What ALPA National has been doing
12-28-2017, 11:36 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 846
What ALPA National has been doing
ALPA in 2017
While 2017 is certainly going to be noted for dramatic change in Washington, DC and the 115th Congress may be on track as the least productive (at least in terms of numbers of bills signed into law) Congress in modern history, the same cannot be said for ALPA advocacy. We’ve stayed the pilot partisan course, built on our previous successes and expertise, expanded our reach, flexed our political muscle, and welcomed new pilot volunteers. At the mid-point of this Congress, we are situated well to address new and on-going challenges and move sound aviation policy that will benefit safety, security and the future of the profession. For this special edition of your Legislative/Political Update, we've prepared a summary of the year behind us and the year ahead
While 2017 is certainly going to be noted for dramatic change in Washington, DC and the 115th Congress may be on track as the least productive (at least in terms of numbers of bills signed into law) Congress in modern history, the same cannot be said for ALPA advocacy. We’ve stayed the pilot partisan course, built on our previous successes and expertise, expanded our reach, flexed our political muscle, and welcomed new pilot volunteers. At the mid-point of this Congress, we are situated well to address new and on-going challenges and move sound aviation policy that will benefit safety, security and the future of the profession. For this special edition of your Legislative/Political Update, we've prepared a summary of the year behind us and the year ahead
Presidential Transition
While much has transpired in the last twelve months, keep in mind we started the year with a new President and new Congress. We embraced these major changes and set to work immediately creating new relationships, educating Members of Congress on ALPA’s pilot partisan agenda, and finding avenues into key Administration agencies – many of which still are facing staffing challenges. Captain Canoll met with new cabinet secretaries as well as agency heads at FAA, TSA and other key posts. As Republican staff left the Hill for Administration positions, our long-standing relationships have proven essential.
While much has transpired in the last twelve months, keep in mind we started the year with a new President and new Congress. We embraced these major changes and set to work immediately creating new relationships, educating Members of Congress on ALPA’s pilot partisan agenda, and finding avenues into key Administration agencies – many of which still are facing staffing challenges. Captain Canoll met with new cabinet secretaries as well as agency heads at FAA, TSA and other key posts. As Republican staff left the Hill for Administration positions, our long-standing relationships have proven essential.
ALPA-PAC
For the second time in three years, in 2017 ALPA-PAC received national recognition for our PAC program by the Public Affairs Council!
ALPA-PAC was a large part of ALPA’s legislative success during the first session of the 115th Congress. In total, the PAC has disbursed $2,035,000 to support 363 pilot-partisan candidates and committees in 2017. ALPA-PAC disbursements helped our government affairs team and pilot volunteers build strong relationships with decision makers both in Washington and back in the districts those decision makers represent. Our PAC supported candidates from all 50 states, encompassing 286 congressional districts and senate seats.
The dedication to a pilot-partisan Congress is evident in how our PAC funds were distributed: Republican candidates and committees received $998,000 (49.04%) of the PAC’s contributions, while $1,037,000 (50.96%) went to Democrat candidates and committees.
Through the end of October 2017, ALPA-PAC reported $1,849,885 in direct contributions from 12,179 ALPA pilots (not including eligible ALPA staff), which means 23.72% of ALPA’s PAC-eligible pilots chose to contribute this year. That’s over 1,150 more pilot contributors than in calendar year 2016.
ALPA-PAC will have its best year on record once again in 2017, continuing its six-year streak of growth in both contributors and receipts. That cycle of growth will repeat itself in 2018 if ALPA’s government affairs team and pilot volunteers keep educating decision makers on pilot priorities — and then communicate to ALPA pilots that the PAC and a political presence in Washington makes a positive difference for their careers and livelihoods
National Mediation Board
The Senate confirmed three board members this year. ALPA was instrumental in ensuring that all three board nominees moved as a package through the Senate confirmation process so the board would have a full complement of bipartisan members. ALPA is pleased Linda Puchala was re-confirmed which means there will be an experienced board member with extensive aviation background at the NMB.
Subsidized Foreign Carriers (ME3)
We have made real progress in our fight to level the playing field with the three heavily subsidized Middle East airlines (Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar). ALPA and our allies have moved the ball substantially on the merits of this issue. As a result, and for the first time, the Administration has found the ME3 have been subsidized by their governments and that action is needed to create a level playing field in international aviation. The Administration is opening discussions with both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to address this issue with the objectives of 1) an agreement that subsidies do not permit a fair opportunity to compete; 2) an agreement that the airlines of those counties will operate in a transparent manner; and 3) an agreement the financing of the ME3 airlines will be on a commercial and arms-length basis.
At ALPA’s urging, more than 300 Members of Congress have sent letters to the Administration expressing their concern about the ME3 subsidies.
It is important to note that our opposition has ramped up its lobbying efforts this year and looks continue to accumulate resources by hiring additional outside consultants and staffing up at U.S. Travel. This year the opposition has also undertaken an effort to muddy the water and confuse the issue on Capitol Hill. We have redoubled our efforts and spent significant time fighting against their efforts.
