Special Guest Commentary by F/O Kaori Paris, United Airlines

When I was a Captain I often flew with brand-new first officers who were starting their career as a part 121 pilot for the first time. Most everyone came fully prepared. Having 1,500 hours under their belt—together with well-managed and structured training—is the biggest key to success for new pilots entering the industry in my opinion.

When you donate to the Pilots for Pilots (P4P) Fund, you’re helping fellow ALPA members and their families. As part of this summer’s 717 Club donation campaign, ALPA reached out to seven of the pilots who have received grants from P4P in the recent past to share their stories. Click here to donate today and make sure the next pilot who needs help gets it. Remember, we’re all just a disaster away from needing P4P.

Special Guest Commentary by F/O Eric Stoltz, Alaska Airlines

I take a personal interest in safety because, well, it’s my life on the line. Mine, ours, and theirs, really. My safety is first, so I can make sure my crew is safe, which means the people, dogs, cats, boxes, airplane, and buildings will be too. So I jumped at the opportunity to visit Members of Congress as part of ALPA’s Legislative Summit and tell them why it’s so important to maintain the safety standards put into effect in 2010—and specifically the first officer qualification and training rules.

Today, as the nation celebrates its freedom and a record number of fliers travel over the Fourth of July holiday, ALPA is celebrating the progress we’ve made in the fight to #KeepFlyingSafe. Thanks to more robust pilot training and qualification requirements which were passed by Congress in 2010, the U.S. has enjoyed the longest period in aviation history without a commercial airline passenger fatality. Aviation is currently the safest mode of transportation in the country. The truth is simple: well-trained pilots save lives. Unfortunately, some special-interest groups aren’t concerned with the well-being of passengers and pilots. These groups are pushing to weaken pilot training and qualification requirements – putting your safety at risk for the sake of corporate greed.