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News from ALPA International

January 26, 2012

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The FlightDeck

In This Issue:

Moak Meets with Acting FAA Administrator


Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta

Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, met with Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta Wednesday to discuss the recently released FAA flight and duty regulations and the unacceptable exclusion of cargo airline pilots from these otherwise science-based regulations.

ALPA’s directors of Government Affairs and Engineering and Air Safety accompanied Moak, who stressed the Association’s top priority to include cargo pilots in the new regulations and called on the FAA and DOT to fulfill their pledge to push the cargo airlines to opt into the new regulations. Moak also took the opportunity to share with the acting administrator the actions the Association has taken since the new rule was announced.

 

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CAL MEC Hosts CIRP Training


View a photo slideshow of the training.

The Continental MEC and ALPA Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) sponsored recurrent training this week in Houston for active CIRP volunteers, and group and individual crisis intervention (GRIN) training for new CIRP volunteers. Highlights of the week included presentation of the Continental CIRP Volunteer of the Year award to Jim Patton (2011), with formal recognition and presentations also for previous recipients Terry Adams (2010) and Eric King (2009).

“I am always impressed by the CIRP volunteers who give of themselves and their time to help fellow pilots,” said Capt. Bill Cheney, CAL MEC CIRP chairman and ALPA CIRP vice chairman. “They are essential to helping mitigate the psychological impact of an incident or accident and aiding pilots in normal recovery before harmful stress reactions affect job performance, careers, families, and health.”

Participants in the recurrent training included pilots from Continental, Air Wisconsin, American Airlines, American Eagle, ExpressJet, Colgan, and US Airways, as well as multiple chief pilots and flight operations duty managers from Continental. New CIRP pilots were in attendance for the GRIN training from Continental, Air Wisconsin, American Airlines, American Eagle, FedEx, NetJets, PSA, Sun Country, UPS, and US Airways. Participants also included members of Continental’s HR team.

CIRP provides pre-incident education and post-incident/accident crisis intervention services. Peer support volunteers (PSVs) are line pilots specifically trained and certified to provide support in critical incident stress management.

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MAG Pilots Elect New Leaders
ALPA pilot leaders at Mesa Air Group unanimously elected officers to spearhead the union’s efforts. F/O Marcin Kolodziejczyk was reelected chairman, F/O Jez Ingram-Clay was reelected vice chairman, and Capt. Darrell Cox was elected secretary-treasurer. The officers’ new two-year terms will begin in March 2012.

“Protecting and advancing the careers of all Mesa pilots remains our top priority,” said Kolodziejczyk of his reelection to MEC chairman. “The regional industry is extremely volatile and can change in the blink of an eye. As companies continue to compete for business, they will also be competing for qualified professionals due to the looming pilot shortage.

“Mesa is at a crossroads. Our pilots are some of the best in the industry and are sought after by other airlines. If senior management expects Mesa to become a viable airline after having recently emerged from a painful bankruptcy process in which hundreds of our pilots were downgraded, displaced, and/or furloughed, they need to recognize pilots for the sacrifices and contributions they have made to this airline. This starts at the bargaining table. We entered contract negotiations last year to improve pilots’ working conditions and will continue to work proactively to address their needs, as well as those of the company.

“We are also monitoring the industry closely, and are fully prepared to tackle any challenges or take advantage of any opportunities that may arise.”

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Stay Connected
Stay connected with your union, your profession, and your industry by reading Air Line Pilot magazine and watching monthly episodes of The FlightDeck.

Read what Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has to say about the importance of long-term, fully funded FAA reauthorization on page 7 of the January/February issue of Air Line Pilot magazine.

On the 11th installment of The FlightDeck, learn how airlines are using biofuel as an alternative to regular kerosene-based jet fuel.

Remember that both Air Line Pilot and The FlightDeck can also be accessed from the members-only portion of the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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ALPA Presents at TRB Conference
Capt. Sean Cassidy, ALPA’s first vice president and national safety coordinator, represented ALPA on Jan. 24 on a panel at the Transportation Research Board (TRB)’s 91st annual meeting held in Washington, D.C. Moderated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Homeland Security Program, the panel, titled “Aviation Terrorism and Intelligence Data Fusion,” included subject-matter experts from industry and airport law enforcement.

Cassidy’s presentation addressed policy and program challenges, and highlighted ALPA’s endorsement of a risk-mitigation approach to aviation security as set forth in the Association’s 2010 white paper, Meeting Today’s Aviation Security Needs: A Call to Action for a Trust-Based Security System.

