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February 27, 2014 FacebookTwitterFlickrYouTubeRSS FeedsLinkedInBlog

In This Issue:

Breaking News:
    
NMB Says JetBlue Election On
    
ALPA: Pilot Shortage is All About the Money
National News:
    
More Oversight Needed in Overseas Preclearance Facilities Selection
    
FAA Evaluating New Standardized Approach Hold Guidance Signs
Pilot Group News: FDX MEM: Don't Miss It!
Air Line Pilot Wants Your Photos
News on the Net
 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

News on the Net

ALPA represents nearly 50,000 pilots at 31 airlines in the United States and Canada.
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