ALPA's Furloughed Pilots Support Program
Your union is here to help. From a downgrade or displacement to a furlough or shutdown and everything in between, ALPA’s Furloughed Pilots Support Program (FPSP) provides options, resources, and valuable contacts to help you through a critical period in your career. The FPSP was most recently activated during the pandemic, supplying you with the knowledge and information you needed to make sound decisions for you and your family as you navigated challenges during an unprecedented time in our industry. Resources remain available and are updated as needed by the ALPA Membership Committee.
Updated March 21, 2025Become a Mentor: Provide Support to Furloughed ALPA Pilots
Furloughs have always been a tough reality in the piloting profession, but ALPA’s Furloughed Pilots Support Program offers resources, guidance, and direct connections for impacted ALPA members. We have been working on enhancements to this program, and we need your help.
Our union prides itself on our collective strength. Now more than ever, we must rally together to support our fellow pilots. Furloughs affect all of us, and our unity now will make the profession stronger moving forward.
We encourage ALPA pilots—particularly those who have experienced furloughs in the past—to volunteer to serve as a mentor for those currently furloughed. Your experience can provide invaluable insight and reassurance to those navigating this uncertainty. Whether it’s answering questions, offering guidance on the state of the industry, or simply being a supportive point of contact, your help can make a meaningful difference. If you would like more information, please contact us at FurloughInfo@alpa.org. Let’s ensure that no ALPA pilot faces this challenge alone.
Take Advantage of Webinars
Join our webinars to stay informed on career options, and industry updates during uncertain times. Learn more >>
Checklist Guidance: A Personal Approach
This checklist is designed to support you through the challenges of furlough with structure, resources, and encouragement. While it’s laid out in a logical progression, please understand that the order of steps is fluid—you may enter this process at any stage, revisit previous sections, or skip ahead depending on your unique situation.
We encourage you to regularly self-evaluate where you are—both practically and emotionally—and take time to ensure your core needs are being met.
In times of disruption, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs serves as a helpful lens:
- Are your basic needs (food, shelter, health care) secure?
- Do you feel safe—financially, emotionally, and in terms of future stability?
- Are you maintaining connection with others?
- Are you finding ways to stay motivated, learn, grow, and work toward your next opportunity?
ALPA’s Furloughed Pilot Support Program (FPSP) was built to help you at every level of that hierarchy:
- For basic and safety needs, we provide guidance on unemployment, health insurance continuation, financial planning, and accessing hardship resources.
- For belonging and community, our Pilot Peer Support Network offers confidential mental health and emotional support from fellow pilots who understand what you're going through.
- For career support and self-actualization, we offer career coaching, job fair access, and our Furlough Mentor Program, connecting you directly to experienced volunteers and real-time answers.
At the same time, the aviation industry is evolving every day. Demand for pilots varies widely across regions and operators. We strongly encourage you to assess your position in the current job market—look at your qualifications, total time, recent experience, and how they align with opportunities in both traditional and emerging segments of aviation. Whether you’re seeking to stay in the cockpit or explore adjacent roles, awareness of where you stand will help you make a smarter, more confident choice.
Use this checklist not just as a to-do list, but as a tool for grounding yourself, setting priorities, and taking care of what matters most—your health, your mindset, and your future. You’re not in this alone. Your union, your fellow pilots, and an assortment of ALPA resources are here to walk this path with you.
Prepare for All Scenarios with These Checklists
Even if you haven’t received a furlough notice, we have extensive guidance and assistance to help minimize uncertainty and frustration. While your situation may take unique turns, find the document most relevant to your current situation to help you prepare...Active Pilots: English | Français
Furloughed Pilots (Canada): English | Français
Airline Shutdown Pilots: English | Français
Guidance for MECs: English | Français
Explore Alternate Employment
Supporting ALPA members is our priority. We've compiled available jobs and events for professional pilots of varying levels of experience. This list will be updated as new information is provided.
File for Unemployment Insurance
The U.S. Department of Labor's unemployment insurance programs provide unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and meet certain other eligibility requirements. Programs vary by state. Learn more >>
Canada offers Employment Insurance (EI) that provides regular benefits to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (e.g., due to shortage of work, seasonal or mass layoffs) and are available for and able to work, but can't find a job. Learn more >>
Fraud Alert
Be advised that entities are preying on individuals dealing with adverse situations. Read tips to identify and avoid scams>>
Contact Us
Capt. John Tabet (SPA), FPSP Coordinator