A Pilot Shortage? Code, and Read the Nope

Confidentiality vs. Anonymity Same Terms, Please Disparity of Wages Page 29 Page 5 Pages 36-37

Is there a Pilot Shortage or is it All About the Money? Page 20

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About the Cover Photo taken at Gravelly Point A Disparity of Wages Park in Arlington, Va. Photo by Michael Robbins. Features Download a QR reader to your 24 29 smartphone, scan the 20 A Pilot Shortage? code, and read the Nope. It’s All About magazine.

the Money Air Line Pilot (ISSN 0002-242X) is pub lished monthly by the Air Line Pilots 24 Obstructive Sleep Association, International, affiliated with AFL-CIO, CLC. Editorial Offices: 535 Apnea—An FAA Herndon Parkway, PO Box 1169, Herndon, VA 20172-1169. Telephone: 703-481-4460. Policy Update Fax: 703-464-2114. Copyright © 2014— Air Line Pilots Association, International, 26 So You Just Became all rights reserved. Publication in any form without permission is prohibited. Air Line an Elected Rep. Pilot and the ALPA logo Reg. U.S. Pat. Commentary Departments and T.M. Office. Federal I.D. 36-0710830. What Do You Do Periodicals postage paid at Herndon, VA 20172, and additional offices. Now? 4 Taking Off 7 Preflight Postmaster: Send address changes to Aviation Is Cool Facts, Figures, and Info Air Line Pilot, PO Box 1169, Herndon, VA 29 Professional Stan- 20172-1169. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement dards: Confidential- 5 Aviation Matters 31 ALPA@Work #40620579: Return undeliverable maga- Same Terms ALPA Safety and zines sent to Canadian addresses to 2835 ity vs. Anonymity Kew Drive, Windsor, ON, Canada N8T 3B7. Training Councils Meet 6 Weighing In Taking Ownership 33 ALPA Toolbox P4P Needs Your Help 34 Our Stories Going the Distance with Riders for Striders 36 The Landing A Disparity of Wages 38 We Are ALPA ALPA Resources and Contact Numbers

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 3

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= 60% of patients suffering strokes.

The pathophysiology of OSA Pilot shortage? Don’t forget to New ALPApnea reps is a medical termHave that motorcycle.means “being without respiration.” Obstruc- Definitely not. look at the FAA’s learn thetiveA sleepropes. apnea is characterizedWill asride. a repeti- Page 20 OSA brochure. Page 26 tive upper airway obstructionPage during 34 sleep, Center insert as a result of narrowing of the respiratory passages. Most people with this disorder are overweight and have higher deposits Obstructive Sleep of adipose (fatty) tissue in their respiratory passages, and the size of their soft palates Apnea and tongues are larger than average. These conditions decrease the size of the upper airway and decrease airway muscle tone, especially when sleeping in the supine (back down and hori- zontal) position. Gravity can pull tissue down and over the airway, further decreasing its size, impeding air flow to the lungs during inhalation. Asleep at the controls The major impact of OSA n a daytime flight oneTaking February day in 2008, a Offcommercial aircraft with three crewmembers and 40 passengers flew past its destination Snoring can result when the airway becomes partially obstructed. With airportO after both the captain and first further tissue obstruction of the airway, there may be complete occlusion. officer fell asleep. The pilot awoke and Whether the obstruction is partial (hypopnea) or total (apnea), the subject turned back to the destination airport, struggles to breathe and is aroused from sleep. Often, these sleep interrup- where all deplaned safely - butAviation behind Is Cool tions are unrecognized, even if they occur hundreds of times a night. The real schedule. The National TransportationWhether Virgin Galactic preparing to launch dangerthem, is that and the you’veOSA sufferers talked may with not them. realize T hey,the condition in and are only aware that they typically awaken feeling sleepy and tired. Losing sleep is Safety Board determined thatsuborbital contrib- space tourism or the technological turn, validate ALPA’s position about the real uting factors to the incident were the more than a simple inconvenience. Good, sound sleep is essential for good captain’s undiagnosed obstructiveleap forward sleep for passengers and pilots of the healthissue: and clear a shortage mental and of qualifiedemotional functioning. pilots willing Additionally, to fly OSA is apnea (OSA) and the flight B-787crew’s recentor the speedwork schedules, in which whichFedE includedx Express can associatedfor substandard with a reduction wages in blood and oxygeninadequate levels benefits.feeding the brain, which, several days of early-morning start times. of course, is a major health concern. Repetitive decreases in blood oxygen deliver a package around the world, the appeal levelsALPA associated is successfully with OSA mayleading eventually the dialogue increase: about An obscure conditionof tackles aviation a in pro all formslineman continues to WOW the this truth, and our argument—based on fact—is = Blood pressure. With the shocking death ofpublic. NFL lineman And you, Reggie as pilots, White, have the problem an awesome job garnering significant support. And as such, we of OSA was thrust into the limelight.that is Uprespected to that time, and OSA trusted. was relatively = areStrain fulfilling on the cardiovascularour duty of protecting system. the pilot unknown outside the medical community. Today, OSA is recognized as a major contributor to many possibleAs health-relatedan association, ailments. it is our In some job toesti defend- the = brandRisk of(see heart “A attack.Pilot Shortage? Nope, It’s All mates, it has been suggested thatpilot OSA brand affects- and all that comes with it. As staff, About the Money,” page 20). = Risk of stroke. = 4 - 7% of middle-agedwith people. the enormous help of pilot volunteers, we continue to push for safety standards that are = 70% of clinically obesethe patients. highest in the world, and then seek to level = 34% of all NFL lineman.the playing field internationally by bringing You, as pilots, have an others up to the standards we set. awesome job that is In addition to ensuring that we are scheduled with safety, we are also working with industry respected and trusted. and government stakeholders to improve As an association, it is our the customer experience. Working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), job to defend the pilot we are moving toward more risk-based security brand and all that comes measures at airports, including the opening of our 40th Known Crewmember (KCM) site, sav- with it. ing passengers and crews time and taxpayers money. KCM, TSA’s PreCheck, and other risk- based programs help reduce the stress of travel And like the wonderment a child feels and bring back some of the fascination of flying. watching a plane soar into the sky—captured When getting through the airport is easier, the on the cover of this issue—ALPA continues to entire customer experience is improved. launch our own new initiatives that keep your As I said, aviation is cool. Flying can still be profession soaring and seizes every opportunity glamorous. And yes, people respect, and many to capitalize on the allure of aviation. Our pilot- Lori Garver want to be, airline pilots. partisan agenda has never been more robust. General Manager The buzz about a current pilot shortage is Our mission has never been so clear. So for your [email protected] nonsense. We know there is no shortage of part, thank you for keeping aviation cool. It helps qualified pilots—you’ve met them, you know protect the brand. And keeps ALPA flying high. 4 Air Line Pilot April 2014 AviationMatters Same Terms

ncertainty still surrounds the With objections mounting in all corners, NAI now appears fate of Malaysia Airlines Flight to have flip-flopped on its public message. In a March 12 story U370 as we go to press. ALPA published in The Wall Street Journal, the CEO of NAI’s parent has offered any assistance we can company said that he is making plans to buy another European contribute through our membership carrier with an existing permit to serve the United States in the International Federation of Air should NAI fail to obtain a permit from the DOT. Line Pilots’ Associations. The investi- In contrast, those who oppose the NAI scheme have done gation is ongoing. For that reason, our so in no uncertain terms. ALPA has delivered its message of union has selectively granted news objection to the DOT directly and through international news media interviews in the context of media outlets ranging from stories carried by the Norwegian the event, but we have restricted our Broadcasting Corporation and The New York Times to a letter outreach to clear opportunities to advance ALPA’s long-stand- to the editor published in The Wall Street Journal. In addition, ing safety priorities and to comment free of speculation. nearly 30,000 pilots, other industry workers, and concerned While ALPA has been dedicated for more than eight decades members of the public have joined ALPA’s petition and called to advancing the highest standards of safety and security, it is on the DOT to deny NAI’s application. also our union’s responsibility to ensure that the U.S. airline For myriad reasons, not least that it mirrors the “flag of industry is economically strong and competitive. Equally im- convenience” business model that cost tens of thousands of portant, we also work to make certain the pilots we represent U.S. maritime jobs, ALPA has called for DOT to reject NAI’s garner the strongest possible contracts to advance their careers scheme. and the profession. In a recent address before the International Aviation Club of Washington, D.C., I underscored how the United States must adapt its current international aviation policy to meet new It is our union’s responsibility to challenges in the global economic arena. ensure that the U.S. airline industry is In the Norwegian Air International (NAI) scheme, it is easy to find compelling evidence of the urgent need for the United economically strong and competitive. States to adapt its air services agreements to give U.S. airlines and their employees a fair competitive fight. Even though its operations are centered in Norway and its parent company As always, our union is focused on ensuring that the U.S. is Norwegian Air Shuttle, NAI just received an air operator’s airline industry is competitive and can support and create U.S. certificate (AOC) from Ireland, despite the fact that it does not jobs, but we are equally determined to build stable careers for plan to operate flights to or from that country. airline pilots through strong contracts. In our union’s collective Understandably, the opposition is rapidly escalating to bargaining, we recognize that no silver bullets exist for chal- Norwegian Air Shuttle’s attempt to use NAI to avoid Norwegian lenges in the fee-for-departure or any other sector of the indus- laws and exploit the U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement to perform try. Acting to advance individual pilot group contracts requires long-haul international flying with an unfair economic advan- formidable resources, thorough expertise, and tough decisions. tage over its U.S. competitors. As ALPA does for all the pilot groups our union represents, In a recent letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, a we provide a comprehensive array of resources to assist our remarkably large bipartisan group of 38 U.S. senators raised se- pilot group leaders in taking on issues ranging from longevity rious concerns about NAI’s application to the U.S. Department and pay rates to flow and career progression. In the end, it of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit that would comes down to each pilot group leader’s finding common allow it to fly to the United States. In addition to the Senate terms, making a decision, and moving forward. letter, which was led by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Sen. Roy While the terms of contracts and global competitors’ Blunt (R-Mo.), and Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), more than 60 schemes are ever changing, your union will always provide its members of the U.S. House of Representatives have also writ- unrivaled expertise and essential resources on the same terms: ten to the DOT expressing concern or outright opposition. membership. As Lufthansa chief executive Christoph Franz reportedly told one of Norway’s largest business newspapers on March 17, “We respect Norwegian highly and gladly compete against them on long-haul routes, but that must take place on the same terms.” Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA President April 2014 Air Line Pilot 5 WeighingIn Taking Ownership

Association’s Constitution and By-Laws or observe any of the By Capt. William Couette Association’s governing bodies at work, you quickly begin to ALPA Vice President–Administration/Secretary understand that elected pilot leaders serve their members, not n late February at ALPA’s annual Leadership Training Confer- the other way around. ence (see “So You Just Became an Elected Rep. What Do You This idea seems like it should be a no-brainer, but, simply IDo Now?” page 26), I had the opportunity to meet many of put, we’re stronger when we work together. ALPA is the voice of the new status representatives for the term beginning March airline pilots, in part, because we are the largest pilots’ union in 1, 2014. Seeing these brand-new local the world. We represent nearly 50,000 members, and we collec- council officers—pilots who will meet tively benefit from our shared pool of resources and our ability in just six months as delegates to to speak with a single voice. But our support doesn’t stop there. ALPA’s 44th Board of Directors meet- ALPA is a member of the AFL-CIO and works through its ing—I wanted to instill in them several Transportation Trades Department to coordinate with other basic ideas about what ALPA member- airline and transportation associations. Likewise, ALPA belongs ship means to me and why they need to the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, to take ownership of their organization. which represents nearly 100,000 pilots from around the globe. As I shared my thoughts with them, it When we support these organizations, we further strengthen struck me that these same principles our position. apply to all ALPA members. There’s one more point I want to make and that’s that we First and foremost, I told the new officers that being a are an organization of multifaceted pilot groups. Sometimes member of ALPA means that you are never alone. If you have events that are out of our control happen, and they change scheduling questions, health issues, or personal issues with the way our airlines do business. And each of our pilot groups another crewmember, a pilot familiar with your work environ- experiences its own set of issues. But there’s a lot more that ment is standing by to assist you. If you’ve volunteered for brings us together than separates us. a committee, ALPA offers We all want reasonable training and other materials, compensation for the service as well as mentoring, so we provide our airlines. We that you can benefit from all want a safe and secure others’ experiences and are work environment. Because equipped with the right tools Our entire focus is on our we work at the epicenter to hit the ground running. of the airline industry, we ALPA’s committee pilots. Elected pilot leaders see things firsthand and structure spans the life and want effective channels to professional needs of airline serve their members, not communicate any problems pilots, from the Association’s we experience. And only by Education Committee, which the other way around. working together can we be helps those interested in in a position to control our becoming airline pilots, to professional futures. the Retirement & Insurance ALPA offers the best Committee, which works with professional staff, resources, your pilot group to help you prepare for your golden years. And and the means to help airline pilots accomplish all that they ALPA has experienced pilot volunteers and staff who have the can. But here’s the catch, our Association is a lot like the latest tools and knowledge to support everything that can happen airplanes with all the new features and capabilities. We only to airline pilots in between. If you need help, there’s someone benefit from having this resource if we use it. available to assist you. We have to set goals for ourselves and work through our Another point I stressed at the conference is that ALPA is a union to accomplish them. We have to adapt when the world member-driven organization. ALPA pilots communicate their around us evolves. We need to apply all that we have available interests and concerns to their elected leaders, who then assess to us from ALPA so that we can secure our jobs and our profes- this input for general pilot support. If a particular idea has sion. If we don’t take ownership and guide this organization, merit, it works its way up through ALPA’s governing bodies to our union—like that sparkling new airplane—will sit idle at the become policy. Our entire focus is on our pilots. If you read the gate. In other words, we will go nowhere.

