YES, ALPA National should start a nationwide education initiative at every college and 141 flight school about the harsh contemporary realities of the airline industry.

That said, ALPA is comprised of members....and members should be able and willing to take some initiative on their own and educate those following behind them with what they need to know to be informed. The easiest way to do this is with graduates of colleges with aviation programs who currently fly for regionals going back and talking to upperclassmen or representing their airline (or ALPA) at their college career fair.

Last October the industry was a college senior's oyster, EVERYBODY was hiring. I requested but was denied a trip drop to represent AWAC at Purdue's AvTech career fair last fall. Considering how much the industry has changed in just the last 8 months, I have made plans to attend in 2008 and will do my best to help those following behind me get the knowledge and info they need to succeed in this clusterfark of an industry.