FAA Reauthorization
While we are in a holding pattern until closer to the end of the next extension bill in March 2018, we are in a position of strength going into the next round of negotiations on a long-term bill. The House bill (H.R. 2997) includes the majority of ALPA’s FAA reauthorization agenda: no rollback or legislative changes to the first officer qualifications and training rules, addressing undeclared hazmat cargo shipping, safe transport of lithium batteries and aligning U.S. policy with ICAO recommendations, improvements to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), safe operation of drones, Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) authorization, mandating physically-installed secondary barriers, and the inclusion of H.R. 2150 to fight back against flags of convenience. Additionally, the bill contains NO additional mental or psychological health screening, NO cameras in the cockpit, NO changes to the Railway Labor Act, NO changes to foreign ownership and control rules or cabotage, and NO further changes to 3rd class medical.
The Senate bill is not moving because of ALPA’s objections to a provision that would jeopardize aviation safety by weakening first officer qualification and training requirements. Senate Commerce Chairman John Thune this month conceded he does not have the votes to pass his bill because of opposition to the FOQ changes. ALPA’s education and advocacy is key to preventing a bill that will degrade safety from moving forward.
ALPA is focused on the challenges faced by small and rural communities and strongly supports air transportation options for these communities. As such, we have offered Chairman Thune myriad suggestions to improve rural service and ensure that there will be a healthy supply of pilots in the future, including expanding the Essential Air Service Program to student loans for flight training.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)
We delivered a demonstrable win on drones this year when the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law in December. One of the biggest threats to commercial airlines continues to be irresponsible and/or negligent operation of UAS by hobbyists or recreational users. Since drones first came to the market, the number of sightings and near misses by pilots has increased every year. In October, two aircraft (one military helicopter and a small plane) collided with drones on two separate occasions. Neither instance resulted in a crash or fatality, but in one instance the helicopter that was impacted by a drone suffered considerable damage. These two instances reinforced the need for all drones to be registered. Earlier in the year, the FAA instituted a requirement for all recreational drones over .55 lbs. to register with the FAA. Unfortunately, a lawsuit in Maryland was successful in overturning the FAA requirement. ALPA was successful in getting language requiring registration for recreational drones included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which is one of the few pieces of legislation to pass this year.
There continues to be incremental progress made towards full integration of UAS into the national airspace, and ALPA remains the loudest voice for meticulous and safe integration and will work with the FAA and stakeholders to ensure nothing less.
We delivered a demonstrable win on drones this year when the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law in December. One of the biggest threats to commercial airlines continues to be irresponsible and/or negligent operation of UAS by hobbyists or recreational users. Since drones first came to the market, the number of sightings and near misses by pilots has increased every year. In October, two aircraft (one military helicopter and a small plane) collided with drones on two separate occasions. Neither instance resulted in a crash or fatality, but in one instance the helicopter that was impacted by a drone suffered considerable damage. These two instances reinforced the need for all drones to be registered. Earlier in the year, the FAA instituted a requirement for all recreational drones over .55 lbs. to register with the FAA. Unfortunately, a lawsuit in Maryland was successful in overturning the FAA requirement. ALPA was successful in getting language requiring registration for recreational drones included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which is one of the few pieces of legislation to pass this year.
There continues to be incremental progress made towards full integration of UAS into the national airspace, and ALPA remains the loudest voice for meticulous and safe integration and will work with the FAA and stakeholders to ensure nothing less.
Flags-of-Convenience
At the very end of 2016, the Obama Administration approved Norwegian Air International’s request for a foreign air carrier permit – the first flag-of-convenience operation to be allowed to fly to/from the United States. In response, ALPA worked with Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) to introduce H.R. 2150 - the Flags-of-Convenience Don’t Fly Here Act. H.R. 2150 would restore the integrity of the U.S.’s Open Skies agreements by making it more difficult for flag of convenience operations to obtain foreign air carrier permits. The act would protect aviation workers from unfair competition; require a public interest test for all future foreign air carrier permit applications; and, specify that the flag of convenience business model must be considered as a negative during that public interest test. So far, H.R. 2150 has garnered 90 bipartisan co-sponsors. The bill, in its entirety, was added to the FAA Reauthorization during a committee markup in June.
Also in response to the Obama Administration’s December decision, ALPA and our allies filed suit in federal court against the Department of Transportation regarding the NAI permit. The case asks the court to reverse the NAI decision. A similar case was filed in September in opposition to Norwegian Air U.K.’s foreign air carrier permit (which was approved by the Trump administration citing NAI as precedent).
At the very end of 2016, the Obama Administration approved Norwegian Air International’s request for a foreign air carrier permit – the first flag-of-convenience operation to be allowed to fly to/from the United States. In response, ALPA worked with Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) to introduce H.R. 2150 - the Flags-of-Convenience Don’t Fly Here Act. H.R. 2150 would restore the integrity of the U.S.’s Open Skies agreements by making it more difficult for flag of convenience operations to obtain foreign air carrier permits. The act would protect aviation workers from unfair competition; require a public interest test for all future foreign air carrier permit applications; and, specify that the flag of convenience business model must be considered as a negative during that public interest test. So far, H.R. 2150 has garnered 90 bipartisan co-sponsors. The bill, in its entirety, was added to the FAA Reauthorization during a committee markup in June.
