Special Guest Commentary by Capt. Paul Ryder

As the cold weather ensnares much of the country, some passengers may find themselves experiencing a flight delay—at times even in a city without snow—but why? As professional airline pilots who are Trained for Life, we take many things into consideration when preparing the aircraft for a safe, on-time departure. However, factors out of our control may force a delay, particularly in the winter months.

On January 15, 2009, the world watched as highly trained pilots landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the middle of New York City’s Hudson River. Within minutes of losing power in both engines, the five crewmembers onboard, along with the assistance of dozens of first responders in the NYC area, made a rare, unpowered ditching into the icy river and successfully evacuated all 150 passengers. 

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show was held this week in Las Vegas and with it, the newest technological sensations are debuted to the public. No doubt a major highlight is the convention’s drone marketplace—where exhibitors demonstrate the latest in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

A recent report showed that 2017 was the safest year on record for global commercial air travel, with not a single passenger fatality. But what may have been lost in the media coverage of that report is the fact that there hasn’t been a fatal passenger airline accident on a U.S. air carrier in the United States since 2009, and shortly thereafter tougher training, experience, and qualification requirements for airline pilots were enacted into law with ALPA's strong support. 

Reflecting on the past year, it is clear that ALPA continues to lead the charge to maintain and improve aviation safety in both the United States and Canada. And as we look to 2018, we will stay the course toward our goal of ensuring that North American airline travel remains the safest mode of transportation in the world. From issues spanning fatigue, pilot training and qualifications, unmanned aircraft systems, carriage of hazardous materials, and so much more, ALPA is the safety conscience of the airline industry for passengers and cargo—constantly adapting and focusing on both imminent and long-term threats.