From left, Capt. Eric Herman (Sun Country), Aviation Security Award honoree; Capt. Jerry McDermott (United), Pilot Assistance Award recipient; F/O James Berzon (United), Aviation Jumpseat Award honoree; and Capt. Scott Hammond (Delta), Air Safety Award recipient.

Airline pilots, family members, ALPA staff, and airline industry stakeholders gathered on August 2 for the Association’s Air Safety Forum awards banquet to honor several ALPA pilots for their contributions to aviation safety, security, pilot assistance, and jumpseat access.

“This night is always special because it provides us with an opportunity to recognize some of ALPA’s most talented individuals,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, who hosted the event. “Each has contributed to making aviation safer and more secure, assisted fellow pilots in need, and worked to make our jumpseats safe, secure, and accessible,” he noted.

The awards banquet is the culmination of ALPA’s annual Air Safety Forum, the airline industry’s preeminent safety and security event that highlights issues of importance to airline pilots.

Demonstrating extraordinary professionalism

Capt. Greg Rooney (Delta) and F/O Paul Wilkinson (Delta), who’s now a captain, were piloting an overnight transpacific flight from Narita International Airport to Portland International Airport on the morning of Jan. 14, 2017, with more than 250 passengers and crewmembers aboard. Approximately five hours into the flight, they noticed a sudden and complete loss of oil pressure on the right engine. F/O Jay Arnett (Delta), who’s now a captain, was on a rest break at the time and immediately returned to the flight deck. Together the three conducted emergency checklist procedures while redirecting the airplane’s flight path away from other airline traffic.

After shutting down the malfunctioning engine, the crew began a slow descent and selected Cold Bay, Alaska, to divert the aircraft. Working seamlessly, the flight crew communicated with air traffic control, Delta dispatch, and the cabin crew and passengers before completing a safe emergency landing at Cold Bay—but that was only the beginning.

The crewmembers and 252 passengers found themselves grounded at a frigid and remote airfield with limited support facilities near only a small village with a population of around 100. In the cold and bitter wind, the three pilots led the crew in coordinating the movement of some passengers to the airport terminal and a nearby recreational center while the rest remained on the airplane, waiting six hours until a replacement aircraft arrived.

The three were bestowed with ALPA’s Superior Airmanship Award for their resourceful efforts, professionalism, and demonstrating remarkable compassion and empathy in challenging circumstances.

Joining Canoll in presenting the award was Capt. Bill Bartels (Delta), his pilot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC) chair, who described the events of the flight.

Accepting the award, Rooney stated, “We’re ‘Trained for Life’—as any one of us could have to deal with something like this, and we dealt with it the best we could…. We’re fortunate in many ways that it worked out. Many people have lost an engine in flight; but for our role beyond that, we’re grateful to be recognized.”

From left, Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, and ALPA Superior Airmanship Award recipients Capts. Greg Rooney (Delta), Jay Arnett (Delta), and Paul Wilkinson (Delta).

Jumpseat authority

F/O James Berzon (United) was honored with the Association’s Aviation Jumpseat Award for his significant accomplishments to increase cockpit security for airline crewmembers.

“F/O Berzon’s dedication to his fellow crewmembers is a testament to his commitment to advancing the piloting profession,” said Canoll. “Because of the many contributions of pilot volunteers like F/O Berzon, ALPA has been on the forefront of enacting positive change within many key aviation security programs.”

Serving as ALPA’s Jumpseat Council vice chair, Berzon has played an important role in enhancing flight deck security, including promoting several policies that are widely used throughout the industry today. He was an early advocate and strong proponent for the development and implementation of several high-profile security programs such as Known Crewmember and the Cockpit Access Security System (CASS). His professional experience and knowledge have served as valuable resources for many top-level decision makers and helped establish ALPA as the prominent authority and definitive voice for jumpseat administration across the U.S. airline industry.

After becoming involved in jumpseat issues at Continental Airlines in 2008, Berzon has been influential in the continued expansion of CASS across the industry and has led efforts to implement this valuable resource internationally.

Accepting his award, Berzon reiterated that “the jumpseat serves many purposes: it’s your ride to work, it’s your ride home, it’s a seat you take to allow one more standby to get on, it’s a privilege and a responsibility, it’s a recognition of mutual respect and brotherhood between fellow airline pilots—ALPA and non-ALPA, it’s an opportunity to display etiquette and represent your pilot group, and it’s a symbol of captain’s authority.”