Also in response to the Obama Administration’s December decision, ALPA and our allies filed suit in federal court against the Department of Transportation regarding the NAI permit. The case asks the court to reverse the NAI decision. A similar case was filed in September in opposition to Norwegian Air U.K.’s foreign air carrier permit (which was approved by the Trump administration citing NAI as precedent).
Federal Flight Deck Officers Program
The Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDO) program was fully funded in both the FY2017 and FY2018 funding bills. Despite rumors that President Trump was considering eliminating the program, ALPA was able to secure $22.73 million for the program in FY2017. The House Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill maintains funding at that level for FY2018. However, the Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to consider a DHS Appropriations bill for FY2018. A final number for the program is pending passage of the FY2018 DHS measure or an omnibus spending bill.
In addition to the funding battles in 2017, ALPA engaged with the Senate Commerce Committee to win important reforms to the program inside of the TSA Modernization Act (S. 1872). Reforms include increasing access to FFDO training centers, streamlining training requirements, harmonizing the program’s administration with the Federal Air Marshal Service, and creating an “inactive status” for FFDOs who cannot maintain their qualifications due to equipment type or medical leave. The bill has yet to be considered by the full Senate or the House.
Appropriations
Many ALPA priorities require annual appropriations or other Congressional action outside of the authorization process. Most of our priorities are contained in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bills, but ALPA’s wide breadth of concerns cover most of the twelve annual appropriations bills.
2017 proved to be an exciting year for the Appropriations Committees as they considered both the FY2017 and FY2018 spending bills. Following a decision from then-President-elect Trump to ask Congress NOT to complete its work on the previous year’s appropriations bills during the end of the 114th Congress, the 115th Congress began the year with no budget and zero completed spending bills.
Congress reached a deal on FY2017 in April which increased funding for the FAA and the TSA.
Important, pilot partisan accounts, like NextGen, the FFDO program, and the Essential Air Service were fully funded. Additionally, the FY2017 bill included language regarding the U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement meant to protect U.S. workers under that agreement, as was in the previous appropriations measure.
In 2017 no deal could be found on the FY2018 appropriations bills. The government operated under a series of continuing resolutions from October 1 through the end of 2017. On December 22, President Trump signed into law legislation to continue federal funding into 2018 — through January 19. While the House managed to pass all 12 of its spending bills before the end of the fiscal year, the Senate finished its work for 2017 without adopting any appropriations bills.
Many ALPA priorities require annual appropriations or other Congressional action outside of the authorization process. Most of our priorities are contained in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bills, but ALPA’s wide breadth of concerns cover most of the twelve annual appropriations bills.
2017 proved to be an exciting year for the Appropriations Committees as they considered both the FY2017 and FY2018 spending bills. Following a decision from then-President-elect Trump to ask Congress NOT to complete its work on the previous year’s appropriations bills during the end of the 114th Congress, the 115th Congress began the year with no budget and zero completed spending bills.
Congress reached a deal on FY2017 in April which increased funding for the FAA and the TSA.
Important, pilot partisan accounts, like NextGen, the FFDO program, and the Essential Air Service were fully funded. Additionally, the FY2017 bill included language regarding the U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement meant to protect U.S. workers under that agreement, as was in the previous appropriations measure.
In 2017 no deal could be found on the FY2018 appropriations bills. The government operated under a series of continuing resolutions from October 1 through the end of 2017. On December 22, President Trump signed into law legislation to continue federal funding into 2018 — through January 19. While the House managed to pass all 12 of its spending bills before the end of the fiscal year, the Senate finished its work for 2017 without adopting any appropriations bills.
12-28-2017, 11:36 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 846
Tax Reform
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1), the President’s tax reform plan, passed Congress in the final days of 2017. ALPA worked with labor colleagues and other stakeholders to oppose draconian reform provisions that would negatively impact pilots. We engaged directly with Congress to protect major tax provisions directly related to pilot jobs and benefits and were largely successful as the most beneficial tax provisions remain untouched. For example, employer-provided health-care benefits will still be treated as nontaxable income. Pilots will not see a decrease in the amount that may be contributed toward a secure retirement, nor will they see a decrease in maximum contributions to FSAs and HSAs. Under the tax reform measure, some current business-related deductions have been eliminated including, for example, uniforms and union dues.
ALPA continues to advocate for a full repeal of the excise tax on employer-provided health care. We have secured over 218 cosponsors on the repeal legislation.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1), the President’s tax reform plan, passed Congress in the final days of 2017. ALPA worked with labor colleagues and other stakeholders to oppose draconian reform provisions that would negatively impact pilots. We engaged directly with Congress to protect major tax provisions directly related to pilot jobs and benefits and were largely successful as the most beneficial tax provisions remain untouched. For example, employer-provided health-care benefits will still be treated as nontaxable income. Pilots will not see a decrease in the amount that may be contributed toward a secure retirement, nor will they see a decrease in maximum contributions to FSAs and HSAs. Under the tax reform measure, some current business-related deductions have been eliminated including, for example, uniforms and union dues.
