Tis the season for gift giving, family dinners, and ugly neckties and sweaters . . . and let’s not forget the outdoor light displays! High-tech light and laser displays are increasingly popular and accessible, and our senses (and sensibilities) are bombarded with dazzling displays of light coordinated with the Die Hard soundtrack (yes, it’s a Christmas movie). But did you know that these high-tech displays put airline pilots (with your family and packages on board) in danger?

Airline pilots work hard year-round to safely deliver passengers and cargo to their destinations, and during the exceptionally busy holiday travel season, many ALPA pilots also go the extra mile to give back to their communities.

1. ALPA pilots safely transport and deliver people and goods 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We are instrumental in getting you to your destination efficiently—and safely. No matter who you are (even a pardoned U.S. turkey!) or where you’re going, you can count on your pilot to get you there.

 

This week marks the first National Drone Safety Awareness Week and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is excited to welcome aspiring aviators into our nation’s shared airspace. One of the most important things to remember is that we are all responsible for keeping our skies the safest in the world. ALPA is committed to making sure all new entrants into the airspace are held to the same high standard of safety and security.

 Special Guest Commentary by F/O Paul Ryder (UAL), ALPA National Resource Coordinator

This Sunday, November 3, marks the end of daylight saving time (DST). That’s right, it’s the time of year to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. Our friends in Hawaii and most of Arizona, along with the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and American Samoa, do not have to set their clocks back because DST is not observed in these areas.