Pilots assisting pilots

Capt. Jerry McDermott (United) was presented with the Association’s Aviation Pilot Assistance Award for his extraordinary service leading ALPA’s national Pilot Assistance program since 2009.

“Capt. McDermott’s passion for ensuring that his fellow crewmembers have access to the myriad of programs that provide support for pilots both in the cockpit and at home is inspiring,” said Canoll. “Over the course of his ALPA tenure, Capt. McDermott systematically built strong working relationships with government and industry stakeholders to enhance ALPA’s pilot assistance initiatives in the United States and Canada. His efforts have had a profound impact within the Association, as many ALPA pilots today owe their careers to the tenacious focus of Capt. McDermott.”

Through his tireless efforts, McDermott has helped pilots continue their careers through mentoring and monitoring. He’s helped address sleep apnea policy concerns, supported the Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee following the Germanwings Flight 9525 tragedy, and was integral in developing ALPA’s Pilot Peer Support program, which helps pilots deal with the stresses of life.

Accepting the award, McDermott said, “I don’t believe any volunteer in this Association does this work for recognition, especially those in the Pilot Assistance ranks.… I stand here only because of the hundreds of Aeromedical, CIRP, HIMS, ProStans, and Canadian Pilot Assistance volunteers who, every day, are willing to make themselves available to help their fellow pilots—fellow human beings—when they sometimes have nowhere else to turn, and possibly their careers, their livelihoods, their families, their lives stand in the balance…and I dedicate this award to them.”

Keeping the cockpit secure

Capt. Eric Herman (Sun Country) was bestowed with the Association’s Aviation Security Award for his valued guidance and extensive work to promote aviation security.

A recognized security expert and advocate, Herman is a trusted representative of the Association at industry events and a frequent panel moderator at security forums. He rose through the ranks of volunteer positions at Sun Country before ALPA’s Air Safety Organization gained his talents, first as Security Council vice chair and currently as Security Council chair.

“Through his dedicated efforts, Capt. Herman has served as an influential and respected advocate for all pilots by providing line-pilot input into security issues, including Known Crewmember checkpoints and at pilot hotels,” said Canoll. “His commitment to his fellow pilots and aviation security overall has been instrumental in achieving results that will be felt throughout ALPA and our industry for years to come. It’s an honor to recognize his accomplishments with our Association’s highest security award.”

Herman also helped developed several security courses for which he received an ALPA Presidential Citation in 2016.

Accepting the award, Herman remarked, “In my opinion, security issues will continue to be at the forefront of ALPA for many years…. The threats are growing: disruptive passengers, insiders, cyberattacks, and UAS are on our radar. And we’ll keep doing our best to fight those battles.”

Safer skies for all pilots

Capt. Scott Hammond (Delta) was presented with ALPA’s Air Safety Award, the Association’s top safety honor, for his outstanding leadership in aviation safety.

Hammond serves as the Central Air Safety Committee chair for his pilot group, coordinating the activities of more than 150 safety volunteers in 13 subcommittees. Known around the world as a leading and respected advocate for the profession, Hammond’s work to advance safety reporting programs has resulted in a collaborative approach between his pilot group and airline management.

“Capt. Hammond’s leadership in aviation safety will have a lasting effect within our industry for decades to come,” said Canoll. “His dedication to safety and experiences as a pilot have directly influenced the ‘just culture’ that every pilot flying enjoys today. No one has strengthened the safety of air travel like he has.”

During more than 30 years as an airline pilot, Hammond has represented the profession on several industry working groups, including the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee Flight Path Management Work Group. As the safety chair of the SkyTeam Pilots Association, he represented the interests of pilots worldwide with the 20 member airlines of the SkyTeam Alliance. He received an ALPA Presidential Citation in 2017.

Upon accepting the award, Hammond noted, “There’s nothing safe about loading a couple hundred folks into a pressurized tube and launching them seven miles into the air. This activity is made acceptable only because of the efforts of regulators, manufacturers, mechanics, controllers, and most of all well-trained pilots. We’re the goalies—the puck stops with us. And for us, safety is personal.…”

Airport Safety Liaison Award

During the Air Safety Forum, ALPA honored Capt. Matt Gorshe (Spirit) with the Outstanding Airport Safety Liaison Award for his efforts to advance aviation safety standards. Gorshe represents ALPA at the Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, Wisc.