ALPA continues to advocate for a full repeal of the excise tax on employer-provided health care. We have secured over 218 cosponsors on the repeal legislation.
ALPA on the Defense
Secretary of Labor
In February the labor community was able to prevent President Trump’s first nominee for Secretary of Labor, Andrew Puzder, from being confirmed. Puzder was an avowed anti-union crusader in the fast food industry. We have established a relationship with the current DOL Secretary, R. Alexander Acosta, who has demonstrated he supports ALPA on ME3 and is willing to work toward consensus on other matters important to pilots.
Right to Work
Right to Work legislation was introduced again early in the 115th Congress by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Representative Steve King (R-IA), S. 545 and H.R. 785 respectively. Neither bill is bipartisan. A National Right-to-Work law would remove unions’ ability to collect “fair share” agency fees while still requiring unions to provide representation to nonmembers who refuse to pay for that representation. Fair share agency fees are imposed on all individuals benefitting from the labor contract and the union’s representation services as a condition of employment. “Right to Work” is a misnomer as this legislation is a direct assault on the right to collectively bargain for better pay, benefits and our ability to enforce our contracts.
We take the legislation very seriously and this year urged Members to refrain from supporting it. The likelihood of the legislation being considered by the House is remote at best as ALPA and other unions have fostered good relationships with moderate Republicans who support workers’ rights. In the Senate, Republican leaders do not have enough votes to invoke cloture thereby making floor consideration nearly impossible. In 2017 we continued to educate new Republican Members of Congress on what right to work means and have kept the bills off the Congressional agenda.
Foreign Ownership and Cabotage
We have successfully pushed back on attempts to expand cabotage and eliminate foreign ownership and control rules. Because of ALPA’s strong stance, a proposal to allow cabotage in Puerto Rico has been rejected by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for inclusion in the FAA reauthorization bill. Similarly, a proposal to eliminate the cap on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines is garnering no support by the T&I Committee and has not moved in Congress.
Advanced Biofuels
Biofuels will play a critical role in the future of aviation especially in our efforts to curb emissions, develop a sustainable long-term fuel source for commercial aircraft, and minimize the effects of global price swings in the oil market. In 2017 we continued our vocal support for federal investment in the development of advanced biofuels, and as a result all the provisions ALPA has supported regarding advanced biofuels have been preserved once again. ALPA led the effort to defeat damaging amendments to the advanced biofuel program, including stopping amendments in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees which sought to stop the Department of Defense and other federal agencies from expanding the refinement and procurement of advanced biofuels. ALPA educated and secured the votes of enough Republicans on the committees to join Democrats in opposing the amendments.
Secretary of Labor
In February the labor community was able to prevent President Trump’s first nominee for Secretary of Labor, Andrew Puzder, from being confirmed. Puzder was an avowed anti-union crusader in the fast food industry. We have established a relationship with the current DOL Secretary, R. Alexander Acosta, who has demonstrated he supports ALPA on ME3 and is willing to work toward consensus on other matters important to pilots.
Right to Work
Right to Work legislation was introduced again early in the 115th Congress by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Representative Steve King (R-IA), S. 545 and H.R. 785 respectively. Neither bill is bipartisan. A National Right-to-Work law would remove unions’ ability to collect “fair share” agency fees while still requiring unions to provide representation to nonmembers who refuse to pay for that representation. Fair share agency fees are imposed on all individuals benefitting from the labor contract and the union’s representation services as a condition of employment. “Right to Work” is a misnomer as this legislation is a direct assault on the right to collectively bargain for better pay, benefits and our ability to enforce our contracts.
We take the legislation very seriously and this year urged Members to refrain from supporting it. The likelihood of the legislation being considered by the House is remote at best as ALPA and other unions have fostered good relationships with moderate Republicans who support workers’ rights. In the Senate, Republican leaders do not have enough votes to invoke cloture thereby making floor consideration nearly impossible. In 2017 we continued to educate new Republican Members of Congress on what right to work means and have kept the bills off the Congressional agenda.
Foreign Ownership and Cabotage
We have successfully pushed back on attempts to expand cabotage and eliminate foreign ownership and control rules. Because of ALPA’s strong stance, a proposal to allow cabotage in Puerto Rico has been rejected by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for inclusion in the FAA reauthorization bill. Similarly, a proposal to eliminate the cap on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines is garnering no support by the T&I Committee and has not moved in Congress.
Advanced Biofuels
Biofuels will play a critical role in the future of aviation especially in our efforts to curb emissions, develop a sustainable long-term fuel source for commercial aircraft, and minimize the effects of global price swings in the oil market. In 2017 we continued our vocal support for federal investment in the development of advanced biofuels, and as a result all the provisions ALPA has supported regarding advanced biofuels have been preserved once again. ALPA led the effort to defeat damaging amendments to the advanced biofuel program, including stopping amendments in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees which sought to stop the Department of Defense and other federal agencies from expanding the refinement and procurement of advanced biofuels. ALPA educated and secured the votes of enough Republicans on the committees to join Democrats in opposing the amendments.
