UPS's independent union, the IPA, contracted with ALPA to have one of ALPA's senior professional negotiators at the table for their negotiations on the 2006 contract. They knew better than to think that they could do it themselves without experienced help. SWAPA has used ALPA's services many times throughout the years. Right now, SWAPA is contracting with the retired Director of Communications from ALPA. NetJets' independent union is working on building a relationship with ALPA, and their leaders were at the last ALPA Executive Board meeting in October.