Canoll hailed Gorshe as “someone who has excelled in acting as a pilot resource for one of the many airports we serve and a pipeline of communication for the Association; someone who has worked as a safety advocate on behalf of ALPA and its members.”

Gorshe’s work at MSN includes participating in the airport’s runway safety action team, providing the line-pilot perspective on various construction projects, and most recently keeping tabs on the potential impact of a solar energy farm under construction near the airport.

Gorshe currently serves as the interim ALPA Airport Safety Liaison (ASL) vice chair in addition to his ASL work. He’s also a FOQA representative and chief accident investigator for his pilot group’s Central Air Safety Committee.

“The professionalism and dedication to aviation safety that Capt. Gorshe brings to his role as airport safety liaison supports not only his fellow pilots, but also the passengers and cargo shippers who depend on air transportation each day,” said Capt. Stuart Morrison (Spirit), his pilot group’s MEC chair. “This honor is well-earned, and Capt. Gorshe exemplifies the characteristics of Spirit pilots who devote their careers to air safety.”

Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, left, and Capt. Matt Gorshe (Spirit), ALPA’s Outstanding Airport Safety Liaison Award recipient, with his daughter, Chiara.

Airport Recognition

Austin–Bergstrom International Airport in Texas was named Airport of the Year during this year’s Air Safety Forum. Canoll presented the award to Scott Madole, the airport’s operations manager. “The airport has been the pinnacle of cooperation, setting the standard for the kind of relationship ALPA needs with all airport managements,” said Canoll, who singled out the airport’s continuing efforts at keeping the lines of communication open during new construction and the implementation of new procedures. “Austin–Bergstrom has been a model aviation safety partner, and ALPA commends its collaborative and welcoming approach,” noted Canoll.

“It’s truly an honor to receive this award from our users—the airline pilots—who recognize the hard work of the employees of the airport, airlines, tenants, the FAA, and the TSA who labor 24/7 to maintain a safe environment at one of the fastest-growing airports in the country,” said Madole. “We value the cornerstone partnership we enjoy with the pilots of ALPA, and we look forward to the continued strong collaboration in building an even better airport for the future of central Texas.”

Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, left, presents the Airport of the Year Award to Scott Madole, airport operations manager of Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.

Presidential Citations

Earlier in the day prior to the Air Safety Forum awards banquet, Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, presented six Presidential Citations. “Each year, I’m privileged to award citations to pilots who’ve performed outstanding work on behalf of our Association and its members,” he said. “This year, I’m presenting awards to six particularly deserving individuals.” This year’s recipients are

Capt. Dan Coogan (Delta), for his valuable contributions to ALPA’s Air Safety Organization (ASO) Safety Information Analysis and Sharing Program, and for his contributions as the Delta pilot group’s Central Air Safety Committee vice chair and Aviation Safety Action Program subject-matter expert.

Capt. Don Dobias (United), for his tireless work over the years for both ALPA’s ASO and the United Airlines Master Executive Council to improve pilot training and his work as an advocate for the proper training of crews so they can conduct flight operations in a safe manner.

Capt. Robert “Rip” Torn (Delta), in recognition of his more than 20 years of dedication to the ASO and its mission of promoting safety, including his work as the former chair of ALPA’s Air Traffic Services Group, and as the former chair of the Presidential Committee on National Airspace Modernization.

Capt. Thomas Wood (JetBlue), for his valued contributions to the ASO’s Aviation Security Group and his participation in a joint active-shooter drill conducted at Boston Logan
International Airport.

Capt. Harold “Mark” Pinsky (Delta), for his tireless work developing the Delta pilots’ groundbreaking Pilot Assistance Network, which helped inspire and served as a foundation for ALPA’s new Pilot Peer Support program, and for chairing his pilot group’s Aeromedical Committee.

Capt. Anthony “A.J.” Berlotti (Alaska), for his service as a subject-matter expert for the ASO’s Aviation Jumpseat Committee, along with routinely providing website and database maintenance assistance and being a strong committee advocate.