
Visit alpapac.org today to
join the PAC, increase your
contribution, and recruit others.
4th Annual
PHOTOGRAPHY
ISSUE
NO
EXAGGERATION
NECESSARY!
Airline pilots indeed
have the best office
views in the world.
In yet another enthusiastic
demonstration of spectacular
imagery captured by ALPA
members, we are pleased to
showcase our pilots’ photos
in Air Line Pilot’s 4th Annual
Photography Issue.
16 Air Line Pilot December 2014
“As soon as we left the ground
I knew myself I had to fly!”
AMELIA EARHART, AFTER HER FIRST FLIGHT IN AN AIRPLANE
Main photo: The view of a
Jazz Aviation CRJ looking out
from a recently deiced cockpit
windshield by Capt. Ken Cook
(Jazz Aviation).
Left page photo + right: An
A330 flight deck by Capt.
Richard McClain (Delta).
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 17
4th Annual
PHOTOGRAPHY
ISSUE
Main photo: Aboard a recently landed United B-787
at Narita International Airport in Tokyo by Capt.
Angelo Bufalino (FedEx Express).
Below: A B-737-900 tail during an early morning preflight on the ramp at McCarran International Airport
in Las Vegas by F/O Michael Orensteen (United).
18 Air Line Pilot December 2014
“For I dipped into the future,
far as human eye could see,...
Saw the heavens fill with commerce,...
Pilots of the purple twilight,
dropping down with costly bales.”
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON, “LOCKSLEY HALL” (1842)
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 19
4th Annual
PHOTOGRAPHY
ISSUE
“Sometimes, flying feels too godlike to be
attained by man. Sometimes, the world
from above seems too beautiful, too
wonderful, too distant for human eyes to see....”
CHARLES A. LINDBERGH, THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS
Below The back side of a thunderstorm east of
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by F/O
Chris Croly (Delta).
20 Air Line Pilot December 2014
Main photo: View from the
cockpit of a B-767 flying
at FL370 from Honolulu
International Airport to
Portland International Airport
by Capt. Joe Noll (Hawaiian).
Right: A United Airbus parked
at Jackson Hole Airport with
the Grand Tetons reflected
on the fuselage by F/O Mark
Carolan (United).
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 21
4th Annual
PHOTOGRAPHY
ISSUE
22 Air Line Pilot December 2014
“...[T]hose who maintain their concentration
and command in today’s conditions are heroic
in ways that are all too easy to ignore.”
CAPT. ROBERT N. BUCK (TWA, DEC.), NORTH STAR OVER MY SHOULDER
Main photo: The left
engine of a Dash 8
Q400 by Capt. Ken
Cook (Jazz Aviation).
Right: An airplane
winglet by Capt. Mike
Nelson (United).
Left: An ATR 42
about to touch down
in Pangnirtung,
Nunavut, with the
Pangnirtung Pass in
the background by
Capt. Jason Miller
(First Air).
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 23
4th Annual
PHOTOGRAPHY
ISSUE
“An Air Line Pilot will keep uppermost in his
mind that the safety, comfort, and well-being
of the passengers who entrust their lives to
him are his first and greatest responsibility.”
ALPA CODE OF ETHICS AND CANONS
Main photo: An August morning sunrise
behind a B-737 on the ramp at SeattleTacoma International Airport by F/O Steve
Pifer (Alaska).
Below: A Hawaiian B-717 circling to land
at Hilo International Airport by F/O Mark
Whiteaker (United).
Above: At the gate in
Montego Bay just before
pushback by F/O Fred Bekker
(Delta).
24 Air Line Pilot December 2014
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 25
4th Annual
PHOTOGRAPHY
ISSUE
Above: A JetBlue A320 on the ramp at
Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., by
F/O James Monos (JetBlue).
Above: A scimitar winglet of
an Alaska B-737-800 parked at
Honolulu International Airport by
Capt. Scott Diekmann (Alaska).
“The airplane has unveiled for
us the true face of the earth.”
ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPERY,
WIND, SAND AND STARS
26 Air Line Pilot December 2014
Main photo: A Wasaya Hawker
Siddeley HS-748 departing Pickle
Lake Airport’s Runway 9 by F/O
Brandon Kearney (Wasaya).
ALPA’s Strategic Plan:
Stronger Moving Forward
By ALPA’s Strategic Planning Committee
D
Collective
Bargaining; Grievances;
Retirement & Insurance (R&I);
and Strategic Preparedness & Strike
Committee (SPSC)
uring the 45th meeting of ALPA’s
Board of Directors (BOD), your
elected representatives debated
and determined strategic priorities
Delegate Committee 2 examines contract negotiations and
and finalized ALPA’s next two-year
enforcement approaches and retirement and insurance models,
strategic plan.
ensuring that they keep pace with the changing negotiating environment
This plan, which BOD delegates
and pilot demands, as well as activities related to organizing and training
volunteers to build unity, coordinate across pilot groups, and help carry out
unanimously adopted, defines in
Association and MEC goals. The BOD delegates affirmed that
eight specific areas where the
+ ALPA and its MECs must continue to focus on improving and advancing contract standards
delegates want to achieve more
via pattern bargaining and mutual support.
to further union strength and
+ The ALPA Collective Bargaining and R&I committees should continue to develop effective ranges,
relevance.
targets, and standards for pay, benefits, work rules, and job security for members’ contracts.
It’s the Association’s flight path
+ ALPA and MECs must continue to work effectively to mainstream benefit issues in the negoto success. The eight delegate
tiations process, including the coordination of required resources.
committee resolutions passed
+ ALPA, through the Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC), should continue to adopt
strategic approaches to contract enforcement to ensure consistency with MECs, bargainby the BOD are summarized on
ing strategies, and goals.
the following pages and will help
+ The CBC will develop tactics for the promotion of preferential hiring of ALPA
ensure that ALPA continues to build
pilots at mainline and cargo airlines.
upon its successes to be Stronger
+ Support the goals of the Association and its member MECs through
the revitalized work of the SPSC to organize, train, and equip
Moving Forward.
volunteers to carry out strategic plans and engage in union
activities with greater emphasis on unity building—
“the power of one”—and coordination across
pilot group lines.
Structure and Member Resources
Delegate Committee 1 looks at the Association’s structure and
resources to maximize the benefits and services provided to ALPA
members, enhance professional development opportunities, strengthen pilot group alliances, and
streamline or eliminate duplications of effort. The BOD delegates resolved that the Association
+ Continue the work of the Global Pilots’ Symposium (GPS) with significant support from ALPA members and staff.
Facilitate and lead the creation of a global pilot strategic plan.
+ Continue to share information and develop pilot alliances among brand families to support the principles of career
protection, progression, contract improvements, and professional standards.
+ Continue to share information and coordinate across pilot group lines and within and between network, cargo, and
fee-for-departure (FFD) carriers, along with international pilot alliances.
+ Continue to ensure that all ALPA master executive councils (MECs) establish and maintain strategic plans, and ALPA
expands efforts to train and support the development and maintenance of strategic plans.
+ Strengthen ALPA’s Information Technology Department to drive innovation, enhance ease of use, and deliver services to
all ALPA members.