6 Air Line Pilot April 2014 n Airline Industry Update B o e ing Domestic News the same period last year. International News The forecast includes 17.1 half of this year.  The FAA announced that million passengers flying  The Wall Street Journal  Qantas announced on funding for NextGen will internationally, which would reported that Akbar Al Baker, February 26 that due to increase to just more than set an industry record. the CEO of Qatar Airways, “an uneven playing field in $1 billion in the coming  Per The Journal News, said Qatar has applied for a Australian aviation policy,” fiscal year, up from $901 airline passengers filed U.S. customs preclearance the company is planning million in 2014. fewer complaints last year facility at its new interna- to cut costs by $2 billion,  The NTSB reported that with the U.S. Department tional airport slated to open including doing away with Deborah Hersman, head of Transportation (DOT) later in 2014 in Doha. 5,000 jobs; deferring or sell- of the about long delays, lost  According to FlightGlobal. ing more than 50 airplanes; agency, baggage, and other prob- com, Global air freight grew and reducing capital expendi- has an- lems than in 2012. In early 4.5 percent year over year ture by $1 billion. nounced March, the DOT’s Aviation in January, building on a 2.2  AAAE Security SmartBrief plans to Consumer Protection percent increase reported reported that on March 3 leave the Division reported that it had in December. The Middle new rules that standardize agency in logged 13,168 complaints East had the greatest growth airport design, operation, April. She in 2013— down more than rate, increasing nearly 11 and maintenance went into will join the National Safety 14 percent from the 15,338 percent in January. effect at more than 700 Council as its president and complaints received in 2012.  Per Air Transport News, of the largest EU airports. CEO.  According to Bloomberg, Norwegian Air Shuttle car- European Commissioner  AviationPros.com financial analysts are ried more than 1.5 million for Transport Siim reported that Airlines for projecting that American passengers in February Kallas said, “Safety America expects air travel Airlines Group, Inc., which 2014, an increase of 22 per- is the paramount to rise to its highest level was created almost four cent compared to February objective of the EU in six years. The industry months ago, is poised to 2013. In February, the airline aviation policy. With group estimates that about earn an annual profit of took delivery of two new the application of 130 million passengers, or approximately $3.5 bil- B-737-800s, with 15 more these new rules

2.1 million per day, were lion—an industry record. being delivered in 2014. airports will be safer, and so olia . com t expected to fly U.S. airlines The group is made up of the The company will also take will be the airline operators o during March and April, a former American Airlines delivery of four new B-787 and the passengers using 1 percent increase from and US Airways. Dreamliners during the first those airports.”l —F op her N olan TheSidebar © Chr i st When it comes to ALPA com- tions is just one way ALPA strives cation to fly to the U.S.—a plan airline pilot is heard. Whether munications, everything matters. for excellence. In all facets of that would ultimately threaten we’re advocating on behalf of Photos, headlines, editorials, the airline piloting profession, U.S. jobs. safety, pilot group contracts, or our Facebook posts, tweets. At times, ALPA is leading the dialogue and Similarly, rumors of an omi- pilot-partisan agenda, our mission our communication efforts bringing members’ concerns to nous pilot shortage based on the is direct and focused. We refuse to unintentionally evoke a negative the forefront. Think about it. Last high number of retirements have be ignored. And for every hurdle response, and we seek to learn year, Norwegian Air International run rampant for several years, this organization overcomes, it from these situations. Whether (NAI) didn’t exist, and the airline and ALPA stood alone addressing emerges stronger and operation- it’s a frank conversation with labor scheme contrived by NAI the real shortage: a pay and ben- ally more effective. So if you have a pilot offering new ideas for wasn’t even on anyone’s radar efit shortage for airline pilots (see ideas, we’re listening. And if you improving this magazine or (see page 8). But in short order, page 20). And now, our position can do it in 140 characters or less, feedback from pilots at the recent our laser-sharp focus has reaped appears to be making remarkable you’ll really have Leadership Training Conference industrywide support. Members headway within the industry and our attention. (see page 26) on ways to more of Congress have taken action, the press, with many headlines effectively communicate with our and nearly 30,000 supporters rightfully talking about a pay Namaste, younger generation of pilots, we have signed a petition demand- shortage, not a pilot shortage. Sharon B. Vereb take your feedback seriously. ing that the Department of Our job as communicators is Editor in Chief Improving our communica- Transportation deny NAI’s appli- to ensure that the voice of the Air Line Pilot

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 7 n FrontLines n ALPA Calls on basis that contain provisions and in which many foreign saving the U.S. airlines and Government to Advance that advance the value of airlines are state-owned or all that they contribute to the “Fair Skies” Agreements high labor standards.” He heavily state supported, U.S. U.S. economy, national securi- On March 10, Capt. Lee Moak, added that the United States Open Skies agreements must ty, and jobs,” Moak concluded. ALPA’s president, spoke must also identify unfair safeguard U.S. airlines’ ability “If the U.S. government does before the International state-created competitive to compete fairly in the inter- not allow U.S. airlines and Aviation Club of Washington, advantages and account for national economic arena as their workers D.C., calling on U.S. govern- them in these agreements, well as the jobs of U.S. airline to compete ment leaders to take new both in the future and look- industry workers. fairly, the U.S. action to ensure that existing ing at Open Skies agreements “Many foreign countries airline industry and future U.S. Open Skies already in place. own their airlines outright as we know agreements and other U.S. Speaking before D.C. poli- and equip them to compete it today will policies give U.S. airline cymakers, Congressional staff, with clear-cut economic disappear.” industry workers a fair op- airline management, and advantages,” acknowledged To watch a video of Moak’s portunity to compete in the members of the news media, Moak. “In these countries, the speech, scan the QR code. global marketplace. degree of their national “Every ALPA pilot airline’s success is vital n ALPA Commends Senators shares my concern to their nations’ future For Strong Stand Against today regarding economic diversity and NAI Scheme Malaysia Airlines well-being. We can’t “ALPA commends the 38 Flight 370. Through change this and we members of the U.S. Senate the International shouldn’t try.” who have taken a strong Federation of Air Line In addition, Moak stand for making certain Pilots’ Associations, called for reforming that the U.S.-EU Open Skies ALPA has offered any other current U.S. Agreement is respected and and all assistance we policies that economi- that U.S. airlines have a fair can provide to the cally harm U.S. airlines’ opportunity to compete crew’s colleagues and ability to compete internationally and continue to the investigation,” on V ere b internationally. He to fuel the U.S. economy, S h a r said Moak in opening cited the U.S. Export- support the national defense, his address. “At the same time Moak underscored the impor- Import Bank’s widebody and provide U.S. jobs,” said that ALPA works to advance tance of ensuring that U.S. air aircraft financing that hands Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s the highest standards of services agreements create significant financing cost president, responding to safety, it is our responsibility fair economic competition by savings to U.S. airlines’ foreign a bipartisan letter sent on to ensure that the U.S. airline citing the recent Norwegian competitors but for which March 12 to Department industry is economically Air International (NAI) busi- U.S. airlines are not eligible of Transportation Secretary strong and competitive. ness scheme. to apply. Anthony Foxx. The letter “Many of the countries “Norwegian Air Shuttle He also reinforced ALPA’s expresses lawmakers’ serious with which the United States is not contesting that it has call for the U.S. govern- concerns that the scheme has created or is looking to created NAI for the purpose ment to stop funding the may not comply with the U.S.- create Open Skies agree- of avoiding Norwegian law,” U.S. Customs and Border EU Open Skies Air Transport ments either own or heavily Moak said. “NAI is designed Protection (CBP) preclearance Agreement and is not in the back their airlines. This is not to undermine the labor stan- facility currently operating U.S. public interest. fair skies,” said Moak. “U.S. dards and principles con- at Abu Dhabi International The letter, spearheaded by aviation policy must foster tained in the laws of Norway Airport and to reject any Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a robust U.S. airline industry and the United States, and its other preclearance facility Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and and jobs while allowing operation in the transatlantic that would give state-owned Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), airlines to continue to benefit market would be inconsistent foreign airlines an unfair raises serious concerns about from Open Skies agreements.” with the intent of the U.S.-EU marketplace advantage in Norwegian Air International Moak noted that this can Air Transport Agreement.” competing with U.S. airlines (NAI’s) application to the be accomplished, “but only In an international eco- while draining resources from Department of Transportation if the United States creates nomic environment in which CBP facilities at U.S. airports. (DOT) for a foreign air carrier agreements on a go-forward a scheme such as NAI exists “Ultimately, this is about permit that would allow it to

8 Air Line Pilot April 2014 fly to the United States and to the landslide objection operations in the transatlantic customers is clear evidence compete with U.S. airlines to its scheme and is again market would be inconsis- that the U.S. Department of for international passengers’ changing its public message. tent with the provisions of Transportation must imme- business. In a Wall Street Journal story the U.S.-E.U. Air Transport diately reject the Norwegian “The U.S.-EU Open published on March 12, the Agreement. “In addition, its Air International scheme,” Skies Agreement was a his- CEO of NAI’s parent company, parent company has made concluded Moak. toric agreement that not only Norwegian Air Shuttle, indi- no effort to deny that it has expanded opportunities for cated that he is making plans expressly created NAI to avoid n ALPA Pilots Press DOT consumers and businesses, to buy another European Norway’s national laws and Secretary to Level the but protected our high labor carrier with an existing permit gain an unfair advantage Playing Field standards,” said Schatz. “NAI’s to serve the United States against U.S. airlines in the ALPA pilots stood front permit application to the DOT should NAI fail to obtain a global marketplace,” added and center with a call for is concerning, and we need DOT permit. Moak. the U.S. government to to uphold the integrity of the “Once again, NAI is Nearly 30,000 airline pilots, level the playing field for U.S. bilateral agreement and the changing its public relations other airline industry employ- airlines as U.S. Department labor standards that protect tune. It appears that NAI has ees, and airline passengers of Transportation (DOT) American jobs.” recognized the escalating op- have signed ALPA’s petition Secretary Anthony Foxx In addition to the letter position to its unfair scheme opposing NAI’s scheme and addressed the Aero Club of from the Senate to the and is creating backup plans,” calling on the DOT to imme- Washington at a luncheon on DOT, more than 60 mem- continued Moak. diately reject it. February 25. Capt. Lee Moak, bers of the U.S. House of ALPA maintains that “The many unanswered ALPA’s president, was invited Representatives have also the NAI scheme is clearly legal, policy, and safety ques- to join the secretary at the written to the DOT expressing designed to undermine the tions as well as the strong head table. concern or outright opposi- labor standards contained outpouring of concern from During the Q&A follow- tion to NAI’s application. in the laws of Norway and Congress, U.S. airline industry ing Secretary Foxx’s formal NAI appears to be reacting the United States, and its employees, management, and remarks, Capt. Jud Crane

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 9 n FrontLines (continued) (Delta), a member of the the Customs and Border Delta Master Executive Protection (CBP) preclear- Council (MEC) Government ance facility at Abu Dhabi w e ll Affairs Committee, asked, International Airport. The t “How can the Department of letter, which was sent in ad- Transportation help level the vance of the hearing on fu- L inda S h o Secretary Foxx addresses the Aero Club of Washington. playing field for U.S. carriers ture priorities and challenges and their employees who at the U.S. Department of play precedent that is being n Pilots Protest Orlando are facing competition from Homeland Security (DHS), set by CBP with regard to Mayor’s Support for state-owned, state-subsidized also questions recent future preclearance facilities Outsourcing Jobs airlines who are exploiting reports of a preclearance is extremely troubling and In late February, ALPA’s perceived loopholes in Open facility planned for Dubai aggravates the immediate national campaign to op- Skies agreements?” International Airport. CBP staffing challenges at our pose the Norwegian Air Foxx responded, acknowl- ALPA, which is working domestic airports.” International (NAI) scheme edging that it is “in our inter- with the committee to To read ALPA’s letter, scan went local. More than ests” to ensure that airlines address current and future the QR code. 80 Orlando-based pilots maintain a competitive posi- aviation security issues, ques- In related news, Emirates signed a petition opposing tion. He continued, saying, tions the “very real airline President Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s “We will take whatever steps threat” posed by the Tim Clark concurred enthusiastic support for are necessary to ensure that Abu Dhabi preclear- with ALPA’s com- NAI—as evidenced by his our carriers are competitive.” ance facility, which ments regarding letter to the U.S. Department began prescreening a potential Dubai of Transportation (DOT) n More Oversight Needed U.S.-bound pas- CBP preclearance encouraging approval of NAI’s In Overseas Preclearance sengers from the facility. According to application to provide low- Facilities Selection United Arab Emirates on The Wall Street Journal, Clark cost scheduled service in the On February 25, ALPA sent a Jan. 24, 2014. In the letter, thinks that “the long-term so- United States and entry into letter to House Committee on the Association noted that lution to prolonged wait times the Orlando market. Homeland Security Chairman “ALPA continues to oppose at U.S. airports would be an On February 28, pilots Michael McCaul (R-Tex.) and the CBP preclearance facility improvement in staff and hand-delivered the petition Ranking Member Bennie at Abu Dhabi International systems by U.S. authorities at to Dyer at City Hall, attracting Thompson (D-Miss.) urging Airport. The lack of U.S. air domestic customs posts, not significant attention from the committee to explore carrier service to Abu Dhabi facilities elsewhere. ‘Surely the Orlando news media. security issues surrounding as well as the unusual pay-to- that’s the way,’ he said.” ALPA also launched a moving MarketWatch Airlines Parent Company Stock Symbol 2/28/2013 2/28/2014 % Chg. Spirit Spirit Airlines, Inc. NASDAQ: SAVE $20.25 $56.48 178.9% American Eagle (Envoy), Piedmont, PSA American Airlines Group, Inc.1 NASDAQ: AAL $13.43 $36.93 175.0% Delta, Endeavor Air Delta Air Lines2 NYSE: DAL $14.27 $33.21 132.7% Hawaiian Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. NASDAQ: HA $5.67 $12.04 112.3% AirTran Southwest Airlines NYSE: LUV $11.70 $22.40 91.5% United United Continental Holdings, Inc. NYSE: UAL $26.71 $44.96 68.3% Alaska Alaska Holdings, Inc.3 NYSE: ALK $51.55 $86.64 68.1% Air Transat Transat A.T., Inc. TSX: TRZ.B $6.11 $10.25 67.8% FedEx Express FedEx Corporation NYSE: FDX $105.43 $133.18 26.3% Air Transport International Air Transport Services Group, Inc. NASDAQ: ATSG $5.52 $6.39 15.8% Jazz Chorus Aviation TSX: CHR.B $3.92 $3.89 -0.8% Atlantic Southeast, ExpressJet skyWest, Inc. NASDAQ: SKYW $14.00 $12.70 -9.3% Bearskin, Calm Air Exchange Income Corporation TSX: EIF $28.56 $21.59 -24.4% 1US Airways and American completed their merger on Dec. 9, 2013. The price shown above for Feb. 28, 2014, is the stock price of the new company, traded as “AAL” on the NASDAQ. The price shown for Feb. 28, 2013, is the price of the old US Airways stock, which was traded on the NYSE as “LCC.” That stock ceased trading on Dec. 6, 2013. Under the terms of the merger agreement, US Airways stockholders received one share of common stock of the combined airline for each share of US Airways common stock then held. 2Delta Air Lines announced a dividend of $0.06 on Feb. 19, 2014. 3Alaska Holdings, Inc. announced a dividend of $0.25 on Feb. 21, 2014.

