It’s no surprise that the unfortunate concentration of natural disasters in the past two months has led to a surge in humanitarian efforts by ALPA members. Our pilots are always ready to assist those in desperate need, and they have been out in force in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

The announcement of a new five-year capacity purchase agreement with United Airlines last February shed some much-needed sunshine on the vitality of Air Wisconsin, the largest privately held regional airline in the United States. We look forward to partnering with the United Express family in the coming months with the many new opportunities this partnership creates for our organization. Our airline has a long and storied history and has flown an amazing variety of aircraft over the years—more than a dozen different types, starting with a single de Havilland Dove in 1965. We’ve flown across almost the whole continental United States during that time, from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast.

“Without ALPA and Pilots for Pilots, I wouldn’t have a roof on my house right now.” That simple statement shows again the value that P4P brings to ALPA, its pilots, and their families. F/O Chris Ellsworth (Mesa) only received a glancing blow from a hurricane last year, but it was enough—half his roof was removed and deposited somewhere down the street.

The results are in: WestJet pilots have voted to join ALPA!

 This monumental vote wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the WestJet Organizing Committee (OC). This team of more than 125 pilots worked tirelessly to unify their pilot group under a positive message which was pro-WestJet, pro-pilot, and pro-ALPA. 

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) opened voting for ALPA representation to 1,400-plus eligible WestJet pilots today. The voting will end at noon on Friday, May 12, and the Board will announce the results soon after.