+ Expand outreach to and support for members (current, future, and those seeking employment) through initiatives established by the following:
− Education Committee
− Leadership Committee
− Membership Committee (Furloughed Pilots Support Program)
− Professional Development Group (PDG)—to organize job fairs, open houses and interview preparation conferences
at little or no cost to ALPA attendees in concert with airline recruiting teams to further the success of ALPA pilots in their
career progression.
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 27
Government
Affairs and Regulatory
Delegate Committee 7 studies legislative
and regulatory efforts to promote pilot-, airline-,
and labor-friendly policies in the U.S. and Canada. The BOD
delegates resolved that ALPA
+ Promote ALPA’s agenda in 2015 FAA reauthorization legislation to advance aviation safety and the piloting profession.
+ Continue to advocate for the establishment of national-level aviation policies to promote
financially stable U.S. and Canadian airline industries.
Public Relations and
Advocacy
+ Continue to work independently and in coordination with worldwide pilot associations, unions,
and groups to advocate for and maintain international aviation policies that provide an effective
balance between economic, safety, security, airline, and worker interests and priorities, including
opposition to pilot outsourcing.
+ Continue work to remedy the cargo carveout of the FAR 117 flight-time/duty-time regulations and
raise the safety and security bar internationally.
+ Enhance the education of our membership on government affairs issues.
+ Maintain the current U.S. retirement age of 65 and oppose any future increase in pilot retirement
age.
+
Oppose efforts to roll back the First Officer Minimum Qualification rule and oppose alternate
certification methods.
+
Continue to prioritize and enhance programs that facilitate personal interaction between
ALPA pilots and government legislators and regulators.
+
Request that the Executive Council or other appropriate ALPA governing body
cause an inquiry regarding the issue of joint and several liability of a mainline
carrier for the actions of a regional partner.
+
Support improvements in federal law governing collective
bargaining and organizing recommended by ALPA when
ALPA determines there is a realistic opportunity
to secure such improvements.
Air Safety
Organization and
Flight Time/Duty Time (FT/DT)
Delegate Committee 3 addresses safety, security, pilot
assistance, and flight- and duty-time initiatives that tackle
existing system inadequacies and weaknesses with the
goal of minimizing operational risk and further enhancing
airline safety. The BOD delegates resolved that ALPA should
+ Work with all stakeholders to improve the ability to locate aircraft
and flight recorders after an accident or incident and implement
real-time aircraft tracking and surveillance.
+ Continue to implement a risk-based security system with emphasis
on screening for hostile and criminal intent.
+
Continue to evaluate all commercial airline pilot medical certification intervals, and if the level of safety can be maintained, investigate
the possibility of seeking an extension to those current intervals.
+ Advocate the elevation of ICAO [International Civil Aviation
Organization] technical instructions on lithium batteries to ICAO
standards and press Transport Canada (TC), the FAA, and PHMSA
[Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration] for regulation regarding the carriage of lithium batteries.
+
Continue to ensure the safe integration of unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV)/remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations in the national
airspace systems.
+
Continue to advocate for effective pilot training, licensing, and
qualification standards, as well as mentoring and professional development requirements, for commercial airline pilots.
28 Air Line Pilot December 2014
Delegate Committee 5
evaluates the Association’s
communication efforts to
educate and inform both
internal and external
audiences about the
Association’s positions for
the purpose of building
unity and support. The BOD
delegates resolved that the
Association should
+ Strengthen ALPA’s external
communications program to bolster
the Association’s brand, bargaining
initiatives, and policy agenda.
+ Continue to reconnect line pilots with the
international union by strengthening internal
communications.
+ Improve air- and ground-based threat education and mitigation
strategies through engagement with industry and government security agencies. Promote prevention of attacks against aircraft or aircrew
from devices such as improvised explosive devices (IED) and lasers as
well as cyber intrusion.
+ Continue to promote NextGen in the U.S./Canadian airspace.
Advocate for effective equipage, policies, and pilot-centric procedures
to safely increase system efficiency and capacity, improve surface
operations, reduce fuel and noise emission, and establish precision
approach capability at all runway ends.
+ Safeguard the flight deck by advocating for industry-wide secondary barrier equipage on our passenger airliner fleets, ensuring stable
funding and program improvements for the Federal Flight Deck
Officer (FFDO) program, and enhancing jumpseat access.
+ Continue to work with ALPA MECs and the FAA/TC to ensure all data
collection programs such as ASAP and FOQA are conducted in accordance with agreements between ALPA MECs and managements to
ensure they function properly, and to further improve the nonpunitive
aspects of these programs.
+ Ensure the proper development and implementation of FAR 117
and Canadian FT/DT rules, as well as implementation of effective,
nonpunitive fatigue risk management programs at individual airlines.
+ Continue to advocate for implementation of science-based prescriptive FT/DT rules for all passenger and cargo airline operations in
both the U.S. and Canada.
+ Advocate for the establishment of occupational safety and health
divisions at the FAA and TC.
Financial Policy & Review and Major
Contingency Fund (MCF)
Delegate Committee 4 assesses ALPA financial policies
and strategic assets to capitalize on better ways to allocate finances and budget in support of Association-wide
and individual pilot group strategic priorities. The BOD
delegates affirmed that the Association should
+ Attract and retain qualified, well-trained staff to support ALPA’s
initiatives, add value to members, and actively engage in advancing
and executing the union’s strategic plan.
+
Review the Association’s internal financial policies and procedures and implementation of process efficiencies.
+
Continue to review the Association’s dues structure for possibility of further dues rate reduction for members while considering
the effect on services.
+ Continue to support and encourage the goal of negotiating
company-paid flight pay loss in all future bargaining opportunities,
as set forth in Section 40 Part 5.K.4 of the ALPA Administrative
Manual.
+
Establish goals for the MCF and maintain plans to meet those
goals.
Legal
and Mergers
Internal & External
Organizing
Delegate Committee 8 analyzes organizing opportunities to strengthen
and grow the union and promote
ALPA as the unified voice of the
airline piloting profession. The BOD
delegates affirmed that
+ The Organizing Task Force should continue to meet each quarter to apply ALPA’s
organizing metrics to potential groups
interested in representation by the Air Line
Pilots Association, Int’l.
+ ALPA should continue its focus on internal organizing.
Delegate Committee 6 considers the
legal and merger-related issues that face ALPA,
including defending the Association against lawsuits,
protecting the airline piloting profession against threats (such
as Norwegian Air International), and implementing ALPA’s risk
management policies and programs to safeguard the union and its
members. The BOD delegates affirmed that
+
Reaffirm the value of being a part of
the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l and
actively promote the principle that
“membership has its privileges.”
+
+ Continue to identify and defend against external threats, including state-owned enterprises, flag-of-convenience schemes, widebody aircraft financing subsidies, and the threat of
liberalizing foreign ownership and control and cabotage laws.
Reaffirm the resolution of the
September 2014 Executive
Board regarding external organizing and the Organizing
Task Force.
+ Continue to protect the Association through vigorous defense in ongoing litigation.
+ ALPA Legal and other appropriate ALPA departments to continue to provide assistance,
consistent with ALPA policies, to pilot groups that may require advice and support, including
presentations of lessons learned, following mergers, bankruptcies, negotiations, custodianships,
and liquidations.