10 Air Line Pilot April 2014 billboard that was deployed team has been doing its best is cherry-picking different on March 10 regarding the to Orlando’s City Hall and to spin NAI’s DOT application, countries in which to do U.S. District Court sentencing airport to underscore the the fact is that NAI is offering business, getting certified in of Sergio Patrick Rodriguez to point that Dyer has fallen for a bad deal for the U.S. airline Ireland and contracting pilots 14 years in prison for aiming NAI’s dubious scheme and industry and a bad deal for through Singapore while bas- a laser at a Fresno police demanding he reassess his Orlando. Any short-term ing the pilots in Thailand. helicopter during flight. The position. promises NAI is making are Join the nearly 30,000 helicopter was investigating The petition states that far outweighed by the long- people who have already the apartment complex “While NAI’s public relations term costs its business model signed on to ALPA’s petition where Rodriguez and his represents.” to #DenyNAI at www. accomplice, Jennifer Lorraine Allowing NAI to takeaction.alpa.org. Coleman, resided following provide interna- the report of laser strikes tional air service n ALPA Supports 14-Year on an emergency transport to Orlando means Prison Sentence for Airplane helicopter for Children’s that many Orlando- Laser Attack Hospital of Central California. based pilots and “ALPA applauds the FBI, the Rodriguez and Coleman were their families will Eastern District of California both convicted by a federal feel direct negative U.S. District Court, and the jury in December 2013.

Toni Vacin e k effects. In an effort Clovis and Fresno Police “Law enforcement to evade national Departments for their and emergency transport minimum standards vigilance in the investigation helicopters are particularly F/O Steve Jangelis (Delta) poses with the of labor protection and conviction of this case,” vulnerable to these types of mobile billboard deployed around Orlando. and regulation, NAI commented the Association attack, since they typically fly

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 11 n FrontLines (continued) at lower altitudes where laser threats via public service and error management, wind officially announced the pointers pose the most dan- announcements, billboards, shear, pilot professionalism, creation of a new PAC level. ger to an aircraft in flight. Mr. and press releases. Capt. compliance with standard op- The Behncke Circle recog- Rodriguez has been convicted Sean Cassidy, ALPA’s first erating procedures, training, nizes ALPA’s rich heritage of of deliberately aiming a high- vice president and national and other areas that come serving pilot members since powered laser at multiple safety coordinator, into play during 1931. The circle is named aircraft, and we hope that his recently discussed missed approaches after ALPA’s founder, Dave sentencing, along with the the dangers of illegal and go-arounds. Behncke, who prioritized po- future sentencing of his ac- laser illumination of “All of these litical action. This distinction complice, will help to spread aircraft on a recent things play a role is for those who contribute the message to others that episode of the TV in pilots’ decisions $1,000 during a calendar year intentionally aiming a laser show The Doctors. to go around,” ($83.34 per month). at an aircraft is not a prank, To watch a video of the laser Cheeseman pointed out. The local representa- but a federal crime with very segment, scan the QR code. “This is a tough nut to crack. tives at United Council 33 serious consequences.” You can look at the data immediately responded Earlier this year, ALPA col- n ALPA Reps Weigh In on on missed approaches and by becoming the very first laborated with the FBI and lo- Go-Arounds go-arounds in a number of council to have 100 percent cal law enforcement to launch Capt. Frank Cheeseman different ways, but the fact of its elected leaders enrolled the Laser Threat Awareness (United), chairman of the is, our members make great in the Behncke Circle. Capt. campaign to raise awareness ALPA Human Factors and decisions every day. Vince Zagarella, F/O R.J. Wolf, of aircraft laser-illumination Training (HFT) Group, and “To improve even more and F/O Steve Knopf, incom- Capt. Nick Seemel (Jazz), on our record of safety, ALPA ing secretary-treasurer, are all central air safety chairman of supports improved pilot part of the inaugural Behncke his pilot group, delivered the monitoring, effective training Circle class. Congratulations ALPA line pilot point of view to include proper analysis of and a special note of thanks during a recent two-day semi- aircraft energy states, and goes out to Council 33 for nar on go-arounds and missed opportunities to practice their tremendous leadership approach safety issues. the go-around maneuver as the PAC fights to create a “Approach and Go-Around in the flight simulator with pilot-partisan future. Safety: A Flight Operations well-thought-out, data-driven “We’re very encouraged Save the Date for ALPA’s Seminar,” hosted by the recurrent training intervals.” by the PAC’s growth,” said Government Affairs Regional Airline Association Zack Mooneyham, ALPA’s Legislative Summit (RAA), the Flight Safety n NMB Certifies JetBlue political representative. “It’s ALPA’s Government Affairs Foundation, and JetBlue Election putting us on pace to exceed Legislative Summit will take place Airways at the JetBlue On February 26, the National our goals for 2014 and better May 28–29, 2014, at the Hyatt University training facility Mediation Board certified a compete against our very Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, near Orlando International representation election for well-funded adversaries in D.C. The event offers pilot reps and Airport on March 18–19, the pilots of JetBlue Airways. Washington, D.C.” pilot advocates an opportunity, no brought together nearly 100 The vote opened on March To learn more about ALPA- matter their experience level, to airline industry, academia, 25 and will close on April 22. PAC and to join the Behncke enhance their advocacy and PAC and government representa- Based on the overwhelm- Circle go to www.alpa.org/ leadership skills through hands-on tives. According to RAA, ing majority of cards signed, alpapac. training. “Globally, the number one JetBlue pilots have made The summit will feature legisla- cause[s] of accidents are ap- clear that they want to have a The descriptions of the Air Line tive briefings, workshops, guest proach and landing [mishaps], say in their future, a fair and Pilots Association PAC are not a speakers, and a Capitol Hill recep- solicitation to contribute to the the majority of which result enforceable contract, and the tion with members of Congress PAC. Only ALPA members, ALPA from unstable approaches.” professional resources needed and their staff. The event ends with executives, and senior administra- ALPA has done extensive to achieve their goals. tive and professional staff person- a lobby day on Capitol Hill where work over many years on a nel, and their immediate family participants will use their training wide variety of related topics, n ALPA-PAC Contributions members living in the same house- in meetings with senators and hold are eligible to contribute to including landing perfor- Continue to Soar representatives on relevant pilot- ALPA-PAC. ALPA-PAC maintains mance, contaminated run- On February 21, the ALPA- partisan legislative issues. and enforces a policy of refusing ways, pilot monitoring, threat PAC Steering Committee to accept contributions from any

12 Air Line Pilot April 2014 other source. ALPA members may airline industry. The program learn more about ALPA-PAC and enables TSA officers to about contributing to ALPA-PAC positively verify the identity by entering the members-only portion of www.alpa.org. and employment status of airline flightcrew members. n KCM Adds Three As a result, airline pilots, who Additional Airports already undergo thorough On March 11, Love Field in criminal background and Dallas, Tex., joined the ranks employment checks as a part of the Known Crewmember of their employment, are (KCM) program. With the subject to a more efficient Mesa pilots and their families spend a day at the Arizona addition of this site, KCM is security-screening process.” Diamondbacks’ ballpark. now available at 38 airports ALPA’s goal is for all U.S. recently announced that together,” said Capt. Scott across the United States. airlines to join the program new, larger airplanes will be Larsen, the pilots’ Negotiating Jacksonville International and for it to be available coming onto the property and Committee chairman. “It was Airport (JAX) and Austin- nationwide. For the most that it will be hiring at least very encouraging to talk with Bergstrom International up-to-date information on 20 pilots every month for the so many pilots and spouses. Airport (AUS) also recently the current KCM airports time being. As negotiations This event demonstrated the joined the program. KCM is and their access points, drag, the pilots are calling on overwhelming support for a risk-based security screen- select the KCM tab on ALPA’s management to come to the the pursuit of our negotiating ing program that enables smartphone app for iPhones table ready to play ball. goals. Thanks go to the many Transportation Security and Androids, or go to www. pilots and families who came Administration (TSA) security knowncrewmember.org. n FedEx MEC Hosts Open out over the weekend to officers to positively verify House in Memphis spend time with fellow FedEx the identity and employment n Mesa MEC Holds Family As the FedEx Express pilots pilots.” status of crewmembers. Awareness Event passed the one-year an- The MEC is committed On March 8, approximately niversary of their contract’s to ongoing communication 100 Mesa pilots and their amendable date of February with the pilots. “We are trying families gathered at 25, the Family Awareness and to make pilot family-related Camelback Ranch in Phoenix, Strategic Planning and Strike events the norm instead of Ariz., to watch the Arizona Committee (SPSC) hosted an the exception. All of our re- KCM makes airport check- Diamondbacks take on the open house on March 1. search, as well as pilot input, point screening more efficient Chicago White Sox in a spring With the weather fully clearly makes pilot family for all who depend on air training exhibition game. cooperating, the pilots and connections a priority,” said transportation by removing Inside a number of suites their families were able to Capt. Scott Stratton, the MEC airline pilots from passenger surrounding the field, families enjoy a beautiful day outside chairman. screening lines. Testing of watched the game and the Master Executive Council “Over the course of the risk-based screening for flight enjoyed a day at the ballpark. (MEC) office with live music past year, we’ve held multiple crews began in 2008 and Chicago White Sox players and plenty of activities for the events such as these in all the was approved by the TSA for stopped by to sign autographs children. From a rock-climb- locations where FedEx pilots expansion in 2009. As a result and greet the kids. Pilot nego- ing wall to face painting and are based or domiciled. From of successful partnerships tiators were also on hand to bounce houses, the children Anchorage to Los Angeles with Airlines for America and answer questions. enjoyed the day while their to Hong Kong and Cologne, the TSA, KCM has evolved This is one of the many parents received an update as well as Memphis, we into a robust nationwide events planned as the pilots on negotiations. continually strive to keep our program. To date, there have and management continue In addition to the activities pilots engaged and informed,” been more than 13 million negotiations, which have outside, pilots and their fami- Stratton added. “Unity is the transits. been ongoing since 2011. lies were welcomed inside the key to reaching our focused, Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s Mesa captains continue to MEC office to get a firsthand realistic, and fair contractual president, said, “The fur- work under Contract 2003 look at the MEC office and objectives. This event demon- ther expansion of Known pay rates, while first officers the resources available to strated the commitment and Crewmember signifies received a small raise in 2010. them. involvement of our pilots and another success for the U.S. Meanwhile, the company “Events like this bring us their families to that end.” l April 2014 Air Line Pilot 13 Sharing Our Highlighting ALPA pilots’ commitment to flying for successful companies, the following is “good news” from our pilots’ airlines. To read these articles Success in their entirety, go to www.alpa.org/success.

Hawaiian Tears Down the Walls Between CEO Colin Copp, chief administrative officer for Jazz. and Employees “We continue to invest in programs that make Hawaiian Airlines has torn down its office walls Jazz a great workplace for our employees to devel- to turn the airline’s corporate headquarters at op and succeed. This award would not be possible Honolulu International Airport into an open-office without the strong commitment and dedication concept that even leaves President and CEO Mark of our employees who pride themselves on our Dunkerley sitting at a desk among his employees. industry-leading reputation for safety and our Dunkerley said the renovation is central to the outstanding customer service.” transformation process he wants the company to go through and that the design includes deliberate FedEx Earns No. 8 Spot on the FORTUNE changes to help employees through that process. World’s Most Admired Companies List FedEx Corp. is again among the most admired Alaska and Horizon Employees Receive $105 companies in the world, according to a survey Million in 2013 Bonuses published in FORTUNE magazine. The annual Employees at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air re- “World’s Most Admired Companies” report lists ceived annual bonuses of more than 9 percent of FedEx as the No. 8 ranked company overall, and their annual pay, or more than five weeks’ pay for No. 1 in the delivery industry. The survey measures most workers. The bonus is in addition to $1,150 nine attributes related to financial performance in 2013 monthly bonuses that most employees and corporate reputation. earned for achieving on-time and customer satisfaction goals. The combined monthly and United Announces Full-Year and Fourth- annual bonuses amounted to nearly $105 million, Quarter 2013 Profit the highest in Alaska’s history, and are part of the United Airlines reported a $1.1 billion full-year company’s incentive-based pay program. 2013 profit excluding special charges—an 84 percent increase over 2012 results, and a $571 Delta Employees Earn $506 Million in Profit million profit including special charges. The airline Sharing for 2013 Performance also reported a $298 million fourth-quarter 2013 Delta Air Lines will pay its employees more than profit excluding special charges, and a $140 mil- a half-billion dollars in earned profit sharing—the lion profit including special charges. highest payout in company history—in recogni- tion of their industry-leading performance in 2013. Spirit Earnings Top Expectations, Shares Rise Employees’ individual payouts will equal 8.26 Spirit Airlines saw its fourth-quarter profit more percent of their eligible 2013 earnings. than double as the discount airline experienced continued strong demand and expanded its capac- Jazz Recognized as One Of Atlantic Canada’s ity. Spirit, one of the fastest-growing U.S. airlines, Top 25 Employers for Third Year in A Row said that it expects to further increase available Jazz Aviation has been named one of Atlantic seat miles by 21 percent in the first quarter Canada’s top 25 employers for 2014 by Mediacorp and 17 percent for the entire fiscal year. Spirit’s Canada, Inc. for the third consecutive year. “Once shares rose 6.7 percent in recent trading as the again, we are delighted to be recognized as one of company’s adjusted earnings topped Wall Street’s Atlantic Canada’s most attractive employers,” said expectations. l

