Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA’s president, opens the conference with a moment of silence for the crew and passengers of PSA Flight 5342, recognizing how the union comes together to support ALPA pilots affected by events like this.

At ALPA’s core are elected status representatives and local executive council (LEC) officers chosen by their peers to take on the weighty responsibility of leading their fellow pilots.

In addition to representing the pilots in their local council, these elected leaders represent their pilot group as Master Executive Council (MEC) members, the union as members of the Board of Directors, and the entire piloting profession. These multifaceted responsibilities of supporting and protecting their fellow pilots require unique skills and knowledge.

To ensure these leaders are ready to fulfill their responsibilities when they take office, ALPA, the world’s largest pilot union, encourages them to attend its annual Leadership Training Conference. The three-day training, a key initiative in the union’s strategic plan, equips new representatives and LEC officers with the capabilities, skills, and resources to succeed in their roles. In addition, conference participants have opportunities to meet other new and experienced leaders to build partnerships and form a support structure.

More than 90 status representatives and LEC officers gathered at the Association’s offices in McLean, Va., on February 4–6 for the training conference, which included hands-on, interactive workshops focused on specialized topics that covered their responsibilities, explained the union’s governing body policies, and trained them to use union systems.

Capt. Sean Creed, ALPA’s vice president–administration/secretary, reviews elected pilot leaders’ multifaceted responsibilities.

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA’s president, opened the conference with a moment of silence for the crew and passengers of PSA Flight 5342. “While the NTSB continues to investigate Flight 5342, we will not forget Jonathan, Sam, the flight attendants, and the passengers who we lost in this tragedy,” he said. “ALPA will put forth every effort to ensure that NTSB safety recommendations resulting from its investigation are implemented and do everything in our power to ensure a senseless tragedy like this does not happen again.”

Recognizing how the union came together to support the PSA pilot group and all pilots affected by this event, he reinforced the conference’s central theme: “Moving Forward Together.” The comprehensive agenda further demonstrated how the Association’s professional staff, elected officials, and pilot leaders from national committees and other MECs coalesce to take care of ALPA members and assist representatives and LEC officers in carrying out their duties.

Representing Their Pilots

On a daily basis, status representatives respond to a variety of issues—from a pilot who’s been called to meet with the chief pilot on a disciplinary matter to a crewmember who’s been involved in an accident or serious incident—and the conference trains them to represent their pilots in these situations.

Participants learned about the union’s duty of fair representation in the U.S. and Canada and ALPA’s successful approach to representing pilots involved in a disciplinary investigation. Another session brought to life the benefits of calling the Association’s worldwide accident/serious incident hotline. Using a real-world example in which they were both involved, two presenters detailed the steps for supporting members in such situations, emphasizing the wide range of resources such as the ALPA accident/serious Incident hotline as well as the Critical Incident Response Program and Pilot Peer Support network of volunteers who are available to pilots throughout the process.

Staff in ALPA’s Legal and Representation Departments outlined the union’s and management’s obligations to bargain “in good faith,” describing related leading cases that have had a significant impact on the Association. They also provided guidance on communications, including appropriate use of social media.

Conducting Union Business

With direction from ALPA’s president, the Leadership Committee developed a new agenda to prepare these elected leaders as soon as they take office. New conference workshops enabled more small group discussions and participant collaboration. Attendees learned how to plan and prepare to hold a local council meeting, how dues are allocated, and how to maintain accurate records and oversee budgets.

Designed to prepare these elected leaders to hit the ground running as soon as they take office, conference workshops afforded more small group discussions and participant collaboration. Attendees learned how to plan and prepare to hold a local council meeting, how dues are allocated, and how to maintain accurate records and oversee budgets.

They also connected with their Council Services coordinators, their main point of contact to ALPA, and Finance Department membership analysts with whom they’ll work on a regular basis. Another workshop provided tips and tools specific to secretary-treasurer duties.

In one workshop, status representatives connect with Council Services coordinators—their main point of contact to ALPA.

Because the work of a status representative is constant, whether it’s communicating with members, answering questions about certain contract provisions, or addressing issues with management, many elected leaders sacrifice time at home with loved ones to support their members. To avoid burnout and stay healthy, participants received advice on how to prioritize themselves and their families, organize their workload, and maintain a work-life balance.

Guest speaker Dr. Quay Snyder, ALPA’s aeromedical advisor and president of the Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS), led a workshop on self-care and time management, incorporating scientific data and important information from leading organizations. In a general session, he also explained the important benefit AMAS provides ALPA members and covered hot topics affecting pilots.

Knowing that volunteers need support at home, ALPA runs a Spouse and Significant Other Program concurrent with the conference. This program shares information about the union to enhance understanding of the important work done on behalf of pilots, their families, and the profession.

Collaborating as MEC Members

Regarding their role as members of the MEC, status representatives received tips for successfully managing negotiations and gained a better understanding of laws governing pilot negotiations in the U.S. and Canada. They also learned why it’s helpful to have an accurate idea of how pilots think and what motivates them. Longtime ALPA pollster Phil Comstock of Lescault and Waldeman, Inc., provided attendees with scientific insights based on 40 years of pilot polling and research done for the Association.

Guest speaker Naseem Khuri, a professor from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and an expert on negotiations, influence, and conflict management, engaged the group in an interactive session aimed to equip leaders with critical skills like building consensus and collaborating effectively to advance pilot goals. He also led a workshop that provided more opportunity to practice these new skills.

Naseem Khuri, a professor from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, engages conference attendees in an interactive workshop to practice consensus-building skills.

In another workshop, a panel of subject-matter experts from ALPA’s Strategic Planning and Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committees and Communications, Economic & Financial Analysis, Representation, and Strategic Member Development & Resources Departments further discussed the importance of pilot unity and the Association’s focus on collaborating across pilot groups. They reviewed the union’s successful use of Go Teams to support MECs in strategic planning and implementation to advance their pilot groups’ goals.

Building Partnerships

While the conference agenda was filled with how-to information, there was also time for attendees to share their experiences and perspectives and create bonds.

Participants had several opportunities to interact with ALPA leaders and professional staff throughout the week. One of the most popular events is the ALPA Open House, during which attendees and guests toured the union’s offices, talked to pilots from several ALPA committees and staff in all 10 departments, and learned about how Association leadership and staff can assist these new elected representatives and LEC officers.

F/O Mark Lockwood (Delta), the Leadership Committee chair, stressed that status representatives and LEC officers should feel confident knowing that many experienced pilot leaders, volunteers, and professional staff on local, MEC, and national levels stand ready to assist them.

“Build a network of support that you can rely on throughout your term in office,” Lockwood advised. That support team includes the Leadership Committee: Lockwood, Capt. Jared Armstrong (United), and Capt. Glen Gorrie (WestJet), as well as Capt. Andy Nelson (Spirit), a former member of the committee who assisted with the conference. It also includes the union’s national officers, executive vice presidents, Canada Board officers, and pilot volunteers from ALPA’s national committees.

In his remarks to conference attendees, Ambrosi echoed that point. “If you remember one thing from your time here this week, know that you are not alone,” he said. “You have the backing and resources of our great union. Use them.”