+
Continue to support, assess, and enhance ALPA’s Risk Management Program, and associated risk avoidance and mitigation efforts.
+
Continue to develop and conduct, consistent with ALPA policies, appropriate training
programs, similar to the merger education program held in 2014, to assist all ALPA pilot
groups in understanding the process to complete a successful merger and seniority
list integration.
+
Continue to provide, as requested by individual MECs, appropriate ongoing
training concerning legal issues, including the areas of risk mitigation, RLA
[Railway Labor Act] law, and the DFR [duty of fair representation].
+
Provide information on the subject of DFR, including appropriate materials to educate our representatives
(DFR 101) and members.
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 29
ALPA Aeromedical Chairs
Focus on Pilot Health
T
he leaders of pilot groups’ Aeromedical Committees met
November 3 in the Association’s Herndon, Va., offices to
discuss aeromedical issues that affect ALPA members.
Hosting the meeting were Capt. John Taylor (ExpressJet), ALPA’s
aeromedical chair, and Capt. Patrick Cowle (United), ALPA’s aeromedical vice chair.
Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s executive administrator and
president-elect, noted that ALPA’s Board of Directors, the union’s
highest governing body, last month incorporated into ALPA’s strategic plan the goals of (1) working with regulators in the United
States and Canada to establish occupational health programs for
pilots and (2) doubling the duration of the U.S. first-class airman
medical certificate from 6 months to 12 months for pilots 40–59
years old.
Dr. Quay Snyder (center), ALPA’s aeromedical advisor, discusses
current aeromedical certification issues and challenges.
working with pilots in distress.
Participants also received
the latest information about
the FAA’s implementation of
obstructive sleep apnea guidelines for aeromedical examiners (AMEs), mitigations of the
Ebola virus disease outbreak,
and trending health issues at
each ALPA pilot group.
Delta MEC PAN
Capt. John Taylor (ExpressJet), left foreground, hosts a
meeting of ALPA MEC aeromedical chairs in the Association’s
Herndon, Va., offices to discuss aeromedical and occupational
health issues that affect ALPA members.
Photos: Chris Weaver
During the meeting,
zz Dr. Quay Snyder, ALPA’s
aeromedical advisor and
president of Aviation Medicine
Advisory Service (AMAS)—also
known as ALPA’s Aeromedical
Office—whose physicians
provide assistance to ALPA
members, discussed current
medical certification issues
and challenges.
zz Capt. Mark Pinsky (Delta),
his pilot group’s Master
30 Air Line Pilot December 2014
Executive Council (MEC) aeromedical chair, described the
Delta MEC’s Pilot Assistance
Network (PAN), a peer-referral
program geared to assist pilots
who are dealing with physiological, psychological, and
aeromedical issues.
zz F/O Louise Cullinan
(Mesa), ALPA’s national Critical
Incident Response Program
chair, gave a presentation on
honing listening skills and
Pinsky, a practicing dentist as
well as a current A330 captain,
said the Delta MEC’s PAN was
established along the philosophy of “‘Pan, pan, pan,’ [signifying urgency]—as opposed to
‘Mayday, mayday, mayday.’”
He declared, “Management
of external pressure is the
single most important key to
risk management because it
is the one risk factor category
that can cause a pilot to ignore
all the other risk factors. The
FAA has recognized the need
for pilots to remove themselves
from operating as a pilot when
experiencing undue stress.”
Common external pilot
issues, Pinsky noted, include
divorce, child-related issues,
elder care, and training “hiccups,” among other issues. PAN
has been a “hugely successful”
program, he reported, because
it helps pilots needing physical,
psychological, or emotional
assistance via confidential
support from empathetic
peers available through a 24/7
answering service.
Pinsky said that pilots
are often reluctant to seek
mental health care, especially
because of perceived issues
related to their FAA medical
certificate. However, he noted
that if a pilot seeks mental
health care, and it’s properly
reported and documented,
the pilot may receive the
benefits of appropriate health
care without fear of losing
his or her medical certificate.
Pinsky commented that
ALPA’s Aeromedical Office is
very well equipped to handle
these types of cases and does
so on a regular basis.
CACIs
The FAA now allows an AME
to issue an airman medical
certificate to an applicant who
has one of 12 CACIs (“conditions that AMEs can issue”)—
conditions that formerly
were disqualifying or that
required review by the FAA’s
Aeromedical Certification
Division (AMCD) before the
agency would issue a medical
certificate. The 12 conditions are arthritis, asthma,
colitis, glaucoma, hepatitis C,
hypertension, hypothyroidism,
migraine and chronic headache, pre-diabetes, prostate
cancer, renal cancer, and
testicular cancer.
To qualify for an airman
medical certificate issued
under CACI rules, a pilot must
meet certain criteria spelled
out in detailed FAA instructions. If the applicant meets
the criteria, the AME may
issue the medical certificate
without first contacting
AMCD. If the applicant does
not meet the requirements,
the AME must defer the exam
and send the supporting medical documents to AMCD.
Snyder said that the FAA is
hoping to expand the number
of CACIs.
Diabetes
ALPA representatives heard
about the American Diabetes
Association’s efforts to change
FAA standards to permit pilots
holding first- and second-class
medical certificates to fly with
insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus (IDDM). Canada has
permitted commercial pilots
with IDDM to fly for the last
22 years, and the United
Kingdom since last year.
FAA DUI policy
The FAA’s policy regarding
reported motor vehicle violations for driving under the
influence of alcohol is becoming stricter. AMEs of pilots who
receive a DUI with an alcohol
content of 0.15 mg percent
or higher, refuse to provide a
sample to a police officer, have
their second DUI in 10 years,
or a third DUI ever may not
issue a medical certificate to
the pilot until after the FAA
reviews a comprehensive
substance abuse evaluation.
ALPA Aeromedical
Office
Snyder emphasized that
ALPA’s Aeromedical Office has
always followed a policy of
complete confidentiality. With
seven physicians on staff, the
Aeromedical Office always has
four doctors in the queue to
answer calls, which average
about 150 per day. ALPA members are encouraged to call
AMAS for any medical certification or FAA policy question
sooner rather than later to
get accurate information and
avoid certification problems.
Aeromedical is one of
five groups under the Pilot
Assistance umbrella of the
Air Safety Organization and
also includes CIRP, HIMS,
Professional Standards, and
Canadian Pilot Assistance.
—Jan W. Steenblik, Technical Editor
ALPA Hosts
International
CIRP Chairs
Meeting
B
ad stuff sometimes happens to good people.
That’s why every ALPA pilot
has access to a valuable resource known as the Critical
Incident Response Program
(CIRP).
CIRP uses pilots and spouses trained as peers to lessen
the stress reactions that acci-
F/O Tony Faul (Hawaiian), one of two ALPA national Critical
Incident Response Program (CIRP) vice chairs, talks CIRP.
dents or incidents may produce
in pilots, accident investigators,
and their families. Pilot and
family peer support volunteers
are trained in structured
techniques, known as defusing and debriefing, that help
flightcrew members and their
families more effectively deal
with the normal reactions of
individuals to abnormal events
in their lives. This confidential,
time-critical, peer-based support accelerates recovery from
those events before harmful
stress reactions damage job
performance, careers, families,
personal life, and health.