14 Air Line Pilot April 2014 s LegislativeUpdate

n Dubai, Doha Apply for Pat Meehan (R-Pa.) and Rep. legislation introduced tation (DOT) introduced CBP Preclearance Facilities Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), would in the U.S. House of the regulation that prohib- Following the opening have required the U.S. govern- Representatives on March its airfare advertisements of the U.S. Customs and ment to perform an analysis 6 that seeks to enhance from highlighting the base Border Protection (CBP) of a facility’s potential effect the transparency of airline cost of an airline ticket, preclearance facility in on U.S. airlines and CBP ticket ads. The Transparent mandating instead that Abu Dhabi, both Dubai staffing before it proceeds Airfares Act of 2014 (H.R the total cost of airfare, and Doha International with any plans. The bill now 4156) will improve trans- including government- Airports have applied for has more than 150 bipartisan parency in airfare advertis- imposed taxes and fees, be facilities. While, unlike Abu cosponsors. When enacted, ing by allowing ads for included in the single price Dhabi, these airports are the bill will prohibit Abu passenger air travel to list shown to the consumer. served by U.S. airlines, the Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai from the base airfare and sepa- ALPA supports the benefits of CBP facilities ever having a preclearance rately declare additional Transparent Airfares Act at these airports would facility—shutting down any government-imposed taxes of 2014, which further still largely benefit state- that may have opened—and and fees. builds on previous airfare sponsored airlines Emirates formally define how and The bill was introduced transparency efforts by and Qatar. ALPA remains where other preclearance by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Sen. Robert Menendez strongly opposed to opening facilities could be opened. the House Transportation (D-N.J.) and Graves, be- preclearance facilities at any You can help push your and Infrastructure Com- cause it allows consumers airports that don’t have a elected officials to cosponsor mittee chairman, and Reps. to see the full breakdown significant presence by U.S. this bill by going to www.alpa. Nick J. Rahall, II (D-W.Va.), of their ticket costs. airlines and/or where such org/issues and participating in Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Government-imposed facilities create an unlevel ALPA’s Call to Action. Tom Graves (R-Ga.), Frank taxes and fees typically playing field for U.S. airlines. LoBiondo (R-N.J.), and Rick constitute 21 percent of The ALPA-supported n House Introduces New Larsen (D-Wash.). the total ticket cost, which Meehan-DeFazio bill (H.R. Airfare Transparency Bill In January 2012, the the DOT regulation hides 3488), introduced by Rep. ALPA welcomed bipartisan Department of Transpor- from consumers.l n ALPANegotiationsUpdate The following is a summary are under way. of the status of ALPA contract ExpressJet—A Section 6 notice negotiations by airline as of was filed on May 20, 2010. March 14, 2014: A joint Atlantic Southeast/ New ALPA Reps ExpressJet Section 6 notice Air Transport Int’l—A Section was filed on March 28, 2011. As of March 10, 2014, ALPA’s Election Ballot and 6 notice was received on Jan. The pilots rejected a tentative Certification Board certified election results for the 21, 2014. Initial meeting dates agreement on January 14. An following local councils: to be determined. application for joint mediation * Atlantic Southeast 116 Capt. Kurt Russell Air Wisconsin—A Section was filed on Feb. 12, 2014. Chairman (Capt. Rep) 6 notice was filed on Oct. 1, FedEx Express—A Section * Atlantic Southeast 116 F/O Alexander Kim 2010. Air Wisconsin filed for 6 notice was filed on Jan. 22, Vice Chairman (F/O Rep) mediation on June 17, 2013. 2013. Negotiations continue * Island Air 146 F/O Chad Holcomb Mediation continues April April 29–30, May 2, and June Vice Chairman (F/O Rep) 15–17. 3–4 and 6. * Island Air 146 F/O Thomas Kifer Atlantic Southeast—A Section Mesa—A Section 6 notice Secretary-Treasurer 6 notice was filed on May 20, was filed on Sept. 10, 2010. 2010. A joint Atlantic Southeast/ Negotiations continue April ExpressJet Section 6 notice 29–May 1, May 20–22, and For coverage of ALPA’s Leadership Training Conference see was filed on March 28, 2011. June 3–5. “So You Just Became an Elected Rep. The pilots rejected a tentative Sun Country—A Section 6 no- What Do You Do Now?” agreement on January 14. An tice was sent on Feb. 23, 2010. page 26. application for joint mediation Sun Country filed for mediation was filed on Feb. 12, 2014. on May 9, 2012. Mediation is Canadian North—Negotiations under way. l

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 15 OntheRecord

The following quotes are compiled from Congressional testimony, speeches, news clips, and other public documents. ALPA does not necessarily endorse these views but rather is informing members of recent statements by significant industry stakeholders.

“The Middle East aviation market is expected to receive the delivery of 2,610 aircraft between 2012 and 2032, valued at $ 550 billion. As a result, the total fleet size in the region is expected to increase at a rate of 4.7 percent.” —From a March 5 Times of Oman article

“Whether these pilots choose to seek employment with U.S. airlines depends on the extent to which pilot job opportunities arise, and on the wages and benefits airlines offer.” —From the February 28 General Accountability Office report “Aviation Workforce—Current and Future Availability of Airline Pilots,” which supports ALPA’s claims that there is not a near-term shortage of qualified airline pilots in the United States

“Either we’re going to raise everybody together and keep all the companies competitive, and have them compete on design and engineering and so forth, or they’re going to compete in spiraling down.” —said Bob King, president of the United Auto Workers, on March 6 concerning the union’s renewed attempt to organize workers at a Chattanooga, Tenn., Volkswagen plant

“They can’t trust Uncle Sam to buy Graincorp; what are they going to do when Chinese companies or Middle Eastern companies buy Qantas?” —commented Bill Shorten, member of the Australian Parliament and Opposition leader, on March 6 regarding the passage of a bill that will allow foreign corporations to own Australian airlines

“We will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that our carriers are competitive.” —stated Anthony Foxx, Department of Transportation secretary, addressing the Washington, D.C., Aero Club on February 25

“We respect Norwegian highly and gladly compete against them on long-haul routes, but that must take place on the same terms.” —said Christoph Franz, Lufthansa chief executive officer, to Dagens Næringsliv (DN) regarding Norwegian Air International’s labor scheme

16 Air Line Pilot April 2014 To read the latest On Investing magazine from Charles Schwab, go to www.schwab.com/oninvesting. It’s an added benefit for members through ALPA’s partnership with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., as the Association’s preferred financial services provider. l

n Winter 2014 Creates Havoc for Airlines

Winter 2014 has certainly been tough on the airline Number of Flights Cancelled industry. The significant Cancelled (LHS) Cancelled as a % of Total Operations (RHS) snow and ice storms 180,000 3.0% brought many airports to a 160,000 standstill. Weather caused a significant number of 140,000 flight cancellations, espe- 120,000 2.0% cially in February. In that 100,000 month, a combined four airlines cancelled more than 80,000 33,000 flights: American 60,000 1.0% and US Airways cancelled 40,000 more than 14,000; Delta 20,000 cancelled more than 8,000; and United cancelled more 0 0.0% 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 than 11,000. There were significant cancellations in Source: BTS. Number of airlines reporting varies by year. In 2013, 16 airlines reported figures, compared to only 10 in 2002. January as well—close to 20,000 from the same four Airports with Most Cancelled Flights in 2013 airlines. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics 12,000 will not have official figures out for the entire airline 10,000 industry until late April. But 8,000 in the meantime, ALPA’s Economic & Financial 6,000 Analysis Department has reviewed some historical 4,000 data to show the effect 2,000 these thousands of cancellations will have on 0 annual numbers. In 2013, ORD DFW EWR SFO ATL LGA DEN DTW LAX IAH JFK CLT MSP IAD BOS just under 100,000 flights Source: BTS. Number of airlines reporting varies by year. In 2013, 16 airlines reported figures, compared to only 10 in 2002. were cancelled all year. That amounted to only 1.5 per- conditions than others. In accounted for just more County Memorial Airport cent of all operated flights 2013, Chicago O’Hare can- than half of all the cancel- in Michigan had 8.9 last year. That figure was up celled more flights than any lations last year. However, percent of the cancelled slightly from 2012 but down other airport—9,999. The to put those numbers into flights in 2013. Those from 2011 and 2010. airport with the next highest perspective, you have to airports with more than Due to location, some number of cancellations in look at the number of can- 5 percent of cancelled airports are faced with 2013 was Dallas/Fort Worth cellations as a percentage flights last year were all more severe weather with 7,467. Fifteen airports of total flights. Houghton regional airports.

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 17 n In Memoriam “To fly west, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check.”—Author unknown

2014 Capt. Melvin L. Christensen Northwest February Capt. Anthony N. Bua tWA January Capt. Jan B. Conover united February Capt. W.J. Fredendall Delta January Capt. Sidney J. Cook Northwest February Capt. Oakley D. Ostrander us Airways January Capt. Robert P. Gick Delta February Capt. S.G. Tuttle Northwest January Capt. Paul A. Graffeo united February Capt. Alton L. Teasley AirTran January Capt. Mike A. Hamdooni Air Transport Int’l February Capt. Dale L. White Delta January Capt. Calvin L. Holderman, Jr. Flying Tigers February Capt. Donald S. Anderson us Airways February Capt. K.C. James Delta February Capt. Sherman H. Anderson America West February Capt. Charles J. Mayer AirTran February Capt. Sherry F. Anderson united February F/O Mark K. Burpee endeavor Air February n Compiled from information provided by ALPA’s Membership F/O G.A. Chapman Delta February Administration Department

Mailbag Leadership training I just attended ALPA’s Leadership Training Conference. During the course of the week, Lee Moak and Zack Mooneyham both gave powerful presentations concerning ALPA-PAC. I used their presentations at my recent council meeting. Thank you ALPA for a job well done! F/O Tom Murphy (United), Council 34 Secretary-Treasurer

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18 Air Line Pilot April 2014 April 2014 Air Line Pilot 19 A Pilot Shortage? Nope. It’s All About the Money By ALPA Staff

f you’ve been following the news the last • available data show that a large pool “When few months, you’ve noticed that some U.S. of qualified pilots exists relative to the somebody Iairlines have been publicly wringing their projected demand, but whether such hands over what they’re describing as a “pilot pilots are willing or available to work says it’s not shortage.” In some cases, they’ve cancelled at wages being offered is unknown. flights, dropped routes, and whipped up public • data on wage earnings and employ- about the relations campaigns to blame this pilot short- ment growth are not consistent with the money, it’s age on the new regulations, effective last existence of an airline pilot shortage. August, that require all airline first officers to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data about the meet higher qualifications—including past from 2000–2012 show that the median flight experience—than the lower standards weekly earnings of airline pilots decreased money.” that were in place for decades. by 9.5 percent over the period (adjusted —H.L. Mencken, On February 28, the General Accountability for inflation)—an average decline of 0.8 American journalist, Office (GAO), an independent agency that pro- percent per year. Positive growth in wages essayist, satirist, and vides audit, evaluation, and investigative ser- is required for a shortage to be present. critic of American life vices to the United States Congress, released • employment of professional pilots and culture the report “Aviation Workforce—Current and has actually decreased by 12 percent Future Availability of Airline Pilots” (GAO-14- during the period 2000–2012, which 232) that supports the points ALPA has made is not consistent with a shortage. for several years concerning whether there is, • while the United States had 72,000 or will be, a genuine shortage of airline pilots airline pilot jobs in 2012, FAA data show in the United States. To put it very simply, in 137,658 currently active pilots holding the near term no shortage of qualified pilots an air transport pilot (ATP) certificate and exists. younger than age 65 with a first-class medi- There is, however, a shortage of qualified cal certificate as of Jan. 30, 2014. Another pilots willing to fly for substandard wages and 105,000 pilots hold instrument ratings and inadequate benefits. commercial pilot certificates and are in the pipeline to potentially obtain an ATP. GAO findings • the GAO estimates that roughly 1,900 to So what did the government watchdogs 4,500 new pilots will need to be hired on discover? average annually over the next 10 years. Here are a few of the comments contained In 2012, the FAA certificated 6,396 new in the GAO report that buttress ALPA’s long- ATPs, and that number is trending upward. held view that there is no near-term shortage Additionally, roughly 2,400 qualified pilots of qualified pilots but simply a shortage of leave the U.S. military services each year. qualified pilots who are willing to work for • two out of three studies reviewed by the those U.S. airlines that fail to provide career GAO on pilot supply trends suggest that potential, adequate livable wages, and ben- a prolonged pilot shortage is unlikely to efits. According to the report, develop. One study noted that a short-

20 Air Line Pilot April 2014 age of entry-level first officers may temporarily emerge but would likely be addressed within a few years. Pilot Hiring • avoiding a pilot shortage hinges on the ability of the U.S. Some regional airlines have not adequately prepared for airline industry to provide incentives for lower-level pilots today’s pilot hiring needs, which have been predictably com- to seek a higher certification, and to provide incentives for pounded in the near term by pilot retirements and increased pilots currently working abroad or elsewhere to apply for U.S. qualification requirements. As noted, some in the industry airline pilot jobs, if a shortage arises. Analyses that the GAO have been critical of the new air transport pilot (ATP) require- reviewed state or imply that airlines may need to provide ments for new airline pilots and blame them for regional financial incentives—for example, higher wages, benefits, airlines’ inability to hire qualified pilots. or bonuses—to bring new pilots into the airline industry. However, Congress introduced legislation on this subject • 11 of the 12 regional airlines interviewed by the GAO nearly five years ago, and the airline industry was well repre- have been unable to meet hiring targets for training sented on, and agreed to the recommendations made by, the classes formed since early 2013. Regional airlines cur- FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) that created the rently pay, on average, about $24 per flight hour (ap- new pilot qualifications and training rules. The future effects proximately $24,000 annually) for new-hire first officers. of pilots’ retiring at age 65, which began a year ago, were • the mainline airlines interviewed by the GAO report well understood more than six years ago. Further, Congress that they are not experiencing any difficulty in attracting gave the FAA the ability to give flight-hour qualified and desirable pilot candidates. These airlines credit for specific academic training and currently pay, on average, about $48 per flight hour (ap- military experience against the 1,500- proximately $48,000 annually) for new-hire first officers. hour requirement for the ATP. The FAA did exactly that, to the benefit of ALPA’s views the regional airlines, by establishing Safety the “restricted ATP” that a pilot could Several accidents over a number of years, including the Colgan qualify for with as few as 750 hours of Airways accident near Buffalo, N.Y. in 2009, caused a justifiable total flight time. groundswell of support for the new and safer increase in the minimum qualifications for pilots to be hired at U.S. airlines, the scope of which goes well beyond the number of hours that a first officer must have in order to enter FAR Part 121 airline service. Although some within the airline industry blame the legislation and resulting FAA airline pilot qualifications and training Career investment rules for a pilot shortage, the airline industry actually helped Certain airlines have created career pathways to entice po- craft those rules and supported their passage. tential pilot candidates to invest in an aviation education and flight training and thereby prepare themselves for a career Economics as an airline pilot. These pathways may connect one or more There is a quantifiable shortage of pay and benefits for pilots accredited aviation universities or colleges with a regional air- in the regional airline industry, not a shortage of qualified pilots line and a legacy airline, so that there is a clear and defined who are certified to fly the airlines’ equipment. According to progression by which to prepare for this career. Some legacy ALPA’s figures, which vary just slightly from the GAO’s, the airlines have flow-through agreements with their regional average starting salary for new-hire first officers in the regional code-share partners that guarantee regional airline pilots an airline industry is only $22,400, which compares very poorly interview with the mainline carrier upon achieving certain with the starting salaries in other fields for which university career milestones. ALPA strongly supports these and similar aviation program graduates are qualified to enter, including programs that help establish a stronger and more qualified • test engineer ($52,000), pool of pilot candidates to safely operate airline equipment. • operations manager ($55,000), and Thousands of young adults learn to fly each year with • second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, the entry level for the hope of becoming airline pilots. Their total investment most military pilots ($53,616 in salary and allowances). may exceed $150,000 for their college aviation education It’s worth noting that the average $35,529 starting salary for and flight training, but that outlay is made on the basis of elementary school teachers—which is widely believed to be potentially earning several million dollars over the course of an underpaid profession—is substantially more than that of a 40-year or longer career. These future aviators need to see regional airline first officers. evidence that their investment will be rewarded; otherwise, Besides competing among themselves for qualified pilots, over the long term, we will see a shortage of qualified workers U.S. airlines are also competing with foreign airlines. in our airline industry.

