As the world’s largest pilots’ union, we are reflecting this Labor Day on our current and past efforts to protect the airline pilot profession. The U.S. and Canadian economies depend on airline pilots to deliver passengers and cargo safely and on time. This Labor Day, we hope that you can take a moment to lend your voice to our current causes. 

ALPA is proud to celebrate National Aviation Day—chosen in honor of Orville Wright’s birthday. This is a day to honor the lasting legacy set by the Wright brothers, who flew the first powered aircraft in 1903. National Aviation Day has been celebrated since 1939, when a proclamation made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt highlighted how aviation had started to grow and thrive as an industry in the United States and around the world. National Aviation Day is a time to reflect on the history of aviation and how far the industry has come. ALPA’s motto, “Schedule with Safety,” has continued to be prevalent in air travel. Aviation will never stop advancing, and both safety and security must always advance with it. 

Independence Day is a time for the nation to celebrate freedom while reflecting on American values. Today, as we recognize the record number of individuals flying on this Fourth of July holiday, ALPA and its pilots continue to work hard to keep our motto, “Schedule with Safety,” front and center. Flying is the safest mode of transportation in the world thanks to our highly trained and qualified pilots, whose top priority is to keep flying safe.

Every June 14, the United States celebrates Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the country’s official flag. Throughout the years, the flag has been a symbol of freedom, patriotism and exceptionalism. In the aviation industry, it represents the high safety standards we demand here in the United States.

Continuing ALPA’s commitment to keep flying safe, the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization brought together pilots, government, industry, and subject matter experts on May 31 to discuss the critical role that humans serve on the flight deck.