More than 50 ALPA
members and other interested parties gathered at
the Association’s Herndon,
Va., Conference Center
September 22–24 for the
annual meeting of ALPA pilots
who chair their master executive council (MEC) CIRP and
non-ALPA pilots. Attendees
came from as far away as
Germany, Italy, New Zealand,
and South Africa. Pilots from
Silver Airlines, American
Airlines, and Lufthansa, plus
representatives from the
National Air Traffic Controllers
Association (NATCA), the
International Critical Incident
Stress Foundation (ICISF), and
Stiftung Mayday Foundation
participated.
F/O Louise Cullinan (Mesa),
ALPA’s national CIRP chair,
and Capt. Bill Cheney (United)
and F/O Tony Faul (Hawaiian),
ALPA’s National CIRP vice
chairs, led confidential discussions about the important
work—mostly done behind
the scenes—that these pilots
and their international peers
do. The three-day meeting
underscored that, during the
last two decades, CIRP truly
has become an international
program that has benefitted
from CIRP practitioners sharing
information and best practices
across borders and oceans in a
confidential setting.
—Jan W. Steenblik, Technical Editor
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 31
ALPA’s PART 117
CALCULATOR AND GUIDE
Fight pilot fatigue with your phone!
Features include
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Available now for Apple, Windows,
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Send feedback to FTDTapp@alpa.org.
A member service of Air Line Pilot.
2014
AUTHORS
Air Line Pilot Staff, 4th Annual Photography Issue, Dec.
ALPA Economic & Financial Analysis Department Staff, The Continued Evolution of the Airline Industry, Sept.
ALPA Staff, The Pilots of ALPA 2014, Jan.; Norwegian Air’s Evasive
Scheme Threatens Every U.S. Airline Pilot, Feb.; ALPA Galvanizes
Global Opposition to Norwegian Air International Scheme, Mar.;
Rubber-Stamped Economic Impact Studies at Ex-Im Bank Must End,
Mar.; 3 Reasons Why JetBlue Pilots Want ALPA, Mar.; A Pilot Shortage?
Nope. It’s All About the Money, Apr.; A Rising Tide [ALPA-PAC], May;
Global Realities Require Local Action, May; Legislative and Regulatory Hot Topics for 2014, May; The Pilot-Partisan Agenda, May; Who
Will Save Our Skies? June; Exact Change Needed at the Ex-Im Bank,
Aug.; ALPA’s 60th Air Safety Forum: Celebrating Aviation Advancements and Honoring ALPA Pilots, Sept.; Does North America Have a
Pilot Shortage or a Pilot Pay Shortage? ALPA Pilots Know the Answer,
Sept.; Honoring the Victims of 9/11, Oct.
ALPA Strategic Member Development & Resources Staff, Charting a
Course to Success, Oct.
ALPA’s Strategic Planning Committee, ALPA’s Strategic Plan: Stronger
Moving Forward, Dec.
Ayers, Rusty, Calm Air, Jan.; CommutAir, Jan.; Compass, Jan.; First Air,
Jan.; Hawaiian, Jan.; Pilots Chart Course at Small Carrier Bargaining
Forum and Fee-for-Departure Meeting, Mar.
Bland, Courtney, FedEx Express, Jan.
Burket, Tawnya, Air Transport International, Jan.; CanJet, Jan.;
Evergreen, Jan.
Cassidy, Capt. Sean, Ebola Update, Nov.
Cuddihy, Kevin, HIMS: Helping Pilots for 40 Years, Nov.
Gottshalk, Barbara, North American, Jan.; PSA, Jan.
Jakub, Lydia, Air Wisconsin, Jan.; ExpressJet, Jan.; Island Air, Jan.; Mesa,
Jan.
Kelly, C. David, United, Jan.
Landry, Capt. Dennis (Delta), Keeping Manual Flying Skills Sharp, June
LoBiondo, Rep. Frank (R-N.J.), Working Together to Set Our Course,
May
Lofquist, Jen, Air Transat, Jan.; Atlantic Southeast, Jan.; Bearskin, Jan.;
Jazz Aviation, Jan.; Spirit, Jan.
Martin, Molly, 15+ Ways the U.S. Should Improve the Airline Industry,
June; Highlights From This Year’s BOD Meeting, Nov.
Ogilvie, Al, From Atop Parliament Hill, May
Perkinson, John, American Eagle, Jan.; Sun Country, Jan.; Trans States,
Jan.; Wasaya, Jan.; More Is Better: Airports Are Lining Up to Join KCM
Ranks, Mar.; So You Just Became an Elected Rep. What Do You Do
Now? Apr.; “Everywhere I Go Today, I See Airline Pilots,” July; ALPA’s
60th Air Safety Forum: A Celebration of Pilots Helping Get the Job
Done Safely and Securely, Aug.; ALPA’s Education Committee Offers
Students Insider’s Perspective, Sept.; Executive Board Considers Dues
Decrease in Preparation for Upcoming BOD, Oct.; National Aviation
Hall of Fame Honors Airline Pioneer Emily Howell Warner, Nov.
Regus, Kelly, Delta, Jan.
Rhyne, Carly, District Advocates: A Nationwide Effort, May
Rosenberg, Capt. John (Delta), Professional Standards: Confidentiality
vs. Anonymity, Apr.
Segaloff, F/O Mark (United), Get Involved—Your Job May Depend
on It, May
Seitz, Kimberly, Canadian North, Jan.; Endeavor Air, Jan.; Kelowna
Flightcraft, Jan.; Flying the New Rule: How Air Wisconsin Prepared
Its Pilots, Feb.
Snyder, Dr. Quay, What you REALLY Need to Know About Sleep Apnea,
Feb.; Obstructive Sleep Apnea—An FAA Policy Update, Apr.
Steenblik, Jan W., Piedmont, Jan.; In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee
Airmen, Feb.; Putting Lasers in the Crosshairs, Mar.; Are You a ThreePercenter? June; From Both Ends of the Mic, June; Caravan Captains,
July; ALPA’s 60th Air Safety Forum: A Celebration of Pilots Helping
Get the Job Done Safely and Securely [Then and Now; On the Shoulders of Giants], Aug.; When the Snarge Is Large, Nov.
Sutton, Jenn, Alaska, Jan.
Vacinek, Toni C., AirTran, Jan.
White, F/O John (Delta), Today on the Hill, May
SUBJECTS
Air Cargo: Caravan Captains, July
Airline Industry: Norwegian Air’s Evasive Scheme Threatens Every U.S.
Airline Pilot, Feb.; Flying the New Rule: How Air Wisconsin Prepared
Its Pilots, Feb.; More Is Better: Airports Are Lining Up to Join KCM
Ranks, Mar.; ALPA Galvanizes Global Opposition to Norwegian Air
International Scheme, Mar.; Rubber-Stamped Economic Impact Studies at Ex-Im Bank Must End, Mar.; Pilots Chart Course at Small Carrier
Bargaining Forum and Fee-for-Departure Meeting, Mar.; Putting
Lasers in the Crosshairs, Mar.; 15+ Ways the U.S. Should Improve the
Airline Industry, June; Who Will Save Our Skies? June; ALPA’s 60th
Air Safety Forum: A Celebration of Pilots Helping Get the Job Done
Safety and Securely, Aug.; Exact Change Needed at the Ex-Im Bank,
Aug.; The Continued Evolution of the Airline Industry, Sept.