There is a substantial disparity in favor of many foreign  April 2014 Air Line Pilot 21 Sponsored carriers—many of which are state-sponsored—because they are not saddled with the taxes and red tape that U.S. airlines Trending on Social Media Airline- are. As a result, thousands of pilots who are U.S. citizens have On March 1, 2014, ALPA aggressively set the tone for the opted to fly for foreign airlines because the stability, pay, and rumored pilot shortage using all modes of communication Career Track benefits of those foreign airlines are so much greater than and employing a robust social media campaign. Below is a those offered by U.S. airlines. As just one example, at U.S. snapshot of the results. legacy airlines, a first officer may have a starting salary of ATP offers the airline pilot career training solution $61,000 per year plus benefits, while a foreign airline may with a career track from zero time to 1500 hours pay $80,000 per year and provide housing allowances and sponsored by ATP’s airline alliances. other extraordinary benefits, including personal chauffeured transportation to and from work and tuition assistance for the pilot’s children.

Congressional action required >60,000 Impressions The U.S. airline industry is besieged by excessive taxation and red tape that the airlines of many other nations do not face. ALPA is a strong proponent of leveling the playing field 506 Comments to reduce this burden on airlines so that they can grow and thrive. One important benefit of leveling the playing field, as likes relates to the GAO report, will be an industry that can offer 450 jobs that are attractive to those who are interested in becoming airline pilots. Congress can and should play a critical role Shares in assisting U.S. airlines to make it easier for them to generate 252 sustained profits and thus be able to pay good wages and benefits and, consequently, for aspiring pilots to more confidently Post clicks (clicks on the link) invest in professional pilot education and training. 8,279 Congress can help by restoring loan guarantees for college and university students who are taking flight training as part Found on Facebook: of their degree curriculum. Congress should also work with Pilot shortage? Not so much, ALPA is correct, short- Airline Career airlines to create innovative means for them to offset pilots’ age is in paychecks. Demand for airline pilots and ATP graduates is soaring, with month flight training expenses and thereby help create a more reli- FAST TRACK the “1500 hour rule” and retirements at the majors. Pilot Program able pool of new first officer candidates. Myth: there is a pilot shortage. Fact: There MAY be Congress should take a hard look at the federal govern- a shortage of pilots who will work for poverty-line Airlines have selected ATP as a preferred training provider AIRLINES ment’s relationship with regional airlines that accept millions wages. to build their pilot pipelines with the best training in the fastest of dollars in government subsidies for providing essential air time frame possible. Private, Instrument, Airline conditional offer of employment service (EAS) while offering such poor wages and benefits that Add in the college and flying loans, completely not In the Airline Career Pilot Program, your airline interview Commercial Multi & CFIs at commercial phase of training, they cannot fill their pilot seats. Silver Airways accepted tens worth it! takes place during the commercial phase of training. based on building flight experience of millions of dollars in EAS funds while paying its first-year 100 Hours Multi-Engine Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer pilots only $20,770. A key point this article misses is that airline pilot to 1500 hours in your guaranteed of employment from one or more of ATP’s airline Experience Another regional lift provider, Great Lakes Airlines, which first officer is NOT an entry-level position. By the CFI job. See website for participating publicly complained recently about the pilot shortage, also time a pilot reaches the airlines as a first officer he/ alliances, plus a guaranteed instructor job with ATP or Guaranteed Flight Instructor Job airlines, admissions, eligibility, and a designated flight school to build flight experience. accepted tens of millions of dollars in EAS subsidies last she has spent two to three years working as a flight performance requirements. year while paying its new-hire first officers even less than instructor, charter pilot, flying traffic watch, pipeline Only ATP gives you this level of Silver Airways—$16,500. This is the same Great Lakes—a survey, etc. confidence in your flight training $64,995 turboprop operator headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyo.—that investment. Financing Available hatched a scheme several years ago to put mainland Chinese Unprecedented demand for pilots = pilot shortage. nationals in the right seats of its Beech 1900s and not pay Why? Starting salaries as LOW as $16,000 per year. Quick Online them a cent. The Chinese government paid the University of Financing Application North Dakota to train a cadre of future airline copilots and “Finally the truth comes out about the reason be- Students and cosigners can pre-qualify for was going to provide them a modest stipend while they filled hind the pilot shortage! Now is crunch time for the ﬁ nancing with no obligation. Great Lakes’ right seats for a year—for free—before returning regionals. They’re left with two options: Pay up or to China to join the burgeoning Chinese airline industry. close up. Time to find out just how hard-headed Intro Training Flight ATPFlightSchool.com/apply EW OCATIONS – they can be about raising those salaries.” Learn why ATP is your pilot career solution and N L Yes, it’s all about the money. get started with an intro training flight! PORTLAND, OR & SEATTLE, WA ATPFlightSchool.com/intro 22 Air Line Pilot April 2014

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2014-02-ATP-ALPA-FP.indd 1 12/31/13 11:07 AM Obstructive Sleep Apnea— An FAA Policy Update

By Dr. Quay Snyder, ALPA Aeromedical Advisor

ALPA helps steer the FAA in the right direction in changing policy on OSA screening, treatment, and certification

he November 2013 many stakeholder concerns has objective evidence certification so that the issue of the Federal Air after considering feedback of untreated OSA at the pilot can to continue to TSurgeon’s Medical Bul- from various interested time of the examination. fly on his or her previously letin announced that the FAA parties. FAA representatives • AMEs will issue a medi- issued medical certificate. would update its guidance to have met with Congressional cal certificate to the pilot • The FAA will send the aviation medical examiners staffers to discuss future regardless of BMI if he or pilot a special issuance (AMEs) on obstructive sleep policy and guidance changes. she is otherwise qualified. letter documenting the apnea (OSA) to require more Implementation of new • A pilot with significant follow-up tests required comprehensive screening of screening guidance is on hold risk factors in addition to and timing of the reports. pilots at risk for the condi- pending further input from a BMI of 40 or greater will • Most follow-up reports tion. The announcement FAA physicians and aviation be referred for an evalu- will require only usage created a furor in the aviation stakeholders. ation for possible OSA. data from the pilot’s CPAP community and with pilot The Federal Air Surgeon’s • OSA evaluations may be machine and a brief state- organizations. Responding to Office has indicated that its completed by any physician, ment from a physician. these concerns, the federal air future OSA guidance will be not just sleep specialists, surgeon convened a webinar significantly less onerous using standard criteria. Past FAA policy on OSA in December and hosted a than that announced in the • Evaluations do not require OSA has been a disqualifying meeting of key stakeholders November 2013 editorial by a laboratory sleep study condition for all classes of in January 2014. ALPA safety Dr. Fred Tilton, then the fed- or a home study if the FAA medical certification and medical representatives eral air surgeon. Just before certifying physician does since 1996. Previously, a participated in all of the FAA his retirement, Tilton outlined not feel the pilot needs it. pilot diagnosed with OSA events. procedures that addressed • Reports from physicians was immediately grounded As a result of strong the majority of stakeholders’ may be given to the AME until presenting the FAA feedback, the Federal Air concerns and removed some within 90 days of the FAA with evidence of adequate Surgeon’s Office has clarified of the previous disincentives exam and forwarded to treatment and no significant its draft future OSA guidance, for pilots to seek OSA evalu- the FAA to satisfy the medical complications from adopting feedback from ations. Although the new evaluation requirement. OSA. This process required stakeholders. This new guid- policy was not finalized nor The pilot continues to one or more evaluations by ance, if implemented, will implemented as this issue fly during this period. a physician board-certified improve aviation safety and went to press, the highlights • A pilot diagnosed with in sleep medicine, including the health, career preserva- of the proposed policy include sleep apnea can take polysomnogram data (an tion, and finances of affected the following: documentation of effective overnight sleep study in a pilots. • No pilot will be disquali- treatment to the AME who laboratory) both with and fied based on body mass will call the Regional Flight without treatment. FAA’s OSA policy status index (BMI) alone or Surgeon’s Office or the FAA Previous requirements also The FAA Office of Aerospace on other risk factors for Aeromedical Certification included an all-day mainte- Medicine has addressed OSA unless he or she Division for help with nance of wakefulness test 24 Air Line Pilot April 2014 and stimulant drug testing, NTSB published six recom- 2013 announcement fication process substantially which were dropped in 2009. mendations to address the Tilton’s editorial in November expand physician screening The tests were expensive, safety risk of OSA and fatigue 2013 announced the agency’s options to reduce the costs difficult to schedule quickly, (A-09-61 to A-09-66). intent to require OSA screen- of evaluations and potential and hard to locate. The These recommendations ing for all pilots with a BMI loss of medical certification of medical community did not included modifying the air- or 40 or greater—those at the pilot. have the resources to support man medical application form highest risk for OSA. He also The most significant large numbers of evaluations, to elicit information about said the agency intended to benefits come from elimi- and insurance companies OSA risk factors; screening move the screening threshold nating grounding periods sometimes balked at paying pilots for OSA and document- to lower BMIs over time and for those diagnosed and for these studies without ing effective treatment before to include air traffic control- effectively treated for OSA, preliminary screening. medical certification; provid- lers when the FAA had the saving months of flying Even more costly to pilots ing information to pilots, resources. Tilton pointed out compared to the current was the very long wait time employers, and physicians that male pilots with a neck policy that grounds pilots. after diagnosis—i.e., obtain- about the risks of OSA; and circumference of 17 inches or Overall, aviation safety and ing treatment, documenting demonstrating that effective greater were also at risk and pilot health will be enhanced the effectiveness of treat- treatment resulted in routine that 30 percent of those with while reducing the financial ment, and FAA review. For medical certification. OSA would have normal BMIs. burdens and disincentives a pilot to return to flight Contrary to some news media for obtaining OSA evaluation duties, the Regional Flight FAA preliminary reports, the FAA did not and treatment. Improved Surgeon Offices or the FAA response intend to use neck circumfer- AME and pilot awareness of Aeromedical Certification The FAA addressed these ence as a universal screening the dangers of OSA and the Division (part of the FAA recommendations in several tool. AMEs would refer to the benefits of treatment will Aerospace Medical Division ways. The agency developed FAA guide for policy specifics. increase. led by the FAA Federal Air a primer on OSA as part The subsequent actions Surgeon) had to clear the of a series of pilot safety of the Office of Aerospace pilot. AMEs did not have the brochures (see the obstructive Medicine in response to authority to do this without a sleep apnea insert in this widespread reaction led to special issuance authorization issue). AMEs were encouraged several opportunities for More info Air Line Pilot will publish from the FAA. to distribute them to pilots at feedback from interested par- a detailed article after the Frequently, pilots remained risk for OSA. Every FAA AME ties, including ALPA and other FAA announces its final grounded for three to six initial and recurrent training aviation organizations, sleep policy on obstructive sleep months while meeting these seminar included a session medicine experts, AME orga- apnea. For more info on requirements for FAA certifi- on OSA, addressing both the nizations, the NTSB, and FAA sleep apnea medical facts, cation. The financial toll from medical issues and the certifi- physicians. Nearly all involved see “What You lost wages, use of sick leave, cation policies. were concerned about how

alcohol REALLY According to Stanfordinclude researchers, risk factors . Many • OSA ysical risk intake, smoking, nasal congestion, hour) and OSA symptoms exist and menopause. Ph poor insurance cover- ; an AHI Because of the people with mild OSA have no symptoms al screening would be initiated, factors include a large neck,

and may not need treatment. Moderate recessed jaw, enlarged tonsils,se the OSA involves an AHI of 15–30 high arched palate, and nas

