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NMB Says JetBlue Election On
The National Mediation Board (NMB) certified a
representation election yesterday among JetBlue pilots, and
today the Board sent the election notice and the voting
period for March 25–April 22.
In yesterday's message to JetBlue pilots, Capt. Lee Moak,
ALPA president, said, "Management and its outside PR firm
will start to inundate you with negative propaganda and
colorful posters. I know that you'll rise above the noise,
focus on facts, and carefully examine the difference between
results under the 'Direct Relationship' and pilot groups
that have the legal right to negotiate a collective
bargaining agreement."
Based on the overwhelming majority of cards signed,
JetBlue pilots have made clear that they want a meaningful
voice over their future, a fair and enforceable contract,
and the professional resources needed to achieve pilot group
goals. The NMB has requested the company to supply mailing
labels for the election by Monday, March 3. The next NMB
step comes March 18, when the Board will send to ALPA and
the company for posting the sample voting instructions. |
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ALPA: Pilot Shortage is All About the Money
The Air Line Pilots Association Int'l (ALPA) today announced
that a pilot shortage will only exist if U.S. airlines fail
to provide qualified pilots with career potential, adequate
livable wages, and benefits. Although some within the
airline industry blame the supposed pilot shortage on new
pilot qualifications and training rules instituted by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which acted in
response to a legislative mandate, the industry actually
helped craft those rules and supported their passage.
"There is a shortage of pay and benefits for pilots in
the regional airline industry, not a shortage of pilots who
are capable and certified to fly the airlines' equipment,"
said ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak. "Congress, labor and the
industry need to work together to create an airline industry
that can offer jobs that are attractive to those who are
interested in a career as an airline pilot."
Read more about All About the Money. |
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More Oversight Needed in Overseas Preclearance Facilities Selection
ALPA, in a letter to House Committee on Homeland Security
Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Tex.) and Ranking Member Bennie
Thompson (D-Miss.), yesterday urged the committee to explore
security issues surrounding the Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi
International Airport. The letter, which was sent in advance
of yesterday's hearing on future priorities and challenges
at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), also
questions recent reports of a preclearance facility planned
for Dubai International Airport.
ALPA, which is working with the committee to address current
and future aviation security issues, questions the "very
real threat" posed by the Abu Dhabi preclearance facility,
which began prescreening U.S.-bound passengers from the
United Arab Emirates on Jan. 24, 2014. The Association
writes: "ALPA continues to oppose the Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi
International Airport. The lack of U.S. air carrier service
to Abu Dhabi as well as the unusual pay-to-play precedent
that is being set by CBP with regard to future preclearance
facilities is extremely troubling and aggravates the
immediate CBP staffing challenges at our domestic airports."
Read more about preclearance facilities oversight |
Read ALPA's letter |
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FAA Evaluating New Standardized Approach Hold Guidance Signs
The
FAA has requested ALPA's assistance in soliciting pilots who
are willing to participate in operational research
evaluations of newly developed, standardized, approach hold
guidance signs. The evaluations are being conducted in the
agency's A320 flight simulator located at the FAA Technical
Center in Atlantic City, N.J. The evaluation period ends
March 28, 2014.
The FAA's evaluation program is comprised of operating
the aircraft in day, night, and reduced-visibility
conditions. The signs evaluated in the simulation laboratory
will be on the Chicago O'Hare airport located on Taxiway
Tango and Runway 09L-27R.
Read more about standardized approach hold guidance
signs. |
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FDX MEM: Don't Miss It!
FDX pilots: This Saturday, please plan to attend the
first-ever open house at the ALPA FDX MEC office at 1770
Kirby Parkway in Memphis. Food will be provided beginning at
11:30 a.m. Our MEC leadership and Negotiating Committee will
give presentations at 12:00 noon, 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.
Face painting, balloon artists, a rock climbing wall, and
fun inflatable bounce houses will be provided for the "young
at heart" until 4:00 p.m. Then a live band will kick off for
your dancing and listening pleasure.
Come by for some or all of the day's festivities and
enjoy the fellowship. Don't worry about the weather; the
entire event will take place either in our third floor
office location or inside a huge temperature-controlled tent
in the parking lot. Please
click here to RSVP so we can ensure that there is enough
food. If you have questions, call F/O Pat Meagher at
901-568-4920, F/O Mark Durant at 614-774-8507, or the ALPA
front desk at 901-752-8749. |
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Air Line Pilot Wants Your Photos
We’re looking for your photos of airplanes, pilots, skies,
airports, and anything else you see during your flight.
Please remember to adhere to FARs or CARs and company policy
when taking photos. Send you high-quality prints from a
developer or high-resolution digital images to
communications@alpa.org. Let us know who you are, who
you fly for, the names of the pilots in your photos, and
what we’re looking at. Your photo might make the cover of
Air Line Pilot. Or inside the magazine. Or in a video
production. |
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ALPA
represents nearly 50,000 pilots at 31 airlines in the
United States and Canada.
Visit us online at
www.alpa.org. |
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