Grassroots
In 2017, ALPA accepted a national award for our innovative grassroots program!
We continue to grow and strengthen the pilot-partisan agenda on Capitol Hill and in congressional districts. Part of our growth was predicated around technology this year. Mid-way through the first half of the 115th Congress we upgraded our political software, leaving Vocus and switching to Spark. With this transition ALPA’s Calls to Action are now widgets on the ALPA website enabling us to solicit participation not just from pilots, but the entire population of the U.S. (Canada to follow in early 2018!)
We ran online ads on the issue of minimum first officer qualifications in several target states (including South Dakota) which increased participation exponentially. Through targeted ads and ALPA member participation, almost 24,000 letters were sent to Members of Congress.
Most active this year was the call to action on H.R. 2150, the Flags of Convenience Don’t Fly Here Act. Over 8,000 individuals took action, sending close to 11,000 letters to Members of Congress. Districts from GA-3, TX-8, CO-4 were top in participation.
Direct participation also came in the form of member engagement with Capitol Hill. ALPA pilots met with Members of Congress and their staff a total of 721 times in 2017. Broken down, that number equates to 116 direct meetings with Members of Congress and their staff, an additional 170 hill meetings during our annual legislative summit, and outreach to every Representative and Senator with a joint union letter on H.R. 2997 during a mini FAA reauthorization fly-in.
District Advocates grew to 460 this year, covering 47 states. DA’s met with Members of Congress and their staff a total of 50 times this year. Advocates in key districts were asked to contact their Representatives on major ALPA legislative issues such as the FAA bill and ME3. This year ALPA used District Advocates in a more strategic and targeted way to help move legislation and deepen relationships. We will continue to build on our successes to carry us into 2018.
Setting the Stage for 2018
In addition to the items mentioned above, ALPA has spent considerable time and resources on other policy matters that will continue into 2018.
Regulatory Reform
As the Administration fills positions and agencies begin work in earnest, ALPA has already put them on notice that aviation safety regulations should not be part of the “2 for 1” Executive Order which calls for two regulations to be eliminated for every one that is promulgated. We expect more disruption through the regulatory process in 2018, including attempts to weaken aviation safety regulations such as first officer training and qualification rules. We are already working with allies in Congress to prevent such onerous rollbacks through the regulatory process.
Student Loans
ALPA has long been looking for targets of opportunity to expand federal student loan programs for flight training. Our advocacy ramped up in July of this year in reaction to Senator Thune’s amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill. As part of our proposal for Senator Thune on additional ways to address service to small communities and ensure there is a healthy supply of pilots in the future, we put together a multi-faceted plan that would include improvements to the Higher Education Act as well as the GI bill. When our student loan proposal is introduced as a bill, it will likely get dual referral to two committees, or wind up as two separate bills. 2017 was an education year where we spent much of the year talking to staff about the new proposal and identifying sponsors to introduce a bill early in 2018. There is potential to get something included in the Higher Education reauthorization bills that will move through each chamber next year or attached to another legislative vehicle.
Undeclared Hazardous Materials
It’s been over a year since ALPA began to publicly discuss the growing threat of undeclared hazardous materials. ALPA put forward a proposal to educate the public on identifying hazmat; to develop protocols to properly declare hazmat and ship it safely; to develop new training for hazmat shipper employees; and, to create a pilot program at the FAA to open and inspect a small number of randomly selected packages to collect data on how much undeclared hazmat is moving through air transit. From our Hill discussions, it has become apparent that Congress agrees that more data is needed on this topic. A study is included in the House FAA reauthorization bill and similar studies to determine if technology exists to scan cargo for hazmat are in the works for security bills.
Aviation Security
ALPA continues to advocate for sound aviation security policy. With ALPA’s support, the House version of the TSA Reauthorization Act of 2017 provided for a comprehensive risk assessment of perimeter and access control security, which includes a “system-wide risk assessment of airport access control points and airport perimeter security, including cargo areas.” The House and Senate will continue to work through TSA reauthorization issues into 2018.
We continue to explore options for moving legislation to address the security loophole of under-vetted supernumeraries on cargo flights, mandating security training for cargo operations, securing airport perimeters at all airports and ensuring that anyone with access to a secure area of an airport is properly screened and vetted.
Fly America
We look ahead to early 2018 to continue our engagement with the Armed Services Committees to clarify the intent of the Fly America Act in the Defense authorization bill to reiterate that government-funded travel should place maximum reliance on using U.S. flag carriers staffed by U.S. flight crews. We will also continue to press for the General Services Administration to correct its policy and regulations to ensure that no U.S. airline be allowed to rent its code to a foreign airline to win a Fly America contract when the U.S.-flagged carrier cannot perform the actual flying utilizing its aircraft and U.S. crews.
In 2017, ALPA accepted a national award for our innovative grassroots program!
We continue to grow and strengthen the pilot-partisan agenda on Capitol Hill and in congressional districts. Part of our growth was predicated around technology this year. Mid-way through the first half of the 115th Congress we upgraded our political software, leaving Vocus and switching to Spark. With this transition ALPA’s Calls to Action are now widgets on the ALPA website enabling us to solicit participation not just from pilots, but the entire population of the U.S. (Canada to follow in early 2018!)