greater than 30 is severe OSA. obstructions; all may collap es- doubles (22 pounds) airway during10 kg sleep. Need Adding Symptoms • Common OSA symptoms includeptoms exc the risk of OSA; an increase ines) BMI qua- ng, sive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and of 6 or an increase in waist or hip with age, and difficulties Dr. Quay Snyder impaired cognition. Other sym size of 13–15 cm (5–6 associatedinch expense of chang- more as many felt that this was ALPA Aeromedical Advisor include snoring, gasping when urination,sleepi druples the risk.is I, even in obesity seri- difficulty with short-term memory or con- • Waist irline pilots: Obstructive sleep centration, frequent nighttime OSA than hip obesity or BM sleep apnea (OSA), if untreated, is ing sleep. with reduced sex drive, morning headaches, risk of nonobese people.associated ous, with significant health and irritability, and unrefresh • Hormones to Know A ifying since t career implications. The FAA has con- OSA significantly increases the disturbance lead to increased activity, ing medication, physical sidered sleep apnea disqual congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, appetite and weightenergy, gain. reduces 1996. And with the FAA’s announcemen high blood pressure requir • OSA in adjusting to ing the medical that it plans to provide new guidance to high cholesterol, stroke, heartntly attacks, increased muscle energy, metabolism, and a major policy change that diabetes, and depression. People with un- exercise performance, all leading aviation medical examinerstion on thisduring issue, treated OSA have a significa to obesity. airline pilots will likely encounter new f treatment.isk screening and documenta risk? health risk. This risk is substantially future medical exams. reduced after just two days o Bottom line for pilots About So how do you know if you’re at Untreated sleep apnea triples the r Again, untreated OSA is serious and has In this article we’ll discuss what OSA is, for fatal and nonfatal cardiac events, significant health and career implica- how it’s diagnosed, and what it means primarily in those younger than 65. Sleep tions. If you are at risk, get evaluated. apnea also is associated with adult epi- The most common comment from for you as a line pilot. - treatments was application required public comment. lepsy and complications with surgery. pilots who have been treated for OSA is, Diagnosing sleep apnea “I never knew I felt so bad before, until t Sleep apnea involves frequent intermit BMI and OSA I felt so good after treatment.” Don’t let tent pauses in breathing for more than Body mass index (BMI) is a person’s OSA ground you. y- 4.9; 10 seconds while sleeping (apnea) and/ weight in kilograms divided by height Most insurance companies cover mos Sleep or reduced airflow with blood oxygen in meters squared (go to www.bmi- costs associated with OSA, as treating desaturation greater than 4 percent (h calculator.net). Normal BMI is 18–2 OSA is cheaper than covering medicalndi - popnea). Sleep apnea has several forms:entral less than 18 is underweight; 25.0–29.9 complications of untreated OSA. - OSA from mechanical obstruction of the is overweight; greater than 30 is obese. For more on OSA and related co ctive signals n t substantial. A BMI greater than 40 is morbidly form, AMEs were tions and screening, diagnosing, and Some organizations pushed airway (the most frequent form); c sleep apnea (CSA) from defe obese. For example, a 5 foot 11 inch treating pilots, plus FAA medical certifica to breathe from the central nervous person would have to weigh more tha tion, visit the ALPA Aeromedical site a system; and a mixed form combining 287 pounds to exceed a BMI of 40. www.aviationmedicine.com and stay OSA and CSA. The Stanford University Sleep Center tuned for future articles in Air Line Pilot. Apnea,” Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed by a has detailed the relationship of weight We continue to work with ALPA and laboratory polysomnogram (sleep study), and OSA. One ironic finding: Obesity FAA staff to safely keep pilots on the job if but also can be diagnosed or excluded is the biggest risk factor for OSA (and they are diagnosed with sleep apnea. via home studies. Most people with sleep the only evidence-supported treatable These factors instructed to - for Congressional action and apnea are unaware they have it. risk factor), yet OSA can lead to obesity; The severity of OSA is scored using surgeon announced that new guidance on treating one helps treat the other. ished in the FAA’snt caused Guide a tonumber Aviation of several tools, the most common be ing the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). n December 2013, the federal air FAA to emphasize the need for February, Screening for sleep apnea may involve obstructive sleep apnea would be publ nting any new sleep apnea screening Medical Examiners in early 2014. This announceme simple overnight oximetry (blood oxygen I n introduced that would require the FAA saturation) studies or some of the less- stakeholders, including ALPA, to contactges the through formal rulemaking activity sophisticated home studies, but diagnos- greater stakeholder input before impleme disincentivized solicit information ing OSA may require more advanced policies. Additionally, legislation has bee for requiring the FAA to fol- types of home studies or even a formals to address sleep apnea screening chan laboratory sleep study. (see page 15.) Mild OSA occurs when the AHI i between 5 and 15 (i.e., the person has page 22. 5–15 apnea and hypopnea events per February 2014 Air Line Pilot pilots who were regarding OSA from low the rulemaking process 22 concerned that they pilots. The FAA also before implementation. may have OSA from seeking added a BMI calculator to Currently, bills addressing this evaluation. its Guide to Aviation Medical are pending in the U.S. House Examiners and its online and the Senate. Solution to this month’s ALPA sudoku on page 38 NTSB highlights safety medical application. The BMI risks was derived from the height Conclusion 3 6 7 2 4 1 8 9 5 Growing numbers of trans- and weight already recorded The proposed FAA guidance 4 8 5 3 6 9 1 2 7 9 2 1 7 5 8 3 6 4 portation accidents and on the medical application screens a wider population for 2 3 8 4 1 5 6 7 9 incidents led the NTSB to form. In most cases, however, OSA because of its significant 7 9 4 6 2 3 5 8 1 recommend changes to the AMEs took no action regard- adverse effect on safety. The 1 5 6 8 9 7 2 4 3 FAA’s OSA policy. As a result ing risk factors for OSA unless secondary benefit is improved 8 4 3 5 7 2 9 1 6 the pilot already had obtained of a go! Airlines overflight pilot health and career 5 7 9 1 8 6 4 3 2 of a Hawaiian destination in an evaluation or had an OSA longevity. Fortunately, the 6 1 2 9 3 4 7 5 8 2008 and other incidents, the diagnosis. proposed changes in the certi- April 2014 Air Line Pilot 25 ne of the most impor- this October, during which More than 60 local council become ALPA policy, stressing tant positions within time 187 status reps from status reps from 16 pilot that engaged ALPA members OALPA’s structure is the 31 different pilot groups will groups—nearly a third of the are the key to a proactive status representative—the be directing the best course Association’s BOD—assem- and ultimately successful line pilot elected to represent for the union. To ensure that bled for the training confer- organization. “While you’re members at the local council each of these pilot leaders ence held February 24–27. taking care of both local and level. In addition to “local” is up to this and other chal- Council officers had several national business, always responsibilities, the status rep lenges, ALPA conducts an opportunities to engage with remember that your pilots is also a member of his or her annual Leadership Training Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s presi- come first,” he said. pilot group’s master execu- Conference early in the calen- dent, who encouraged them Capt. Randy Helling, ALPA’s tive council (MEC) and ALPA’s dar year to equip these new to learn about “everything vice president–finance/trea- Board of Directors (BOD), the leaders with the proper tools. we have here at the Air Line surer, talked about the impor- union’s highest governing The term for these newest Pilots Association so that you tance of fiscal responsibility body. The 44th regular meet- local council officers began can best support your pilots.” and the system ALPA uses to ing of the BOD will be held March 1. Moak noted that having allocate its resources. members serve as elected Capt. Sean Cassidy, ALPA’s officers distinguishes ALPA first vice president and from many other unions and national safety coordinator, So You Just enables the Association to discussed the Association’s better understand and repre- extensive and critical safety, sent member interests. security, and pilot assistance Became An During the meeting, Moak initiatives. reviewed some effective lead- Attendees also heard ership traits and expressed information-packed presenta- Elected Rep. his deep appreciation for the tions from ALPA’s senior new officers’ enthusiasm and leaders and department staff, What Do You willingness to get involved. participated in interactive “Thanks for volunteering. job-training exercises, and Thanks for deciding not to learned about the many Do Now? remain silent,” he said. services and resources the “Your pilots thought you Association makes available By John Perkinson, Staff Writer were the best person for the to its members. They were job,” Capt. Bill Couette, ALPA’s guided through the four days vice president–administra- by the union’s Leadership tion/secretary, told partici- Committee, chaired by Capt. pants. Couette discussed how David Farmer (Delta). Other pilot ideas move through the participating committee union’s governing body to members included Capt. Tom

F/O Bob Steeneck (United) has worked with his pilot group’s hotel and merger committees but had never served as a local council officer. The United 27 F/O rep in Seattle, Wash., currently flies B-747-400s but is soon transition- ing to the B-777. He admits there’s a lot to get to know and attended the conference to help put names to faces and to prepare to actively contribute to his pilot group.

E145 Capt. Joshua Zucker (ExpressJet) instructed First-Time at the University of North Dakota before moving on to his current airline nine years ago. The Attendees secretary-treasurer for ExpressJet 177 in Newark, N.J., attended the training to learn more about Weigh In the union’s role both locally and nationally.

26 Air Line Pilot April 2014 Wychor (Endeavor Air), Capt. tiations, she recommended among other things, have counselor at the nearby Mark Moore (Delta), Capt. developing a strategic plan now been profitable for four Canadian Embassy. Andy Nelson (Spirit), and F/O and routinely communicating consecutive years. She noted Rob Slovitsky (United). with members to keep them that the regional sector, on Goods and services fully engaged and apprised the other hand, continues to “Consider us your public Building blocks of what’s happening at the face significant upheaval and relations agency,” said With authority comes great bargaining table. Ginsburg that the cargo sector is slowly Doug Baj, a manager in responsibility, and the attend- advised MEC leaders to “put beginning to recover. ALPA’s Communications ing status reps learned about together a team you trust” Attendees met with Department, which is tasked the legal and representational when considering pilot nego- Elizabeth Baker, ALPA’s with helping elected leaders ramifications of their actions tiator candidates. The elected Government Affairs director, communicate with pilot as ALPA leaders. Jonathan leaders also participated in at the U.S. Capitol Visitor members. Baj, along with Cohen, the Association’s training modules on how to Center in Washington, D.C. Sharon Vereb, editor in chief general counsel and director effectively represent pilots Expanding the union's politi- of Air Line Pilot, reviewed the of the Legal Department, who are called into the chief cal presence in Washington vast array of communica- described his team as “an pilot’s office. and Ottawa continues to tions tools available to ALPA internal law firm that’s “If you don’t have consen- be a top priority for ALPA, MECs. The two talked exten- dedicated to you.” Cohen sus within your pilot group, and Baker talked about the sively about the department’s offered some lessons learned you will leave money on the importance of engaging multimedia productions, its from recent litigation, while table,” noted Wychor, who lawmakers to ensure that the creative and design services, other Association attorneys together with Capt. Roger pilot perspective is included its ability to develop content explained the Railway Labor White (Delta), a member of in aviation-related legislation. and undertake strategic plan- Act, the union’s document ALPA’s Strategic Planning Baker introduced Sen. Joe ning, and its use of analytic management program, and Committee, led a discussion Manchin (D-W.Va.), a general tools to monitor and track legal policies that ALPA lead- about constructive decision- aviation pilot in his leisure areas of interest. ers must adhere to in order to making. White emphasized time, who talked about Lori Garver, ALPA’s gen- remain on the “straight and that “a consensus-based deci- the danger of offshoring eral manager, and Michael narrow.” sion is going to hold together American jobs, his stance Robbins and David Krieger, Each MEC plays a crucial better under stress.” against Norwegian Air both ALPA managing role in its individual pilot Ana McAhron-Schulz, International’s scheme, and directors, explained how group’s contract negotiations, director of the Economic the general state of politics the Association’s structure and Betty Ginsburg, direc- & Financial Analysis in Washington. Expressing is designed to optimize tor of the Representation Department, discussed his frustration with the slow support for member needs. Department, explained what the recent and projected pace of decision-making, he ALPA’s professional staff is pilot leaders must do to guide performance of the airline observed, “This is the least divided into three branches: collective bargaining and industry, pointing out that productive Congress since Government and Public enforce current agreements. mainline airlines, by exercis- 1789.” Canadian status reps Affairs, which Robbins man- Regarding contract nego- ing capacity constraints, also met with the transport ages; Representation and

Capt. Raymond Igou (American Eagle) is an ERJ 145 pilot and the new JFK captain rep for Eagle 121. Igou, a commuter who has been with his airline since 2006, said that he wanted a better understanding of what resources were available on the national level to help his pilots at the local level as they attempt to achieve their career and personal objectives.

CRJ700 Capt. Kaori Paris (Mesa) is a first- time first officer rep for Mesa 087. She’s been flying for her airline for eight years Capt. Phil Gower (Jazz) has been with and lives in the Washington, D.C., area. his airline for 23 years. A recent Pilot- She attended the conference to “learn to-Pilot volunteer, the Nova Scotia about the resources available and to be resident is the Jazz 228 captain rep in able to do the job effectively.” Halifax and was attending the conference to learn how to more effectively represent his members.

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 27 Analysis, which Krieger over- these directions and proce- air surgeon and Canada’s offices in Herndon, Va. This sees; and the Association’s dures in mock MEC meetings. AMCD director. Snyder noted program is one of a series Operational Departments, Dr. Quay Snyder, ALPA’s that he, along with six other of training components which answer directly to aeromedical advisor, dis- doctors and support staff, provided each year to help Garver. cussed the services that processed nearly 12,000 member pilots excel in their The attending status reps ALPA’s Aeromedical Office cases last year. performance as elected learned how to run a meeting provides to ALPA members The four-day event was leaders and committee volun- and reviewed Robert’s Rules and its close working relation- held at the ALPA Conference teers and network with their of Order before practicing ship with the FAA’s federal Center at the Association’s peers.

5 ALPA is one of approx- 8 Wall Street analyst imately 100 member Helane Becker (Cowen associations that & Co.) outlined seven belong to the International steps mainline airlines took Federation of Air Line Pilots’ to return to profitabil- Associations (IFALPA), ity following the economic representing nearly 100,000 downturn of 2008—filing airline pilots from around for bankruptcy, restructuring, the globe. Capt. Don Wykoff practicing capacity disci- (Delta), IFALPA’s president, pline, charging for every- 1 Keith Hagy, director of U.S. Capitol. Contributions said that IFALPA has a thing, industry consolidation, ALPA’s Engineering & to ALPA-PAC ensure that permanent seat on the Air returning capital to share- Air Safety Department, the Association maintains Navigation Commission holders, and refleeting. commented that the access to legislators who at the International Civil Association, during its make policy on aviation- Aviation Organization 9 Ana McAhron-Schulz, many years of promoting related matters. (ICAO), the United Nations director of ALPA aviation safety and security, agency that establishes in- Economic & Financial has received three Collier 3 ALPA’s Mesa pilots ternational air travel policy. Analysis Department, trophies. “That’s two more have set an ALPA-PAC observed that the U.S. than the Wright Brothers participation record, 6 “1 billion strong on government has traditionally ever won,” he added. The with almost 50 percent Facebook making it focused on the consumer trophies were presented to of the pilot group making the third-largest country when setting aviation policy, ALPA in 1995 for its partici- donations this year. F/O in the world.” So says a rather than looking at the pation on the Boeing 777 Marcin Kolodziejczyk, the video titled “It's a Social airline industry and its tre- aircraft design; in 2008 for pilots’ Master Executive Media World, and We're mendous effect on the U.S. its work on the Automatic Council (MEC) chairman, Just Living in It!” that economy, its ability to fa- Dependent Surveillance- told his fellow pilot officers, ALPA’s Communications cilitate global and interstate Broadcast system (ADS-B); “We tackled this as an MEC Department shared with at- commerce, and American and in 2009 for its work project. We put this in our tendees to convey the grow- jobs. She noted that this with the Commercial strategic plan.” ing significance of social perspective must change. Aviation Safety Team. media as an important Orville Wright received 4 ALPA represents ap- communications tool. 10 “A Pilot Shortage,” an the Collier in 1913 for proximately 2,800 ALPA video featuring developing an automatic pilot members from 7 “About 20 percent of Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s stabilizer. nine airlines in Canada. ALPA’s members con- president, addresses the Capt. Georges Dawood tact the Aeromedical of- current pilot “pay and 2 Zack Mooneyham, ALPA’s (Jazz), secretary-treasurer fice each year,” said Dr. Quay benefits shortage” and how political representative, of the ALPA Canada Snyder, ALPA’s aeromedical this phenomenon is encour- pointed out that 62 ALPA Board, talked about the advisor. He reported that the aging many qualified airline members live in West importance of the board, office receives between 150 pilots to look elsewhere for Virginia, the home state noting, “Having Canadians to 300 calls a day. Snyder employment. The video has of Sen. Joe Manchin, who advocate for Canadians is emphasized, “There are no received more than 10,000 addressed the group at the more effective.” trivial questions.” hits since Feb. 16, 2014.

28 Air Line Pilot April 2014 Professional Standards: Confidentiality Vs. Anonymity

he ALPA Air Safety who do a vast amount of Why ProStan, ALPA’s Organization’s Pro- work through the various Tfessional Standards committees and working (ProStan) Group has become groups at the local council, pilot representative aware of a rising tide of master executive council group for peer misinformation and misun- (MEC), national, and interna- derstanding regarding the tional levels. Pilots are elected conflict resolution, relationship between con- to govern the organization, fidentiality and anonymity. and a cadre of experienced observes strict While Professional Standards and dedicated professional representatives will always staff supports the elected confidentiality but conduct business in a confi- officers and various ALPA dential manner, they will not committees. not anonymity conduct business anonymous- The ALPA committees ly. Here’s a typical example: were established to provide By Capt. John Rosenberg (Delta) Individual A goes to individual services to pilots as a benefit Chairman, ALPA Professional Standards Group B (the ProStan volunteer) of their membership in the with a problem regarding indi- union. The service com- vidual C. However, A wants mittees handle issues of a the ProStan volunteer to talk personal and sensitive nature to C and pass on the com- and work with pilots quietly plaint in order to resolve the behind the scenes. issue, but A doesn’t want to At the national level, the be identified. This can’t hap- Pilot Assistance Group is pen. It’s A’s problem, and A an umbrella organization needs to step up and be part consisting of the Aeromedical, of the solution. Critical Incident Response But let’s start at the Program (CIRP), HIMS beginning. (alcohol and chemical depen- dency recovery), Professional Pilots helping pilots Standards, and Canadian ALPA is unique among unions Pilot Assistance groups. Most because of the huge number MECs have one or more of of pilot representatives these disciplines within their respective organizations as committees (e.g., the MEC ProStan Committee).

