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June 4, 2013

In This Issue:

ALPA: Level the Playing Field for U.S. Airlines and Their Employees
Tornadoes and Fires Ravage Oklahoma and California—Help Fellow Pilots through AERF
ALPA and AFA-CWA Stand Together in Support of HIMS/FADAP Programs
Calm Air MEC Endorses Tentative Agreement
IATA Adopts Agreement on Carbon-Neutral Growth
Correction: Zoloft Okay for Pilots, Paxil Not
News on the Net
 

ALPA: Level the Playing Field for U.S. Airlines and Their Employees

A new report issued today by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), highlights the growing threat of state-sponsored foreign competition and underscores the need for fundamental changes in laws and regulations that govern the U.S. airline industry and its employees. The white paper, “Leveling the Playing Field,” calls on the U.S. government to promote a business environment that gives U.S. carriers the ability to compete and prevail in the international marketplace, especially given the strong competitive cost advantages of many foreign carriers. The white paper is an updated version of a report released last June.

Read the full report here.

Tornadoes and Fires Ravage Oklahoma and California—Help Fellow Pilots through AERF

Over the weekend, Oklahoma was once more devastated by strong tornadoes, while wildfires are currently threatening over 1,000 homes in California and New Mexico. ALPA’s Emergency Relief Fund (AERF) stands ready to assist our members affected by these events—but to do so, we need your help.

AERF provides for the immediate needs of all ALPA members and their families who fall victim to widespread disasters. Funded largely from contributions by ALPA members and staff, AERF covers early out-of-pocket expenses to help pilots and their families recover faster. To learn how AERF made a difference for those affected by October’s Hurricane Sandy, simply follow this link to an article in the April 2013 issue of Air Line Pilot magazine. To learn more about the fund, make a donation, or request a grant, visit www.alpa.org/relieffund. Donations are tax-deductible in the United States.

NOW AVAILABLE – ALPAgear.com; ALPA’s online store!

By popular demand, introducing ALPAgear.com: casual clothing and merchandise for the airline pilot or airline pilot enthusiast.

Polo shirts, jackets, and accessories—products to suit your off-duty, casual lifestyle. Wear ALPAgear apparel and show your unity and your pride!

Shop now at ALPAgear.com!

ALPA and AFA-CWA Stand Together in Support of HIMS/FADAP Programs

Yesterday, Capt. Lee Moak, president of ALPA, and Veda Shook, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), sent a joint letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta urging that the FAA find funding to continue these programs for the remainder of FY2013. Both the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) and Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) have contracts which expire in July and September respectfully, and are in danger during this austere budget period. HIMS and FADAP are on the front lines to identify and assess pilots and flight attendants in need of recovery programs, and facilitate their return to the line.

Read the full letter here.

Calm Air MEC Endorses Tentative Agreement

Now that pilot leaders at Manitoba-based Calm Air have endorsed a tentative contract agreement with management, the carrier’s 87 line pilots are also hearing details of the proposal. The CMA MEC unanimously gave its support to the TA after meeting on Sunday, and pilot road shows opened in Winnipeg yesterday. The road shows continued today and tomorrow at the airline’s bases in Winnipeg and Thompson, Manitoba.

CMA negotiators reached an agreement with Calm Air using an interest-based bargaining approach supervised by a federal mediator. Calm Air is owned by Exchange Income Corporation of Winnipeg, which owns several other airlines, including ALPA carrier Bearskin Airlines. Details of the TA will be released after the conclusion of the road shows.

IATA Adopts Agreement on Carbon-Neutral Growth

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents some 240 airlines in 118 countries, recently adopted a new agreement aimed at carbon-neutral growth using reductions in fuel usage and other efficiencies, combined with a single market-based measure (MBM) as needed. ALPA has long advocated greater fuel efficiency through better technology and safe procedures as the means for further reducing the very small share of man-made greenhouse gases produced by aviation.

Read the full story.

Correction: Zoloft Okay for Pilots, Paxil Not

The HealthWatch column in the June 2013 issue of Air Line Pilot contained an error: Paxil was listed as one of the four prescription antidepressant medications that the FAA will approve pilots to use, if they meet certain other requirements. In fact, Paxil is not approved; however, Zoloft is approved, as are Celexa, Lexapro, and Prozac.

We regret the error.

News on the Net
FEEDBACK & EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGES

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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.

ALPA represents more than 50,000 pilots at 33 airlines in the United States and Canada.
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