Airline Safety: Flying the New Rule: How Air Wisconsin Prepared Its
Pilots, Feb.; Putting Lasers in the Crosshairs, Mar.; Are You a ThreePercenter? June; From Both Ends of the Mic, June; Keeping Manual
Flying Skills Sharp, June; ALPA’s 60th Air Safety Forum: A Celebration
of Pilots Helping Get the Job Done Safely and Securely, Aug.; When
the Snarge Is Large, Nov.
Air Traffic Controllers: From Both Ends of the Mic, June
ALPA: The Pilots of ALPA 2014, Jan.; In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee
Airmen, Feb.; Norwegian Air’s Evasive Scheme Threatens Every U.S.
Airline Pilot, Feb.; ALPA Galvanizes Global Opposition to Norwegian
Air International Scheme, Mar.; 3 Reasons Why JetBlue Pilots Want
ALPA, Mar.; Putting Lasers in the Crosshairs, Mar.; Professional
Standards: Confidentiality vs. Anonymity, Apr.; So You Just Became
an Elected Rep. What Do You Do Now? Apr.; 15+ Ways the U.S. Should
Improve the Airline Industry, June; Who Will Save Our Skies? June;
INDEX
ALPA’s 60th Air Safety Forum: A Celebration of Pilots Helping Get the
Job Done Safely and Securely, Aug.; ALPA’s Education Committee
Offers Students Insider’s Perspective, Sept.; ALPA’s 60th Air Safety
Forum: Celebrating Aviation Advancements and Honoring ALPA
Pilots, Sept.; Does North America Have a Pilot Shortage or a Pilot Pay
Shortage? ALPA Pilots Know the Answer, Sept.; Charting a Course
to Success, Oct.; Honoring the Victims of 9/11, Oct.; Executive Board
Considers Dues Decrease in Preparation for Upcoming BOD; Oct.;
Highlights From This Year’s BOD Meeting, Nov.; HIMS: Helping Pilots
for 40 Years, Nov.; Ebola Update, Nov.; When the Snarge Is Large, Nov.;
ALPA’s Strategic Plan: Stronger Moving Forward, Dec.; 4th Annual
Photography Issue, Dec.
ALPA Air Safety Forum: ALPA’s 60th Air Safety Forum: A Celebration
of Pilots Helping Get the Job Done Safely and Securely, Aug.; ALPA’s
60th Air Safety Forum: Celebrating Aviation Advancements and
Honoring ALPA Pilots, Sept.
ALPA Board of Directors Meeting: Highlights From This Year’s BOD
Meeting, Nov.
ALPA-PAC: A Rising Tide, May; ALPA-PAC Roll of Distinction 2013, May
Ebola: Ebola Update, Nov.
Education: ALPA’s Education Committee Offers Students Insider’s
Perspective, Sept.
Fee-for-Departure: Pilots Chart Course at Small Carrier Bargaining
Forum and Fee-for-Departure Meeting, Mar.
Government: Norwegian Air’s Evasive Scheme Threatens Every U.S.
Airline Pilot, Feb.; ALPA Galvanizes Global Opposition to Norwegian
Air International Scheme, Mar.; Rubber-Stamped Economic
Impact Studies at Ex-Im Bank Must End, Mar.; Putting Lasers in the
Crosshairs, Mar.; District Advocates: A Nationwide Effort, May; From
Atop Parliament Hill, May; Legislative and Regulatory Hot Topics
for 2014, May; Today on the Hill, May; Working Together to Set Our
Course, May; 15+ Ways the U.S. Should Improve the Airline Industry,
June; “Everywhere I Go Today, I See Airline Pilots,” July; Exact Change
Needed at the Ex-Im Bank, Aug.
Health: What you REALLY Need to Know About Sleep Apnea, Feb.;
Putting Lasers in the Crosshairs, Mar.; Obstructive Sleep Apnea—An
FAA Policy Update, Apr.; Ebola Update, Nov.; HIMS: Helping Pilots for
40 Years, Nov.
HIMS: HIMS: Helping Pilots for 40 Years, Nov.
IFALPA: Global Realities Require Local Action, May
Known Crewmember: More Is Better: Airports Are Lining Up to Join
KCM Ranks, Mar.
9/11: Honoring the Victims of 9/11, Oct.
Organizing: 3 Reasons Why JetBlue Pilots Want ALPA, Mar.
Pilot Group Profile: (All in January) AirTran, Air Transat, Air Transport
International, Air Wisconsin, Alaska, American Eagle, Atlantic
Southeast, Bearskin, Calm Air, Canadian North, CanJet, CommutAir,
Compass, Delta, Endeavor Air, Evergreen, ExpressJet, FedEx Express,
First Air, Hawaiian, Island Air, Jazz Aviation, Kelowna Flightcraft, Mesa,
North American, Piedmont, PSA, Spirit, Sun Country, Trans States,
United, Wasaya
Pilot-Partisan Agenda: (All in May) A Rising Tide [ALPA-PAC]; ALPA-PAC
Roll of Distinction 2013; District Advocates: A Nationwide Effort; Get
Involved—Your Job May Depend on It; From Atop Parliament Hill;
Legislative and Regulatory Hot Topics for 2014; Today on the Hill; The
Pilot Partisan Agenda; Working Together to Set Our Course
Pilot Shortage: A Pilot Shortage? Nope. It’s All About the Money, Apr.;
Does North America Have a Pilot Shortage or a Pilot Pay Shortage?
ALPA Pilots Know the Answer, Sept.
Pilots: The Pilots of ALPA 2014, Jan.; In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee
Airmen, Feb.; Flying the New Rule: How Air Wisconsin Prepared Its
Pilots, Feb.; Norwegian Air’s Evasive Scheme Threatens Every U.S.
Airline Pilot, Feb.; What you REALLY Need to Know About Sleep
Apnea, Feb.; ALPA Galvanizes Global Opposition to Norwegian Air
International Scheme, Mar.; Pilots Chart Course at Small Carrier Bargaining Forum and Fee-for-Departure Meeting, Mar.; Putting Lasers
in the Crosshairs, Mar.; 3 Reasons Why JetBlue Pilots Want ALPA, Mar.;
A Pilot Shortage? Nope. It’s All About the Money, Apr.; Obstructive
Sleep Apnea—An FAA Policy Update, Apr.; Professional Standards:
Confidentiality vs. Anonymity, Apr.; So You Just Became an Elected
Rep. What Do You Do Now? Apr.; District Advocates: A Nationwide
Effort, May; Get Involved—Your Job May Depend on It, May; Global
Realities Require Local Action, May, The Pilot Partisan Agenda, May;
Working Together to Set Our Course, May; Are You a Three-Percenter?