Confidentiality… Pilot Assistance deals with the human

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 29 side of the airline piloting are not privy to names and vent where they can bounce of retribution are sown when profession. Airline pilots conversations unless the mat- something off an interested the communication loop is are expected to come to ter before the Professional peer who is acting as a neu- not closed and the parties work healthy, rested, and Standards representatives tral, nonjudgmental third are not talking to each other. motivated. The groups under involves potential company party. These conversations The subject of the complaint the Pilot Assistance umbrella discipline. In that case, the remain private. is not in the loop, feels are comprised of trained peer MEC’s Professional Standards While the committee blindsided, and perceives that representatives who handle Committee steps aside and representatives can be very he or she was “turned in” to highly sensitive problems the pilots are provided rep- good listeners, they cannot Professional Standards. That’s of an ethical or professional resentation by their elected necessarily “fix” someone’s why it’s incumbent upon nature. They do this under council officers, problem or resolve a conflict the Professional Standards strict confidentiality in order often with another person without representative to fully explain to protect the privacy of the rules of the game from the persons involved, the get-go and to see that all which is the cor- parties take an active role in nerstone of their The role of Professional helping to resolve the issue(s). work. Without Standards representatives Nobody can ever be turned disciplined is to help the conflicted in to Professional Standards. confidentiality, In the case of a conflict credibility would be parties reach a mutually between two individuals, if compromised and the agreed upon solution. not all the parties are will- phones would stop ringing. ing to be identified, then For obvious reasons, issues the Professional Standards of a sensitive or personal Committee may not be the nature—or issues involving with the help of ALPA’s highly both parties stepping up and proper forum, and the party conflict between two or experienced labor attorneys. becoming part of the solu- looking for help may need to more individuals—require tion. The mistake some pilots seek satisfaction elsewhere. confidentiality and respect for …and anonymity make is to go to Professional The Professional Standards the privacy of any conversa- To understand why confi- Standards representatives approach to conflict resolu- tions between those directly dentiality and anonymity are and attempt to drop conflicts tion and behavior modifica- involved while attempting to diametrically opposed, as into their laps, expect them tion is sound and has been resolve the conflict. However, they relate to conflict resolu- to take concerns to the other proven over many years. it is sometimes necessary for tion, one must fully appreci- parties, explain the concerns, ALPA’s Professional Standards more than one Professional ate the policy and protocol find a solution, and not say Committees have a long track Standards representative to of Professional Standards. who brought them forward. record of success and have be privy to a situation. This is The role of Professional These pilots wish to remain been instrumental in helping absolutely not a violation of Standards representatives is anonymous. pilots maintain a healthy confidentiality and is some- to insert themselves into the That approach is a career track. They respect times helpful in successfully conflict to help the conflicted setup for accusation. The privacy and will conduct busi- resolving a conflict. parties reach a mutually Professional Standards con- ness in a confidential man- Professional Standards agreed upon solution to end cept does not allow for this ner and, at the same time, representatives use myriad the conflict and fly together because it demands that both encourage all parties to be ways to effectively communi- safely and professionally. The parties be engaged in the fully engaged in the process cate with their fellow pilots. pilots have an obligation to process of conflict resolution. to reach positive outcomes. Information shared between honor ALPA’s Code of Ethics Often, pilots fear retribu- The Professional Standards them stays strictly within the and conduct themselves tion. This is a needless con- Committee will promise confines of the Professional professionally while uphold- cern; retribution is simply not confidentiality, but will not Standards Group, and privacy ing the ideals of what it is to acceptable. Usually the seeds grant anonymity. is maintained. In practical be an airline pilot. terms, confidentiality simply The Professional Standards means that only those who Group acts as a forum for our Learn More have a direct need to know pilots to come to as a service For more information about may have knowledge of the to them strictly on a volun- ALPA’s Pilot Assistance Group matter. We do not talk freely tary basis. Many times pilots and Professional Standards, go to about cases in the crew room use Professional Standards as pilotassistance.alpa.org or scan the or on the shuttle bus. a sounding board for a reality QR code. Even the MEC officers check or a place to simply

30 Air Line Pilot April 2014 ALPA Safety and Training Councils Meet

kay, let’s go around the room,” said Capt. Charles been increasing their pressure on regulators to develop various Hogeman (United), ALPA’s air safety chairman. ways to meet a perceived developing pilot shortage (see “A “O “What’s the most pressing current issue for your Pilot Shortage? Nope. It’s All About the Money,” page 20). The pilot group?” Training Council is reviewing recent developments and ALPA “Launching FOQA at our airline.” policy on this and related issues. “Working on EFB [electronic flight bag] issues.” Following are highlights from the updates provided by the “[FAR] Part 117 implementation.” ALPA technical group chair. “Some returning furloughees haven’t flown in 12 years; some are having trouble in training, but they only get one AAP chance.” Capt. Jeff Perin (Spirit) chairs the ALPA Accident Analysis and “Integrating two airline cultures.” Prevention (AAP) Group. Perin outlined AAP’s principal recent “Keeping a positive attitude.” and ongoing activities: “Dual quals on Boeing and Airbus equipment.” zz ALPA’s eight-member Accident Investigation Board (AIB), “Large turnover in volunteers.” chaired by Capt. Mike Bender (FedEx Express), has continued “Bringing voluntary safety programs up to par and funding its participation in several ongoing accident and incident inves- them.” tigations. The AIB also provides the core group of instructors “Trying to get time available for the Association’s accident for our FOQA folks.” investigation courses that give These were just some of line pilot accident investiga- the frank responses from the tors a solid foundation in U.S., members of ALPA’s Safety and Canadian, and foreign accident Training Councils—the men and incident investigation. and women who serve as the zz The Association’s Safety master executive council (MEC) Information and Analysis central air safety chairs and Program (SIAP) Committee, MEC Training Committee chairs chaired by Capt. Rich Sampson respectively for their pilot (Piedmont), is the union’s groups—during their annual resource team of line pilots who joint meeting February 18–20 deal with voluntary safety data in the Association’s Herndon, The Safety and Training Council meets in ALPA's Herndon programs such as FOQA and Va., Conference Center. offices in February. ASAP. The committee works with The chairs of ALPA’s five the Aviation Safety Information technical, safety-focused groups—Accident Analysis and Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program to provide proper proto- Prevention, Aircraft Design and Operations, Airport and Ground cols and protections for the use of de-identified data. Environment, Air Traffic Services, and Human Factors and zz ALPA’s Dangerous Goods Committee, chaired by F/O Mark Training—met with ALPA’s Safety Council and ALPA’s Training Rogers (United), has been active in several national and inter- Council in joint sessions and in separate meetings. Safety national venues to reduce or eliminate the hazards of shipping representatives who weren’t able to attend in person, including dangerous goods, including lithium batteries, by air. ALPA reps in local councils in Hong Kong and Cologne, joined remotely via video conferencing. ADO In its breakout session, the Safety Council discussed a variety Capt. Bill de Groh (American Eagle), chairman of the ALPA of topics ranging from safety data programs to use of cockpit Aircraft Design & Operations (ADO) Group, discussed several automation. Much of the meeting was devoted to reports from ongoing ADO activities: individual safety reps about issues at their airline, with particu- zz RTCA, an industry group that sets technical standards, is lar focus on the status of their FOQA and ASAP programs. developing standards for enhanced flight vision/synthetic vision For its part, the Training Council focused much of its atten- systems to use in low-visibility approaches and landings, with tion on ab initio pilot training. Airlines—particularly foreign an ultimate goal of certifying this technology to enable touch- airlines, but some U.S. and Canadian companies as well—have down, rollout, and taxiing in less than 300 feet RVR. April 2014 Air Line Pilot 31 zz The Flight Control Harmonization Working Group Aviation ATS Rulemaking Advisory Committee, on which de Groh sits, is Capt. Marc Henegar (Alaska), member and then chairman of dealing with risks associated with potential rudder reversals, as the ALPA Air Traffic Services (ATS) Group, briefed the ALPA seen in a number of wake turbulence encounters. “We think safety and training reps on current ATS projects and other there’s room to improve the structure of the airplane,” de Groh activities. noted, “but the airframe manufacturers believe it’s a pilot Henegar explained the latest plan to implement “climb via” training issue.” departure procedures and phraseology, scheduled to begin zz RNAV/RNP procedures continue to be a hot topic, with April 3. He said that this effort was actually “grandson of ALPA pilot reps actively participating in several industry ‘climb via,’” because the FAA and industry have twice before projects. tried to implement these procedures without success. zz Expanded use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) is On a broader scope, the ALPA ATS Group is active in efforts another hot topic—not just involving potential vulnerability to reduce ATC procedure complexity to increase “flyability.” of older airplanes to electronic interference, but the risk of These efforts include such steps as removing some waypoints PEDs becoming dangerous projectiles during a landing or from procedures that have more than are necessary. takeoff mishap. Other ATS issues include dealing with an FAA proposal to zz Safely integrating remotely piloted aircraft into the U.S. increase tailwind limits for runway use from the current 5 national airspace system rounds out the ADO list of hot topics. knots (that can be extended to 10 knots) to 8 knots. ALPA policy calls for a 5-knot limit. AGE The FAA recently changed its policy regarding operations Another busy team of ALPA representatives is the Airport on converging (but not intersecting) runways to require Ground and Environment (AGE) Group, chaired by F/O Steve controllers to provide separation assurance during unplanned Jangelis (Delta), who reported that, with total Category A and B go-arounds when conducting simultaneous arrivals and de- (most serious) U.S. runway incursions trending upward in Fiscal parture on multiple runways if the runways are within 1 NM Year 2014, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has proposed a of each other. Previous FAA policy only covered intersecting Surface Safety Implementation Team (SSIT). Jangelis noted that runways. the SSIT will have 45 days to submit a report to the FAA administrator on listed runway incursions and ways to prevent them, HFT and that the team “will have horsepower, and accountability. Capt. Frank Cheeseman (United), chairman of ALPA’s Human It’s going to cause change.” Factors and Training (HFT) Group, reported that ALPA is partici- AGE itself has achieved constructive change recently in pating in a joint industry/government working group to develop working with operators of LED advertising signs to move the training guidance. signs away from the approach ends of runways. Pilots noticed Cheeseman noted that recent news media reports have the glow and “flash” of still images being changed on signs focused public attention on the subject of pilots’ manual flying such as the one that was near the approach end of Chicago skills deteriorating because of over-reliance on cockpit auto- O’Hare’s Runway 27R but has now been moved outside the mation. “Airline policy drives how much a pilot manually flies extended runway edge. “The industry folks have been great the airplane,” he acknowledged. “Some airlines have policy partners” in resolving this issue, Jangelis said, noting that Clear on when to fly manually and when not to; others don’t. Pilots’ Channel is looking to install such signs near MSP, SLC, and opportunities to fly manually are very limited. Airspace design other large hub airports. and procedure design need to create more opportunities for A hot issue for AGE is use of runways as taxiways, despite a manual flying. In addition, when the pilot flying is flying manu- number of safety concerns such as the lack of hold-short lines ally, the other pilot must exercise his or her skills as an effec- on runways that cross other runways. tive pilot monitor.”—Jan W. Steenblik, Technical Editor

“Can my company…?” Perhaps no better “My company,” said a pilot from a misinterpreting the rule, which is example could be found fee-for-departure airline, “is making unambiguous: Any fit-for-duty signoff to illustrate the two-way pilots sign a ‘fit-for-duty’ statement at would need to be for each segment, benefit of the dialogue the beginning of each duty period that because the regulations require fitness between ALPA pilot reps says we agree to a two-hour extension for duty on every segment, and you and invited key government to our duty day as allowed by FAR Part may feel fit for the first segment but and industry representatives 117. Can they do that?” not for the last segment of the duty than this, which occurred at the “No,” was the unequivocal reply of day. The regulation requires an ‘un- 2014 joint meeting of ALPA’s Dale Roberts, the FAA headquarters foreseen operational circumstance’ to Safety Council and Training expert on all things FAR Part 117. occur before the airline can consider Council: “Sounds like your airline may be any extension of duty.” 32 Air Line Pilot April 2014 ALPAToolbox P4P Needs Your Help

ALPA EmErgEncy rELiEf fund PiLots for PiLots 535 Herndon Parkway • PO Box 1169 • Herndon, VA 20172-1169 703-689-2270 • 888-FLY-ALPA • [email protected] April 2014

Fellow ALPA Members,

We are entering spring and that means the onset of tornado season for the southeastern states and “Tornado Alley,” a region covering parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and several other states. The recent drought in California has set the stage for wildfires, and serious flood- ing was recently reported in Montana and Wyoming due to runoff from melting snow. And we’re just two short months away from the beginning of hurricane season and the peak period for tornados in the Midwest and Canada. We share this information with you not to put a damper on your family’s spring break plans, but to remind you that the ALPA Emergency Relief Fund, or Pilots for Pilots (P4P), stands ready to assist ALPA members and their families who fall victim to widespread disasters. P4P provides for any immediate needs until insurance and government disaster resources can be accessed. As P4P board members, we tend to see a spike in the number of requests for assistance during this time each year and want to remind you that the fund is available. We also want to encourage you to contribute generously so that we can sustain this member resource. The fund draws its primary support from ALPA member and staff donations, and 100 percent of all contributions are used to assist members and their families in need. In an effort to broaden awareness, the board is now reaching out to ALPA master executive councils (MECs) to promote P4P at the local level. We’ve already seen some clever MEC fund- raiser ideas and encourage you to look for more ways to promote P4P activities at your airline. However, we want to take this appeal one step further. This month’s Air Line Pilot features an “Our Stories” article about a Spirit pilot who recognized a need in his community and created an event to raise money for it. We applaud this kind of initiative and charitable spirit, and ask ALPA pilots to please consider how you might promote and support the ALPA Emergency Relief Fund through a campaign or activity in your area. Remember that we’re all just a catastrophic event away from needing P4P, so please help maintain this important member benefit. For more information about P4P, visit www.alpa.org/ relieffund.