We ran online ads on the issue of minimum first officer qualifications in several target states (including South Dakota) which increased participation exponentially. Through targeted ads and ALPA member participation, almost 24,000 letters were sent to Members of Congress.
Most active this year was the call to action on H.R. 2150, the Flags of Convenience Don’t Fly Here Act. Over 8,000 individuals took action, sending close to 11,000 letters to Members of Congress. Districts from GA-3, TX-8, CO-4 were top in participation.
Direct participation also came in the form of member engagement with Capitol Hill. ALPA pilots met with Members of Congress and their staff a total of 721 times in 2017. Broken down, that number equates to 116 direct meetings with Members of Congress and their staff, an additional 170 hill meetings during our annual legislative summit, and outreach to every Representative and Senator with a joint union letter on H.R. 2997 during a mini FAA reauthorization fly-in.
District Advocates grew to 460 this year, covering 47 states. DA’s met with Members of Congress and their staff a total of 50 times this year. Advocates in key districts were asked to contact their Representatives on major ALPA legislative issues such as the FAA bill and ME3. This year ALPA used District Advocates in a more strategic and targeted way to help move legislation and deepen relationships. We will continue to build on our successes to carry us into 2018.
Setting the Stage for 2018
In addition to the items mentioned above, ALPA has spent considerable time and resources on other policy matters that will continue into 2018.
Regulatory Reform
As the Administration fills positions and agencies begin work in earnest, ALPA has already put them on notice that aviation safety regulations should not be part of the “2 for 1” Executive Order which calls for two regulations to be eliminated for every one that is promulgated. We expect more disruption through the regulatory process in 2018, including attempts to weaken aviation safety regulations such as first officer training and qualification rules. We are already working with allies in Congress to prevent such onerous rollbacks through the regulatory process.
Student Loans
ALPA has long been looking for targets of opportunity to expand federal student loan programs for flight training. Our advocacy ramped up in July of this year in reaction to Senator Thune’s amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill. As part of our proposal for Senator Thune on additional ways to address service to small communities and ensure there is a healthy supply of pilots in the future, we put together a multi-faceted plan that would include improvements to the Higher Education Act as well as the GI bill. When our student loan proposal is introduced as a bill, it will likely get dual referral to two committees, or wind up as two separate bills. 2017 was an education year where we spent much of the year talking to staff about the new proposal and identifying sponsors to introduce a bill early in 2018. There is potential to get something included in the Higher Education reauthorization bills that will move through each chamber next year or attached to another legislative vehicle.
Undeclared Hazardous Materials
It’s been over a year since ALPA began to publicly discuss the growing threat of undeclared hazardous materials. ALPA put forward a proposal to educate the public on identifying hazmat; to develop protocols to properly declare hazmat and ship it safely; to develop new training for hazmat shipper employees; and, to create a pilot program at the FAA to open and inspect a small number of randomly selected packages to collect data on how much undeclared hazmat is moving through air transit. From our Hill discussions, it has become apparent that Congress agrees that more data is needed on this topic. A study is included in the House FAA reauthorization bill and similar studies to determine if technology exists to scan cargo for hazmat are in the works for security bills.
Aviation Security
ALPA continues to advocate for sound aviation security policy. With ALPA’s support, the House version of the TSA Reauthorization Act of 2017 provided for a comprehensive risk assessment of perimeter and access control security, which includes a “system-wide risk assessment of airport access control points and airport perimeter security, including cargo areas.” The House and Senate will continue to work through TSA reauthorization issues into 2018.
We continue to explore options for moving legislation to address the security loophole of under-vetted supernumeraries on cargo flights, mandating security training for cargo operations, securing airport perimeters at all airports and ensuring that anyone with access to a secure area of an airport is properly screened and vetted.
Fly America
We look ahead to early 2018 to continue our engagement with the Armed Services Committees to clarify the intent of the Fly America Act in the Defense authorization bill to reiterate that government-funded travel should place maximum reliance on using U.S. flag carriers staffed by U.S. flight crews. We will also continue to press for the General Services Administration to correct its policy and regulations to ensure that no U.S. airline be allowed to rent its code to a foreign airline to win a Fly America contract when the U.S.-flagged carrier cannot perform the actual flying utilizing its aircraft and U.S. crews.
01-02-2018, 05:25 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 846
January 2, 2018
Fellow ALPA pilots,
As we welcome a new year, ALPA members have a great deal about which to feel proud. Together, our union made truly remarkable progress during 2017 in representing our members, advancing our work in aviation safety, security, pilot assistance, and jumpseat, and enhancing the future of our profession.
In 2017, a growing number of airline pilots acted decisively to secure the benefits of ALPA representation—moving our union closer to our goal of representing all U.S. and Canadian airline pilots with a single voice. Pilots at Air Georgian, Encore, and WestJet joined our ranks this year. We welcome them and expect even more airline pilots to seek ALPA representation in 2018.
