Every day, people and businesses depend on U.S. airline pilots to keep them moving. However, pilots do more than simply carry passengers from one destination to the next. They open up the possibility of new adventure. They connect people, allowing them to share the most important moments in life with one another. With each flight, U.S. airline pilots go above and beyond to keep their passengers safe and on time. Pilots are immeasurably important, to the airline industry and the world. This Thanksgiving, ALPA would like to express sincere appreciation for U.S. airline pilots. Here are the top ten reasons why we’re grateful for our pilots.

Across North America this week, drones have once again been receiving much media attention—from a possible sighting by a Canadian pilot at 9,000 feet to thousands gathering in California to discuss the commercial applications of UAS technology. All the while, ALPA continues to be a recognized leader in calling for the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace.

Most pilots can tell you when they caught “the flight bug” - that distinct moment when they fell in love with flight and knew they’d never be content on the ground. For Capt. William F. Allen (Northwest, Retired), the flight bug started as something quite different: a case of tonsillitis. 

It’s finally here! Election Day in the United States. After taking a trip to the polls to cast your vote, we thought this would be a good time to highlight ALPA’s Executive Vice President elections that took place in October, including the first female pilot to serve as an ALPA EVP.  

Special Guest Commentary by Capt. Raul Ryder

This weekend, November 6, marks the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST). Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour before going to sleep on Saturday. But take it easy in Arizona and Hawaii—these states have ditched the practice and follow the same clock year-round.