June; From Both Ends of the Mic, June; Keeping Manual Flying Skills
Sharp, June; Caravan Captains, July; “Everywhere I Go Today, I See
Airline Pilots,” July; ALPA’s 60th Air Safety Forum: A Celebration of
Pilots Helping Get the Job Done Safely and Securely, Aug.; ALPA’s
Education Committee Offers Students Insider’s Perspective, Sept.;
ALPA’s 60th Air Safety Forum: Celebrating Aviation Advancements
and Honoring ALPA Pilots, Sept.; Does North America Have a Pilot
Shortage or a Pilot Pay Shortage? ALPA Pilots Know the Answer,
Sept.; Honoring the Victims of 9/11, Oct.; Highlights From This Year’s
BOD Meeting, Nov.; When the Snarge Is Large, Nov.; HIMS: Helping
Pilots for 40 Years, Nov.; National Aviation Hall of Fame Honors
Airline Pioneer Emily Howell Warner, Nov.; 4th Annual Photography
Issue, Dec.
Save Our Skies: 15+ Ways the U.S. Should Improve the Airline Industry,
June; Who Will Save Our Skies? June
Sleep Apnea: What you REALLY Need to Know About Sleep Apnea,
Feb.; Obstructive Sleep Apnea—An FAA Policy Update, Apr.
Strategic Planning: Charting a Course to Success, Oct.; ALPA’s Strategic
Plan: Stronger Moving Forward, Dec.
Wildlife Hazards: When the Snarge Is Large, Nov.
May: ALPA, Aviation Medical Leaders Talk Pilot Health and Medical
Certification; Aviation Security, Jumpseat Reps Come Together; ALPA
Secretary-Treasurers Get an Education
June: ALPA Representation 101
Aug.: At the Intersection of Data and “Just Culture”
Nov.: ALPA, A4A Host Flight Time/Duty Time Workshop
Dec.: ALPA Aeromedical Chairs Focus on Pilot Health; ALPA Hosts
International CIRP Chairs Meeting
DEPARTMENTS
Weighing In
Apr.: Taking Ownership (Couette)
May: Find the Right Balance (Helling)
Aug.: Raising the Safety and Security Bar (Cassidy)
ALPA@Work
Feb.: Securing the Skies: Communicating with Industry to Anticipate,
Neutralize Threat
Apr.: ALPA Safety and Training Councils Meet
ALPA Toolbox
Feb.: Business Travel Expenses for 2013: How Much Can You Deduct?
Apr.: P4P Needs Your Help
Aviation Matters
Jan.: Close the Gap
Feb.: Uncomfortable Yet?
Mar.: Capital Organizes
Apr.: Same Terms
May: What Are You Waiting For?
June: Stronger in 2014
July: Decision-Making Time
Aug.: In the Grey
Sept.: Stronger Moving Forward
Oct.: Patience as Proven Strategy
Nov.: Stronger Moving Forward
Dec.: Defining Moments
Commentary, Guest
May: Stronger Together (Calio)
Commentary, Pilot
Feb.: Competing on a Level Playing Field (Hamilton, Kolodziejczyk,
Stratton)
Mar.: Regional Pilots Join ALPA’s Fight to Reject NAI’s Scheme (Allen)
July: Every Data Point Tells a Story (Hogeman)
From the Hill
June: ALPA Testifies on Small Community Air Service
July: ALPA Testifies on Em-Im Bank: It’s All About the Jobs
Health Watch
Jan.: Smoking and How It Affects You, Part 1
Feb.: Do You Want to Quit Smoking?
Mar.: Hypoxia—Do You Know All the Types?
July: Diabetes: My Story (Part 1)
Aug.: Diabetes: Beating the Disease (Part 2)
Oct.: Contracting a Tropical Disease: What You Need to Know
Nov.: Skin Cancer, FAA Policy, and You
On the Bookshelf
Dec.: Books Every Pilot Should Own
Our Stories
Jan.: Reliving a Part of Hawaiian’s History, Flying the Bellanca
Feb.: Bidding Farewell: Delta Pilots Complete Final U.S. Flight on DC-9s
Mar.: A FedEx Pilot Gets Inside a Plane Crash
Apr.: Going the Distance with Riders for Striders
May: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
June: Running with Purpose
July: With Nobel Effort, Pilot Retiree Sets His Sights on the Prize
Aug.: FedEx Pilots Race Across America—On Bikes
Sept.: Atlantic Southeast Pilot Takes on American Ninja Warrior
Oct.: JetBlue Pilot Helps to Honor AvAir Accident Victims
Nov.: The Wizard of OGG
Take Note
Jan.: ALPA’s Resolution
Taking Off
Feb.: Another Chapter
Mar.: Supporting Pilot Volunteers with ALPA’s Vast Resources
Apr.: Aviation Is Cool
May: Adapting to Better Serve ALPA Members
June: More than Meeting Expectations
July: Building ALPA’s Just Culture
Aug.: Part of a Positive Solution
Sept.: Up for the Challenge
Oct.: Pulling for ALPA
Nov.: Moving Forward—With Unrelenting Focus and Determination
Dec.: ’Tis the Season
The Landing
Jan.: State-Owned Foreign Airlines’ Explosive Growth
Feb.: More than a Millennium
Mar.: KCM Hits 35th Milestone
Apr.: A Disparity of Wages
May: Phase 1 of ALPA’s Design Project
June: Social Chatter
July: #PilotSelfie
Aug.: Safety—Front and Center
Sept.: The Twitterverse and ALPA’s 60th Air Safety Forum
Oct.: Double Take
Nov.: ALPA Pilots Giving Back
Dec.: Memorabilia on Display
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 33
OntheBookshelf
Books Every Pilot Should Own
By Jan W. Steenblik, Technical Editor
B
efore the treacly Jonathan Livingston Seagull, published in 1970,
made him rich and famous, Richard Bach wrote three excellent books,
each based on his experiences as a
pilot; in the November/December 2009
installment of this column we reviewed
the first, Stranger to the Ground.
Second was Biplane, published in
1966, the tale of Bach’s coast-to-coast
trip from North Carolina to southern
California in a new (to him) antique.
N499H was a 1929 Detroit-Ryan
Speedster, model Parks P-2A, an opencockpit biplane built with a two-seat
side-by-side front pit for the barnstorming trade. She was the last flying
example of the type, and Bach traded
a completely rebuilt 1946 Fairchild 24,
a “modern” high-wing with enclosed
cockpit and radios, for her.
“It is all strange and different, this
cockpit,” Bach wrote. “A deep leathertrimmed wood-and-fabric hole, cables
and wires skimming the wooden
floorboards, three knobbed stalks of
engine controls to the left, a fuel valve
and more engine controls forward, six
basic engine and flight instruments on
a tiny black-painted instrument panel.
No radio.”
The airplane was perfect in many
ways for Bach, a Cold-War USAF fighter
pilot who romanticized about being a
1920s barnstormer (and later, briefly,
became one—but that’s the story of
Nothing by Chance, his third book):
“Grass fades into a green felt blur,
and the biplane is already light on her
wheels.
“And suddenly the ground is no more.
Smooth into the sky the bright wings
climb, the engine thunders in its hollow
drum, the tall wheels, still spinning, are
lifted. Listen to that! The wind in the
wires! And now it’s here all around me.
