This Thanksgiving, ALPA continues to be grateful for the dedication and tireless efforts of the 61,000 member pilots who are working this week to keep an estimated 54.3 million passengers safe and secure. Flying remains the safest mode of transportation in the world, and that is because pilots are trained for life to keep flying safe.
Through hard work and unity, members at six ALPA carriers secured new contracts this year, improving the lives of thousands of pilots and their families. Every day, ALPA members work countless hours to improve pilots’ quality of life, ensure job security and protections, and advance aviation safety and security across North America.
In addition, thanks to the thousands of pilot advocates who engaged Members of Congress this year, ALPA was able to secure a long-term FAA reauthorization that maintains lifesaving first officer qualification, training, and experience requirements and the presence of two fully qualified pilots at the controls in every aircraft, while also taking important steps to inspire the next generation to pursue airline industry careers. ALPA’s pilot-partisan agenda recognizes that the best safety feature on any commercial airliner is two well-trained, fully rested, highly qualified pilots in the cockpit.
As we reflect on all that we are thankful for, ALPA remains resolute in our efforts to defend the future of the piloting profession and promote fair competition. We must ensure that the U.S. government maintains a level playing field for our nation’s commercial aviation industry, and we must continue our efforts to ensure a strong and robust North American pilot pipeline to keep air travel safe for years to come.