I hope you’ve caught sight in recent weeks of ALPA’s “Trained for Life” campaign. Our message promoting our profession and supporting the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) first officer qualification and pilot training standards has been on broad display—wrapped around the Washington Post, printed on billboards at Washington Reagan National Airport, emblazoned on ALPA members’ charity fundraiser t-shirts, and shared across our union’s social media.
By driving an effort that sent more than 40,000 letters and e-mails to Congress, our union defended the critical safety regulations that have played a pivotal role in maintaining the United States zero fatal accident rate involving a U.S. passenger airline since 2010. While we were successful in 2017, we know that this fight is far from over. This year, our union will remind still more passengers, cargo shippers, and industry influencers of airline pilots’ commitment to training.
In 2017, ALPA also kept up the momentum to ensure the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the national airspace. As the only pilot association represented on the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee, we highlighted recent FAA-directed study results showing that UAS can damage aircraft more than bird strikes during a collision. We pointed to this study, along with two recent UAS-aircraft midair collisions and data showing that UAS-manned aircraft near misses are on the rise, to strengthen our call to Congress to allow the FAA to apply proven safety regulations to all types of UAS operations.
Likewise, we made advancements in 2017 in terms of safeguarding the air transportation of lithium batteries by pressing for the required harmonization of DOT regulations with those of the International Civil Aviation Organization. As a member of the Safer Skies Coalition in Canada, ALPA also called for the improvement of flight-time/duty-time regulations that fail to reflect current science or other countries’ regulations. ALPA’s work in Canada also emphasized the importance our union places on bringing all-cargo pilots under science-based flight- and duty-time rules.
In equally promising 2017 news, our union’s Pilot Assistance programs continued to set the global standard. The programs’ respected quality and proven results helped ensure that the FAA Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee did not recommend additional mental health screening requirements as part of airman medical certification. In addition, ALPA formally established the Jumpseat Committee as a fourth component of the Air Safety Organization, and one of ALPA’s flagship aviation security programs, Known Crewmember
, added new checkpoints and is now available at 75 airports.
We have similar success stories to tell for many ALPA pilot groups at the bargaining table in 2017. Airline profits were strong, creating a positive bargaining environment at many carriers that we expect to continue in 2018. ALPA pilots at Hawaiian Airlines, Mesa Airlines, and Endeavor Airlines all signed new contracts with important gains. A three-member arbitration panel issued its ruling on the Alaska Airlines and Virgin America pilots’ joint contract. Across our union, many ALPA pilot groups were able to negotiate improvements outside of the formal bargaining process, including CommutAir, Delta Air Lines, ExpressJet, FedEx Express, United Airlines, and Wasaya Airways.
In individual pilot group negotiations as well as in national regulatory and legislative initiatives, ALPA will maintain and intensify our focus in 2018 on financial issues that affect our members, from tax reform measures to changes in retirement savings and healthcare plans.
While ALPA pilot group leaders make their own decisions about bargaining goals and strategies, they all receive the full backing of our union’s tremendous expertise and resources. We’re making this point as we work with the new U.S. National Mediation Board members and convey ALPA’s bona fides in negotiations, economic and financial analysis, legal representation, retirement and insurance, and communications.
In 2017, ALPA continued our work to foster a plentiful supply of fully qualified and trained pilots. In addition to engaging with aviation students at five new colleges and universities, ALPA pilots worked through our union’s Education Committee to attend events such as AirVenture Oshkosh, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Annual Convention and Career Expo, and the International Women in Aviation Conference. We also connected with more than 12,000 grade school and more than 1,300 college students.
Internationally, the indisputable power of union representation and pilots’ acting in solidarity came into clear focus as the pilots of Ryanair secured a public commitment from management that it will recognize union representation of its pilots. As the Irish Independent described the pilots’ fight, “It was never clear they would succeed in their effort to force change at Ryanair. Had they wavered at all, their cause would have been quickly lost.” The Ryanair pilots did not waver, they stood together, and so did ALPA pilots as we backed their fight. We will watch the situation closely in 2018.
While we demonstrated it most recently in our support of the Ryanair pilots, ALPA will simply never let up in our fight against the atypical business models and the foreign government subsidies that arguably pose the greatest threat to the future of our profession. We’ll continue to demand full enforcement of Open Skies agreements, throw our full weight against flag-of-convenience business plans, and continue to draw the attention of government and private sector decision makers to the need to end the massive subsidies that allow Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways to compete unfairly against U.S. workers.
I thank every ALPA member for digging deep and driving hard in 2017—whether by sending a letter or tweet in support of ALPA’s Trained for Life campaign, volunteering on an ALPA committee, or making a PAC contribution—to help each other, our profession, and our union succeed. There’s no doubt that 2017 was a year of exceptional accomplishment for ALPA. By working together as one union, there’s much more to come in 2018.
Tim Canoll
President
Fellow ALPA pilots,
As we welcome a new year, ALPA members have a great deal about which to feel proud. Together, our union made truly remarkable progress during 2017 in representing our members, advancing our work in aviation safety, security, pilot assistance, and jumpseat, and enhancing the future of our profession.