It isn’t gone at all. It isn’t lost in dusty
yellow books with dusty browning photographs. It is here this instant, the taste
34 Air Line Pilot December 2014
of it all. That screaming by my ears and
that whipping of my scarf—the wind!
It’s here for me now just as it was here
for the first pilots, that same wind that
carried their megaphoned words across
the pastures of Illinois and the meadows of Iowa and the picnic grounds of
Pennsylvania and the beaches of Florida.
“Will I never stop
learning from
airplanes? How can
there be room in
tomorrow for still
another lesson?”
‘Five dollars, folks, for five minutes. Five
minutes with the summer clouds, five
minutes in the land of the angels. See
your town from the air. You there, sir,
how about taking the little lady for a
joyride? Absolutely safe, perfectly harmless. Feel that fresh wind that blows
where only birds and airplanes fly.’”
Stretched out beneath the wing of
the Parks in a farmer’s field for the first
time, Bach observed, “A mist has risen
from the damp earth of the field, and
under the moon it is a field of spun
glass glowing.… [I]t compares to nothing
I have ever known. An airplane teaches
many things, but always before I have
learned in the air, while flying. When the
airplane was on the ground, the lesson
was over. But tonight, in a nameless
field in North Carolina, the airplane
huge above me, casting a quiet black
shadow across my sleeping bag, I am still
learning. Will I never stop learning from
airplanes? How can there be room in
tomorrow for still another lesson?
“The biplane stands serene and unmoving. She seems very sure that there
will be room for a lesson tomorrow.”
And so there was, with more lessons—some harsh—served up in the
days to come. Romantic though he was
(and is), Bach did not flinch from telling
tales on himself as he and the Parks
courted each other.
The Parks had a Wright five-cylinder
radial engine, big wheels, and skinny
tires. Her looks were classic, but so were
her shortcomings: Bach discovered, to
his dismay and grief (more than once!)
that she’d run out of rudder during
rollout after a crosswind landing. One
doesn’t just ring up the nearest FBO to
get replacement parts for an airplane
handcrafted in ’29.
One visual disappointment of the
book: The photos are all black-andwhite, though the airplane, with her
fuselage painted not just red, but
Stearman Vermilion, and her wings and
tail Champion Yellow, was a vivid splash
of primary colors spectacular against a
deep blue sky or emerald grass.
Vectors
Capt. Len Morgan, who retired as a
Braniff B-747 captain in 1982 and died
in 2005, penned a deservedly popular
monthly column in Flying for more than
20 years. Vectors, published in 1992, is a
collection of his favorite columns.
“The timing of my flying life was just
about perfect for several reasons,” he
“The timing of my
flying life was just
about perfect for
several reasons, one
being that the hours
logged were almost
evenly divided
between pistonand turbine-engined
aircraft.”
wrote, “one being that the hours logged
were almost evenly divided between
piston- and turbine-engined aircraft.”
Lucky he was, indeed: Morgan flew
until normal retirement at age 60; seven
weeks later Braniff folded.
Morgan, an American, joined the
RCAF before the United States entered
WWII and flew C-46s, -47s, and -54s.
He started at Braniff in DC-2s. Later
in life, he owned a series of four light
singles. He indulged a desire to ride the
Concorde as a Mach 2 passenger. And
“like the itch to fly, the urge to write
defies explaining,” he argued, so readers
have long been the richer for his having
gladly embraced both inexplicable urges.
Graced with a light touch at the typewriter, Morgan was particularly adept at
evoking, in a few paragraphs, the daily
(and nightly) work of a professional
airman through decades gone by.
For example: Starting the Pratt &
Whitney R-2800, the 18-cylinder, twinrow, air-cooled radial that powered
several notable WWII fighters, including
the Thunderbolt and Bearcat, plus
several types of post-war airliners,
required finesse, which Morgan details
beautifully:
“Our DC-6 R-2800s were easily
brought to life—if skillfully managed.
You cracked the throttle, squeezed the
starter switches, counted six blades,
switched ignition to ‘Both’ and depressed the primer switch. When it fired,
you stabilized at 800 rpm using primer
fuel, then eased up the mixture while
easing off on the primer.
“Done just so, the big radial settled
into idling with sparse smoking. A hair
too much throttle and it went off like
a French 75; too much prime and the
stacks spewed flame. Cooperation
between captain and flight engineer was
the ticket. What we new hires dreaded
was an impatient skipper who pumped
the throttle. You know who caught it
for the ensuing thunderclap or firewreathed cowl.
“The Convair [240/340/440 series’ ]
exhaust was routed through ‘augmentor
tubes,’ the shrouds of which produced
hot air for airfoil anti-icing. These acted
as mufflers, giving an idling engine a
muted growl. An over-primed Convair
belched fire at the wing trailing edge.”
But “the R-2800’s performance reliability were nothing short of amazing,”
Morgan recalled. “It ingested tropical
rain so torrential we heard it above
engine roar. Manifold pressures would
sag, then those big Pratts would shake
like wet bird dogs and go back to work.
Many the hairy night we turned on wing
lights to watch them slogging away.
They were pure marvels. When you were
out there above a raging sea, without
a prayer of successful ditching, you
acquired that curious fondness airmen
feel for a stout airframe and the engines
that move it.”
Morgan’s sense of history was magnificent. In a column on WWI in the air,
he wrote, “The airplane was 10 years
old when it was drafted. The fragile toy
of daring sportsmen, it was maddening
to keep airworthy and perilous to fly. An
unlikely weapon, there was one thing
it could do: carry an observer beyond
front lines and bring him back. As the
Duke of Wellington said a century before, victory belongs to the general who
can guess what’s happening on the far
side of the hill.
“The recruit soon proved itself….”
These paragraphs ended a column
about Dallas Love Field:
“Down there at Gate 11 I passed time
with an outbound crew that never returned. That is also where we lined up to
honor retirees; you got the close-in gate
on your last trip. I was down there one
afternoon when no one moved or spoke.
We were watching Air Force One moving
out with two presidents on board, one in
a casket.
“Love Field witnessed a million happy
reunions and fond farewells. It was a
place for laughter and tears. ‘There has
been a lot of life lived here,’ said a graying captain. That said it for a lot of us.”
That was Len Morgan’s gift to the
world, too: What he wrote said it for a
lot of us.
Read More
In 2008, we began running “On the
Bookshelf.” To see past book recommendations and reader submissions, visit
www.alpa.org/bookshelf. Let us know
what your favorite aviation books are
and why at Magazine@alpa.org.
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 35
Boeing photo
P
romoting aviation safety and security. Safeguarding U.S.
and Canadian pilot jobs. Advancing the airline piloting
profession worldwide. This is ALPA’s proud legacy. A legacy
built over nine decades. A legacy brought to life in ALPA’s Herndon,
Va., building.
Here, ALPA’s rich history—the history of our profession, our
union, and our industry—is showcased in airline and pilot group
memorabilia, photos and artwork, uniforms and model airplanes.
ALPA pilots and staff have donated many of the items, more proof
that the ALPA offices are not just a building, they are your building—
a place for our members past, present, and future.
d
b
a
Photos: Chris Weaver
c
History in 3-D.
Commercial aviation is
born with the first contract air mail service
flight on April 6, 1926.
