ALPA Canada Keeps Pilots Engaged and Informed

As direct government outreach continues, ALPA Canada is also working hard to ensure that Canadian members stay active, engaged, and informed about resources offered outside of the Association, should they need to use them.

This includes numerous government programs and relevant information:

• Labour Program and Workplace Health and Safety updates
• Transport Canada’s most recent measures regarding COVID-19
• Department of Finance backgrounder and updates
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
• Extension of validity period for medical certificates

New Checklist for Pilots Facing Uncertain Times

As COVID-19 continues to adversely impact the airline industry in North America and abroad, some airlines are planning to furlough, implement changes, or cease operations altogether.

To aid ALPA members facing an uncertain future, ALPA’s Furloughed Pilot Support Program developed a new “Checklist for Pilots” to prepare for and navigate the challenges ahead. There’s also a checklist specifically for furloughed pilots. Available on our website, the checklists were designed in large part by feedback from ALPA pilots previously affected by an airline shutdown or a furlough, and the advice contained within can be adapted to help pilots solve the problems at hand—in this case, a significant negative change in circumstances at their airline.

All pilots are encouraged to review our online resources for the most current information, guidance, and materials. The website includes generic information as well as specific resources for pilots in the United States and Canada. Due to the fluidity of the situation, these and other resources will be updated frequently. Contact FurloughInfo@alpa.org with any questions.

Assistance Programs Available Through Union Plus

Union Plus is the only consumer benefits organization created and endorsed by the AFL-CIO, and membership is free for all ALPA members in the United States. Union Plus members have access to various programs and services that can offer significant savings in areas including financial assistance, homeowner assistance, and health-care assistance.

Included in these programs—some of which are also open to family members—are:

• Financial products: Credit cards, mortgages, debt settlement, credit counseling, and personal loans
• Health programs: Dental, vision, and prescription
• Education: Scholarships, free online college and bachelor’s degree completion programs

For those members who have already joined Union Plus and have a credit card, mortgage, or other loan through the program, assistance is available to you as well. Complete eligibility guidance for all their hardship assistance programs is available online.

ALPA Critical Illness Insurance Coverage for COVID-19

If you are covered under ALPA’s optional critical illness (CI) insurance plan through Voya and are undergoing treatment for COVID-19, please file a claim under the CI plan. ALPA’s plan includes an infectious disease benefit that requires the insured individual be diagnosed with a severe infectious disease on or after their coverage effective date and results in the insured being confined in a hospital for five or more consecutive days or a transition care facility for 14 or more consecutive days for the benefit to pay out. Insured persons are encouraged to file a claim should they feel that they are eligible for a benefit.

Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, and ALPA cannot guarantee how the insurance company interprets the policy. Please refer to the policy and/or certificate of coverage for additional information.

Update Your ALPA Contact Information

ALPA is working in partnership with all aviation stakeholders to safeguard our members and limit the financial toll of COVID-19 on airlines as well as assist in their recovery. As more of our members face furloughs and airline shutdowns, it’s imperative that you update your contact information with ALPA so we can keep in touch with you to share timely information, resources, and services to help you navigate the industry today.

We’re asking all pilots to follow these important steps:

1. Log in to your ALPA member account and edit your contact information as needed.
2. If you have forgotten your password, reset it now.
3. If you don’t know your member number, contact ALPA’s Membership Administration at
1. Membership@ALPA.org or
2. Toll-free 888-FLY-ALPA (888-359-2572), option 3-3 (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT)

ALPA Student Scholarships—Application Deadline Extended to May 1, 2020

Each year the Association sponsors four $3,000 academic scholarships that are available to the children of medically retired, long-term disabled, or deceased ALPA members. One scholarship is granted to an enrolling college freshman and is renewable for three additional years, provided that the student maintains an adequate grade-point average.

The application deadline for the 2020–2021 school year has been extended from April 1 to May 1, to provide applicants with additional time to secure transcripts from schools recently closed for the academic year in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Applications may be obtained from Yvonne Willits, scholarship program monitor at Yvonne.Willits@alpa.org.

The Association’s vice president–administration/secretary and vice president–finance/treasurer review all applications, select the recipient, and report to their selection the Executive Council. All applications are carefully reviewed with consideration given to financial need and academic performance before a selection is made. At the time new applications are reviewed, the academic records of those currently enrolled college students are also reviewed to determine if they’re eligible to have their scholarships renewed.

• FedEx weekend operation helps move test specimens to labs (ABC Local Memphis)

• Parking pain: Airlines, airports hunt for storage space as pandemic idles planes (Reuters)
• FAA Reopens Midway Air Traffic Control Tower Closed by Virus (U.S. News)

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