In 2017, a growing number of airline pilots acted decisively to secure the benefits of ALPA representation—moving our union closer to our goal of representing all U.S. and Canadian airline pilots with a single voice. Pilots at Air Georgian, Encore, and WestJet joined our ranks this year. We welcome them and expect even more airline pilots to seek ALPA representation in 2018.
I hope you’ve caught sight in recent weeks of ALPA’s “Trained for Life” campaign. Our message promoting our profession and supporting the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) first officer qualification and pilot training standards has been on broad display—wrapped around the Washington Post, printed on billboards at Washington Reagan National Airport, emblazoned on ALPA members’ charity fundraiser t-shirts, and shared across our union’s social media.
By driving an effort that sent more than 40,000 letters and e-mails to Congress, our union defended the critical safety regulations that have played a pivotal role in maintaining the United States zero fatal accident rate involving a U.S. passenger airline since 2010. While we were successful in 2017, we know that this fight is far from over. This year, our union will remind still more passengers, cargo shippers, and industry influencers of airline pilots’ commitment to training.
In 2017, ALPA also kept up the momentum to ensure the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the national airspace. As the only pilot association represented on the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee, we highlighted recent FAA-directed study results showing that UAS can damage aircraft more than bird strikes during a collision. We pointed to this study, along with two recent UAS-aircraft midair collisions and data showing that UAS-manned aircraft near misses are on the rise, to strengthen our call to Congress to allow the FAA to apply proven safety regulations to all types of UAS operations.
Likewise, we made advancements in 2017 in terms of safeguarding the air transportation of lithium batteries by pressing for the required harmonization of DOT regulations with those of the International Civil Aviation Organization. As a member of the Safer Skies Coalition in Canada, ALPA also called for the improvement of flight-time/duty-time regulations that fail to reflect current science or other countries’ regulations. ALPA’s work in Canada also emphasized the importance our union places on bringing all-cargo pilots under science-based flight- and duty-time rules.
In equally promising 2017 news, our union’s Pilot Assistance programs continued to set the global standard. The programs’ respected quality and proven results helped ensure that the FAA Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee did not recommend additional mental health screening requirements as part of airman medical certification. In addition, ALPA formally established the Jumpseat Committee as a fourth component of the Air Safety Organization, and one of ALPA’s flagship aviation security programs, Known Crewmember
, added new checkpoints and is now available at 75 airports.We have similar success stories to tell for many ALPA pilot groups at the bargaining table in 2017. Airline profits were strong, creating a positive bargaining environment at many carriers that we expect to continue in 2018. ALPA pilots at Hawaiian Airlines, Mesa Airlines, and Endeavor Airlines all signed new contracts with important gains. A three-member arbitration panel issued its ruling on the Alaska Airlines and Virgin America pilots’ joint contract. Across our union, many ALPA pilot groups were able to negotiate improvements outside of the formal bargaining process, including CommutAir, Delta Air Lines, ExpressJet, FedEx Express, United Airlines, and Wasaya Airways.
In individual pilot group negotiations as well as in national regulatory and legislative initiatives, ALPA will maintain and intensify our focus in 2018 on financial issues that affect our members, from tax reform measures to changes in retirement savings and healthcare plans.
While ALPA pilot group leaders make their own decisions about bargaining goals and strategies, they all receive the full backing of our union’s tremendous expertise and resources. We’re making this point as we work with the new U.S. National Mediation Board members and convey ALPA’s bona fides in negotiations, economic and financial analysis, legal representation, retirement and insurance, and communications.
In 2017, ALPA continued our work to foster a plentiful supply of fully qualified and trained pilots. In addition to engaging with aviation students at five new colleges and universities, ALPA pilots worked through our union’s Education Committee to attend events such as AirVenture Oshkosh, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Annual Convention and Career Expo, and the International Women in Aviation Conference. We also connected with more than 12,000 grade school and more than 1,300 college students.
Internationally, the indisputable power of union representation and pilots’ acting in solidarity came into clear focus as the pilots of Ryanair secured a public commitment from management that it will recognize union representation of its pilots. As the Irish Independent described the pilots’ fight, “It was never clear they would succeed in their effort to force change at Ryanair. Had they wavered at all, their cause would have been quickly lost.” The Ryanair pilots did not waver, they stood together, and so did ALPA pilots as we backed their fight. We will watch the situation closely in 2018.
While we demonstrated it most recently in our support of the Ryanair pilots, ALPA will simply never let up in our fight against the atypical business models and the foreign government subsidies that arguably pose the greatest threat to the future of our profession. We’ll continue to demand full enforcement of Open Skies agreements, throw our full weight against flag-of-convenience business plans, and continue to draw the attention of government and private sector decision makers to the need to end the massive subsidies that allow Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways to compete unfairly against U.S. workers.
I thank every ALPA member for digging deep and driving hard in 2017—whether by sending a letter or tweet in support of ALPA’s Trained for Life campaign, volunteering on an ALPA committee, or making a PAC contribution—to help each other, our profession, and our union succeed. There’s no doubt that 2017 was a year of exceptional accomplishment for ALPA. By working together as one union, there’s much more to come in 2018.
Tim Canoll
President
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