Postmarked letters carried on that historical
flight are featured on the
impressive main-floor
time line.
—Donated by
Capt. Corey J. Ferguson
(United)
a
b When was the first
ALPA-negotiated collective bargaining agreement signed? In 1939, the
contract between ALPA
and American Airlines.
Over the next two years,
ALPA successfully negotiated agreements with
Delta, Eastern, Northwest,
TWA, and United, among
others.
36 Air Line Pilot December 2014
c Captain’s log: three
months of flying the line
detailed in this 1950s
logbook.
—Donated by
the family of Capt. Charles
R. Hodgson (Eastern, Dec.)
d The ’60s and ’70s “jet
set” traveled around the
world in style—flying
first class and dining on
fine china.
—Donated by
Kari Cantrell, ALPA Staff
e Through public displays of unity, ALPA pilot
groups have demonstrated the power of
membership in the
world’s largest pilot
union.

Take a virtual tour by
scanning the QR code.
j
i
h
f
e
g
Do you have items you’d like to add to the collection? Please
e-mail SMDR@alpa.org with a description of the item you’d like
to showcase.
f A David-and-Goliath
moment: In 1989, ALPA
stood up to one of the
most despised figures in
the airline industry—at
the bargaining table, on
the picket line, and in the
news media—making
ALPA a force to be reckoned with.
—Donated by
Capt. J.L. Thomasson
(Northwest, Ret.)
g Remember the days
when they gave out more
than just pretzels and
cookies on your flight?
Back in the day, airlines
branded all kinds of
swag, including playing
cards, belt buckles, bags,
and even shot glasses!
—Donated by
Capt. James C. Kinnard
(Northwest, Ret.).
h From the distinctive
“red tails” of the former
Northwest Airlines to
Piedmont’s Dash 8s, ALPA
members safely carry
passengers and cargo to
their destinations around
the globe 24/7, 365 days
a year in all types of
airplanes.
i For more than 64
years, Pan American
World Airways blazed
many trails that shaped
the international airline
industry. A series of 10
stunning framed lithographs depict many of
the iconic airline’s first
flights.
—Donated by the family
of Capt. Norman J. Ortlieb
(Pan Am, Dec.)
j Coming soon: Pilot
uniforms on display.
Styles may have changed
over the decades, but the
authority, training, and
experience symbolized
by the stripes on a pilot’s
epaulets remain
constant.
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 37
ALPA Resources and Contact Numbers
National Officers For complete biographical information on ALPA’s national officers, visit www.alpa.org or scan the QR code below.
Capt. Lee Moak
President
Capt. William Couette
Vice President–
Administration/Secretary
Capt. Sean Cassidy
First Vice President
Capt. Randy Helling
Vice President–
Finance/Treasurer
Executive Vice Presidents For more information on which pilot groups executive vice presidents represent, visit www.alpa.org/evp.
Capt. Paul Stuart, Jr.
Alaska, Endeavor Air,
JetBlue, Piedmont,
Spirit
Capt. William Hanna
Air Wisconsin, CommutAir,
ExpressJet, Hawaiian,
Island Air, Trans States
Capt. Dan Adamus
Air Transat, Bearskin, Calm Air, Canadian
North, CanJet, First Air, Jazz Aviation,
Kelowna Flightcraft, Wasaya
Capt. Joe DePete
FedEx Express
F/O Scott Smetana
Delta
Vacant
Air Transport
International, PSA
Capt. Larry Beck
United
Capt. Michael Hamilton
United
Capt. Tim Canoll
Executive Administrator
Capt. Thomas Maxwell
Atlantic Southeast,
Compass, Envoy Air,
Mesa Air Group, Sun
Country
Want to know
more about
ALPA’s EVPs?
Scan the QR
code.
ALPA Sudoku
(© paulspages.co.uk)
28 1657934
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.
964381527
The solution to this month’s ALPA
sudoku can be found on page 8.
Too easy, too difficult? Tell us what you
think. E-mail Magazine@alpa.org.
Have You Moved?
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Membership@alpa.org; or clip out this form—along with
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Member #_____________________________________
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38 Air Line Pilot December 2014
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ALPA Information Numbers
The 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
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To 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 Crewroom.alpa.org; or dial the
toll-free number 1-888-359-2572 (1-888-FLYALPA) and choose menu option 3.
Listed below are the telephone numbers
of MEC offices.
Mesa–MAG MEC 602-306-1116
Trans States–TSA MEC 804-400-9822
*North American–NAA MEC 513-257-7662
United–UAL MEC 847-292-1700
Piedmont–PDT MEC 339-987-1277
Wasaya–WSG MEC 807-624-7270
PSA–PSA MEC 616-405-3962
Spirit–SPA MEC 765-481-9033
*Pilot group in custodianship
Sun Country–SCA MEC 952-853-2393
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
CanJet–CJA MEC 1-800-959-1751
CommutAir–CMT MEC 440-985-8579
Compass–CPZ MEC 952-853-2373
Delta–DAL MEC 404-763-4925
Endeavor Air–PCL MEC 855-PCL-ALPA
Envoy Air–ENY MEC 817-685-7474
*Evergreen–EIA MEC 503-474-3880
ExpressJet–XJT MEC 281-987-3636
FedEx Express–FDX MEC 901-752-8749
First Air–FAB MEC 1-877-459-3272
Hawaiian–HAL MEC 808-836-2572
Island Air–AIS MEC 808-838-0188
Jazz Aviation–JAZ MEC 1-800-561-9576
JetBlue–JBU MEC 803-360-8338
Kelowna Flightcraft–KFC MEC
250-878-7950
Address Changes for Members Only: E-mail to
Membership@alpa.org.
Director of Communications Cathy St. Denis
Editor in Chief Sharon B. Vereb
Associate Managing & Production Editor
Susan Fager
Technical Editor Jan W. Steenblik
Staff Writer John Perkinson
Senior Advocacy Writer Linda Shotwell
Magazine/Graphic Designer Susan Boulter
ePublishing Editor Jesica Ferry
Web Coordinators Cicely Jenkins,
Chris Weaver
Supervisor, Creative Services Kelly M. Barrett
Supervisor, Content Strategy Molly Martin
Supervisor, Multimedia Productions Eric Davis
Contributing Graphic Artists
Kim Agnew, Jesica Ferry, Mary Ann Walsh
Contributing Writer Kevin Cuddihy
———
General Manager Lori Garver
Managing Director, Government and
Public Affairs Michael Robbins
Air Line Pilot is not responsible for un­solicited manu­
scripts, photographs, or other ma­te­r­ials. Unsolicited
materials will be re­turned only if submitted with a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. Opinions expressed by
authors do not necessarily represent official ALPA
position or policy.
Subscriptions: Subscription rate for
pilot mem­bers, $27.50, included
in ALPA member­ship dues; for
students, $41; for U.S. nonmembers, $55; for foreign,
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ALPA Accident/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
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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 EAS@alpa.org.
2014 EBCB Schedule
The Association’s Election and Ballot Certification
Board’s schedule for counting ballots is December 10.
Any ALPA member in good standing may be
present as an observer during any meeting. Contact
the Association’s Membership and Council Services
Department for scheduling.
December 2014 Air Line Pilot 39
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