“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.

Over the past six years, Mesa Airlines has added more than 70 planes, touting their arrivals to the media and their employees. Meanwhile, the pilots continue to wait for a new contract, one that will bring them up to the industry average in total compensation. Currently, first officers make less than half of some of their peers at other airlines flying similar routes on similar aircraft. The shortfalls continue up through the seniority. Mesa pilots haven’t had a raise in pay since 2008.