October 18, 2022
Keynotes Captivate the Audience at ALPA Board of Directors Meeting
Sully Speaks on Preparing the Next Generation of Flight Heroes
Aviation safety advocate, recent U.S. ambassador to ICAO, and former ALPA member/volunteer Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Ret.) addressed the ALPA Board of Directors on Tuesday, describing the events of US Airways Flight 1549, which he piloted on January 15, 2009. The A320 suffered a catastrophic engine failure after the aircraft struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff. Sullenberger described the “gut-wrenching, sickening sound as the turbines spooled down,” recounting the many issues he and F/O Jeff Skiles confronted before opting to land the aircraft in New York’s Hudson River.
“I didn’t do this all by myself,” said Sullenberger, who noted that despite the individual notoriety he has received—including the major motion picture, Sully, which focused on his perspective—this was a group effort. The former airline pilot stressed that the outcome would not have been the same without the tremendous contributions of Skiles, the three veteran flight attendants in the main cabin, the first responders, and many others who ensured that no lives were lost that day.
“So how do we prepare the next generation of pilots?” Sullenberger asked. He expressed concerns about ongoing efforts to degrade first officer qualification and training standards for economic purposes, and the need to dedicate more attention to the study of human factors and flight deck design to improve operational efficiency. He also emphasized the need to specifically develop leadership qualities and a strong sense of professionalism in future flight deck crews.
“Pilots must act as the conscience of the industry,” Sullenberger remarked, reminding attendees that they have the “power of the parking brake” when safety concerns arise as well as a duty to the profession to ensure safety remains aviation’s top priority.
DOT Secretary Buttigieg Celebrates ALPA’s Leadership in Safety
Later that day, U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined the Board of Directors meeting via video conference. “Thank you to everyone at the Air Line Pilots Association for everything you do to keep us safe and strong in the air,” he said, acknowledging the many “stresses and challenges” the airline industry and its pilots have endured in recent years. Providing examples including the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in unruly passenger incidents, he observed, “You helped keep America’s economy up and running.”
Buttigieg identified three points he wished to share with BOD members. “First, I want you to know that we’re holding strong on safety,” he said, adding, “When it comes to the 1,500-hour rule, we know that is something that keeps us safe in the skies.” He continued, “Aviation is the safest mode of transportation, and we have no intention of losing that distinction.”
The DOT secretary also discussed the department’s plans to move forward with regulations addressing secondary barriers and expressed his personal interest in helping to strengthen pathways to the flight deck for future airline pilots.
During a Q&A session, Buttigieg briefly talked about DOT’s approved Delta/LATAM joint venture, the use of the pilot-shortage narrative by some in an attempt to diminish first officer qualification and training standards, specialty-occupation visas allowing foreign nationals to fly for U.S. carriers, and DOT’s recent stance on globalization as it affects foreign airline competition.