Fraternally,

F/O Mark Segaloff F/O Christine Gromek Capt. Mark Stanley

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 33 OurStories www.alpa.org/ourstories Going the Distance with Riders for Striders By John Perkinson cle run, Riders for Striders, in Riders for Striders will a captain who had recently Staff Writer the Indianapolis area where organize bikers in groups of become interested in motor- Editor’s note: Do you know he lives. He called the com- eight and send them off in cycles and had recommended a pilot we should highlight in pany last October, organized five-minute intervals versus a a bike course to him. Klassen “Our Stories”? Please contact a team of volunteers, and traditional parade approach. completed the class and soon us at [email protected]. began asking local businesses “We’ll consider rider experi- acquired his license. for help. The group worked ence levels and bike styles as Proceeds from Riders for eeing Presley, a young with Strider’s Art Department we match up groups. If you Striders will go to purchase chemotherapy patient, to develop promotional mate- want to ride with your friends Strider bikes for Peyton Swho was featured in a Manning Children’s Hospital bicycle promotion on Face- at St.Vincent in Indianapolis. book, had a profound effect Klassen selected the hospital on F/O Tyler Klassen (Spirit). because two family friends What caught Klassen’s atten- who are area nurses strongly tion—in addition to Presley’s recommended the facility for beaming smile—was that the donations. she was sitting on a Strider So far, Riders for Striders brand bike. has nearly 50 cyclists regis- “As a parent, the thought tered, and the event is abuzz of your child having a on Indy bike blogs and chat serious illness or disease F/O Tylsse n ( Spi r i t)er K la rooms. Riders are coming is terrifying,” said Klassen. from as far away as Ohio, and “However, seeing Presley Klassen is counting on a huge on that bike really made turnout. And someday soon me smile. I could just imag- he hopes that young bikers ine her having a great time will be “cruising” the halls at riding up and down the Peyton Manning Children’s halls of the hospital. Hospital at St.Vincent, like “My son learned to ride the Riders for Striders, taking using a Strider bike before Like father like son: Klassen and his son on their bikes. time to have some fun while he was three,” said Klassen, temporarily setting aside their adding that he never had to rials for the ride. In fact, some or meet new people, we’ll worries. use training wheels. Strider of Klassen’s first contributors accommodate you,” he said, uses an alternative approach were Strider employees who adding, “The bottom line is Join the Cause! to help kids learn to ride a were obviously impressed that we want to make this a If you have a motorcycle and bicycle. Instead of teaching with his initiative. fun ride.” would like to participate in a child to pedal with training Riders for Striders is sched- Klassen will be riding his the May 17 Indianapolis-area wheels before moving on to uled for Saturday, May 17. 2012 Ural T, a Russian motor- balance, Strider bikes focus Motorcyclists will start and cycle with a sidecar. “Some Riders for Striders charity event, on balancing first. finish at a local restaurant in families have a minivan; we visit www.youcaring.com/ The Chicago-based A320 south Indianapolis. They’ll have a sidecar,” he joked. ridersforstriders to register. You pilot remarked that Presley’s ride on back country lanes Richard Klassen, Tyler’s dad, is can also purchase t-shirts and ad was so compelling that he like Goat Hollow Road to also supporting the cause and stickers to help support the ride. contacted the company to Bloomington, Ind., where will fly in from Tucson, Ariz., All proceeds go to purchase find out more about its pro- they’ll have lunch courtesy and occupy the second seat. Striders bicycles for Peyton o . com /e njoynz gram with hospitals. Klassen, of a local motorcycle shop A former Piedmont and Manning Children’s Hospital at t in his free time, is an avid before turning around and Republic pilot, Klassen has

St.Vincent in Indianapolis. Be ockp h o motorcyclist. Impressed with heading back. The ride covers been riding motorbikes for sure to follow Riders for Striders what he learned, he decided approximately 160 miles, and 7 years. During his Republic ack s © i st on both Facebook and Twitter. to organize a charity motorcy- the entry fee is $15 per bike. days, Klassen flew a trip with Ti re tr

34 Air Line Pilot April 2014 Which of These is NoT Like The oThers?

WaTermeLoNs fish

PoULTrY cUsToms

What do poultry and produce have to do with the airline industry? More than you might think. The Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport, an airport served by NO U.S. airlines, has opened through a loophole allowing for the funding of “agricultural” projects. Are airline passengers chicken or fruit?

Help close the loophole and keep U.S. pilot jobs safe; support ALPA-PAC today.

The above descriptions of the Air Line Pilots Association PAC are not a solicitation to contribute to the PAC. Only ALPA members, ALPA executives, and senior administrative and professional staff personnel, and their immediate family members living in the same household are eligible to contribute to ALPA-PAC. ALPA-PAC maintains and enforces a policy of refusing to accept contributions from any other source. ALPA members may learn more about ALPA-PAC and alpa about contributing to ALPA-PAC by entering the members-only portion of www.alpa.org. pac

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 35 o t B o e ing p h

Registered Nurses $45,040 Accountants and Auditors Air Traffic $39,930 Controllers $39,000

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2012), ALPA E&FA

36 Air Line Pilot April 2014 A DISPARITY OF WAGES The chart below illustrates the entry-level pay for several professions in the U.S. Currently, there is no pilot shortage, instead only a shortage of qualified pilots who are willing to fly for substandard wages and inadequate benefits. Thousands of U.S. pilots now fly for foreign airlines because many of those airlines’ stability, pay, and benefits are much greater than those offered by many U.S airlines. See “A Pilot Shortage? Nope. It’s All About the Money,” page 20.

Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers $35,630 Airline Pilot First-Year First Officers $22,400 Food Preparation Workers $16,474

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2012), ALPA E&FA

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 37 ALPA Resources and Contact Numbers

National OfficersFor complete biographical information on ALPA’s national officers, visit www.alpa.org or scan the QR code below.

Capt. William Couette Capt. Randy Helling Capt. Lee Moak Capt. Sean Cassidy Vice President– Vice President– President First Vice President Administration/Secretary Finance/Treasurer

Executive Vice Presidents For more information on which pilot groups executive vice presidents represent, visit www.alpa.org/evp.

Capt. Dan Adamus F/O Michael Hamilton Capt. Tim Canoll Air Transat, Bearskin, Calm Air, United Executive Administrator F/O Scott Smetana F/O William Hanna Canadian North, CanJet, First Air, Jazz Capt. Thomas Maxwell Air Wisconsin, CommutAir, Delta Aviation, Kelowna Flightcraft, Wasaya F/O Todd Ortscheid American Eagle, Atlantic ExpressJet, Hawaiian, Vacant AirTran, Air Transport Southeast, Compass, Island Air, Trans States Capt. Larry Beck Alaska, Endeavor Air, Capt. Joe DePete International, Mesa Air Group, Sun United Evergreen, Piedmont, FedEx Express North American, PSA Country Spirit

Want to know more about ALPA’s EVPs? Scan the QR code.

Complete the sudoku puzzle so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 8 94 1 6 9 3×3 sub-grids that compose the grid contain all the digits from 1 to 9. The solution to this month’s ALPA 8 1 7 6 sudoku can be found on page 25. Too easy, too difficult? Tell us what you 2 4 7 think. E-mail [email protected].

9 6 8 Have You Moved? Please call Membership Administration at 1-888- 359-2572, then press 3; e-mail your new address to [email protected]; or clip out this form—along with 5 3 the mailing label on the back cover—and send it to ALPA Membership Services PO Box 1169, Herndon, VA 20172-1169

Name______4 2 9

Member #______Airline______1 3 New address______

Apt.______City______State______Zip______6 8

38 Air Line Pilot April 2014 ALPA Information Numbers

The following ALPA resources may be Computer Help Line ([email protected]) Membership Administration reached by e-mail or by dialing, toll-free, 703-689-4357 ([email protected]) 1-888-359-2572 (1-888-FLY-ALPA). Once Council Services ([email protected]) 1-888-359-2572 (1-888-FLY-ALPA), connected, press the # key on your phone 703-689-4311 option 3 and dial the last four digits of the num- Discipline and Discharge ([email protected]) IT Operations and Services ([email protected]) ber listed below. However, the ALPA Main 703-689-4245 Number, ASPEN, the Membership and 703-689-4226 Insurance toll-free number, and Member- Economic and Financial Analysis Organizing ([email protected]) ship Administration numbers need to be ([email protected]) 703-689-4289 703-689-4179 dialed directly. Election dates LEC/MEC 703-689-4212 Publishing and Design Services Accident Investigation ([email protected]) Engineering and Air Safety ([email protected]) ([email protected]) 703-481-4441 703-689-4312 703-689-4200 Purchasing ([email protected]) Accounting and Finance ([email protected]) FAA Enforcement or Medical Certificate 703-689-4319 703-689-4144 Action ([email protected]) 703-689-4226 Representation ([email protected]) Air Line Pilot ([email protected]) Government Affairs 703-689-4375 703-481-4460 ([email protected]) 202-797-4033 Real Estate ([email protected]) ALPA Main Number 703-689-2270 Human Resources 703-689-4105 ALPA‑PAC 202-797-4033 ([email protected]) 703-689-4262 Retirement and Insurance ([email protected]) ASPEN 703-689-4220 Information Technology and Services 703-689-4115

Capt. Tim Canoll Balloting ([email protected]) 703-689-4173 ([email protected]) 703-689-4237 Strategic Member Development and Executive Administrator Cashiering ([email protected]) Legal ([email protected]) 202-797-4096 Resources 703-689-4385 703-689-4326 ([email protected]) 703-481-4467 Communications ([email protected]) Membership Insurance ([email protected]) System Board of Adjustment 703-481-4440 1-800-746-2572 ([email protected]) 703-689-4226

Membership Services

To obtain membership account information Mesa–MAG MEC 602-306-1116 Trans States–TSA MEC 610-805-5387 or to update your records or your postal or North American–NAA MEC 505-975-1126 United–UAL MEC 847-292-1700 e-mail address via the Internet, go to the My ALPA area of Crewroom.alpa.org; or dial the Piedmont–PDT MEC 339-987-1277 Wasaya–WSG MEC 807-624-7270 toll-free number 1-888-359-2572 (1-888-FLY- PSA–PSA MEC 616-405-3962 ALPA) and choose menu option 3. Spirit–SPA MEC 765-481-9033 *Pilot group in custodianship Listed below are the telephone numbers Sun Country–SCA MEC 952-853-2393 of MEC offices. AirTran–ATN MEC 404-763-5165 Air Transat–TSC MEC 1-888-337-2033 Air Line Pilot is printed in the United States and published for professional airline pilots in the United States and Air Transport International–ATI MEC Canada who are members of the Air Line Pilots Associa- tion, International. 505-263-8838 Editor in Chief sharon B. Vereb ALPA Headquarters: 1625 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Air Wisconsin–ARW MEC 1-800-ALPA-ARW Technical Editor Jan W. Steenblik Washington, DC 20036 Associate Managing Editor susan Fager Alaska–ALA MEC 206-241-3138 Postmaster: Send address changes to Air Line Pilot, PO Supervisor, Creative Services Kelly M. Barrett American Eagle–EGL MEC 817-685-7474 Box 1169, Herndon, VA 20172-1169. Staff Writer John Perkinson Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #40620579: Atlantic Southeast–ASA MEC Senior Advocacy Writer Linda Shotwell Return undeliverable magazines sent to Canadian ad- 404-209-8566 Supervisor, Content Strategy Molly Martin dresses to 2835 Kew Drive, Windsor, ON, Canada N8T 3B7. Bearskin–BRS MEC 807-628-5683 Supervisor, Multimedia Productions eric Davis Calm Air–CMA MEC 204-471-1000 ePublishing Editor Jesica Ferry Other Organizations Contributing Graphic Artists ALPA Aeromedical Office 303-341-4435 Canadian North–CNP MEC 780-718-6012 Kim Agnew, Jesica Ferry, ALPA Federal Credit Union 1-800-747-2349 CanJet–CJA MEC 1-800-959-1751 Mary Ann Walsh, John Williams Web Coordinators Cicely Jenkins, *Comair–CMR MEC 703-481-5560 Chris Weaver ALPA Accident/Incident Hotline ——— CommutAir–CMT MEC 440-985-8579 General Manager Lori Garver If you are involved in an accident, incident, or alleged violation of a federal aviation regulation, contact your Compass–CPZ MEC 952-853-2373 Managing Director, Government and Public local or central air safety chairman, regional safety Delta–DAL MEC 404-763-4925 Affairs Michael Robbins chairman, or the worldwide ALPA accident/incident Air Line Pilot is not responsible for unsolicited manu hotline at 202-797-4180 (collect calls are accepted) for Endeavor Air–PCL MEC PCL-855-ALPA scripts, photographs, or other materials. Unsolicited an immediate response 24 hours per day. As a backup number, call 703-892-4180. *Evergreen–EIA MEC 503-474-3880 materials will be returned only if submitted with a self- addressed, stamped envelope. Opinions expressed by to report a safety problem or airspace system defi ExpressJet–XJT MEC 281-987-3636 authors do not necessarily represent official ALPA ciency, call 1-800-424-2470 or e-mail [email protected]. position or policy. FedEx Express–FDX MEC 901-752-8749 Subscriptions: Subscription rate for pilot members, 2014 EBCB Schedule First Air–FAB MEC 1-877-459-3272 $27.50, included in ALPA membership dues; for students, $41; for U.S. nonmembers, The Association’s Election and Ballot Certification Hawaiian–HAL MEC 808-836-2572 $55; for foreign, $71.50. Residents of Board’s schedule for counting ballots is April 10, May 12, June 10, July 10, August 11, September 10, October Island Air–AIS MEC 808-838-0188 the state of Washington must add 8.8 percent sales tax. To subscribe online go to www.alpa.org/subscriptions or 10, November 10, and December 10. Jazz Aviation–JAZ MEC 1-800-561-9576 call 703-481-4460. Any ALPA member in good standing may be present To report address changes, call 703-689-4311. as an observer during any meeting. Contact the Associa- Kelowna Flightcraft–KFC MEC tion’s Membership and Council Services Department Address Changes for Members Only: E-mail to for scheduling. 250-878-7950 [email protected].

April 2014 Air Line Pilot 39 Take care of your ground crew.

ALPA MEMBER INSURANCE

Offering unique products designed by pilots for pilots to our members for more than 50 years. Life insurance Disability insurance • 10- and 20-Year Level Term • Short-Term • Group Term • Loss of License • Loss of License-Plus Accidental Death & Dismemberment • Loss of License Lump Sum Insurance Make sure AlpA insurance is part of your flight plan. Air line pilots AssociAtion, int’l call us today at 800-746-2572 or visit us on the web at A member service of Air Line Pilot. 40 Air Line Pilot April 2014 Air line pilots AssociAtion, int’l

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