Cassidy expressed ALPA’s support for such threat-based programs as the Cockpit Access Security System (CASS), the Known Crewmember (KCM) program, the new TSA “PreCheck” program for passengers, and other specialized screening programs. He was joined on the panel by Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network (ALEAN) Executive Director Duane McGray and Mr. John Huey, an independent aviation security consultant.

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ALPA Participates in FLL Safety Risk Management Panel
F/O Steve Jangelis (DAL), chairman of ALPA’s Airport Ground Environment Group, participated in an FAA-led Safety Risk Management Panel (SRMP) this week to discuss safety issues during expansion of Runway 9R/27L, and construction of associated taxiways, at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Int’l Airport (FLL).

Jangelis presented ALPA’s concerns and successfully influenced the group to include several safety improvements to FLL’s airport development plans, to include:

• Enhanced taxiway signage, markings, and red obstacle lights to assist pilots while taxiing at night and/or in low visibility
• Improved access to the runway for the benefit of aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles
• Inclusion of warnings about taxi hazards on airport diagrams and continuous, timely NOTAM updates
• Verified taxi routings and designated flow patterns to be provided by ATC throughout construction
• Protection of airside security and construction personnel access

FAA and Broward County Aviation Department personnel expressed their appreciation for ALPA’s involvement and participation in the SRMP process. ALPA will remain actively engaged during all phases of construction and provide updates to the membership as taxiway, ramp, and approach procedure changes occur. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

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New FFDO Standard Operating Procedures
The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) Flight Programs Division (FPD) advised ALPA and other Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) stakeholders on January 25, 2012, of an important Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) notification regarding requalification compliance standards.

This announcement is slated to be posted on the FFDO Dashboard today. All FFDOs should log onto the Dashboard as soon as possible to familiarize themselves with this important information.

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Good Eats
In recent years, airport eateries have evolved from greasy spoons to a full range of dining options. Sushi, gourmet pizzas, steaks—you name it. Bloggers tout personal favorites, but we want to hear from you, the ultimate “road warriors.”

From your extensive travel experience, tell us what your favorite airport restaurants are and why? Send us an e-mail to Communications@alpa.org and please include your name, status, and member airline. If you feel strongly enough, send us a photo of the establishment(s).

With a reasonable response, we will present the group’s preferences and possibly some choice comments in an upcoming issue of Air Line Pilot magazine. Don’t be shy. Tell us what’s on your menu.

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Aviation Week Discounts for ALPA Members
Here’s some great news—as an ALPA member, you can now subscribe to the digital-only edition of Aviation Week for just $39! That price includes free apps for your iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Click here for details.
 

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We’ve Got You Covered
To keep current on the ever-changing wants and needs of our membership, the ALPA National Retirement and Insurance Committee together with the Association’s Member Insurance Department are asking for your participation in a brief but very important survey to assess the insurance products ALPA offers ALPA members.

Please answer these 30 brief questions and help us help you.

Click here to take the survey.

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Other Industry News
• The Wall Street Journal says airlines recently posted strong results. Read more.

• According to Discovery News, airlines recently diverted several aircraft due to solar storms. Read more.

• The Washington Times reports that airlines are reducing their carbon footprints to save money. Read more.

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FastFact

Want to know how the U.S. airline industry is fairing? Check out the latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Visit www.bts.gov for the latest on airfares, revenue passenger miles, airline fuel cost and consumption, and other interesting details.

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Feedback & E-mail Address Changes
Questions or comments on this FastRead? Give us your feedback at communications@alpa.org.

If you have moved or changed your ISP or e-mail address, please update your ALPA records. If you don’t, you will no longer receive the ALPA FastRead and other e-mail bulletins and notices, and once your postal forwarding order expires, you’ll no longer receive the magazine and other ALPA mail. You can do it yourself by going to www.alpa.org and logging in. Go to “My ALPA” in the menu at the top of the page, and from there, you’ll be instructed how to make the necessary changes.

If you don’t have access to the members-only section of www.alpa.org, you can e-mail your requests by sending them to membership@alpa.org. Be sure to include your member number or enough other information so that we can identify you in the membership database, and tell us what information needs to be updated.

Please note that it is not sufficient just to notify your LEC or MEC of these changes—you should register them with the ALPA Membership Department in Herndon.

Can’t remember your member number or how to log in? Need information about your ALPA insurance programs? These and other questions about ALPA services can be answered by contacting membership@alpa.org.

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Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l
1625 Massachusetts Avenue NW | Washington, DC 20036 | 703-689-2270